There are so many books out there. Obviously. And with all those books there are some that are worthy of medals and trophies, and others that are worthy of staying unprinted. As an avid reader, I've had a chance to read so many books that I love, but I have encountered so many books that I just hate. I personally don't hate books that often, but when I do, it's with a literal burning passion. So here are the worst books I have ever read, ranked from least to most hated. I'll also include a book that is similar to that one but actually decent, just so you can have something good to read.
I will not really go too much into detail as to why I hate them so much, as I don't want to spoil my good mood, but please understand that just because I disliked them, that doesn't mean you aren't allowed to love them! Isn't it great how everyone is entitled to their own opinion?
I will not really go too much into detail as to why I hate them so much, as I don't want to spoil my good mood, but please understand that just because I disliked them, that doesn't mean you aren't allowed to love them! Isn't it great how everyone is entitled to their own opinion?
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena
Starting off with a book that could have easily not have been included because I don't despise it that much, but I thought it would be best to start off nicely. Here's the thing: Shari Lapena has a great writing style. It was almost impossible to put this book down. I was so prepared for such an engrossing mystery with an amazing plot twist, but instead I received the most mediocre story arc with the most pointless ending possible. It barely even made sense. By the end of it, An Unwanted Guest just felt like a waste of time.
RATING: 2.9/5
WHAT TO READ INSTEAD: Please read And Then There Were None! One of the best murder mysteries out there that has aged like fine wine. Now that novel is a truly engrossing mystery.
Starting off with a book that could have easily not have been included because I don't despise it that much, but I thought it would be best to start off nicely. Here's the thing: Shari Lapena has a great writing style. It was almost impossible to put this book down. I was so prepared for such an engrossing mystery with an amazing plot twist, but instead I received the most mediocre story arc with the most pointless ending possible. It barely even made sense. By the end of it, An Unwanted Guest just felt like a waste of time.
RATING: 2.9/5
WHAT TO READ INSTEAD: Please read And Then There Were None! One of the best murder mysteries out there that has aged like fine wine. Now that novel is a truly engrossing mystery.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
If I was in a forgiving mood, this book would have also probably have been excluded from the list. But I'm not in a forgiving mood, the same was as Bossypants is really not that good. This book sent me spiraling into an awful reading slump and it was honestly such a drag to get through. It was littered with pop culture references that aged like milk along with the sense that Fey was trying so hard to be funny. Novels or memoirs that try so hard to be comedic are immediately less enjoyable, so I think that's why this book was so difficult to actually like. I did admire how honest Fey was about her own experiences, but that doesn't really save the memoir from being painfully average.
RATING: 2.9/5
WHAT TO READ INSTEAD: If you want an actually funny and insightful memoir, I would definitely recommend Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by comedian Mindy Kaling. This book was honest, witty, and pretty entertaining. It's not the best memoir I've read, but it is infinitely better than Bossypants.
If I was in a forgiving mood, this book would have also probably have been excluded from the list. But I'm not in a forgiving mood, the same was as Bossypants is really not that good. This book sent me spiraling into an awful reading slump and it was honestly such a drag to get through. It was littered with pop culture references that aged like milk along with the sense that Fey was trying so hard to be funny. Novels or memoirs that try so hard to be comedic are immediately less enjoyable, so I think that's why this book was so difficult to actually like. I did admire how honest Fey was about her own experiences, but that doesn't really save the memoir from being painfully average.
RATING: 2.9/5
WHAT TO READ INSTEAD: If you want an actually funny and insightful memoir, I would definitely recommend Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by comedian Mindy Kaling. This book was honest, witty, and pretty entertaining. It's not the best memoir I've read, but it is infinitely better than Bossypants.
