There are some books floating around here and there that sound amazing to my ears. Whether they’re something new and exciting, or books that we’ve been hearing about for years on book twitter or some other social media platform.
But…even though these books sound amazing, there are reasons here or there that mean I just won’t be picking these up…even if there’s a possibility that they could be my new favorite.
First off: I’m not saying that these authors are bad/problematic/etc. In fact, since the majority, if not all, of the books are diverse in some way, I would highly suggest picking them up if they sound interesting to you.
Personally, though, there’s just something about them or the author that is keeping me from reading these books. Sometimes its about reading books previously by them that weren’t just my thing. Other times it’s because trusted friends reviewed badly, or I just can’t handle the topic. Whatever it is for the book, I just wanted it to be clear that I’m not saying the books are bad, or to not support them for any reason. The point of this post is that, if I did read them, I would probably actually like them.
I just won’t be reading them.
Radio Silence – Alice Oseman
The main reason, in all honesty, why I won’t be reading Radio Silence, is because I have read other works by Alice Oseman, and it just didn’t click with me. Solitaire was cringe worthy in my opinion, and no amount of representation or good words about this book can make me willingly go back into writing that I outright loathed. Even though I know Radio Silence is later work of Oseman, I just can’t get Solitaire out of my head. Why read a book when I know I don’t like the author’s writing, and was overall indifferent to the plot, even if I knew I would love the representation?
Six of Crows & Crooked Kingdom – Leigh Bardugo
PLEASE DON’T HATE ME!! I know a lot of people love this series, and I honestly know I would too. But honestly? I loathed Shadow and Bone with all of my heart, and couldn’t even make it through Siege and Storm. Knowing that SoC takes place in the same universe, I just really couldn’t bring myself to…care? Bardugo’s writing wasn’t that good, and just knowing they were written by the same person really put me off them. This is a similar case as above: why read a book I know I won’t like the writing style of, even if I know I’ll like some of the representation, as well as the plot?
Furyborn – Claire Legrand
This is the first time that I’m admitting to myself that I will never read this. And even though this post is about books I would probably like, I know that this one is on the latter end: I don’t know if I would actually like this. What I’ve heard has been very iffy, and I honestly don’t see the point in dragging myself through 500 pages of a book I’ll end up being indifferent about. Also, I’ve never been a big fan of books going back and forth in time.
Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda – Becky Albertalli
*sighs* Let me explain. For one thing, the hype surrounding this book is ginormous, so even admitting that I haven’t read it makes me feel like I’m putting a target on my head. My biggest reason for not reading, though, is because people often say that this is a cute, fluffy, romance, and mention nothing about the blackmail and homophobia. I just can’t deal with that, at the moment. I’m sure, otherwise, I would love the story. But I just won’t be putting myself in that position for the possibility of a fluffy story.
Queens of Geek – Jen Wilde
If there is one book in this list that I am most likely to actually read, it will probably be this one. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this book, but really the only reason I haven’t/probably won’t read it is the premise. I don’t know much about it, and all I know is that it takes place at a Comic Con type place. And I’ve never been the biggest fan of “fandom” books.
The Bone Witch – Rin Chupeco
I’ve tried to read this book twice. I got the furthest the first time, mainly because I had an eARC from NetGalley. But I just couldn’t get into it. I knew I would love this one if I could just get far enough, but it’s just too slow and not enough is happening. I never got far enough that I felt comfortable even DNF-ing the book, so it’s just sat on my “on-hold” shelf for at least two years.
Warcross – Marie Lu
Similar to The Bone Witch, I have tried reading this one. I just never made it past page…20? With all of the hype surrounding Marie Lu, I was waiting for a book of her’s that actually piqued my interested. Along comes Warcross, I tried, and I failed. None of her books have ever really interested me, so when Warcross didn’t catch my interest, I didn’t have too many qualms about dropping it. (Also, personal opinion, but the covers are ugly. I like the rainbow theme, but otherwise–ugly.)
The Sun Is Also a Star – Nicola Yoon
I don’t know how to explain this one. I have just never been interested in it, despite a bunch of people saying how cute and adorable it is. I guess it’s just my general dislike and boredom with contemporary romance books. But I expect that, if I do pick it up, I would fall head over heels.
Final Draft – Riley Redgate
Just as I said earlier with Queens of Geek, its hard for me to get behind books about fandom. I don’t know why, I just find it hard to accept these stories, because it’s basically stories of my life. I was one of those fandom people, and it’s really weird to read it as a story. I’ve always been iffy with Riley Redgate, especially with Noteworthy, and it’s crossdressing. So while I would probably like it, I’ll be keeping my distance.
I actually ended up enjoying Six of Crows, although it wasn’t as OMG PERFECT AMAZING as I expected from the hype. I rated it 4 stars. I’ve never tried to read the Grisha trilogy, but I did hear from many people that Six of Crows is much better written, if that changes anything?
I read Simon vs when I was in the hospital and it was a fun read then, but the more I think about it the more bitter I am about how popular it is. And yeah, the fact that most people don’t warn about the plot literally being blackmailing is dangerous
Whenever I read a book that ends up being good but not as flawless as everyone else says it is, I end up just disliking it more and more as time goes by 😅 I keep hearing from people that SoC is much better than the Grisha trilogy, but my experience with the first was just too much.
I also just don’t see the point in mixing a homophobic blackmailing plot with a romantic fluffy plot either, in relation to Simon Vs.
I feel that, yeah 😀 it has definitely happened to me before.
I agre :/ the blackmail plot was just unnecessary, Blue’s identity could have been enough of a mystery
I am SO glad I read Radio Silence before reading any of her other works. I adored Radio Silence when I read it, so I decided to try out her other works. I read Solitaire last month and really didn’t like it… Ugh, it made me so sad and I couldn’t understand how both books could be written by the same person! I probably won’t read Furyborn either.
I love this post, such a fun list!
Solitaire completely turned me off of Radio Silence. I’m afraid my previous opinions of Solitaire will just hurt a book I might have loved otherwise:(
I can totally understand that, since I’ve read it too…
[…] Rules – Erin Bow Aug 6th: Review #181 // Hello, Universe – Erin Entrada Kelly Aug 9th: 10 Books I Would Probably Like … But Will Never Read Aug 12th: Review #182 // The Hatching – Ezekiel Boone Aug 15th: Review #183 // Ruin of Stars […]