I feel like you were trying so hard the last few years to be gentle when you didn't like a book. To not upset anyone. I really appreciated hearing some of your honest opinions. You did a good job of expressing yourself without getting super spicy. Best vibes I've felt in one of these types of videos. ❤
I wish it'd happen more often throughout booktube. Someone saying why they didn't like a book doesn't speak poorly on those who enjoyed it. Its all subjective. People who get mad about it will whether or not someone prefaces it with the whole spiel about it just being their opinion and its fine if you like it etc etc.
I love how you showed Starless Sea in the list of one and two stars and I (who rated it 5 stars) just nodded to myself and was like "yeah, that's fair"
I haven't read that one but The Night Circus could be described in exactly the same way. Nothing happens but the world is pretty and the sentences are nice.
@@karakask5488 it’s even more meandering than The Night Circus (which I loved!) - at least in that book you grasp a central location (the circus) and there is at least one through line you can follow (the love story) - Starless Sea starts off with that and you think you’ll be following a character mainly with a lot of beautifully written side stuff but then the main plot kind of disappears into the side stuff and never goes anywhere - it feels like she’s trying to build and build up this world but she forgets to tie anything off - then tries to by saying the point is that stories never end…? It didn’t convince me tbh it felt like she didn’t know how to end the story so she just kept writing and picked an arbitrary place to stop
Loved Final Girls Support Group honestly mostly because I had such a blast hunting for Easter eggs. I felt like I was just sitting in a basement nerding out about horror movies with my perasocial pal Grady, which I found to be a blast. I had some of the same criticisms you did, actually, but I was having so much fun that it didn't matter at all. I was so invested and had so much fun. Never had an issue differentiated between the characters at all, either. I actually think these characters were the most distinct of any of his books.
I loved the Starless Sea because it felt like a puzzle to read. And there were some solutions but other threads were left hanging but it all felt right anyhow. Like most of the side stories in the book actually connect to the main plot in a weird way. It's like the smaller stories are extended metaphors about what is happening or what has happened. Also I do kind of love being confused if it's done right 😂 but I can also admit that it's a book I shouldn't have liked because I usually don't care for this amount of aimlessness. Plus it is 100% vibes only.
This is why you are my favorite booktuber. You recognize how difficult it can be to write a book. You give authors credit and positive comments for their hard work. I feel the same. I think this is why I don’t like these videos at times but you acknowledge their work and I appreciate videos like yours ❤️📚
Finally someone who feels the same about Where The Crawdad Sings! If you want to know what my alternate theory for the culprit was, pls let me know. I think it's hilarious and it also sort of makes sense. It would have been a better ending for sure.
Wow, Mark Danielewski took you on the entire journey this year! Would you consider picking up more books from him for your "3rd time a charm" series? Also, a small note - his last name is Polish, so it's pronounced closer to Daneelevskiy (in the same manner as Tchaikovsky).
Thanks for the pronunciation help Viktoriia!! I really don't think I'd be down to give him another go tbh. I think he had one great idea and it was super special for me, and I don't want to muddle my love of his writing any further hahaha
I am so happy to see someone else feels the same as me about the starless sea. I finished it thinking am i dumb? why does everyone love this book. Like you said beautiful writing but i cannot remember anything about the plot
I'm right there with you on The Starless Sea. I was so confused the whole time! The writing was like beautiful word vomit all over the pages but none of it made sense to me!
some of the books you listed i was so surprised that you read them this year!! It feels like so long ago that you read certain books, how has this year felt simultaneously so short yet so long haha
“These aren’t bad books, just bad for me. … This was a lengthy poem that made no sense, and followed no rules, …and I can’t tell you the plot because I don’t know what it is, and I can’t tell you what he was trying to do with it because I don’t think he was trying to do anything.” 😂
“Where the Crawdads Sing” was overhyped. It was beautifully written; but nothing revolutionary. Plus, I went into the book seeking a mystery and it was more of literary fiction and romance which disappointed me.
You covered so many books in such a concise and short amount of time. I stare in awe. Also my least favorite books of the year made me angry so I went on rants lol next year I strive to be as composed as you 😭
Woahhhhhhh NOT THE STARLESS SEA. it’s most definitely a vibes only book. You can’t be expecting a real plot and structure. definitely a whimsical mood read. I love that book.