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg
You might be wondering, what is a middle-school novel doing here? This is the first book that I ever remembering hating, and since I read it in fifth grade, it has held a special place of hate in my mind. I do want to give it another chance because I didn't really consider the writing style, the character development, or pacing when I first read it, so I can't really give it a review with supported evidence. I just specifically remember hating the main character with the passion of a thousands suns. She was stereotypically quirky, geeky and just "different" from other girls. I want to read it again because I feel like I could give a more objective view of the novel's execution and style, especially since it is so highly rated on Goodreads. However, I still really hate it. Nothing but a reread could possibly change my mind.
RATING: I can't really give it a real rating since I read it so long ago, but it's definitely very low.
WHAT TO READ INSTEAD: Honestly, just about any middle-school novel would be so much better than this annoying book. I would, however, definitely recommend Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. This was one of my favorite books growing up and it is such an gripping take on illness, intelligence, and identity. I still love it and I still recommend it to this day.
You might be wondering, what is a middle-school novel doing here? This is the first book that I ever remembering hating, and since I read it in fifth grade, it has held a special place of hate in my mind. I do want to give it another chance because I didn't really consider the writing style, the character development, or pacing when I first read it, so I can't really give it a review with supported evidence. I just specifically remember hating the main character with the passion of a thousands suns. She was stereotypically quirky, geeky and just "different" from other girls. I want to read it again because I feel like I could give a more objective view of the novel's execution and style, especially since it is so highly rated on Goodreads. However, I still really hate it. Nothing but a reread could possibly change my mind.
RATING: I can't really give it a real rating since I read it so long ago, but it's definitely very low.
WHAT TO READ INSTEAD: Honestly, just about any middle-school novel would be so much better than this annoying book. I would, however, definitely recommend Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. This was one of my favorite books growing up and it is such an gripping take on illness, intelligence, and identity. I still love it and I still recommend it to this day.
A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley
Don't get me wrong; the story is incredibly heartbreaking and emotional, but it was written in the most monotone way possible. What was supposed to be a gut-wrenching read felt like I was reading the world's driest college essay. There was no... flavor, if that makes sense. What bugs me the most is that Saroo Brierley hired a ghost writer for this memoir, and it's like they purposefully hired the worst one they could find.
RATING: 2.8/5
WHAT TO READ INSTEAD: First of all, you could definitely watch the movie adaptation, Lion, which is definitely better. As for reads, how about a truly impactful memoir? If you want to read a story that is tragic and well written, start reading The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eger. You have no idea how well-executed and thought-provoking this book is. I recommend it to pretty much everyone that listens to me and will continue to do so.
Don't get me wrong; the story is incredibly heartbreaking and emotional, but it was written in the most monotone way possible. What was supposed to be a gut-wrenching read felt like I was reading the world's driest college essay. There was no... flavor, if that makes sense. What bugs me the most is that Saroo Brierley hired a ghost writer for this memoir, and it's like they purposefully hired the worst one they could find.
RATING: 2.8/5
WHAT TO READ INSTEAD: First of all, you could definitely watch the movie adaptation, Lion, which is definitely better. As for reads, how about a truly impactful memoir? If you want to read a story that is tragic and well written, start reading The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eger. You have no idea how well-executed and thought-provoking this book is. I recommend it to pretty much everyone that listens to me and will continue to do so.
Onward by Howard Schultz
As I recently explained in my full review, the only thing that I learned from this book is how deeply I dislike Howard Schultz. Reading Onward feels like you're running the obligatory P.E. mile; you want it to be over as soon as possible, but it doesn't really give you a reason to keep moving forward. I often feel like I'm too nice with my ratings, since I try to see the good in every book I can, but it was nearly impossible in this situation. It is unbelievably pretentious and self-indulgent. Take a shot every time this book makes you roll your eyes at how egotistical it is. I promise you'll probably be drunk by the third chapter.
RATING: 2.7/5 (honestly, it should probably be lower!)
WHAT TO READ INSTEAD: If you want a great memoir about a successful CEO, read Shoe Dog by Phil Knight immediately. It is not only my favorite memoir of all time, it is objectively one of the best ones I have read in my life. If you just want to read about a successful person who isn't necessarily a CEO, read Michelle Obama's Becoming. Now that is a classy, insightful read.
