Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

So we've all read a book that everyone raves about. But sometimes when we actually read them, you wonder: What's all the hype about? This has happened to me with quite a few books like I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. I couldn't seem to get into it for some reason. I'm sorry but this book almost put me in a coma. Have you read a book with great reviews and been dissapointed?

Yes..I read and was bored to tears. All my friends just raved about that series, and I just didn't understand it. I even tried reading it again a few months ago, but still couldn't get into it.

Sashana, I read Fallen and I didn't like it. I made myself read it cause I was told that the end was good and it was. I don't know if I will read the second one.

I read it as well, and my freind loved it so much that I told her I liked it too. Now I have to read the second one just to please her. SMH, the things I do for friendship.

I actually enjoyed The Mortal Instruments series. I loved the quick wit and banter. Jace was hilarious.


The one series that I couldn't get through was House of Night . I got to book 3 and just didn't care enough to continue. The main female character drove me bananas.

I agree with HON too. I read the first 2 books and liked them but after that it kinda went down hill for me.

I can't think of anything recently that made me feel that way. Only thing I can think of that really disappointed me was the last couple Vampire Chronicles books by Anne Rice.

, I couldn't get into that, I found it a bit boring and annoying, although it had a beautiful cover! Also , everyone raves but I just couldn't get into that either

I actually really enjoyed The Time Traveler's Wife, but wasn't so big on The Twilight Saga. Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors, and I could never say anything negative about one of her books! I loved The Tenth Circle, The Pact, Nineteen Minutes, and Change of Heart.

I wasn't so keen on the Tenths Circle by Jodi Picoult, I am not sure why as I thought I would like it, but Ninteen Minutes and The Pact I really liked

The Bluest Eye, might have won a Nobel prize but it was so damn disturbing. I might be scarred for life from reading this; thanks a lot o' evil English teacher.

I didn't care for Shiver. I thought there was a lot more she could have done with it, but a lot of the story flopped for me.

Jennifer W wrote: "I didn't care for Shiver. I thought there was a lot more she could have done with it, but a lot of the story flopped for me."

Hats off to you, Jennifer. I was convinced that there was something wrong with me because everyone I know is crazy about this book. I don't think I'm destined to be a Maggie Stiefvater fan. It's like she tries too hard, I don't think she makes a good YA author. Also didn't care much for .

Sashana wrote: "So we've all read a book that everyone raves about. But sometimes when we actually read them, you wonder: What's all the hype about? This has happened to me with quite a few books like . I did not hate it, it was just sort of OK. Did not read any of the others.

Jan wrote: "Sashana wrote: "So we've all read a book that everyone raves about. But sometimes when we actually read them, you wonder: What's all the hype about? This has happened to me with quite a few books l..."

I didn't even finish City of Bones and don't plan to.

I wasn't that fussed about "Shiver" either, I have to say I was bored through most of it, and just rushed through to finish it and give it back!

I don't read a book, because of a person's review. Reviews don't move me.

Everyone sees things differently and there's where the hype comes from.

I love me some Sam Starrett from Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooter series. He's my baby, but to some other people, he doesn't do anything for them.

I don't think that people should get a book that was hyped by another reader, expecting to feel the same way, unless you have the same taste in books.

I bought Fallen because of my friend's recommendations, and after all the craze about it, I figured I would be blown away. I wasn't. I am not getting Torment or any other book in that series.

I trudged through City of Bones. Couldn't stand it. But then I picked up the next book, which wasn't bad. The third one was amazing.

The one book that I was completely disappointed by was Mockingjay: Suzanne Collins. It was a big let down.

didn't do a thing for me even though a lot of other people liked it. I might give it another chance some day
so did NOT work for me even though other people said it was great. I doubt that I'm going to give it another try. I'm sure about that one.

Irene wrote: " didn't do a thing for me even though a lot of other people liked it. I might give it another chance some day
so did NOT work for me eve..."

I've tried to read Soulless about 3 times. Never made it past page 75. It combines so many things I like- the Victorian Era, vampires, England. The weird thing is that I found it well written, too. But, I would put it down and forget about the book and never feel compelled to pick it up. Then, it would be due back at the library.

Well for me, Hunger Games and the Darkest Powers series were completely accidental (my friend randomly picked them up in the library and lent them to me)...I don't know who said it but I was also disappointed with Mockingjay and haven't sobered up enough to reread it and see if it's better.

Twilight, the hype was the hype :} -so over it

I kinda jus read the backs of random books I find and if it sounds even remotely interesting, then I read it... and I like such a variety of things, I'm rarely disappointed

What's all the hype about the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning? Don't get me wrong, it not a bad series by any means but it definitely isn't worth all the hype. I was expected to be so blown away by this book I actually feel a bit cheated.

Sashana, I gave the first book in the series two stars and still ended up really hooked by the rest of the books. The characterization gets better, and KMM hooks readers with tons of action and lots of unanswered questions. Which book are you on?

I'm on book three. I'm just frustrated that every book the same damn questions are being asked. Its like, give us something already!! My standard rating scale for these books is 3 stars. I hope book 4 is better because I already bought it.

Twilight. Although I kind of enjoyed it, and I did read all four books, I didn't get why people raved about it.

What's all the hype about the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning? Don't get me wrong, it not a bad series by any means but it definitely isn't worth all the hype. I was expected to be so blown away by this book I actually feel a bit cheated.