My least favorite book: Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson ---- If I don't like Nine Lives next year, I'm done. I also read Eight Perfect Murders, and I didn't like that either. Swanson... you are officially on the chopping block. :) My most disappointing book: The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon --- I loved the story. It starts off strong. It had a few great moments, but I feel like it went on for too long and it got boring at times. It had a great ending with not much of an explanation for why things were the way they were. For me, the best part of a ghost story is understanding a haunting is happening in the 1st place. I guess I just wanted more. The forgotten: The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave --- This was a Goodreads Choice 2021 winner. I was so excited to read it until I realized I read it already. Apparently, I even gave it 4 stars. So, I read it, but I remember nothing about it. LOL At least I had fun at the time. DNF: The Hunting Wives by May Cobb--- Nope, nope, nope. This just made me very uncomfy. Yup, that's my rant for the day. :)
I was worried when XX showed up in that first list as I just bought it but then I remembered you loved House of Leaves and you also had Remarkable Thing and The Starless Sea on the list so I've got my fingers crossed. I think we like books with the same vibe but have different tastes on which we like haha
Thank you for mentioning Where The Crawdads Sing!!! I read it this year, and it felt so much like a book you would read in high school - So I didn't understand the hype at all...
i feel the exact same way about Where the Crawdads Sing!! i do not understand the hype about it. i also felt that way about The Midnight Library which i know you loved.. the way that character stigmatized medication for mental health felt so weird to me and in the end i just felt super hit over the head with the moral of that story.
I think about The Midnight Library *all* the time. I can barely remember the plot, and I've had so many people question my rating of it that even I'm starting to get confused myself LOL. Like why did I love it? Would I still love it now? It's all a mystery.
Yeah I'm with you on the Atlas Six, I do not get the hype. The beginning with the introduction of the characters was the best part and it all kind of fell apart after that. There was almost none of the maneuvering or back-stabbing that was hinted at with the competition concept and why set the story in a cool secret library when it barely features in the plot?
I read hopeless in like 2014… and LOVED it… but I’ve read Colleen Hoover books this year and absolutely despised them so I have no idea how I would feel about it if I reread it 😂
I read The Starless Sea last year even though I did not like The Night Circus or the way it was written and my brain just can't comprehend the love for either of those books, but especially The Starless Sea. One I think is so overhyped this year is Rock Paper Scissors, almost all of it is people complaining about marriage and then a twist that is fun but doesn't make up for the vast majority of the book being miserable haha
I’m not mad about what you said about the crawdads book (even though I really did love it). But what might be helpful for those of us who haven’t experienced that story elsewhere and would love to, give us a rec! (This could be a video idea-love this book? Read this one where it’s done better! 😆)
Yeah. Fair on the starless sea. I loved it because it WAS purely vibes. I love vibes and being ✨confused ✨. Also books with lush or whimsical settings. It was definitely an ambitious book. A big swing means a big miss. I get why it doesn't appeal to others though.
I completely agree on The Starless Sea! It's beautifully written but geez I kept asking myself "when is it going to end". Debated on DNFing it but everyone seems to love it so much I thought it was going to get better, haha. I'm happy it has its audience though!
I started Book of Accidents thinking it was going to be a fav...and I stopped halfway, I was exhausted and couldn't believe there was so much more to go 😅
I loved Crawdads..I thought it was a great story of survival but we all have different tastes..I never felt like I’d read that story before…I loved the nature descriptions as well. I gave it 5 ⭐️. How ever I also dislike other books that people love…fir example I hated Moby Dick and many people love it…That’s why we all should never go by what others say and just read and judge for ourselves. I also have found on rereads I’ve changed my mind both fir the better and for the worse. My mood or my age at the time of my read really makes a difference I’ve found.
I listened to The Project and ended up giving it 3 stars as well. I was disappointed with it since I loved Sadie. You've convinced me not to read The Atlas Six.
I quite enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing, however I completely get your point. I was wondering if you, or anyone else in the comments, has good recommendations that did this trope better? Id love to read more books like this xxx
i loved this vid ❤️ i read Where the Crawdads Sing in 2019 and it’s what got me into back into reading but your take on it is so valid idk if i would love it as much if i reread it now that i’ve read so many more books
The only author to end up in both my faves & least faves is Fredrik Backman 😅 Where the Crawdads Sing is so incredibly overhyped 🙌🙌 i really don't understand
I actually see that super often!! No matter which book it is, people always seem to *love* the first one they read from him, and then it never happens again!
Love the format of this. I actually rated A History of What Comes Next 5 stars.... The sequel is one of my most anticipated books of 2022! Your comments on the Death of Jane Lawrence actually made me want to pick it up 😂 Think my least favourite and most disappointing book of the year was Love is a Revolution by Renée Watson. Found it flat, unconvincing plot wise and just irritating if I'm honest
I hope you're doing okay. You do matter. I appreciate how you approach the books you don't care for--I think you do a good job of fairly expressing your distaste without condescending to people who disagree. I wouldn't say Where the Crawdads Sing was my favorite book ever, but I did love it at the time. It definitely yanked my heartstrings.
Ahaha loved this 😂 totally agree about The Death of Jane Lawrence! But my heart hurts hearing you didn't love my precious The Atlas Six but I completely feel you on why 😂
The weird disturbing story about Delia Owens and her family (primarily her husband) during their time in Africa in comparison to the content of the book made me feel too icky that I could never finish.
