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This is to couple with Becky's Best Book thread.

What was the biggest let down book you read this past year? Something that way hyped up so much that when you read it you really wondered why everybody loved it or something you thought you would really enjoy but didn't.

For me, and I do apologise because I know these are much loved books. But they were The story of Edgar Sawtelle, and the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (sorry fiona! But I have Shogun waiting for me by my bedside table and I can't wait!)

I just couldn't get into them.

I understand how you feel. It's hard to admit that especially in this group. :) I'm stuggling with Outlander and it seems bizarre with how much everybody loves them. Ha ha.

Very Brave for Outlander. Sometimes you just don't click with a book. It happens.

So true. That always reminds me that I should go back and read books I hated or didn't finish from years ago. Maybe I wasn't mature enough at the time or maybe I was in a different place in my life and incapable of understanding or enjoying certain things.

Maybe I should answer my own question. As far as books I have read this year, I would have to say Little Woman. Total snoozefest. I couldn't finish it and my Mom almost killed me cause she loved it.

It is funny how people react to different novels. What one aspect someone will love another will absolutely loth.

Poor Folk by Fyodor Dostoevsky. I had tried a few of his other novels before, but found the names daunting. I was excited to find this relatively short one on audio, thinking that would help. At least they would be pronounced correctly, right? It was awful! I hated both characters and just couldn't wait for them to shut up!

For me it would have to be Assault on Paradise A Novel by Tatiana Lobo. A friend had recommended it to me, and I just couldn't get into the characters or the writing style. It missed for me on many levels.

A Lion Among Men

I really liked Wicked, Son of a Witch was pretty good, but A Lion Among Men was just horrendous. It just dragged on and on and on, and the only time the overarching story ever moved forward was about the last--I don't know--50 pages? I can't look because I gave that sucker away as soon as I finished it.

Hmm, there has been a few since I have been in a reading funk lately, but I think the one I was most let down by was The Time Traveler's Wife. I guess I was looking for something more and I just didn't get it.

Ooh.. Good thread Felina! :D

I have had quite a few big disappointments this year. =\

The Andromeda Strain was one. I LOVE apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic books, and sci-fi, so when this one just droned on for pages at a time about micro-organisms, I wanted to tear my eyes out. Don't get me wrong, I DO like the science part of sci-fi, but I also like something to HAPPEN.

Then my very next book was another major let-down: The Reader. This was disappointing on SO many levels to me. I enjoy reading 'Holocaust fiction' (although enjoy might be the wrong word... It fascinates me both how people can be so cruel and how others can be so hopeful when faced with cruelty...), but this book just wasted my time. I didn't like the characters, and more than not liking them, I actually DISLIKED them. Michael was a whiny twit, even as an adult, and didn't grow or mature one bit in the entire course of the story. Their relationship felt gratuitous and unnatural (and by this I mean that it didn't come about through friendship or mutual liking... just one minute they weren't having sex and the next they were). Lastly, I didn't feel that there was any point to the story at all, except maybe that selfish people with secrets attract more of the same.

Ugh. Anyway.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time was another let-down. Yes, it was somewhat interesting to see things through the eyes of an autistic teen, but nothing actually happened, and it just seemed like a waste of time.

The King of Torts by Grisham. The story in one line. Class action suits against corporations earn lawyer millions in short time, he is investigated for defrauding his clients, loses everything, learns nothing. The end. *yawn*

Beloved Why? WHY do people love this book? I think this book RUINED magical realism for me forever. I LOATHED this book, and couldn't even finish it. I expected so much greatness, so much feeling, and instead it left me angry and bitter because of the time I spent reading it that I will never get back.

Angela's Ashes Dumb, self-pitying, trite CRAP, and written badly too.

Water for Elephants Wasn't impressed. And I don't like reading about the circus either. It was supposed to be gritty and show the dirty underbelly of the circus, but I just felt like something was missing. Like personality.

Watership Down *yawn* Wake me when something happens.

North and South Exposition on class, exposition on religion, exposition on feminism, exposition on worker's rights, exposition on __________ (enter controversial subject here). And I didn't much care for the characters either, sorry to say. =\

Kushiel's Dart Oh man. The writing was bad, the foreshadowing was so heavy-handed I'm surprised Carey could even lift her pen to write it down, the allusions and euphemisms were enough to make me crazy, and to top it all off, she didn't know when to stop and leave well enough alone. After ending the book, she then kept writing in order to force a sequel. Tsk. Tsk.

