MY MOST DISAPPOINTING BOOKS OF 2021!!!

TL;DR

Megan shares her top six most disappointing reads of 2021, including books in the fantasy, retelling, romance, and science fiction genres.

Transcript

hey there my name is megan and welcome back to my channel today i'm going to be doing my most disappointing reads of 2021 so there's only like two weeks left in december and i know that i'm probably not going to read one of my most disappointing books in the next two weeks so i feel comfortable sharing my list with you guys but before we go ahead a... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫠 Megan's most disappointing reads span various genres, including fantasy, retellings, romance, and science fiction.
• 📔 Expectations can greatly influence readers' experiences with books, as books that fail to meet high expectations can be deemed as disappointing.
• 🧑‍🏭 The pacing, character development, and plot execution are crucial factors in determining whether a book is disappointing or not.
• 🥺 Unique and well-executed concepts play a significant role in readers' enjoyment of a book, as recycled ideas can lead to disappointment.
• ⚖️ Balancing the elements of a retelling, such as historical context and fantastical elements, is important for a satisfying reading experience.
• 🖤 Dry writing, lack of emotional connection with characters, and predictable twists can contribute to a book being perceived as disappointing.
• 🤩 Unfulfilled promises regarding unique concepts or a lack of focus on key story elements can lead to reader disappointment.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was Megan's main criticism of "Spinning Silver" by Naomi Novik?

Megan found the book to be slow-paced and felt that the three different points of view were too similar, resulting in a lack of action and difficulty connecting with the story and characters.

Q: What were Megan's expectations for "Sherwood" by Megan Spooner, and why did it disappoint her?

Megan was excited for the genderbent Robin Hood retelling, but found the book boring and had difficulty connecting with the story and characters. She felt that the historical aspect of the retelling didn't resonate with her and wished for more fantastical elements.

Q: What were Megan's expectations for "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier, and why did it miss the mark?

Megan had high expectations for this gothic classic romance, but found the main character dull, the story slow, and the twists predictable. She also felt that the book didn't stand the test of time well, as similar ideas have been done numerous times in contemporary literature.

Q: What did Megan find disappointing about "Sea of Rust" by C. Robert Cargill?

Megan had heard good things about the book but found it to be a recycled concept, reminiscent of the Terminator franchise. She felt that the book was too action-packed and lacked exploration of the plot and story.

Q: How did "Semiosis" by Sue Burke fail to meet Megan's expectations?

Megan was intrigued by the premise of sentient plants, but found the book to be dry and boring, with a focus on indigenous creatures rather than the relationship between the colonists and the plants. She felt that the book didn't deliver on its promised unique concept.

Q: Why was "These Violin Delights" by Chloe Gong disappointing to Megan?

Megan was drawn to the Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai but found the absence of the initial attraction and conflict between the characters disappointing. She also disliked the unbalanced characters and the fantasy element that didn't fit well into the story.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Megan shares her list of the top six most disappointing books she read in 2021.

• These books were not necessarily bad, but they failed to meet Megan's expectations or failed to connect with her.

• The books included in the list are "Spinning Silver" by Naomi Novik, "Sherwood" by Megan Spooner, "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier, "Sea of Rust" by C. Robert Cargill, "Semiosis" by Sue Burke, and "These Violin Delights" by Chloe Gong.