Finally someone else who thinks the same about Rebecca. 😄 I usually love gothic stories, so of course I just had to read Rebecca but there was just something missing. It's a good book, but not as great as I thought it would be. 😕
I DNFd The Project. After reading a top tier book like Sadie this one was so disappointing. I’m the same way, I’m pretty sure I like cult books but I also, on some level, understand that I really don’t.
i almost DNF’d it. i just finished it last night and it took me close to two weeks which is a long time for me. i’m glad i finished it but it was disappointing. the first 75% of the book was so drawn out and the last 25% was so rushed. and that’s disappointing because i know courtney summers can do better.
I actually agree with most of your reviews. I wanted to like The Starless Sea - I'm a librarian and my coworkers who read it loved it! But it just felt flowery to me and I didn't understand if there was supposed to be a plot. The only thing I remember is there is a character who wears an evening gown costume of Max from "Where the Wild Things Are" because I am now obsessed with this idea! The only book where I really disagree with you is Rebecca because it's my favorite book XD BUT, while I'm a relatively new follower of yours, it seems you really enjoy modern thrillers, so I can see why Rebecca wasn't your cup of tea :)
Cult stories are usually disappointing to me because the real-life idea of cults is just so wild that it's hard to understand, even from a character's point of view, why we'd get into it. The Project was also disappointing for me. I also always just want something MORE from the realization/need to get out than what we always end up getting
I’m sure you’d love Piranesi ! It won the Hugo award I think. But it’s more like magic realism than anything else. Very beautiful, enthralling story. Reminded me of Every heart has a doorway by Seannan McGuire and Middlegame. I highly recommend it !
I’m now wishing there was a covert team of people who come and take the books you don’t like away so you don’t have to think about them ever again. It would save me trips to goodwill!
Hard same on your feelings about Only Revolutions. I think it is maybe meant to be an eternal love story or something? A lot of the language felt really outdated and the fact that the characters are forever fifteen made some of the scenes feel incredibly uncomfortable. Planning on reading The Familiar volume 1 in 2022 and seeing if House of Leaves was an outlier or if I do like other stuff by the author. From a quick flick through, it definitely gives me more House of Leaves vibes than Only Revolutions
i never understood the hype of where the crawdads sing, it feels like an oldwhite lady book and so i'm like nope don't have any desire to read it haha. i didn't like goodbye things which is this book about minimalism where the author fumio just comes off as hella condescending and holier than thou while giving advice, like sir unnecessary tone when you're just trying to give tips. always interesting to hear what you dislike, i want to give chuck's book a chance bc i did enjoy wanderers by him, so we'll see.
I am so glad I didn't bother reading Survive the Night. I've seen it on so many worst books of the year lists! Probably the book I've seen most consistently actually!
i just finished The Project last night. definitely not the worst book i’ve read but very disappointing compared to sadie and what i know courtney summers can do.
I thought you were totally spot on about "Where the Crawdads Sing", "The Final Girls Support Group" and especially "The Starless Sea" which was totally plotless and meandering, the supposed love story that was in it was nothing but meaningless obsession.
The Starless Sea and Where the Crawdads sing were in my favorites this year. But everyone is different and likes different things. The Atlas Six is on my TBR but now I'm a little hesitant. :) I really like the way you are describing the things you didn't like about these books. Thats something I have a hard time to really grasp, what it is that makes me not like a book.
I’ve started watching your channel recently and it’s so entertaining and good!! It makes me want to read more thrillers and try out some not super horrifying horror ((:
I read three Grady Hendrix books this year, and DNF'd The Final Girl Support Group halfway through. It just felt repetitive and too over-the-top (even for a Grady Hendrix book), and I wasn't a big enough slasher fan to want to continue for that aspect. My favorite Grady Hendrix book ended up being Horrorstor, followed by My Best Friend's Exorcism. The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires was pretty good, but the gaslighting was a little annoying (although that was kind of the point).
I've read Verity and Layla by Colleen Hoover and both times I was like...what the fuck was that. I'm very confused with the fandom, but maybe I've just not picked the right book.
I really loved the book of accidents! Not a favorite but I had a lot of fun with it. I haven’t read very much Stephen king, which of his books were similar? I’m definitely looking for more books to read that feel like this one :)
I don’t think you need to dumb down your intellect for people who may get offended by your opinion. “ I’m not smart enough”…There are many reasons why a book may not work for an individual person. If you didn’t enjoy your reading experience you didn’t enjoy it and that’s it.
I couldn’t even read the synopsis of The Atlas Six without fumbling over my words and not understanding what I was reading, so I’m intrigued but don’t think it will be for me if I can’t even read the back of the book 😅 Also 100% agree on Final Girl Support Group and Starless Sea.
I loved where the crawdads sing!!! Also i had not read physical book in about 5 years.😱😱😱 just so wrapped up with kids and a big reading slump. So for me i think it was just a perfect time for me to read it and love it 🥰 and it got me into reading like i haven't been since before kids.. but I could see your point forhsure. 🙂
This was to be expected 😅 Haven't read any of these books, so not disappointed or anything haha. I think I will still read All's well, because it interests me and haven't read Bunny yet, so might not be disappointed.
