Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

Week 16 has come and gone. I read two books last week but neither will fit in prompts for me. Bummer.

I finally read/finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I enjoyed it and am glad to have completed the entire series finally. I also read a business book recommended by my boss' boss: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable. It wasn't my favorite business book. I didn't care for the plot device the author used. And now I'm curious why my boss recommended it.

I started 1984 last night for my satire. Hope it keeps my attention better as I get into it. I fell asleep reading it last night.

Question of the week: What do you believe to be the most over-rated book?

For me, it's The Catcher in the Rye. I read it as an adult (in my 30s) and I was shocked at how "meh" I was about it. Give me The Great Gatsby any day for my pick of American literature.

Hi!

Still at 12/41 haha. But I did read the past few evenings - I started the romance set in the future by reading Across the Universe. I'm about half way through. I plan to finish that and then I get to start Me Before You. My copy FINALLY came in - and good timing too because I have a three day weekend. We'll see if the house gets cleaned or if reading gets done. :)

I'm putting my self-help book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, on my DNF shelf. I thought the audiobook would be better. It wasn't. I'll either come back to this one later on in the year or I think I might select a different one. I liked the beginning chapters - helped me realize I'm not shy, just introverted. I was thinking that I was really going to get a lot out of it. But then statistic after statistic after statistic was pushed on me. I found Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps so I might pick up that one instead.

What do you believe to be the most over-rated book? The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Did I read the same book as the rest of the world? Or maybe the text was just over my head. Either way not my cup of tea but I'm glad for those who do enjoy it.

Most overrated book? Hands down, Gone Girl! Ugh!

I am at 14/41. I finished A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy for my Autobiography. I seriously can't recommend this book enough to people. It's written by the mother of one of the shooters of the Columbine massacre (the anniversary for which was yesterday). It's such a sad but informative book though it might make you terrified to be a parent.

What do you believe to be the most over-rated book? I have two. The Awakening is one of the worst books I've ever read. I hated the main character so much but this is classic literature so it has to be important, right? I also didn't care much for To Kill a Mockingbird which I was shocked about. I found it slow and tedious for most of the book until the trial actually started.

This week I finished Anthem (under 150 pages) and Their Eyes Were Watching God (Oprah's Book Club). For Anthem, I started off reading it then switched over to the audio to finish. I really enjoyed the audio to finish off the book--it added to the intensity of the finish! I don't usually use audio as I enjoy the stillness that comes with sitting and reading, but I have tried it twice this year. It's too easy for my mind to wander with the audio so I'll stick to physical reading most of the time! Oh! While I enjoyed the story line of "Their Eyes...", the literary dialect was annoying. It seemed overdone to me.

I have not finished any books in the last week. I am working on a few:

Bel Canto - I'm not sure yet where I will put this one, but Anne Bogel recommended it so I'm reading it :)

As You Like It - Going old school for my book at least 100 years older than me. This should qualify :)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - reading with my daughter. I won't count this for the challenge since I have read it before, but it will still count towards my yearly reading goal.

Question of the Week: What is the most over-rated book?

I'm going with Wuthering Heights. I have tried to read it a few times, even tried the audible version. I just can't abide a book whose central characters are so unlikable!

This week I read The Lost Art of Mixing. It's the sequel to The School of Essential Ingredients and I just had to fit it in somewhere. I was disappointed it didn't center around the cooking class like the first book, but still enjoyed it. 13/41 for me!

As far as most overrated books- I can't think of just one. I think what gets me is when mediocre (or even terrible) books become a fad of sorts (think 50 Shades uhg). I get that everyone will like different things and I'm not overly surprised when I dislike something getting good reviews. I can't help but shake that annoyed feeling though when these books get tons of attention that much better ones aren't getting.

Kaci wrote: " think what gets me is when mediocre (or even terrible) books become a fad of sorts (think 50 Shades uhg). I get that everyone will like different things and I'm not overly surprised when I dislike something getting good reviews. I can't help but shake that annoyed feeling though when these books get tons of attention that much better ones aren't getting. ..."

Yes, yes yes! I agree completely. "To each his own" is one thing, but so often people seem to jump on the bandwagon of a book that's getting a lot of attention. So many more worthy authors don't get the attention they deserve.

I read two books last week but only one for the challenge

The Road for my Oprah's bookclub.

For the question I would go with 1984 or The Count of Monte Cristo.

At last, something to report! I listened to the audiobook of I Am Legend for the dystopian novel task, which brings me to 18/41 for the year.

I'm still pushing through The Black Poets for my book of poetry. It's a lot like most poetry for me - uneven, with ones that I love and ones that I struggle to remember seconds after reading them. I'm determined to finish it by the end of National Poetry Month, though!

I don't know what I think the most objectively overrated book of all time is, but recently, I was distinctly underwhelmed by The Martian - interesting story but definitely not as great as everyone had been telling me.

Two books read this week:

✅6. A book translated to English: Isaac Bashevis Singer, The Spinoza of Market Street , Penguin, 1988 (1st ed. 1958, translated from Yiddish).

