Giving Authors a Second Chance

Hello bookworms!

I recently saw Emily Fox on YouTube do a vlog similar to this, and it sounded like a super interesting idea.
Of course, we all know that how much we like a book depends on the mood we are in, how well we connect with the characters, the format we are reading in, etc. So, I have come up with a list of authors who have released books I am interested in, even if I didn’t like their books in the past.

My goal is to have these books read by Feb. 2021! This will give me time during Christmas break, and I don’t have to worry about fitting them in by the end of the year.

Naomi Novik

Last year, I had heard so many great things about Spinning Silver. Everyone seemed to love it, and it had such great reviews. However, I literally could not finish it and ended up DNF’ing about 60% of the way through. Now, she has recently come out with A Deadly Education, and once again I have been seeing it everywhere. This premise really intrigues me and everyone seems to love it. So, I think this is the book I am going to attempt to read by Naomi Novik.

Leigh Bardugo

This is so controversial, because I know so many people love Leigh Bardugo’s writing. I tried to buddy read Shadow and Bone with a few friends and I just could not do it. I ended up DNF’ing this around the 60% mark as well. However, I own a copy of Six of Crows and at has been on my shelf for over a year now. Six of Crows is adored by so many people, and I really want to understand the hype!

Roshani Chokshi

About two years ago, I read The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi. At the time, I gave it 2.5 stars but looking back I think it would definitely be more of a 2 star book for me. I really wanted to like it because I loved the idea of a book inspired by Hindu mythology, but this was just a lot for me to digest. I remember thinking the writing style was stunning, so I definitely want to give her a second chance. Although Gilded Wolves has gotten a lot of buzz, I think I want to read Aru Shah and the End of Time. This is a middle grade novel, so it will be a quicker read, and from there I can decide whether or not I want to pick up The Gilded Wolves trilogy!

Madeline Miller

So, Circe was the first book I picked up this year, and unfortunately it was a DNF at about 65%. I really wanted to like it and tried the audiobook and physical book, but nothing was working for me. But, before I read Circe I purchased a copy of The Song of Achilles, but have been pushing it off because I’m afraid I won’t like it! So, I think that will be the second book I attempt to read by Madeline Miller.

So, I am excited to see how this plays out! I am going to be kind to myself, so I am prepared to DNF if I am miserable. But this way, I will be able to decide whether or not to read these authors books in the future!

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!