100% agree with you about The Final Girl Support Group! How did that beat My Heart Is A Chainsaw for the Goodreads Choice Awards?! I will never understand.
Oh I think it's completely legit to call a classic "overhyped". Actually, I often feel like classics (regardless of the media) are overhyped and should be criticized to see them for what they can really do now. Doesn't erase the good they do at some point, but it's totally right to affirm that it's not as great as it was made to be, from your perspective 🙃
Totally agree on Book of Accidents. I don’t get the hype. I thought it was fine but did not love the direction it went in. Currently reading Final Girl Support Group 🙈
You mentioned a lot of books similar to ones that you like so I'm wondering what you would recommend in place of The Starless Sea, The Book of Accidents, or The Atlas 6. From what you said they seem like things I would enjoy but if you prefer others of the same vein I'd love to hear about those! Could even be a stand alone video of "If you liked ____, try ___" with ones you liked more that were similar. Thanks for the insights!
Hiiiii Kayla!! As always love your videos, and saaame with the final girl support group. I was so ready to love it bc I loved his book from last year, but it was a flop! Anyway Happy New Year! ❤️
I completely agree with crawdads. The writing was so wildly different during the story. When she's describing food or a setting: gorgeous, beautiful, suck me into the story. The dialog though: I felt like I was reading a children's picture book. Also, the narrator would repeat what was just said in the dialog. I gave it 2 stars.
I eventually want to binge all of Riley Sager's books, but I honestly might just skip Survive the Night... literally every person I've seen review it has the same exact thoughts! lol so unfortunate because it sounds so good!!!
I'm so glad I read Crawdads before it got all the hype. It's a 3star read for me - it's fine. It's fine! But the tongue baths are... yes. Confusing. Also, THANK YOU for critiquing Atlas Six. I needed those hours of my life back. That entire plot could have been a TikTok, much less have it recc'd on TikTok.
I don't disagree with you at all on Where the Crawdads Sing. After your thoughts on The Starless Sea which I very much appreciate, I will be unhauling that. I have hope that I might at least like The Book of Accidents, and Final Girls Support Group. It's worth a read at least once. Hopefully 😄
I loved Starless Sea, but I can't tell you that you are wrong about the things that didnt' work for you. The poetry and the vibes just got me so hard. No book is for every reader. That is so true, especially for this kind of book.
I agree with Where the Crawdads Sing being overhyped. I had numerous issues, but in the end could not get over the use of terms that are not common to the region and some geographic choices that made no sense.
When you said you can’t be disappointed by ya because you’re not in the age range I didn’t consider that. Or rather I’m waaaaay older than YA but still read them happily regardless
![ตีสิบเดย์ [FULL] | นางเอกหมอลำเงินล้าน "อุ๋งอิ๋ง เพชรบ้านแพง" & ไฮโซสาวสุดฮอต "ลิลลี่ เหงียน"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jPxQS_EgrJ4/mqdefault.jpg)
“I’m not discounting the grand ideas that he believes that he has” may be the most iconic sentence ever
It’s hilarious to me that before watching the video I knew exactly which book this was in reference to 😂
I cracked up when she said that 😂
"And he's impacted many many middle-aged men"
“I just give stupid opinions on the internet, and I don’t matter.” Kayla.. you are a whole mood! ❤️
One of my fav booktubers says "Hey, I'm just a guy with wifi." Lol
I feel like you were trying so hard the last few years to be gentle when you didn't like a book. To not upset anyone. I really appreciated hearing some of your honest opinions. You did a good job of expressing yourself without getting super spicy. Best vibes I've felt in one of these types of videos. ❤
I wish it'd happen more often throughout booktube. Someone saying why they didn't like a book doesn't speak poorly on those who enjoyed it. Its all subjective. People who get mad about it will whether or not someone prefaces it with the whole spiel about it just being their opinion and its fine if you like it etc etc.
I love how you showed Starless Sea in the list of one and two stars and I (who rated it 5 stars) just nodded to myself and was like "yeah, that's fair"
same lol
I rated The Book of Accidents a 4 but now that I’m thinking about it I might need to lower it lol
describing the starless sea as vibes only is the most accurate thing i've ever heard. i also really did not like it 😂
I haven't read that one but The Night Circus could be described in exactly the same way. Nothing happens but the world is pretty and the sentences are nice.
@@karakask5488 it’s even more meandering than The Night Circus (which I loved!) - at least in that book you grasp a central location (the circus) and there is at least one through line you can follow (the love story) - Starless Sea starts off with that and you think you’ll be following a character mainly with a lot of beautifully written side stuff but then the main plot kind of disappears into the side stuff and never goes anywhere - it feels like she’s trying to build and build up this world but she forgets to tie anything off - then tries to by saying the point is that stories never end…? It didn’t convince me tbh it felt like she didn’t know how to end the story so she just kept writing and picked an arbitrary place to stop
@@karakask5488 yes. Two of my least favorite books, and the definition of overhyped to me.