*bows head sheepishly* I am retracting my statement now that I'm reading book 4.

Lol. You are funny! I really need to go pick up the rest of this series from the library.

I definitely had to eat my words, Rachel :D

I still haven't jumped on to the Fever series bandwagon. I'm going to do my best to stay away for as long as I can.

What's so great about Book 4 that made you retract your statement, Sashana? :D

Nicolas Sparks and Jodi Picoult are 2 of my favorite authors but I really didn't enjoy or .

Also - I seriously do not understand the appeal. I was bored to tears

It came highly recommended by a friend who usually likes the same books as me, but I thought it was dreadful.

I know a lot of people who really loved this book. I cannot figure out why.

I'm reading Delirium and I'm not that impressed. I'm only 1/4 way through but I'd say you'd be better off reading The Giver.

I loved . It seems to be one people either love or hate...no liking about it.

niquae wrote: "I still haven't jumped on to the Fever series bandwagon. I'm going to do my best to stay away for as long as I can.

What's so great about Book 4 that made you retract your statement, Sashana? :D"

*cough* I purchased Darkfever so it looks as if I may be jumping on the Fever series bandwagon sooner than I thought. I blame it on Borders. They were closing and had the books at 40% off. :)

Amy wrote: " It came highly recommended by a friend who usually likes the same books as me, but I thought it was dreadful.

I ..."

The Particulat Sadness - I think was an ok idea but not really executed well. I was also quite disappointed!

I couldn't see all the hype about or

I had absolutley no love for .

Why was there a hype period?

niquae wrote: "niquae wrote: "I still haven't jumped on to the Fever series bandwagon. I'm going to do my best to stay away for as long as I can.

What's so great about Book 4 that made you retract your statemen..."

Awesome, can't wait to see what you think. To be honest I don't remember what made me change my mind about the book.

I toatally agree with you guys about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I couldn't even get through the first chapter after mulitiple time of trying.

I'm with Rachel on Shiver - loved it! But I agree with Lisa S on The Hunger Games - I just don't get the hype. It's a good book, but nothing new just Battle Royale all over again.

I hated Evermore. No, actually "hate" would imply that I actually knew what was going on in the book. This book didn't make any sense whatsoever. Breaking Dawn made me wanna gouge my eyes out so I didn't have to put myself through the torture of reading it.Thirteen Reasons Why was just...UGH. Stupid is what it was. Stupid and reckless and irresponsible. I think the author was actually encouraging suicide in this book. And then there's Shiver which had the worst. Ending. Ever. I didn't like City of Bones. Don't ask, I don't know why. I've heard nothing but praise for this book but I still don't get the hype. It was good, I guess, but not great. Hated Last Sacrifice. Worst VA book in my opinion. It took me two months to finish it. :/

I"m not a fan of the Mortal Instruments series either. I was starting to get convinced I'd read a different book from everyone else.

I didn't like it either.

I started the Mortal Instruments and got through the first chapter. That's all I could do. I keep telling myself to try again, but I haven't yet.

The same happened with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and also In the Woods. However, I will not even attempt to try In the Woods again. I know it would be absolute medieval torture.

Rachel wrote: "I started the Mortal Instruments and got through the first chapter. That's all I could do. I keep telling myself to try again, but I haven't yet.

The same happened with [book:The Girl with the D..."

If you didn't like the Mortal Instruments in the first chapter, you probably wouldn't have thought that it got any better later on, because it continues on in that same angsty fan-fictiony tone. I did read the whole thing because I never leave a book unfinished, but I totally didn't get the hype, especially the hype surrounding the supposed hotness of Jace the jerk. I thought the book was badly-written, but keep in mind that's just my opinion, and I know there are plenty of people who loved it.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, on the other hand, really does get sooooo much better after about the first 75 pages. I thought the beginning was rocky too, but I was really glad I persevered. The beginning of TGWTDT is kind of like a massive infodump, as they're explaining all the details about the Millineium magazine, the journalism scandals and Mikael's past. I know it gets kind of confusing with all the similar-sounding swedish names and the details of the financial scandal are kind of boring. Once it gets done with the infodump and focuses on the characters, its 100x time, in my opinion. However, even if you couldn't get into the book, if you don't mind subtitled movies I would strongly recommend that you check out the swedish film versions. All three of the swedish films have been released to dvd now and they are really well done and well-acted.

Rachel wrote: "I started the Mortal Instruments and got through the first chapter. That's all I could do. I keep telling myself to try again, but I haven't yet.

The same happened with [book:The Girl with the D..."

Took the words right out of my mouth, Rachel. I agree 100% with everything you said.

Bummer. I really wish I could get into the Mortal Instruments series. It seems like everyone either loved it or hated it. I normally do not give up on books. I think there is only five or six books I have failed to finsh.

Lisa S wrote: "I couldn't see all the hype about or "

Out of the 3 in the series Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was the hardest to get through. I felt like I was army crawling over glass for the first 200 or so pages, but then it picked up. The second 2 books dive right into the action and I enjoyed them more for having the stage set by the 1st one.

I'm with you Rachel. I tried the City of Bones, but I couldn't get in to it. Of course, that's what happened with me for the Alchemyst Series (which I'm now crazy over) so I think I might try City of Bones again.

I checked out the Alchemyst series (the first and second from the library) but never got to read them. Everyone always seems to want my books. Lol. I plan on getting them again eventually.