I cannot believe that it is Top Ten Tuesday’s ten year anniversary! It is incredibly just how many blogger participate each week, and I cannot tell you how many blogs I have found through the meme over the years. For this week’s prompt, I am going to redo one of the TTT topics that I wrote about in early 2018, and that is books I am no longer interested in reading. I was looking back at the books I talked about in that first post, and I have indeed removed them all from my TBR and still have no interest in reading them. I remove books from my TBR quite regularly, but I never talk about them here- this has given me the perfect opportunity to do so!
Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett
I have had Alex, Approximately sitting on my shelves for three years now, and I have had no inclination to pick it up. To me, that is a sign that I never will. I have attempted to read one other book by Jenn Bennett, and I could not get through it. I just don’t think that her books are for me. I know that so many people adore her novels, and I have a teenage neighbour who I just discovered loves to read, so I will happily pass it along to her! It seems like a perfect book for her to read this summer.
Artemis by Andy Weir
I knew that there was no way that Artemis could live up to The Martian, but it has received so many mixed reviews that I am no longer interested in reading it. I normally try not to be swayed by negative reviews, but many reviewers I trust have pointed out things that I don’t think would sit right with me, and I also have so much SciFi on my TBR that I would rather prioritize those books. I know that Rosario Dawson narrates the audiobook, so that could change my mind, but for now I am removing it from list.
Until it Fades by K.A. Tucker
I really want to love K.A. Tucker’s books, because they get a lot of love in the bookish community, but after two attempts I have realized that I just don’t get along with her writing style or her characters. There was a lot that did not work for me in The Simple Wild, and that is her most popular book, so I think it is best to just remove Until It Fades from my TBR.
Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco
I read the first book in this series, Stalking Jack the Ripper, went it first came out and I really did enjoy it. However, since then I have never been tempted to continue on with the series. I have seen a lot of mixed reviews for the rest of the books in this series, and I am not a huge series reader to begin with! If I am going to invest my time in a series, I want to make sure that it is one I am going to love.
Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu
I love the idea behind this series, and I thought that the first book did some interesting things, but I have simply lost interest in them at this point. I love Marie Lu’s writing and I need to read more from her, but that is not enough to make me want to continue on with this series.
The Power by Naomi Alderman
The premise of The Power is very intriguing, but I have been told that the execution is not great. I have heard that it is difficult to become invested in the characters, and that is a must for me, especially in a book like this one.
Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
I purchased Leah on the Offbeat the day that it released, and then the reviews started coming in. So many people disliked Leah and pointed out that there was little to no character development. One thing that struck me as overdone in Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda was the amount of Harry Potter references, and I have heard that there is even more of that in here- there is something about that that makes me cringe if it is too much.
Bird Box by Josh Malerman
The mistake I made here is that I watched the movie first! It is not often that I watch the movie and then read the book. The whole thing has already been spoiled for me! I know that the sequel comes out in July, and I am definitely intrigued by that one. I am curious to see what the author does with the story, as it has been six years since Bird Box was first published.
One Day in December by Josie Silver
I attempted to read One Day in December when it first came out and everyone was talking about it, but something about the plot made me uncomfortable. I sometime enjoy the love-at-first-sight trope, but I just didn’t buy it in this one!
My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, and Brodi Ashton
This may come as a surprise considering how much I loved the first book in the series, My Lady Jane. I have noticed that many readers have been disappointed by the rest of the books in the series, and I do not want them to affect my feelings about the first book. It is in no way surprising to me that the other books cannot live up to the first one- this is a kind of satire that is very difficult to pull off!
I would love to know your thoughts on any of these books! I could definitely be swayed into leaving a couple of them on my TBR.
I love reading books…. But sometimes I feel too lazy to take a new book from my shelf! I only like reading books which open up to positive reviews… Maybe that is the reason why I have about 10 books still waiting to be opened!
I totally relate to this!
Anyways, amazing as usual! Followed you a few days back!
Thank you so much!
Birdbox has been sitting on my shelf for a long time now, I may give up on it too, haha. That’s sad about Alex, Appropriately, I’ve wanted to read that one (but maybe best I haven’t).
Have you seen the movie?
So many people love Alex, Approximately, so don’t let my opinion sway you!
Great prompt and I agree with quite a few of these. I agree mixed reviews often sway my opinion too!
My Plain Jane was good, but you aren’t missing out terribly if you don’t read it. I’m debating picking up the next one but even then I only liked the 2nd one, not loved, so I’m iffy.
Same with Leah on the Offbeat – it was ok, but forgettable and I wish I didn’t read it. Personally I’m not reading anymore Becky books, I don’t think they’re for me.
That is good to know about My Plain Jane! It seems as though people prefer My Calamity Jane, so it may be worth reading.
I am right there with you on Becky’s books. I do not see myself picking up any more in the future.
Ohhh good to know about My Calamity Jane! Thanks for that!
I adore Jenn Bennett books, and Alex was my first. I also loved One Day in December. It was a bumpy ride a la Love, Rosie. I was disappointed with Leah on the Offbeat, and I won’t read anymore books set in that world after what Albertalli did to that friend group.
I know I am in the minority about Jenn Bennett and One Day in December. I don’t see myself reading another book set in that world either, which is too bad!
Is there any chance that I can convince you to read Hunting Prince Dracula? SJTR is one of my favourite series and in my opinion the 2nd book is the best out of the 4 ones. I’m sure that you won’t regret picking it up!! š
Hearing that it is your favourite definitely has me intrigued!