That’s why I loved it!
I watched you disliking so many books throughout this year that I’m so curious to see which books you ended up disliking the most 😭.
this list was not easy, let me tell you. hahahaha what a terrible reading year
The intro is very “A Series of Unfortunate Events”. 🤣
Loved Final Girls Support Group honestly mostly because I had such a blast hunting for Easter eggs. I felt like I was just sitting in a basement nerding out about horror movies with my perasocial pal Grady, which I found to be a blast. I had some of the same criticisms you did, actually, but I was having so much fun that it didn't matter at all. I was so invested and had so much fun. Never had an issue differentiated between the characters at all, either. I actually think these characters were the most distinct of any of his books.
I loved the Starless Sea because it felt like a puzzle to read. And there were some solutions but other threads were left hanging but it all felt right anyhow. Like most of the side stories in the book actually connect to the main plot in a weird way. It's like the smaller stories are extended metaphors about what is happening or what has happened. Also I do kind of love being confused if it's done right 😂 but I can also admit that it's a book I shouldn't have liked because I usually don't care for this amount of aimlessness.
Plus it is 100% vibes only.
i love it for the exact same reasons hehe
This is why you are my favorite booktuber. You recognize how difficult it can be to write a book. You give authors credit and positive comments for their hard work. I feel the same. I think this is why I don’t like these videos at times but you acknowledge their work and I appreciate videos like yours ❤️📚
Finally someone who feels the same about Where The Crawdad Sings! If you want to know what my alternate theory for the culprit was, pls let me know. I think it's hilarious and it also sort of makes sense. It would have been a better ending for sure.
when i saw the reviews for where the crawdads sing i was like- “did i not read the same book?” i HATED it
*crawdad sings (BAHAH)
@@leandramcmahon4904 Me too! I hated very single word of that book
Wow, Mark Danielewski took you on the entire journey this year! Would you consider picking up more books from him for your "3rd time a charm" series?
Also, a small note - his last name is Polish, so it's pronounced closer to Daneelevskiy (in the same manner as Tchaikovsky).
Thanks for the pronunciation help Viktoriia!! I really don't think I'd be down to give him another go tbh. I think he had one great idea and it was super special for me, and I don't want to muddle my love of his writing any further hahaha
The way you're describing The Starless Sea is how I felt about The Night Circus.
@Rebekah Menn I 100% agree! Didn't understand the hype about that one either.
I am so happy to see someone else feels the same as me about the starless sea. I finished it thinking am i dumb? why does everyone love this book. Like you said beautiful writing but i cannot remember anything about the plot
The eye contact on the Hank Green book, like "I DARE you to say something" 😂
I'm right there with you on The Starless Sea. I was so confused the whole time! The writing was like beautiful word vomit all over the pages but none of it made sense to me!
„has impacted many middle aged men“ GOLD 🤣
some of the books you listed i was so surprised that you read them this year!! It feels like so long ago that you read certain books, how has this year felt simultaneously so short yet so long haha
“These aren’t bad books, just bad for me. … This was a lengthy poem that made no sense, and followed no rules, …and I can’t tell you the plot because I don’t know what it is, and I can’t tell you what he was trying to do with it because I don’t think he was trying to do anything.” 😂
“Where the Crawdads Sing” was overhyped. It was beautifully written; but nothing revolutionary. Plus, I went into the book seeking a mystery and it was more of literary fiction and romance which disappointed me.
You covered so many books in such a concise and short amount of time. I stare in awe. Also my least favorite books of the year made me angry so I went on rants lol next year I strive to be as composed as you 😭
Woahhhhhhh NOT THE STARLESS SEA. it’s most definitely a vibes only book. You can’t be expecting a real plot and structure. definitely a whimsical mood read. I love that book.
I’ll eat my shoe if Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance isn’t in here 😂
My least favorite book: Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson ---- If I don't like Nine Lives next year, I'm done. I also read Eight Perfect Murders, and I didn't like that either. Swanson... you are officially on the chopping block. :)
My most disappointing book: The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon --- I loved the story. It starts off strong. It had a few great moments, but I feel like it went on for too long and it got boring at times. It had a great ending with not much of an explanation for why things were the way they were. For me, the best part of a ghost story is understanding a haunting is happening in the 1st place. I guess I just wanted more.
The forgotten: The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave --- This was a Goodreads Choice 2021 winner. I was so excited to read it until I realized I read it already. Apparently, I even gave it 4 stars. So, I read it, but I remember nothing about it. LOL At least I had fun at the time.
DNF: The Hunting Wives by May Cobb--- Nope, nope, nope. This just made me very uncomfy.
Yup, that's my rant for the day. :)
Agree with Starless Sea, Ones We’re Meant to Find, and Summer Sons. Feeling validated 😭
I was worried when XX showed up in that first list as I just bought it but then I remembered you loved House of Leaves and you also had Remarkable Thing and The Starless Sea on the list so I've got my fingers crossed. I think we like books with the same vibe but have different tastes on which we like haha
Thank you for mentioning Where The Crawdads Sing!!! I read it this year, and it felt so much like a book you would read in high school - So I didn't understand the hype at all...