I chose to interpret this prompt literally, thus eliminating books that are translated into French. I'm not going to chose books translated from French into English (that would be weird), or from any romance language because a French translation of those has every reason to be more accurate. Germanic languages, on the other hand, might well translate better into English than into French; plus, Bashevis Singer's stories have taken a life of their own in American Jewish culture.

✅5. A book set in your home state (2): Félicien Marceau, La grande fille , Gallimard, 1997.

Not much to say about that one; it does take place in Paris.

Those two books put me at 33 from 82. Flying off for one week tomorrow; taking with me a YA bestseller, a 20th Century classic and a book by a celebrity (although not by a current celebrity).

Question of the week: Overrated books aren't that rare, unfortunately. Amongst my challenge reads, Françoise Sagan's Bonjour tristesse would be a case in point.

I read two books this week, though I am currently only counting one for the challenge.

I didn't count Irene at Large by Carol Nelson Douglas for the challenge, though now that I think about it, it was set in both London and Paris, so I could have squeezed it into book set in Europe, but I decided not to count it.

I also read Bury the Bishop by Kate Gallison for my book set in my home state of New Jersey. I had actually meant to read this last year for the book set in the home town, since parts of it take place in Trenton, but never got around to it.

Right now I am halway through my national best seller. :)

As for overrated, I'm not sure. My tastes are my own and that's all that matters.

For I think the 3rd week in a row, I have not read anything for this challenge. I was, however, able to finish The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, #1) for another challenge. I did just get a couple library books that will count for this challenge, so hopefully I'll have more to report next week.

As for overrated books, I've always thought Jane Austen's books are wayyyy overrated, but that's mostly because I hate the way she wrote. I'm that way about a lot of older books, though; the writing just doesn't capture my attention.

Week 16. I am now at 56%. 22 out of 41 done.

I finished 2 books this week, only 1 which met the criteria for the challenge

A book set in Europe
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

It would also qualify as a NY Times bestseller and a book that's more than 600 pages

I currently have 58 books in various stages of progress.

I am currently reading the following for the indicated prompts:

A National Book Award Winner: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

A book set in your home state (Washington): Creep by Jennifer Hillier

A book that's becoming a movie this year: The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey

A political memoir: Even Silence Has an End: My Six Years of Captivity in the Colombian Jungle by Ingrid Betancourt

So with this being break for me I've been able to read a bunch of books and hopefully another book or 2 before break is up.

A book I haven't read since high school - Tuesdays with Morrie
A book set in Europe - Julius Caesar
A book written by a celebrity - Elixir (surprisingly a good book)
A book of poetry - Possibilities

I'm hoping to read before break ends:
A book that's becoming a movie this year - Alice Through the Looking Glass
Either A book that takes place during the summer - Great Gatsby or A book and its prequel - The Magician's Nephew and The Lion, Witch, and Wadrobe

Still sitting here at 37/40. I plan on starting The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman for my book set in my state today.

Most overrated book for me was Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

Finished Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII for Culture Not Familiar With.

Started Neuromancer for my Science Fiction selection. Finding it a bit of a slog, which is too bad since I've looking forward to reading this for a while. Hopefully it picks up and starts to make more sense.

20/41

How the heck have you all read so many books.....I'm so far behind everyone :(

Mellanie wrote: "How the heck have you all read so many books.....I'm so far behind everyone :("

I pick shorter options when I can.

I have too but I've been able to read about 10 books so far.

I'm at 12/41 having finished To Kill a Mockingbird for my 20th century classic.

If I had to pick a critically acclaimed classic that I feel is overrated I would definitely pick The Scarlet Letter. I hated it when I had to read it in high school. Granted, that was 9 years ago and I might feel differently now.

I agree with you, Jessica. I remember being disgusted that Hawthorne "wasted" a whole chapter just on the exterior of the jail.

I am 35/41. This week I finished three books for the Challenge.

based on a fairy tale: The Snow Child (this was good, and beautiful, but a little light on plot)

road trip: Sisters (this was fantastic!)

published in 2016: The Winner's Kiss (I just loved this entire trilogy)


Most over-rated book? hahaha how can I pick just one? Most over-rated modern book: All the Light We Cannot See, people LOVE this book, and I just do not get what all the fuss is about. Most over-rated classic: To Kill a Mockingbird, I finally read this last year and oh boy was I disappointed. This is always a fun subject, because invariably people will name books that I LOVED, it's so funny how a book can be both loved and reviled.

Mike wrote: "Started Neuromancer for my Science Fiction selection. Finding it a bit of a slog, which is too bad since I've looking forward to reading this for a while. Hopefully it picks up and starts to make more sense."

Every Gibson book I've read starts slow and is super confusing at first - I find it's best to just keep reading, don't try to figure it all out at first, it will all come together.

Just one this week. My ipod WOULD NOT WORK and I had a long commute, so I figured I'd knock out Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance for my political memoir. 25/41!

Just one this week. Boy Meets Girl for my book with a protagonist that has my occupation (human resources).

35/41

Most overrated book(s) for me is the Divergent series. I just cannot accept that any society would decide that the best way to divide into classes is by one defining personality trait...

