I am wayyyy overdue for another round of Overrated Reads. And because of that, I’m going to write about five books I found totally hyped up, as opposed to my standard three. Also, because I hate-read my way through two of them, as they both had a really special way of grinding my gears. I don’t understand how some of these books become so popular, it’s a question that blows my mind every time, and it’s why this series, Overrated Reads, was born.
OVERRATED READS | VOLUME NO. 9
The Passenger by Lisa Lutz
This was always available at the library, in their ‘hot new author’ section, both physical copies and audiobook versions. And now I understand why. This book was AWFUL. The plot made absolutely no sense and was just so ridiculous I’m going to stop waisting word count for this post. If you run into this book, avoid it at all costs.
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
This book was SO SO SO horrible. And it was an Oprah pick?! WHAT?! OK, so let’s start with how awful, and lame, and unlikeable our three main characters are. Now add in terrible writing, a horrendous format (practically 1/3 of the book was written as letters back and forth between two of our main character, it was exhausting), un-supporting backstories, and a super weak plot. You get the perfect marriage of mediocrity and dullness.
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
I didn’t despise this book as much as I did the two books above, but I am throwing this into the mix because it truly was overrated. It was over the top and kind of a mess. I enjoyed reading the first third of the book. The first major twist was revealed, and it was good! But then the book totally went downhill from there. Spinning out of control into somewhat of a dumpster fire and it just needed to end.
The Breakdown by B.A. Paris
NO THANKS. This was an infuriating read. It felt SO POINTLESS and it was SO ANNOYING. I absolutely hated the characters, and the plot kept going in circles. I felt like I read the same scene over and over and over and over again. The book felt like it didn’t go anywhere until the very end. I will admit, I enjoyed the ending, but honestly, it was so painful to get through 90% of it that I don’t know how it became so popular.
The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close
I’ve never read a book that had so much negativity, humorless sarcasm, and general complaining. Beth, our main character and only narrator, had literally nothing nice to say about anything or anyone, and by chapter 2 it got really, really old. Also, it was frustrating to read such nasty and cutting remarks about my hometown (Washington, DC), most of which were highly exaggerated. It wasn’t an enjoyable read for me, mainly for the reasons above. It also needs to be noted that the ‘main scandal’ of the book was so anticlimactic that it could’ve been laughable. And, pro tip: if you’re going to read this book, know that 85% of the plot is driven by politics, so if that isn’t your thing (it’s not mine!) then you might want to pass….
That wraps up another series of Overrated Reads!