That is is exactly how I felt too!
i feel the exact same way about Where the Crawdads Sing!! i do not understand the hype about it. i also felt that way about The Midnight Library which i know you loved.. the way that character stigmatized medication for mental health felt so weird to me and in the end i just felt super hit over the head with the moral of that story.
I think about The Midnight Library *all* the time. I can barely remember the plot, and I've had so many people question my rating of it that even I'm starting to get confused myself LOL. Like why did I love it? Would I still love it now? It's all a mystery.
You verbalized exactly how I feel about The Atlas Six. I look forward to the sequel because I hope her writing progresses & everything pays off.
Kayla, we're going to need that Christmas album 👏👏👏👏
Yeah I'm with you on the Atlas Six, I do not get the hype. The beginning with the introduction of the characters was the best part and it all kind of fell apart after that. There was almost none of the maneuvering or back-stabbing that was hinted at with the competition concept and why set the story in a cool secret library when it barely features in the plot?
I read hopeless in like 2014… and LOVED it… but I’ve read Colleen Hoover books this year and absolutely despised them so I have no idea how I would feel about it if I reread it 😂
I read The Starless Sea last year even though I did not like The Night Circus or the way it was written and my brain just can't comprehend the love for either of those books, but especially The Starless Sea.
One I think is so overhyped this year is Rock Paper Scissors, almost all of it is people complaining about marriage and then a twist that is fun but doesn't make up for the vast majority of the book being miserable haha
I’m not mad about what you said about the crawdads book (even though I really did love it). But what might be helpful for those of us who haven’t experienced that story elsewhere and would love to, give us a rec! (This could be a video idea-love this book? Read this one where it’s done better! 😆)
Yeah. Fair on the starless sea. I loved it because it WAS purely vibes. I love vibes and being ✨confused ✨. Also books with lush or whimsical settings.
It was definitely an ambitious book. A big swing means a big miss. I get why it doesn't appeal to others though.
I completely agree on The Starless Sea! It's beautifully written but geez I kept asking myself "when is it going to end". Debated on DNFing it but everyone seems to love it so much I thought it was going to get better, haha. I'm happy it has its audience though!
I started Book of Accidents thinking it was going to be a fav...and I stopped halfway, I was exhausted and couldn't believe there was so much more to go 😅
I loved Crawdads..I thought it was a great story of survival but we all have different tastes..I never felt like I’d read that story before…I loved the nature descriptions as well. I gave it 5 ⭐️. How ever I also dislike other books that people love…fir example I hated Moby Dick and many people love it…That’s why we all should never go by what others say and just read and judge for ourselves. I also have found on rereads I’ve changed my mind both fir the better and for the worse. My mood or my age at the time of my read really makes a difference I’ve found.
If you’re looking for a good cult story… I think you’d LOVE a History of Wild Places 🙌
im over halfway thru and enjoying it!!! it’ll be my first finished book of 2022 🤍
one of my most anticipated! i’ve had it on my radar for what feels like forever
-academiabby
I listened to The Project and ended up giving it 3 stars as well. I was disappointed with it since I loved Sadie. You've convinced me not to read The Atlas Six.
I quite enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing, however I completely get your point. I was wondering if you, or anyone else in the comments, has good recommendations that did this trope better? Id love to read more books like this xxx
i loved this vid ❤️ i read Where the Crawdads Sing in 2019 and it’s what got me into back into reading but your take on it is so valid idk if i would love it as much if i reread it now that i’ve read so many more books
The only author to end up in both my faves & least faves is Fredrik Backman 😅
Where the Crawdads Sing is so incredibly overhyped 🙌🙌 i really don't understand
I actually see that super often!! No matter which book it is, people always seem to *love* the first one they read from him, and then it never happens again!
Love the format of this. I actually rated A History of What Comes Next 5 stars.... The sequel is one of my most anticipated books of 2022! Your comments on the Death of Jane Lawrence actually made me want to pick it up 😂
Think my least favourite and most disappointing book of the year was Love is a Revolution by Renée Watson. Found it flat, unconvincing plot wise and just irritating if I'm honest
I hope you're doing okay. You do matter.
I appreciate how you approach the books you don't care for--I think you do a good job of fairly expressing your distaste without condescending to people who disagree.
I wouldn't say Where the Crawdads Sing was my favorite book ever, but I did love it at the time. It definitely yanked my heartstrings.
Ahaha loved this 😂 totally agree about The Death of Jane Lawrence! But my heart hurts hearing you didn't love my precious The Atlas Six but I completely feel you on why 😂
I really enjoyed this! I liked “Crawdads Sing” but I thought hearing your thoughts on why you didn’t like it was interesting. Thought-provoking.
I knew it! I knew the Danielewski book was gonna get #1 😂 That vlog was hilarious though so your pain reading it at least didn't go to waste.
