7 Books That Are Worth The Hype- Part 2!

A few weeks ago I created a post about books that I think are worth the hype they receive, and I really enjoyed it! So, I decided to create a part 2!

For my original post, click here.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Literally, if I could have every person in the world read 1 book, it would be THUG. This book is so important, following our main character Starr after she watches her innocent best friend get shot by a police officer. I reread this a few months ago in the light of the George Floyd murder, and it was even more impactful than the first time. For my full review, click here. And for a master doc containing BLM resources, click here!

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

This is definitely one of my favorite books of all time! This is book follows Natasha, a high school student who is a day away from being deported back to Jamaica, and Daniel, an aspiring poet who is determined to make Natasha believe in love. This one day romance is the only story I’ve read with Instalove I can get behind. It is just so much fun but will also make you cry.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This is so basic that I’m not even going to go into detail what it’s about. But I reread the original Hunger Games trilogy last year and I am happy to say that it held up for me! So, if you have been putting off reading it for years, this is a sign that you should try it! Also, a disclaimer: I am not including a Ballad of Songbirds in Snakes, just the original trilogy! 🙂

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I literally love this book with all my heart. The Night Circus is definitely one of my favorite reads ever, following a whimsical, mysterious circus that only appears at night. After it closes, it disappears and relocates to a new town with no warning. I can understand why this book wouldn’t be for everyone, as it is a bit like a puzzle to put together everything. But I absolutely adored it and can’t wait to read Erin’s other book soon.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

If you are at all interested in romance novels, I know you have definitely heard of this book! It is an enemies to lovers story with fake dating (the greatest tropes- agh!) that follows Olive and Ethan. After a disastrous wedding that left the bride and groom sick, Olive and Ethan are offered the chance to take their nonrefundable honeymoon to Hawaii. The only catch: they have to pretend like they are madly in love in order to fool the resort staff that they are newlyweds. This was such a cute, tropical romance perfect for summer!

Turtles All the Way DOwn by John Green

John Green is an author who you either love or hate. I have read 3 of his books, but this is the only one I absolutely loved. This follows Aza, a character who struggles with OCD. This is an OwnVoices story, so I feel like I learned a lot about OCD and how it effects people in their day to day lives. If you are wanting to try a John Green book, this is one that I would highly recommend!

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

This is actually a book I just finished recently, and I am literally obsessed. This book follows Linus Baker as he completes a classified mission for the Department in Charge of Magical Beings. He is sent to an island that houses magical children, including a talking gnome, a green blob, The Anti-Christ, and more. This book had some of the greatest character development I have ever seen and will leave your heart feeling so warm and happy. This is definitely one of the greatest books I have ever read.

Let me know what you think about these books! Were they worth the hype for you?

Books That Don’t Get Enough Hype

I did two posts recently about books that are worth the hype, and I decided it would be fun to also do a post about books I don’t think get enough hype! Now, I must add that most of the “hype” for books I see is on Bookstagram, YouTube, and here, and so depending on which accounts or outlets you use you may think these books get enough hype. But where I spend my time, I don’t think they do!

A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum

So, this is literally probably the best book I have ever read. If not the best, it is definitely in the top 10. It was a BOTM pick when it first came out, so there was some buzz surrounding it, but it died down fast and I haven’t seen anyone talk about it since! This is a Muslim own voices story following 3 generations of a family of immigrants in New York City. It will break your heart and I’m really sad it’s not getting more love!

The Book of Lost Names by KristIn Harmel

I just read this book a few weeks back and I am still thinking about it! I know a few of Kristin Harmel’s other books are popular (I think The Room on Rue Amelie got some buzz), but I haven’t heard enough about this one! It is a World War 2 historical fiction following Eva, a Jewish woman living a secret life, smuggling Jewish children into Switzerland. This book was just overall such a good read. The plot was fast paced and there were great family dynamics as well.

Crown of Coral and Pearl by Mara Rutherford

This was an OwlCrate book pick awhile time ago, but since then I haven’t seen anyone talk about it! But this book was a fun fantasy following Nor, whose identical twin sister, Zadie, is the epitome of beauty. Each generation, the most beautiful girl in the kingdom is sent to marry the king in the mainland. Of course, Zadie is chosen because of a scar Nor has on her face. However, after a fishing accident leaves Zadie injured, Nor is sent in her place. This was a fantasy I wasn’t expecting to like as much as I did, and I definitely want to read book 2 soon!

Now That I’ve Found You by Kristina Forest

This book just came out, so maybe not many people have read it yet. But even so, I haven’t been seeing much buzz! But this was such a great story, following Evie Jones after getting caught up in a Hollywood scandal right before her career was about to take off. Now, she is blacklisted and only one person can help: her grandma. This was such a fun NYC adventure and I loved the relationship between Evie and her grandma. This was definitely a great feel-good YA contemporary!