Chase wrote: "Just one this week. Boy Meets Girl for my book with a protagonist that has my occupation (human resources).

35/41

Most overrated book(s) for me is the Divergent series. I just cannot..."

That's not the most ridiculous one. That would go to the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver. How you make a dystopia by outlawing love is beyond me.

I'm at 19. I finished my road trip book (An Abundance of Katherines) and am halfway through my Satire (Fool)

Most overrated book off the top of my head? Reading Lolita in Tehran Couldn't finish it, no desire to try again. Topic is interesting to me, writing style was abysmal...

I am still reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I'm having trouble getting through it, but I will. I have 2 more books checked out from the library waiting for me, so I have incentive.

Most overrated book for me was 50 Shades of Gray. I'm not prude, but this book was unrealistic and written poorly. I'm embarrassed for people when they tell me they liked this book.

Christophe wrote: "I chose to interpret this prompt literally, thus eliminating books that are translated into French. I'm not going to chose books translated from French into English (that would be weird), or from any romance language because a French translation of those has every reason to be more accurate. Germanic languages, on the other hand, might well translate better into English than into French; plus, Bashevis Singer's stories have taken a life of their own in American Jewish culture ..."

This is interesting, Christophe. Not being bilingual myself, I'm curious how you find translations work when you can read both the original language and the translated language. Do some books (or languages) translate easier than others or is it really dependent on the translator, I wonder?

Mellanie wrote: "How the heck have you all read so many books.....I'm so far behind everyone :("

Haha! I know how you feel! I feel like I'm always behind, even when I'm reading more books than I've ever read before! Are these people independently wealthy and just sit around reading and eating bon-bons all day???? I think it's important not to compare your reading schedule to anyone else's. We are all in different stages of our lives (babies and toddlers take up a lot of time!) When I first joined Book Vipers, I was beating myself up for not keeping up with the 3 books a month--forget any extras! I have learned to just read and enjoy. If I don't get them all, the books will still be there when I have more time! Happy reading!

Nadine wrote: "Most over-rated book? hahaha how can I pick just one? Most over-rated modern book: All the Light We Cannot See, people LOVE this book, and I just do not get what all the fuss is about...."

I felt that way about The Book Thief. By its description I should have loved it, but I really didn't. It ended up being my "book you started but never finished" from last year's challenge.

I keep trying to get through All the Light We Cannot See. I'm almost halfway through and still feel like the story is not progressing.

This week I finished The Deep which I did not enjoy at all. Poorly written, from the clumsy and repetitive sentences to the pile of tropes to the story the writer seemed to make up as he went along. This can double as a book I think was wildly overrated, because it topped a list of 'best sea horror'! I'm a slow reader so I've been forcing myself to finish books to not slip behind with this challenge, but after this and Gone with the Wind, I just want to read something I enjoy from start to finish!

I also read We Need New Names for a book from a culture I'm unfamiliar with. It was slow to start, but then it rolled ponderously on into emotionally devastating territory.

Haha I had to DNF The Book Thief, I just could not with that book. I'm mystified by all the love.

That's okay, I loved the book. I read it way before they made the film. However, you probably liked Gone Girl which I thought was dreadful.

Yep, I did like Gone Girl! Haha I always find these types of conversations so funny!!

I loved all Gone Girl and The Book Thief and All The Light We Cannot See, and To Kill A Mockinbird is one of my all-time favorites. I usually like most highly rated book. Not aways, though...

The worst book I ever read, without a doubt, is The Alchemist. I thought it was the phoniest morality tale possible - I honestly don't get the acclaim.

Divergent was ok. I agree that the concept of factions was weird but she kinda explains it in the third book. A dystopic novel gotta have some weird thing wrong with the society as a premise...

I just finished reading Night by Elie Wiesel. It was very moving and I am so glad I read it. Thank you to whoever mentioned this book on their book list.

I read it for my "book set in Europe" prompt, but it can go in the "translated to English" prompt, "book under 150 pages" prompt, "book you can read in a day" prompt or "Oprah's book club" prompt.

Marta wrote: "I loved all Gone Girl and The Book Thief and All The Light We Cannot See, and To Kill A Mockinbird is one of my all-time favorites. I usually like most highly rated book. Not aways, though...

The ..."

That's funny. I thought the book was highly overrated. Every talks about how it "changed my life". I thought it was light and airy and easy to read. But I don't think it changed my life. I also read another of his books The Devil and Miss Prym and found it much better.

I'm at 14 so far. This week I finished The American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld as my book with over 600 pages and Amy and Roger's Epic Detour as a book featuring a roadtrip. Not sure what's next

Marta wrote: "The worst book I ever read, without a doubt, is The Alchemist. I thought it was the phoniest morality tale possible - I honestly don't get the acclaim."

I am completely with you on that, Marta! The Alchemist was my book you can finish in a day last year. It actually took me two days to finish it (though only about 3 hours) because I hated it so much I had to put it down for a while.

Finished one book, The Viper of Milan, and still working on another, A Heart Like His, but neither fit any categories here. I may get started on one for this challenge this weekend!