What I love about reading is that there are so many books written for anyone and everyone. But some super hyped books do not always appeal to me. The following 10 hyped books, among many others, I didn’t like. My unpopular opinions might raise some eyebrows, but honestly, I don’t care. Life’s too short to read boring books.
Plus at my age, other people’s opinions are simply their opinion. Which, in all honesty, has no bearing on what I like or do not like. I’ve stopped caring about what people think a while ago, and it’s liberating. If you haven’t tried it yet, I strongly suggest it: you’ll live a much happier life.
That also applies to books too, by the way.
Now that my mini-venting session is over, let’s get back to today’s topic: 10 hyped books I didn’t like.
The Girls by Emma Klein
This book was super popular on Instagram when it first came out in 2016. I guess the reason it didn’t catch my attention is because I’m not a fan of books that feature cults. I haven’t read one yet that I love, so there’s that. But the 3.5 Goodreads ratings, with over 200,000 reviews means many love this genre. So don’t disregard it simply because I didn’t like it. If cultish topics interest you, you might actually love this book.
The Idiot By Elif Batuman
I tried, I really did with this one. How I wanted to love this book, but it didn’t work for me at all. I heard so many great things about this book, I was anticipating a masterpiece.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll admit that the writing is impeccable. The storyline, or rather, the way the story is narrated that didn’t work for me.
It did work for over 77,000 readers and 12,000 reviewers, with an average of 3.67 stars on Goodreads. Not the higher ranking book nor the most popular, but it was hyped on social networks for a while.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
This is a highly lauded novel, but I don’t get it. I gave it about 100 pages before calling it a day. I find the slow start and dark narration disturbing to me. As a reader, I can handle a dark and twisted story. But there’s something that really nagged at me with this one and I had to give it up. I have to make my peace with accepting the fact that some classic novels are not for me. No matter what anyone says, I don’t enjoy them.
But the 4.24 stars on Goodreads, with more than 39,000 reviews and over 620,000 ratings, is indicative that most people that read this book loved it.
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
I anticipated reading this book for a number of years, and I finally opened it early this year. And what a disappointment!
While I didn’t find anything wrong with Didion’s writing, after about 100 pages, I was bored to tears. I don’t see what the hype is about this book, and it’s unfortunately not a hit for me.
I own the digital copy of Play It As It Lays by Didion, but if I feel the same way about the writing, I’m done with the author forever! Sorry, but I need to enjoy the books I’m reading, and this was not enjoyable at all.
On Goodreads the book ranked pretty high with a 3.93 star rating, over 239,000 readers and 20,500 reviews.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
When I read this book a few years ago, it was ok for me. I can’t say I hated it, but I still don’t get what people loved about it so much. I thought it was a very slow-burn, lacking in action, and the character development could’ve been better. It is not a psychological thriller that I recommend, and I do have a few ones that I loved a lot more. Read my previous post on the subject here:
10 Psychological Thrillers Like Gone Girl You Should Read in 2024
With over 4 star ratings on Goodreads, more than 2,000,000 ratings and over 184,000 reviews, this thriller is a very hyped one.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
I’m all about dark and twisted books, hence my love for thrillers of any form. But incest, even the fictional type, is not my cup of tea.
I believe that the artist and the art are two separate entities, but I have a hard time getting behind a book that talks so candidly about sexually taking advantage of a child.
I read the first part and I must admit, the writing is eloquent. But the content matter is too disturbing to me, and I never felt the need to continue on with the book. Amongst those of you who read it, how would you rate your experience?
It doesn’t actually surprise me that out of over 800,000 Goodreads reviews, its average rating is 3.88 stars.
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
Now, I hope the bookish community will not come for me for the things i’m about to say. When the first book in the series came out, I was intrigued. And since many of my work colleagues at the time raved about it, I decided to pick it up. Mind you, the ladies who couldn’t stop talking about it were women who did not read. Maybe a book here and there, but not true readers.
Therefore, when I started reading Fifty Shades of Grey, all I could think was that this isn’t written for bona fide readers. Rather for the category of occasional readers, such as my former colleagues.
There’s nothing wrong with liking any type of fictional genre, so don’t get insulted if you fall under the category of readers who love this book. I’m saying that most readers will find the writing mediocre, and the story superficial. Basically, it caters to a specific audience, which I’m not part of.
The book has over 2,000,000 ratings, more than 83,000 reviews, with an overall 3.66 stars on Goodreads. So draw your own conclusions.
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
If I was the right demographic when I read these books I would have enjoyed them. But reading the first installment in the series in my forties, it wasn’t for me. I’m not knocking any adult who likes Harry Potter, but I felt like a child reading for the first time.
I believe these books, especially the first couple of volumes, to be great reading for school children. It develops their imagination and lets them explore their creativity.
But as a full-fledged adult, I stopped after volume one. And with no intention of continuing the series, unless my grandson wants to read them with me at some point.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone has an impressive 4.47 rating on Goodreads, with over 9,973,000 readers and 160,000 reviews. Needless to say, this was the most talked about book in 1997, when it first came out.
The ACOTAR Series by Sarah J. Maas
Again, I am the wrong demographic for this one, but I still wanted to give it a try.
I thought that maybe I can see what the fuss is all about, so curiosity got the better of me. But it isn’t something I will ever pick up again.
I know many of you like it, but that’s what makes reading interesting. What works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another. That’s ok though. Like in life, we all have different tastes and preferences, and it makes life more interesting. Imagine how boring things would be if everyone liked the same things, shared the same views, and so on.
The first book in the series, A Court of Thorns and Roses has a 4.2 Godreads rating that comes from over 2,357,000 readers and 185,000 reviewers.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Fantasy fans, please don’t come for me! I cannot get into this book if you paid me to! Well, let’s face it, if I was actually paid substantially, I can get behind any book, but you know what I mean!!
I’ve previously mentioned that I started listening to this one on audio last summer. Before I left for vacation, this was a book I was seeing everywhere. So I took a chance and saw that it was available on Libby through my public library. I was actually surprised, since it was published only a few days before.
While I drive around for work I love listening to either an audiobook or a podcast, but I couldn’t even get through an entire day. I think I returned it either the same or the following day, that’s how much I disliked it. Sorry, not sorry.
Needless to say, that was the end of my journey with the series. But the 4.6 star rating from over 1,300,000 readers and 188,000 reviewers proves that the book is worth the hype. Just not for me, apparently!
Concluding Words
This sums up my post about 10 hyped books I didn’t like. Which are some of yours? Let’s chat in the comment box below.
Until next time, keep reading fellow bookworms.