I gave the Starless Sea 1 star. It's currently a coaster in my office 😂
The weird disturbing story about Delia Owens and her family (primarily her husband) during their time in Africa in comparison to the content of the book made me feel too icky that I could never finish.
Finally someone else who thinks the same about Rebecca. 😄 I usually love gothic stories, so of course I just had to read Rebecca but there was just something missing. It's a good book, but not as great as I thought it would be. 😕
I DNFd The Project. After reading a top tier book like Sadie this one was so disappointing. I’m the same way, I’m pretty sure I like cult books but I also, on some level, understand that I really don’t.
i almost DNF’d it. i just finished it last night and it took me close to two weeks which is a long time for me. i’m glad i finished it but it was disappointing. the first 75% of the book was so drawn out and the last 25% was so rushed. and that’s disappointing because i know courtney summers can do better.
I actually agree with most of your reviews. I wanted to like The Starless Sea - I'm a librarian and my coworkers who read it loved it! But it just felt flowery to me and I didn't understand if there was supposed to be a plot. The only thing I remember is there is a character who wears an evening gown costume of Max from "Where the Wild Things Are" because I am now obsessed with this idea! The only book where I really disagree with you is Rebecca because it's my favorite book XD BUT, while I'm a relatively new follower of yours, it seems you really enjoy modern thrillers, so I can see why Rebecca wasn't your cup of tea :)
Cult stories are usually disappointing to me because the real-life idea of cults is just so wild that it's hard to understand, even from a character's point of view, why we'd get into it. The Project was also disappointing for me. I also always just want something MORE from the realization/need to get out than what we always end up getting
That's a very fair point!
I’m sure you’d love Piranesi ! It won the Hugo award I think. But it’s more like magic realism than anything else. Very beautiful, enthralling story. Reminded me of Every heart has a doorway by Seannan McGuire and Middlegame. I highly recommend it !
I’m now wishing there was a covert team of people who come and take the books you don’t like away so you don’t have to think about them ever again. It would save me trips to goodwill!
still waiting on that christmas album
Hard same on your feelings about Only Revolutions. I think it is maybe meant to be an eternal love story or something? A lot of the language felt really outdated and the fact that the characters are forever fifteen made some of the scenes feel incredibly uncomfortable.
Planning on reading The Familiar volume 1 in 2022 and seeing if House of Leaves was an outlier or if I do like other stuff by the author. From a quick flick through, it definitely gives me more House of Leaves vibes than Only Revolutions
Yesss exactly it was a *super* uncomfy book to read.
i never understood the hype of where the crawdads sing, it feels like an oldwhite lady book and so i'm like nope don't have any desire to read it haha. i didn't like goodbye things which is this book about minimalism where the author fumio just comes off as hella condescending and holier than thou while giving advice, like sir unnecessary tone when you're just trying to give tips. always interesting to hear what you dislike, i want to give chuck's book a chance bc i did enjoy wanderers by him, so we'll see.
Other than The Atlas Six (as I haven’t read it yet), I 100% agree with your list of most overhyped books!
I am so glad I didn't bother reading Survive the Night. I've seen it on so many worst books of the year lists! Probably the book I've seen most consistently actually!
I very much agree with your review of The Project. After reading Sadie, I was SO HYPED for a cult book and was so let down.
i just finished The Project last night. definitely not the worst book i’ve read but very disappointing compared to sadie and what i know courtney summers can do.
I thought you were totally spot on about "Where the Crawdads Sing", "The Final Girls Support Group" and especially "The Starless Sea" which was totally plotless and meandering, the supposed love story that was in it was nothing but meaningless obsession.
The Starless Sea and Where the Crawdads sing were in my favorites this year. But everyone is different and likes different things. The Atlas Six is on my TBR but now I'm a little hesitant. :) I really like the way you are describing the things you didn't like about these books. Thats something I have a hard time to really grasp, what it is that makes me not like a book.
I’ve started watching your channel recently and it’s so entertaining and good!! It makes me want to read more thrillers and try out some not super horrifying horror ((:
I read three Grady Hendrix books this year, and DNF'd The Final Girl Support Group halfway through. It just felt repetitive and too over-the-top (even for a Grady Hendrix book), and I wasn't a big enough slasher fan to want to continue for that aspect. My favorite Grady Hendrix book ended up being Horrorstor, followed by My Best Friend's Exorcism. The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires was pretty good, but the gaslighting was a little annoying (although that was kind of the point).
I've read Verity and Layla by Colleen Hoover and both times I was like...what the fuck was that. I'm very confused with the fandom, but maybe I've just not picked the right book.
this is so much fun for me because I don't read anything you read, so there isn't even an opportunity for me to get upset at your opinions
I really loved the book of accidents! Not a favorite but I had a lot of fun with it. I haven’t read very much Stephen king, which of his books were similar? I’m definitely looking for more books to read that feel like this one :)
I don’t think you need to dumb down your intellect for people who may get offended by your opinion. “ I’m not smart enough”…There are many reasons why a book may not work for an individual person. If you didn’t enjoy your reading experience you didn’t enjoy it and that’s it.
