12 Surprisingly Bad Books
12 Surprisingly Bad Books
By: Brittany Shields
These are the hyped books, the ones on all the book lists, the ones everyone says ‘You have to read!’ and the ones that have the pretty covers and popular authors.
But instead of feeling satisfied and better for having read it, you feel ‘Meh’ and ‘Bleh.’
These books, often loved by so many, had me disappointed.
Did they disappoint you too?
Check out this super uplifting list and click the links to get the full rundown on all that fell short. (Sometimes the bad reviews are the funnest to write… can I admit that?)
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
Genre: Non-Fiction
I can’t even classify this one as a Self-Help, because her plan will not actually help you.
This was thee book for women everywhere for the longest time so I had to read it.
Hollis is an engaging and often relatable writer and she tells you all the things you want to hear like ‘Be your own hero!’ and ‘You have control of your life.’ But these are shallow axioms that will just leave you disappointed and blaming yourself. I don’t like this book because it’s frankly full of well-meaning and ear-pleasing lies.
Read my review for my alternative suggestion for a WAY BETTER counter book to this one.
2. Yes, Please by Amy Poehler
Genre: Memoir
Ah. This was such a sad letdown. Parks and Rec is one of my favorite shows and I love Amy Poehler as an actress. Don’t you just hate when you get glimpses of actors’ real lives and it makes you like them less? The ‘humor’ in this book was not for me. I guess I’ll stick to Stage Amy.
3. The Rooster Bar by John Grisham
Genre: Fiction
I wouldn’t say this one was raved about. An author with a million books can’t always be hyped up with every book. But generally speaking, Grisham writes great legal thrillers. So what was disappointing about this one was: it wasn’t a great legal thriller. It was a bit of a bait-and-switch plot line that was way more boring than it could have been.
4. Everybody Always by Bob Goff
Genre: Christian Living
I think I’m the minority on this one and it seems like a bold move to be disappointed in a book about loving difficult people— I promise- I am NOT against loving all people. So if this book helps you with that, continue forth. But for me, it felt like a book that makes people think ‘How can I be more like Bob Goff?!’ or ‘Dang… I can never be as awesome as Bob Goff.’ Both of which are completely missing the point.
Plus I felt like some of his stories were sketch and some of his Scripture presentation was also sketch.
I explain more in my review.
5. The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes
Genre: Romance/Historical Fiction
Me Before You was a great book from Moyes. But then she wrote this one and it ANNOYED me. Because a book that champions infidelity is not romantic to me. It’s a book about affairs and we’re supposed to be happy for these characters. Pass.
6. Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Genre: Fantasy/Fiction
I’m probably the only person in the universe who read the book before I ever saw the play. And I wish I was someone who had never read the book at all. The book is straight up kinky and weird and probably some sort of profound allegory of politics and all sorts of neat stuff but I can find something better without all the bizarre thrown in. The PLAY on the other hand… saw that bad boy in London and I fully affirm the script changes and omissions from the book.
7. Rise of the Mystics by Ted Dekker
Genre: Fantasy/Christian Fiction
Early Ted Dekker books are my FAVORITE. I had vowed to own every Dekker book ever written. So imagine my surprise when he started writing some sucky books. The suspense and ideas are still superb— he is a master storyteller— but I just don’t want to hear so much New-Agey allegory and Scriptural teachings that just kinda bog down the story. I’ve named this book but there are a few of his other recent ones that fit this recipe and I’m just not stoked about it. The Circle Series and the Books of Mortals are done way more tastefully and amazingly. Let’s stop being such a sage and get back to the action-with-a-clearer-purpose.
8. The Companions by Katie M. Flynn
Genre: Sci-fi/Fantasy
This is not a well-known book but it still qualifies as surprisingly bad because the cover and premise were super interesting and showed promise…. right up until the author set it all on fire and decided ‘Nah… I don’t think people want to read about a person murdered-turned-robot getting sweet revenge, let’s have a nice quiet story where we listen in on a variety of boring people living in a dystopian world… Oh and how bout I keep building up anticipation and then pour a bunch of lame-sauce on it. Every. Time. kcool let’s do it.’
9. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Genre: Fiction
Again, I think I’m the minority here, but I found this book distressing. It’s a controversial read for a number of reasons, which is fine, but my biggest issue was the clear bias written by the author into the characters and the dialogue. Her persuasion seemed too evident to me. Also, the stereotypical free-spirit artist is an annoying and irresponsible trope. And I’m an art major so I’m allowed to say that.
Read the review for the more detailed version of my feelings as this book had many complicated topics.
10. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Genre: Fantasy/Fiction
This was a Goodreads Choice Awards winner so I’m very clearly the minority. It wasn’t terrible, but it just wasn’t that good. Lots of potential and lots of waste. Great idea, poor execution.
Here’s my briefest summary: This is a very long book that you will read and you might enjoy but when you try to explain what happened you will think, “Well, I guess not a whole lot.” When you try to explain the beauty of it you will think, “Well, I liked the words. But I guess none of the love was real and there’s actually no real hope. Addie thinks she has a plan but let’s be real, Addie’s track record is pretty terrible.”
Read the full review for more fun sarcasm!
11. Against All Odds by Danielle Steel
Genre: Romance/Fiction
I think Danielle Steel is a popular author? Regardless, ‘against all odds’ you might like this book. But it’s unlikely. Unless you like to read about stupid people. Or if you are passionate about the concept of people having to make mistakes to learn from them. Like alllll the mistakes. Like there is not a single instance that we can just say ‘Nah, I think that might be a bad idea.’ Then this book will probably be an inspiration to you. But if you pride yourself with common sense, this will grind your gears in the worst way.
12. Uncommon Ground by Timothy Keller & John Inazu
Genre: Christian Living
Unlike many of the others listed, this book didn’t garner a sarcastic review from me because this is a serious book. It’s one with a super important message that I really wanted to like. It’s the type of book the world needed, but I was disappointed with the execution. Tim Keller is a favorite author of mine so I had high hopes. (Note: this book was written by 12 contributors) I felt it lacked in practical application and didn’t clearly answer the questions we’re all asking. Details within.
Comment below with any books that crushed your hopes and dreams. Or just disappointed you a smidge bit.
I’d love to not read them!
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