Often, I find a lot of my 5 star reads to be books that most people haven't heard of before or ones that people don't pay attention to often.
Do overhyped books live up to their hype?
Some books live up to the hype but then there are some that don't. I hate the feeling of having high expectations for a book. I think because a book is promoted so much and everyone gives it 5 stars, I feel guilty if I don't like the book. Sometimes I don't connect with the characters or I don't enjoy the writing style. And that's okay. I don't like to be the black sheep when it comes to not liking a hyped up book but I am not going to pretend I like something I don't like. Sure there are some overhyped books that I adore like the Divergent series. However, when I first read Divergent, I was genuinely interested in reading it because I enjoy reading dystopian fiction and I read it when it first came out.
I never bought into the Twilight hype and thank goodness. I once tried to read the first book and stopped pretty soon after because it was definitely not a book for me. I still wonder to this day why so many people rave about it.
Are overhyped books the best written books?
Usually overhyped books are not the best written novels. Many of them are actually mediocre. Lately I have been borrowing hyped up titles from friends or from the library before purchasing a copy. I cannot afford to buy all these books and then find out that the books are disappointing or not living up to the hype. If the hyped up book is by a favorite author, that's a different story.
What overhyped book is my favorite?
For me the Harry Potter series has meaning in my life. I connected with the characters and I pretty much live and breathe Harry Potter ever day. I have been actively following the fandom for over 14 years. The Harry Potter series has a continuously growing fandom and the books are becoming classics. For some, it may be an over-yped series but for me the series has shaped who I am today.
What books do you think are overhyped? Are there any overhyped books that you enjoy reading?
I have to say, when a book is super hyped it keeps me away from reading it for a longer period of time. However, I did finally read Illuminae and I LOVED it and I should have listened earlier.
ReplyDeleteNow, you mentioned Divergent. I read that book because I thought the cover was pretty. I didnt know of the hype behind it. I read it right when it came out too. And I liked it ok. I didn't super love it like everyone else seems to have. It makes me feel weird!
I also read Hunger Games like right before it totally blew up, but quite awhile after it was released. I loved that book soooo much too (not so much the 2nd and really didnt care for the third).
Im sure I could keep going if I let myself, thinking of all the instances I liked a hyped book or the hype killed it for me so I will stop now before I hijack your post on accident with a comment :)
I think hyped up books are a hit or miss. It's a love/hate relationship.
DeleteI think it's also important to note that hype can come from marketing (like with Truthwitch a lot of the pre-publication attention was intentionally curated by Tor's publicity team).
ReplyDeleteThen there is what I think of as buzz which seems to come from a lot of bloggers/reviewers reading books all at once. I find this fascinating because it's often weeks or even months before publication because everyone has a set idea of how early reviews should post.
I don't know if it's a hive-mind situation or everyone self-selecting books that they are predisposed to like but it's always funny seeing so many reviews with high praise (especially if I end up disagreeing). I avoid that by having bloggers and bookish friends I really trust (like you) who I know well enough to gauge their tastes compared to mine.
Recent over-hyped book that didn't work for me at all: Truthwitch or The Unexpected Everything.
Hyped books I loved: The Winner's Curse (though snobbishly I was reading it before the hype lol), Passenger, The Star-Touched Queen
I don't mind about the hype from marketing. I think it's more of how other readers are hyping up books. I like to know what other readers think about the book. Since of course marketing's job is to promote the book, I want to hear opinions about the book from other people outside of publishing.
DeleteI tried reading Truthwitch and I couldn't get into it at all and stopped reading it. I had high expectations for The Unexpected Everything and it was just okay. I enjoyed The Winner's Curse, Passenger and The Star-Touched Queen.
I do value some people's opinions regarding books in general. I too value your thoughts about certain titles. Reviews help me decide whether I want to pick up a book. There are so many times that a synopsis sounds great and then I am disappointed when I read the book. There are so many books out there and not enough time to read them all. I have to be picky about what I read.
You are absolutely right. There can be a lot of hype generated for books that are not necessarily an instant favourite for everyone. My rule of thumb as a blogger is to ensure that I am promoting an author that I truly believe in. I also think that those who follow my blog will know if they are interested in the same types of books as I am, the book will probably be the right fit. Not all books are for everyone and if you follow the reactions of people that you trust, the hype machine can even be fun!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with promoting an author that the blogger truly believes in as well.
DeleteI'm usually wary over over-hyped books. It's like, some buzz starts, more people are talking about it, and then all of a sudden it's the Greatest. Book. Ever! I won't say I purposely avoid them, but after 30+ years of reading I have a pretty good idea of what I like and don't like, what appeals to me and what doesn't. Sure there have been times when I've discovered some books I've enjoyed, but more often than not when I'm iffy about a book but then fall for the hype... I'm often disappointed.
ReplyDeleteTanya @ Girl Plus Books
I agree how everyone knows what they love and what they don't like. Lately it's mainly fantasy novels that have been hyped up and I am very picky when it comes to fantasy so maybe that is why I am often disappointed when an overhyped book falls flat.
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