Books that Bloody Bombed | Worst Reads of '23 In the Bath

TL;DR

A booktuber shares her worst book reads of 2023, including titles that were problematic, poorly written, and failed to deliver on their promises.

Transcript

now sink into the floor I don't want you to be my gynecologist I'll do the exam myself give me the speculum 2023 was the year of me being stabbed in the back by all of my favorite tropes my jacuzzi Jets have a mind of their own unlike the main character in this book and the reason that these reviewers are so mad is because the book is quote unquote... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥌 Characters' reactions and motivations should align with the intended tone and genre of a book.
• ✍️ Dark academia novels should exhibit strong writing, compelling plots, and well-developed characters.
• ❓ LGBTQ+ representation in romance novels should be authentic and respectful, avoiding harmful stereotypes.
• 👨‍🔬 When exploring cultural and historical themes, it is crucial to approach them with sensitivity and thorough research.
• ☄️ Performative wokeness can come across as inauthentic and superficial, detracting from the integrity of a book's message.
• 🦹 Villains should be complex and compelling, rather than two-dimensional and cartoony.
• 🥇 Forced political discussions can undermine the narrative and feel out of place.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the biggest issue with "The Secret Talker"?

The biggest issue was the protagonist's unusual reaction to having a stalker, finding it thrilling instead of concerning, which clashed with the intended psychological thriller tone of the book.

Q: How did "Things We Did to Our Friends" disappoint readers?

The book fell short in terms of writing, plot, and characterization, failing to deliver on the dark academia and toxic friendship themes readers were expecting.

Q: What were some of the problematic elements in "Christmas and Mistletoe"?

The book featured homophobia, femphobia, and a toxic relationship between the main characters, which left readers feeling disappointed and frustrated.

Q: What were the main issues with "Such Pretty Flowers"?

The book received criticism for its racist depictions, forced political discussions, and performative wokeness that didn't effectively address the topics it touched upon.

Q: What were the major flaws in "The Writing Retreat"?

The book featured cartoonish villains, forced political discussions, and poor character development, which affected the overall quality and reader enjoyment.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Secret Talker: A slim thriller that fails to deliver on its promises with a protagonist who is thrilled to have a stalker, despite the stalker's condescending and sexist messages.

• Things We Did to Our Friends: A dark academia novel that falls short in terms of writing, plot, and characterization, leaving readers feeling disappointed.

• Christmas and Mistletoe: A holiday romance that is marred by homophobia, femphobia, and a toxic relationship between the main characters.

• Such Pretty Flowers: A Mexican indigenous horror novel that fails to live up to its potential, featuring underdeveloped characters, racist depictions, and performative wokeness.

• The Writing Retreat: A dark academia novel about a competitive writing retreat that is plagued by cartoonish villains, forced political discussions, and poor character development.