The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg

I heard a bit about this book when it first came out, but since then it hasn’t been around much. I’m usually not into sci-fi, but this was an exception for me! This follows Ana, a living robot who works at the world’s version of Disney World as a princess. After Ana is accused of murdering a staff member, the book goes back and forth between the trial and the events leading up to it. This was a quick and entertaining read, kind of like a younger version of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Enchantee by Gita Trelease

Why nobody is talking about this book is beyond me. This was definitely in my to 10 books of last year! This is historical fiction fantasy that takes place leading up to The French Revolution. Camille, an orphan, is now tasked with taking care of her little sister and will do anything it takes to survive: including blood magic. This was a very fun and whimsical read and I am still very excited for book 2 (that just got pushed back a second time… I’m not bitter)

That’s all I’ve got for you today! What do you think? Do these books get enough hype?

5 Books That Aren’t Worth the Hype (please don’t hate me)

Last week, I created a post about books that I think deserve all the hype (you can find it here), and today I am doing the opposite, and discussing the books that I don’t think are worth the hype!

Of course, I feel like I have to start with a disclaimer. These are my own opinions, and I’m not saying these are bad books. They just didn’t meet my expectations!

Spinning Silver by Noami Novik

Guys… can someone please help me understand? This book sounded like everything I could ever want: a feminist Rumpelstiltskin retelling set in medieval Russia? And it has such a high rating on GoodReads! But I just couldn’t get into it! I tried the audiobook, I tried the physical book, I tried both at the same time, but it was just so boring to me. I didn’t connect with the characters and the plot just moved too slowly.

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rgoerson

This is another book I was sure I was going to love. I heard such great things about it and the cover is stunning! However, this put me in a 2 month reading slump. The main characters were bland and the plot was not enough to keep me invested in this book. I must say that I did enjoy the world, but that is about it. I’m so bummed I didn’t like this one because it seems to be so beloved by many!

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Oh goodness… this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I even bought the B&N exclusive edition because I was sure I would love it! Unfortunately, I just didn’t care for this book. The characters didn’t stick out to me in any way, the romance wasn’t my favorite, and the plot just felt so drawn out. By the time the ending came around, I just didn’t care about the cliffhanger. I’m so bummed because I really wanted to love this fantasy inspired by West African culture!

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I just… I don’t understand why this book has so much hype. As a struggling college freshman, I really thought I would resonate with this book, but I just didn’t care. Cath was such a dull character and I couldn’t get into the fanfiction she wrote, even though it took up a huge chunk of the book. The plot was not very driving, and I remember reading the last page and not even realizing the book was over; that’s how underwhelmed I was.

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

So please please please don’t come at me! Chain of Gold was one of my most anticipated releases because I heard such raving reviews and I loved TID! But this book was so, so boring. The plot didn’t take off until the very end, the rest of the book was very character driven. Which would have been fine, but there were literally eight main characters who all got their own stories. I just stopped caring because it was too much backstory and not enough action.

I am interested to see what all your opinions are, so feel free to leave (nice) comments! And drop some books you don’t think are worth the hype!

6 Books That Are Worth The Hype- Part 1

If you’re at all like me, you may be skeptical of hyped books. Some of my most disappointing reads this year have been books that were so hyped up, that I was sure I would love them. So when I didn’t, I was quite let down. So, I have acquired a list of books that did live up to the hype for me!

Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin

I read this book just last month, and I put it off so long because I didn’t think there was any way I would like this as much as everyone else does. However, this book very much exceeded my expectations! The atmosphere was so dark and I loved the dual perspectives that this book follows! I would definitely recommend this book if you are skeptical about picking it up! You can read my full review here.

Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

This book took the entire Internet by storm when it first came out, and so I was hesitant to pick it up because there was no way I would like it as much as everyone else. But guys- this was the cutest thing I’ve ever read! This royal romance has everything you could ever want in it, and will leave you swooning. It has definitely been my favorite contemporary of 2020 so far! You can read my full review here.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

As soon as I started reading this book, I knew it was going to be a 5 star read. Sabaa Tahir is a master story teller, weaving in an intricate world with characters you would die for. This is a book set in a world inspired by Ancient Rome, and follows a female slave and male soldier in dual POV. This is definitely another favorite of mine for 2020, and I can’t wait to read book 2 soon! You can read my full review here.

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

This is another book I’m sure you have seen around, and rightfully so because it was so cute! This is a small town f/f romance that follows Liz as she campaigns to be prom queen so she can move out of rural Indiana. Growing up in a small town I definitely resonated a lot in this story, and watching Liz grow as a character was so much fun. You can read my full review here.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

You know, we can honestly just put all of Elizabeth Acevedo’s books on this list, but Clap When You Land is my favorite so far! I’m sure you know, but this book is written in verse and follows two sisters who discover one another after their father is killed in a tragic plane crash. This book will pull at your heart strings. I am still not okay and I read this in June!

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Even though I read this last year, it still definitely has a place in my heart as one of my favorite books of all time. This follows a band called The Six in the 70s as they make begin their rise in fame and their eventual downfall. This book is told in an interview style format and it really felt like I was reading about a real band. I didn’t even know it was fictional until about halfway through! I would highly recommend the audiobook as well, because it has an amazing full cast of characters.

I definitely plan on doing a part 2 of this, so let me know what you think about these books! Were they worth the hype for you?