I mean if you’ve already enjoyed book 1, book 2 will amaze you even more and Audrey Rose & Thomas are just so worth it. šš¤
I actually really enjoyed Artemis. It was quite different from The Martian, but that worked for me:-)
That is good to know! I think it would be hard for me not to compare it to The Martian, which isn’t fair!
I loved My Lady Jane, but didn’t care for My Plain Jane and think it’s a good idea to remove it from your TBR. I got through a few chapters in My Calamity Jane and ended up letting it go back to the library. After reading some reviews on it, I don’t think I’ll ever try it again. These authors were a one hit wonder for me.
So many people have said the same about the rest of the books. I would probably feel the same way, so I don’t want to waste my time!
Good for you for knowing your limits!
My TTT .
Thanks! I think it is important.
You should suggest this topic! I lol-ed at the Leah cover!
I really like this idea for a post! Thereās so many books on my TBR that Iāve simply lost interest in reading too š¬. I get what you mean about Birdbox! Once Iāve seen the movie, I lose the motivation to get to the book haha š .
Even if everyone says the book is better, I probably still won’t read it if I watched the movie first!
I totally understand your reluctance to read My Plain Jane. It hasn’t ruined the series for me, but I definitely didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book. I’m hoping that My Calamity Jane doesn’t disappoint me.
Many of these books have been on my TBR list at one point or another, but for some reason or another they got booted when I lost interest.
It’s funny how books end up on our TBRs and then overtime we forget why we even added them!
Same for me with Leah on the Offbeat and Bird Box! Although I’m hoping one day the motivation will hit me to read Leah on the Offbeat. āŗļø
My Plain Jane wasn’t as good as My Lady Jane, but I still really liked it!
That’s good to know! I think if I can find a copy at a good price I would pick it up!
Youāve got a lot of my favorites on here. I hope your neighbor likes Alex Approximately because it was outstanding. Definitely not my normal choice. š
Check out my TTT
I will lend it to my neighbour and if she loves it maybe I will read it as well. Thaf way we can talk about it!
I do love Alex Approximately, so I hope your neighbour enjoys it.
I have Lea On The Offbeat on my iPad, I think I got it on iBooks but I haven’t read it yet. I actually don’t like Harry Potter much and haven’t finished the series so if there’s a lot of references in there, I’ll probably find that pretty tedious.
I really think that she will love it!
Apparently there are many HP references. The series has definitely been tainted for me these days!
I love Simon Vs so much but I absolutely loathe Leah on the Offbeat she’s horrible that book is horrible just let me love Simon without her
That’s what I have heard!! That’s why I’m happy just having read Simon.
Loved this postāŗļø looks like a great selection ok books! I agree with the critics on The Power – great idea, but not great writingš I wrote a review of it on my blog if you fancy a read. https://onelliesbookshelf.wordpress.com/2018/03/25/review-the-power-by-naomi-alderman/
Iām looking forward to hearing your thoughts when you finish it!š
I loved The Power, I think it’s definitely worth the read. š
I will keep that in mind! If I come across an inexpensive copy I might just buy it!
My friend and I buddy read Bird Box some time ago and both agreed it was just awful. I am amazed it got optioned as a film. Great post!
I have such mixed feelings about the movie!
I loved My Plain Jane and read it immediately after finishing My Lady Jane (which I loved, too.) It was a bit darker, but I thought that perfectly reflected the darker Jane Eyre. I also enjoyed Artemis, but it was very different from The Martian. And I enjoyed One Day in December, but I’m a sucker for love at first sight when it’s done well. š
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on all of these. I think I might pick up My Plain Jane if I can find an inexpensive copy!
Oh no, my heart! LOL. I love Maniscalco’s Stalking Jack the Ripper series! In fact, I think the second book is the best out of them all but I will admit the final two are a bit weaker. I mostly kept reading for Thomas and Audrey Rose’s relationship, which was done really well overall. And I completely get you on the My Plain Jane. That was a complete disappoint for me and the newest one, Calamity Jane doesn’t seem to be holding over very well in the reviews. I’ve read only a few pages but the magic of the first book doesn’t seem to be there. So, yeah, stop while you can haha
Another commentor also told me that the second book is their favourite in the series, so I might just give it a go!
I think it would be very difficult to capture the magic of My Lady Jane again!
I sure hope you do! And if you ever get around to it, I hope it leaves a more lasting impression that the first š
Agreed. My Lady Jane was such a wonderfully told story. Absolutely hilarious. I’ll have to reread it someday!
Artemis is one I was curious about too but I haven’t read it yet either so I’m probably never getting to it. And same here with Bird Box. I kinda wanted to try it then I watched the show and afterward I was like… well I know the gist of it now and my motivation to read the book evaporated. *sigh*!
This is a great list! I actually did enjoy My Plain Jane, though not quite as much as I loved My Lady Jane, so I can definitely see why you wouldn’t read it knowing that you probably won’t enjoy it as much as the first one. Happy reading with all the books you do pick up, Kristin! xx
Thank you, Olivia! I think if I can find an inexpensive copy of My Plain Jane I will give it a shot!
Honestly, don’t even bother with Alex, Approximately. I read it earlier this year and did not enjoy it at all. And I loved Starry Eyes so it was really disappointing for me.
Ah that’s good to know! Thanks!