Whew! That felt good. LOL Sorry for the rant! :D

Felina wrote: "I understand how you feel. It's hard to admit that especially in this group. :) I'm stuggling with Outlander and it seems bizarre with how much everybody loves them. Ha ha. "

WHAT YOU DON'T LIKE OUTLANDER???!!! >:O



Just kidding :-) You're not alone.

So I'm a sucker for a pretty cover...hence:
The Centurion's Wife
Michal A Novel

Fool A Novel- I'm really mad about this one because I love Moore, but this was crappy

The Mysterious Benedict Society- I audioed this one and the narrator was awful! Plus, the story was boring.


The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle- I hated the heroine's personality

Seven Up- I like Plum and her gang, but these are getting too formulaic. You would think Stephanie would learn how to be a proper bounty hunter by now.

Wow so many hated books!

Becky - Finally someone else who feels the same way I do about The Curious Incident, A Ashes & Watership Down. I thought I was the only one didn't 'get it' with those ones.

Ha ha Jackie. My explanation for Outlander is simply that I don't typically like romance and I don't buy Jamie & Claire's 'love' therefore I find it to be cliche, predictable and weighed down. HOWEVER!!! I do like the writing style and the history involved. I will finish the book but will probably not continue on with the series.

Becky wrote: "Ooh.. Good thread Felina! :D

I have had quite a few big disappointments this year. =\

The Andromeda Strain was one. I LOVE apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic books, and sci-fi, so when this one jus..."
Becky, for now you are the only person i know who after havinf read The curious incident of the dog in the night myself, didn't like it either.

I am planning to see which was my best book and biggest let down this year. For the moment i can't jsut think about any for the latter but will go through what I read.

Jeane - I didn't care for it either. It was recommended by my brother who NEVER reads so I thought it must be amazing. Not so much.

It probably is for people who don't read though! LOL

He liked it cause he's a math nerd.

Felina wrote: "Ha ha Jackie. My explanation for Outlander is simply that I don't typically like romance and I don't buy Jamie & Claire's 'love' therefore I find it to be cliche, predictable and weighed down. HOWEVER!!! I do like the writing style and the history involved. I will finish the book but will probably not continue on with the series.


I think Outlander is the best in the series so you may want to stop there if you're not loving it by now. I'm struggling myself with the sixth in the series: A Breath of Snow and Ashes. Not sure if it's my timing, but it's lost some of the magic and I'm getting annoyed with every little detail Galbaldon has decided to include.

I love Jamie and Claire, but the "every little detail" aspect of Gabaldon's writing has annoyed me in every single book of this series. Honestly, I think they're all too long. That may sound like heresy to Gabaldon fans. I know so many people who love all the detail. Gabaldon can do more tightly plotted books as evidenced by the Lord John series. I really wish the Outlander books were better edited.

But nothing has disappointed me so much this year as the highly praised The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein. Ackroyd bent Percy Bysshe Shelley's life into a pretzel, destroyed the credibility of his story line and ruined Mary Shelley's novel with reductionism. I absolutely hated it.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea
Moby-Dick or, The Whale
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Luckily I read another Jules Verne book and that one I loved!

Shomeret - I am one of those who loves the detail, but I also have a lot of friends who have been turned off by it, so I know what you mean. They are quite long!

I whole heartedly agree with those of you who were let down by Moby Dick. I thought that book was long winded and boring.

Jeane - Which Jules Verne did you like? I'm trying to find one of his to read.

Lyn wrote: "Shomeret - I am one of those who loves the detail, but I also have a lot of friends who have been turned off by it, so I know what you mean. They are quite long!

I whole heartedly agree with thos..."

Lyn, I think probably Fiona could tell you stories about me and Moby Dick! Pfff.
The Jules Vernes I really liked, probably because of the mystery, detective feeling in it was

Around the World in 80 Days. I enjoyed that one a lot. It was my first which was great. Then came the third one I read and was a dissapointment.

I got about 1/3 of the way through 20,000 when I stopped reading it. I don't remember why I stopped reading it because I was really enjoying it. I'll have to finish it and see if it will go on this list.

I've liked everything I've ever read by Jules Verne. He DOES use a lot of words and tons of description, but I think that's part of what I like.

Jeane - I have really been wanting to read that one. I should put it on my 2010 list.

Lyn, do you like a bit of detective stories? The rest of the story is great too!

Jeane - I love detective stories! I am bumping this book up to a 2010 read.

