The Most Overrated Books Showing 1,751-1,800 of 5,680

[Kallie]

Sebastian wrote: " I mind my own business too, I seldom discuss the reasons of why Shakespeare is great. I never try to alter somebody's mind with my own perspectives. Everybody has to learn to think for themselves, that is the bottom line, one of the greatest teachings that came out the Renaissance. "

Yes, but a teacher communicates her/his enthusiasm for literature, as did the best HS teachers I remember. They didn't lecture about why Shakespeare, etc., were great. Their feelings came through what they said and did about the work. For instance, I still remember a teacher imitating how she imagined Beowulf descending into the depths holding his sword in front of him. Delightful. And her reading of the witches in Macbeth and the Hardy's description of Eustacia Vye. Also, the teacher who taught 'Our Town' had us read aloud, taking on the character roles. These were not lectures about why the work was great; they were demonstrations, imagination at work. They were also demonstrations of their trust in our ability to 'get' the work.

[[deleted user]]

Kallie wrote: "Sebastian wrote: " I mind my own business too, I seldom discuss the reasons of why Shakespeare is great. I never try to alter somebody's mind with my own perspectives. Everybody has to learn to thi..."

And that is very good. You see it's hard to make several points at once and take various perspectives. From a teaching perspectives the description you gave is rather charming. The Socratic method is what I believe to be one of the best way to teach, one of his famous sayings was "I am like a midwife, I help the thought to formulate itself", or something of the sort, I don't remember an exact translation.

[Mark]

Kallie wrote: "Yes, but a teacher communicates her/his enthusiasm for literature..."

Absolutely. In a teacher/student context once can assume that at least some of the people in the student role want to have help with their learning. I can't remember which teacher I had in high school who said (I can't even remember if it was a she or a he, frankly), "I don't like to think of myself as teaching any of you. I like to think of myself as helping you all to learn." I'm no teacher (in any formal and professional sense, anyway), but I think that's a pretty good attitude.

I might have come on a little too strong with Sebastian (this he and I have discussed offline). I've just been in a mood this week about people who are trying to save the world or make it better by focusing on what other people think and do.

It's a situation completely unrelated to conversations on Goodreads but it has me all prickly and, as my Mom would say, ouchy.

Best way to sum up the attitude I've been hit hard with this week is this:

What if everyone worked on truly bringing their own behavior up to the standards that they imagine the whole world should emulate? Do that instead of insisting everyone adopt your outlook. If a critical mass of people did this, a more peaceful society--at least a more civil one--might result. It might be a quicker route to a better world than trying to convince someone else they should stop behaving the way they are.

As always, sorry for the weird rant from nowhere and much respect and good feelings to you all!

[Kallie]

Not weird at all, Mark. Preachers annoy me, yet I'm sometimes guilty of that. It's so much easier than bearing responsibility and changing oneself.

[Mark]

Kallie wrote: "Not weird at all, Mark. Preachers annoy me, yet I'm sometimes guilty of that. It's so much easier than bearing responsibility and changing oneself."

Sure ... well, look at me just now. Preaching against preaching. There is no escape from self-awareness. Christ, I feel like J. Alfred Prufrock!

Thanks, though, Kallie! Sometimes I think I'd go truly crazy if I couldn't shoot my mouth of in Goodreads.

[Michael]

Kallie wrote: "a teacher communicates her/his enthusiasm for literature, as did the best HS teachers I remember"

While we're on the subject of great teachers who inspire kids to read, let's all take a moment and celebrate with Levar Burton. He's literally the reason I became an avid reader at such a young age. (Well, him and my mom's consent to take me to the public library so often!)

Enjoy the overwhelmingly positive emotions! http://youtu.be/3-XHuNcSMLc

[Petergiaquinta]

I'll celebrate Levar Burton with you. Reading Rainbow is way after my time, but I respect what the man is doing, and he's earned a place in my heart as Kunta Kinte, Dave Saunders, and Geordi LaForge...

[Mark]

Michael wrote: "let's all take a moment and celebrate with Levar Burton ..."

Upholding my strong rep as resident wet blanket and sour puss, a recent FB status update o' mine:

#readingrainbowreboot
Caitlin Dewey of WaPo sez "might want to reconsider ..."
http://wapo.st/RIzdI1

I find two things in the WaPo story of interest.

01. I'm fairly certain some of Burton's Kickstarter success can be attributed to the residual halo effect of his previous program being public media produced and PBS distributed. Some of them bucks flew his way because people assumed it was a nonprofit thang. It appears it's not quite (but I'll be checking the New York Times for more detailed coverage than what WaPo gives here. They are out to stir heat not to shed light (big surprise).

02. As all of y'all (or at least some of y'all) be teachers and everything, it's interesting to note the distinction the WaPo piece (and apparently some of the literacy funding engines) make between the skills of functional literacy and the ability to appreciate literature's life affirming principles.

[Petergiaquinta]

Okay Mr. Sour Puss, add this to Caitlyn Dewey's list of complaints:

03. Reading Rainbow does not cure AIDS, the common cold or even cancer.

04. Levar Burton isn't really blind!

Chop off Kunta Kinte's foot and turn him into Toby, whydoncha?

[Monty J]

Mark wrote: "Kallie wrote: "Elvis did Vegas, but with a sense of irony or so it seemed to me ..."

Elvis transcended irony. I was never interested in Celine Dionne. Powerful voice, no nuance. Babs can really si..."

