What Were the Worst Books of 2018 and Why?

TL;DR

The worst books of 2018 include 'The Trick' for its pacing issues and unlikable characters, 'Standoff' for mean-spirited characters, and 'Highly Illogical Behavior' for one-dimensional character development. Other disappointments are 'Solo' for its unrealistic elements, 'Thornhill' for predictability, and 'Phantom Limbs' for inconsistent character behavior. 'Through Last Leaves Falling' misses cultural depth despite tackling ALS and friendship.

Transcript

what up breeder found today I'm gonna be talking about my least favorite books of 2018 I know this video is titled worst books of 2018 but that should be taken with the grain of salt for the most part I had a pretty good reading year but with as much as I read there are bound to be some bad eggs some books that I am severely disappointed by so I'm ... Read More

Key Insights

• 📔 Pacing issues and unlikable characters can significantly impact the enjoyment of a book.
• 👅 A change in personal taste as a reader can affect one's perception of a sequel or a book by a previously enjoyed author.
• 🛄 The portrayal of characters should aim for dimensionality and depth to create a more engaging reading experience.
• ☄️ Meeting reader expectations, especially when it comes to genre or cultural immersion, is important for a satisfying reading experience.
• 📔 A balanced plot that combines character development and exciting storylines can enhance the overall enjoyment of a book.
• 💪 Emotional portrayal of grief can be a strong aspect of a book, but other elements need to be strong as well.
• 📔 Spooky or thrilling elements in a book should be executed effectively to create the desired impact on readers.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were the major flaws the reviewer found in "The Trick" by Emmanuel Bergman?

The reviewer was disappointed by the pacing issues in the book, which felt uneven and disrupted the reading experience. They also disliked the majority of the characters, finding them unlikable without sufficient redeeming qualities.

Q: Why did the reviewer not enjoy "Standoff" by Andrew Smith?

The reviewer found the main character, Ryan Dean, to be mean-spirited and terrible to his new roommate, which frustrated them. They also criticized the portrayal of the female character as poorly written and lacking depth. Additionally, they felt that not much happened in the plot.

Q: What were the reviewer's high expectations for "Highly Illogical Behavior" by John Cory Whaley?

The reviewer had high expectations for this book because they loved the author's previous work. They were disappointed with the one-sided character development and the use of an unnecessary plot twist.

Q: What aspects of "Thornhill" by Pam Smy did the reviewer find underwhelming?

The reviewer felt that the book did not live up to its promise of being a spooky story, as it lacked the level of scariness they were anticipating. They were also disappointed with the predictable plot developments and felt that the author missed an opportunity to add excitement and surprise to the story.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The reviewer discusses their disappointment with "The Trick" by Emmanuel Bergman, citing pacing issues and unlikable characters as major flaws.

• "Standoff" by Andrew Smith, a sequel to "Winger," also falls short for the reviewer, who finds the main character mean-spirited and the female character poorly written.

• "Highly Illogical Behavior" by John Cory Whaley fails to meet the reviewer's expectations, primarily due to their dislike of one of the main characters and the one-sidedness of the character development.

• "Solo" by Kwame Alexander with Mary and Hess is criticized for its unrealistic aspects and a plot twist that the reviewer found uncomfortable.

• "Thornhill" by Pam Smy is deemed underwhelming, with predictable plot developments and a lack of the promised spookiness.

• "Phantom Limbs" by Paula Garner receives mixed reviews from the reviewer, who praises the emotional portrayal of grief, but criticizes the pacing and possessive behavior of the main character.

• "Through Last Leaves Falling" by Sarah Benwell explores ALS and friendship, but the reviewer is disappointed with the lack of Japanese cultural immersion and disliked the direction the story took.