Felina wrote: "I understand how you feel. It's hard to admit that especially in this group. :) I'm stuggling with Outlander and it seems bizarre with how much everybody loves them. Ha ha. "

This book was a disappointment for me, too: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I had heard so many good things about it but was left wondering what I was missing. You can read my review at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

Uh oh. I have Mistress of the art of death. =\

Sadly, I had a few let downs this year: Eat, Pray, Love One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia, The Woman In White, The Time Traveler's Wife, The Shack, and The Host.

I understand how Outlander may not appeal to everyone, but, I have to say, I'm a fan! Some of the books could definitely use some editing, but I love the characters so much I really don't mind.

Good Topic.

Felina wrote: "I understand how you feel. It's hard to admit that especially in this group. :)

I love how all the Outlander critics are venturing out. While I have liked the series so far, this group in general has a strong passion for the series and I was nearly convinced that a love for Outlander was a stipulation of participating in discussion. Imagine my relief when I enjoyed them!

Kimberly,
I share your let-downs.

The Time Traveler's Wife really gave me mixed feelings. I kinda felt like Audrey Niffenegger was determined to prove she was super urban-cool with all her knowledge of culture. It got distracting. (I think she would be repulsed by my urban-ignorance and probably snub me socially.)

The Host was just a mess. I really, really wanted Stephanie Meyer to redeem herself, (*cough* Breaking Dawn, *cough*,) but she can't seem to figure out how to run with her ideas. Poor execution. Her characters are terrible. I imagined the whole thing played out by stick figures with robot voices.

Mirian wrote: "I love how all the Outlander critics are venturing out. While I have liked the series so far, this group in general has a strong passion for the series and I was nearly convinced that a love for Outlander was a stipulation of participating in discussion."

Mirian, I hope that you don't feel as though that's really the case. (Half joke? Maybe? *crosses fingers*)

Please, feel free to express ANY opinions you have regarding a book.

I don't want this group to be a place where you don't feel free to express yourself, regardless of how unpopular your opinion may be. Even if I personally disagree with you, I will still always encourage you, and everyone, to discuss your opinions. I am notorious for hating very popular books, and loving very hated books. LOL

Mirian wrote: "Kimberly,
I share your let-downs.

The Time Traveler's Wife really gave me mixed feelings. I kinda felt like Audrey Niffenegger was determined to prove she was super ur..."

Mirian, Oddly enough both books shared the same problem for me: the characters were one dimensional paper dolls and I couldn't bring myself to care about them. Totally agree with you on The Host--I was expecting way more than that from S. Meyer.

Becky Wrote: Mirian, I hope that you don't feel as though that's really the case. (Half joke?...

Oh, no - it was only meant in jest!

There is such a strong following of Outlander in this group; Rabid Jamie fans can be dangerous! I was glad to see those who aren't addicted to the series waving their colors too. All the discussions have had a healthy diversity of opinion and I enjoy it very much!

Kimberly,
I agree about the lack of character in both. I thought, "Ok, let's see what Meyer has for grown ups." I was sorely disappointed. And while the Time Traveler time-line was well thought out, I never warmed to the characters.

I actually really enjoyed Host and felt the wooden-ness of the characters was linited to those that were Hosts. Thos that had resisted seemed almost ever-emotional by comparison.

I loved the Twilight series, and like most, raced through them, but I DID feel her writing skills improved with The Host.

Again Kimberly I agree. Couldn't even finish the host. As soon as I got to a line that was Mills and Boon I put it down in disgust.

And I thought I was the only one who didn't warm to the time travellers wife. Not sure why I didn't warm to it. Maybe I was expecting something more.

Mirian wrote: "Becky Wrote: Mirian, I hope that you don't feel as though that's really the case. (Half joke?...

Oh, no - it was only meant in jest!

There is such a strong following of Outlander in this group; ..."

Oh, good. Ok! I was a little bit worried there for a bit. I hate the thought of someone being afraid to give an unpopular opinion and I won't tolerate anyone creating that kind of environment in my group(s)!

*puts foot down* :)

*stomps on foot while simultaneously kissing forehead*

O_o

If you keep doing that, your eyes may stick that way!

o_O

There.

Better. Variety will help.

._0 ?

(This thread has deteriorated badly. LOL)

Sorry. All my fault. I shall pull myself up by my bootstraps and make an effort to fly right, SIR!

*snickers*

Right. I've always wondered how people manage to pull themselves up by the bootstraps. Doesn't seem physically possible.

Unless they're someone else's bootsraps... Hmm...

Wow this thread did deteriorate. *glares at Kandice and Becky*

Its good to know that its okay to disagree with the general consensus on books. I think I was the first of a million love posts in the Outlander folder that was negative. Its getting better though and I expect to finish tonight. Then I will officially decide which side of the fence I am on. :P