As I recently explained in my full review, the only thing that I learned from this book is how deeply I dislike Howard Schultz. Reading Onward feels like you're running the obligatory P.E. mile; you want it to be over as soon as possible, but it doesn't really give you a reason to keep moving forward. I often feel like I'm too nice with my ratings, since I try to see the good in every book I can, but it was nearly impossible in this situation. It is unbelievably pretentious and self-indulgent. Take a shot every time this book makes you roll your eyes at how egotistical it is. I promise you'll probably be drunk by the third chapter.
RATING: 2.7/5 (honestly, it should probably be lower!)
WHAT TO READ INSTEAD: If you want a great memoir about a successful CEO, read Shoe Dog by Phil Knight immediately. It is not only my favorite memoir of all time, it is objectively one of the best ones I have read in my life. If you just want to read about a successful person who isn't necessarily a CEO, read Michelle Obama's Becoming. Now that is a classy, insightful read.
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Ah yes, the first bad book I rated on this website. Listen, Looking for Alaska was just bad. A friend recently tried to read it and she couldn't get past the first 30 pages. The whole novel is super cringey and angsty in the worst way possible. The review I made for this book is extensive, so I really don't want to repeat myself all over again when I already whined and complained about this novel so much. Just know that the plot basically consists of teenagers drinking and smoking and trying to be deep. While there are some quotes that are quite nice, that isn't enough to save the book from itself. I think this one of the books that I consider the biggest waste of time.
RATING: 2.4/5
WHAT TO READ INSTEAD: John Green is actually a pretty great writer. Just because this novel was terrible, that doesn't mean the rest of his work isn't! I would easily recommend The Fault in Our Stars if you haven't already read it, but Turtle All the Way Down is a pretty decent yet underrated read you should check out.
Ah yes, the first bad book I rated on this website. Listen, Looking for Alaska was just bad. A friend recently tried to read it and she couldn't get past the first 30 pages. The whole novel is super cringey and angsty in the worst way possible. The review I made for this book is extensive, so I really don't want to repeat myself all over again when I already whined and complained about this novel so much. Just know that the plot basically consists of teenagers drinking and smoking and trying to be deep. While there are some quotes that are quite nice, that isn't enough to save the book from itself. I think this one of the books that I consider the biggest waste of time.
RATING: 2.4/5
WHAT TO READ INSTEAD: John Green is actually a pretty great writer. Just because this novel was terrible, that doesn't mean the rest of his work isn't! I would easily recommend The Fault in Our Stars if you haven't already read it, but Turtle All the Way Down is a pretty decent yet underrated read you should check out.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
And of course, I had to finish off the list with the worst book I have read in recent memory. I think I hate this book because I finished it literally yesterday and I still can't wrap my head around what a huge waste of time it was. I am willing to give the Hulu series a shot, because I could possibly enjoy the story told in a different way, but definitely not the way Sally Rooney tells it. Why do people gravitate toward her writing style? It is monotone, dull, and bleak in the worst way possible, with barely any character development. Ugh, I'm getting mad just thinking about it again. Just read the full review if you want to here me rant about this novel.
RATING: 2.3/5
WHAT TO READ INSTEAD: Um, LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE? Just don't read this one!
And of course, I had to finish off the list with the worst book I have read in recent memory. I think I hate this book because I finished it literally yesterday and I still can't wrap my head around what a huge waste of time it was. I am willing to give the Hulu series a shot, because I could possibly enjoy the story told in a different way, but definitely not the way Sally Rooney tells it. Why do people gravitate toward her writing style? It is monotone, dull, and bleak in the worst way possible, with barely any character development. Ugh, I'm getting mad just thinking about it again. Just read the full review if you want to here me rant about this novel.
RATING: 2.3/5
WHAT TO READ INSTEAD: Um, LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE? Just don't read this one!
READ THESE BOOKS INSTEAD!