There are tons of popular books that dominate Instagram and BookTok. Sometimes its easy to feel the pressure to read them, to get views or to be in on the conversation. However I think everyone should read what they enjoy, not just what’s popular. Here are some books I won’t be reading and the reasons why.
1) Fourth Wing
I’ve heard lots of good reviews on this and it’s not that I don’t like dislike dragons. I enjoy writing and reading about them. But I think the academy set up is done better in books like To Shape a Dragon’s Breath. People who are reading it for the spice? I feel the same way about it I feel about the spice in A Court of Thorns and Roses. There are much better and spicier books that just don’t get the press.
I’m also not a fan because Yarros supports Israel. I’m trying to read more Palestinian authors and people who support Palestine. Here are a couple of authors who support Palestine. Authors Who Support Palestinian
Check out this Goodreads List for books from Pro-Palestinian authors.
Here are some TikToks that cite sources for which authors to avoid. TikToks with Proof
However, I dislike my next pick for other reasons.
2) Anything by Brian Sanderson
This one is going to be a hot take. But I just find his writing to be boring and over hyped, the stories sound interesting in their synopsis. But then the actual text doesn’t engage me. I’ve tried different books to see if this was just I didn’t like the particular story. But it seems to be across his work. No shade on fans, but I simply will not be reading any of his work. I honestly think it’s a pacing problem on my end.
This next pick has more to do with character development than story.
3) Shatter Me
I know this is a popular series. However I tried reading it and got about fifty pages in. And found the FMC to be so aggravating I wanted to throw the book across the room. Maybe she gets better as the book goes on but I didn’t have the time for it.
To me she is whiny and doesn’t take an sense of autonomy, and I strongly dislike characters like that. No offense to Tahereh Mafi. I love some of her other work like The Woven Kingdom, but this one is not for me.
Image by Jose Antonio Alba from Pixabay
This next pick is one I almost feel bad for including on the list.
4) Iron Widow
I honestly hate to put this one on the list. I feel like out of all these, this is the one I should like. It has an Asian author and deals with a fantasy East Asian setting, plus it has polyamorous relationships.
However it is too dark for me. It deals with dubious consent. While I can deal with that in some books, I don’t like the way Iron Widow handles it. While I think out of all of these this one has earned it’s popularity.
And finally a book that I theoretically would like, but don’t.
5) Fable
Again this is one I hate to put on this list. From the synopsis I’d think I’d like it. However I find the world to just not work. While I understand threats of sexual violence would make sense in the setting. The author simply brought up too often for my comfort. This occurred much in the same way when I was reading The Daughter of the Pirate Queen. brings them up too often. Maybe I just don’t like most pirate books, the exception to this is the Seafire triology you can find here.
Are there any popular books you simply won’t read? Let me know in the comments. Also let me know if you think any of my picks are off.
Rose's Book Garden 