I really do think that a lot of books are above my capability of processing the true intent and impact of though haha
I couldn’t even read the synopsis of The Atlas Six without fumbling over my words and not understanding what I was reading, so I’m intrigued but don’t think it will be for me if I can’t even read the back of the book 😅
Also 100% agree on Final Girl Support Group and Starless Sea.
I loved where the crawdads sing!!! Also i had not read physical book in about 5 years.😱😱😱 just so wrapped up with kids and a big reading slump. So for me i think it was just a perfect time for me to read it and love it 🥰 and it got me into reading like i haven't been since before kids.. but I could see your point forhsure. 🙂
I feel like Kayla needs to read Death in Her Hands by Ottessa Moshvegh or honestly any other book by her.
This was to be expected 😅
Haven't read any of these books, so not disappointed or anything haha. I think I will still read All's well, because it interests me and haven't read Bunny yet, so might not be disappointed.
100% agree with you about The Final Girl Support Group! How did that beat My Heart Is A Chainsaw for the Goodreads Choice Awards?! I will never understand.
"I'm past the point in youtube career of giving a disclaimer" omg I love you
Oh I think it's completely legit to call a classic "overhyped". Actually, I often feel like classics (regardless of the media) are overhyped and should be criticized to see them for what they can really do now. Doesn't erase the good they do at some point, but it's totally right to affirm that it's not as great as it was made to be, from your perspective 🙃
Yes! I agree with this so much I have a whole podcast about it. 😂
Totally agree on Book of Accidents. I don’t get the hype. I thought it was fine but did not love the direction it went in. Currently reading Final Girl Support Group 🙈
You mentioned a lot of books similar to ones that you like so I'm wondering what you would recommend in place of The Starless Sea, The Book of Accidents, or The Atlas 6. From what you said they seem like things I would enjoy but if you prefer others of the same vein I'd love to hear about those! Could even be a stand alone video of "If you liked ____, try ___" with ones you liked more that were similar. Thanks for the insights!
100% agree with you about The Starless Sea...I DNF'd it after 100 pages
I gasped at the starless sea omg.
Hiiiii Kayla!! As always love your videos, and saaame with the final girl support group. I was so ready to love it bc I loved his book from last year, but it was a flop! Anyway Happy New Year! ❤️
I have all the same feelings about The Starless Sea. I honestly DNFed it about half way through.
Listening to you talk about Rebecca makes me feel less alone in my opinion ❤️
I completely agree with crawdads. The writing was so wildly different during the story. When she's describing food or a setting: gorgeous, beautiful, suck me into the story. The dialog though: I felt like I was reading a children's picture book. Also, the narrator would repeat what was just said in the dialog. I gave it 2 stars.
I eventually want to binge all of Riley Sager's books, but I honestly might just skip Survive the Night... literally every person I've seen review it has the same exact thoughts! lol so unfortunate because it sounds so good!!!
I feel like I have to read all of these now to see how close we rate lol
I'm so glad I read Crawdads before it got all the hype. It's a 3star read for me - it's fine. It's fine! But the tongue baths are... yes. Confusing. Also, THANK YOU for critiquing Atlas Six. I needed those hours of my life back. That entire plot could have been a TikTok, much less have it recc'd on TikTok.
I totally agree that Final Girl Support Group is overhyped! I DNF’ed it. I couldn’t stand it. It’s just so messy.
I don't disagree with you at all on Where the Crawdads Sing. After your thoughts on The Starless Sea which I very much appreciate, I will be unhauling that. I have hope that I might at least like The Book of Accidents, and Final Girls Support Group. It's worth a read at least once. Hopefully 😄
this reading year was baaad😅 but it’s funny to see you talking about these books
I loved Starless Sea, but I can't tell you that you are wrong about the things that didnt' work for you. The poetry and the vibes just got me so hard. No book is for every reader. That is so true, especially for this kind of book.
yeah i loved it for the reasons it didn’t work for her
I’ve been meaning to reread Zen and the Art for a while. I enjoyed it at the time, but I’m older and crankier now lol
I remember briefly reading Survive The Night…I DNF’d it after 60ish pages. I love you Kayla, but not that much 😔
I loved the starless sea but i have no idea why so your criticism is completely fair lmao
I agree with Where the Crawdads Sing being overhyped. I had numerous issues, but in the end could not get over the use of terms that are not common to the region and some geographic choices that made no sense.
Finally someone that articulates my feelings about Where the Crawdads Sing (even when I couldn't!)
When you said you can’t be disappointed by ya because you’re not in the age range I didn’t consider that. Or rather I’m waaaaay older than YA but still read them happily regardless
AS King being on this list is so sad!!
For a good gothic story I recommend The Whistling by Rebecca Netley!
Amen Kayla! I have read all of them but the book of accidents and 100% agree with you