I hadn't heard of Etta James until I saw the cult film, "Cadillac Records," which features her signature song, "At Last."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-cbO...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx_Ah...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etta_James

This film chronicles black influence on the music industry. Highly recommended.

[Mark]

Monty J wrote: "This film chronicles black influence on the music industry. Highly recommended..."

That movie is a fiction that takes considerable (and in my opinion self-indulgent) liberties with the real historical facts about Sun Records. Different strokes for different folks, but, historical accuracy aside, I thought it was a mess of a movie that couldn't decide what it was about.

Also the movie at times seemed a vanity project that gave Beyoncé an opportunity to play Etta James dress up (I believe she funded a great deal of the flick's budget). Knowles can sing, no doubt. But if you want to hear Etta James, listen to Etta James (may she rest in peace).

Following excerpt from A Political Obituary of Etta James from http://colorlines.com

"Beyonce performed Etta’s signature song, 'At Last' at the President Obama’s inauguration in 2009, laying claim to the tune James was still singing professionally and which she relied on to make a living. James told an audience shortly after ... 'that woman he had singing for him, singing my song … she’s going to get her ass whipped.'"

The Colorlines.com obituary writer is as angry about the movie as Etta was about Knowles singing her song (and even grumpier than me):

The woman born Jamesetta Hawkins on January 25, 1938, was far more than just a torch song singer, and was not at all the tragic mulatto with a white daddy complex that 'Cadillac Records' constructed. In many ways, James’s personal and artistic journey, as opposed to the film’s caricature, has a lot to teach us about the shifting politics of race, class and feminist politics over the course of the last half century.

Happy Day,

Your Resident Crank

[Karen]

Mark wrote: "Monty J wrote: "This film chronicles black influence on the music industry. Highly recommended..."


That movie is a fiction that takes considerable (and in my opinion self-indulgent) liberties with..."

Not a crank! Thanks for doing the work on this- Etta James was a true original, not to be exploited in a film. Yuck, this happened too often.

[Kallie]

Etta had a great sense of humor. Randy Newman too, of course:

http://tinyurl.com/lbgg3ql

[Monty J]

Mark wrote: "'that woman he had singing for him, singing my song … she’s going to get her ass whipped.'"."

Hah! Love it!

Thanks for the new background info. Very interesting. Beyonce should have waited.

Maybe some day a better film will be made to clear the air. It is important material.

[Mark]

In the interest of adding to the conversation as much as I tend to detract from it (or rain on peoples' parades, today it was poor Monty's turn), I wanted to let you know that conversations like the one that has cropped up recently often guide my listening choices.

So I've been listening to the Etta James tracks in my library this morning while I pound away on the computer keyboard (futile, oh so futile).

If anyone is interested in an LP that demonstrates how Etta remained a commanding and vibrant blues vocalist later in life, I'd highly recommend the 2003 album "Let's Roll."

Smoking hot! Great band behind her too (and I'm not yet sure who it is). Here's the sole track from the LP I had in my iTunes library (but I'm in the process of downloading the entire album as I type):

http://youtu.be/BGUAeQJ--m0

[Kallie]

Mark wrote: "In the interest of adding to the conversation as much as I tend to detract from it (or rain on peoples' parades, today it was poor Monty's turn), I wanted to let you know that conversations like th..."

Thanks, Mark. 'Etta Is Betta Than Evvah' is a good one too.

[Thera]

Most overrated books to me are:
Twilight Series
Eat, Pray, Love
Anything by Hemmigway
The Kite Runner
Fight Club
The Bridges of Madison County
Chicken Soup for the "insert whatever here" Soul

And those are just off the the top of my head.

[Mark]

Monty J wrote: "Hah! Love it! Thanks for the new background info. Very interesting. Beyonce should have ..."

Yeah, I think you're right, Monty. But, hey, if the movie turned you on to taking a deeper listen into the Chess catalog, that can't be all bad.

This guy, I think, gets a lot of stuff right about the flick: http://www.mercurynews.com/tv/ci_1113...

[Mark]

Thera wrote: "Most overrated books to me are:
Twilight Series
Eat, Pray, Love
Anything by Hemmigway
The Kite Runner
Fight Club
The Bridges of Madison County
Chicken Soup for the "insert whatever here" Soul

And ..."

This is helpful because I'm compiling an anthology entitled "most overrated scatter shot, drive-by opinions on Goodreads (had they been rated highly by anyone in the first place)."

HEY, WHOA! Just joking with ya'.

But seriously and out of curiosity, have you read everything by Hemingway or at least a decent sampling of his work? Wouldn't that be a logical or at least fair prerequisite to saying that anything he ever wrote is overrated?

Other than that your off the top of your head brevity is stimulating.

[Thera]

I prefer to keep things short and sweet. I like reading novels for the story, but if it's a review (or thread discussion), short and to the point is more my style. If I see a review that goes on and one, I skip it usually.
As for reading Hemmigway, unfortunately I have suffered through a handful of his works. I remember them from college, and several classmates swooned over them. I was not impressed. Maybe it's just a me.

[Paul Martin]

It seems to me as if you're confusing "short and to the point" with "baseless assertions"

Simply stating that this or that work is overrated is in itself completely uninteresting. How about giving a few brief points, or maybe link to a review you've written?

[Mark]

Thera wrote: "I prefer to keep things short and sweet. I like reading novels for the story, but if it's a review (or thread discussion), short and to the point is more my style. If I see a review that goes on ..."

There's always that fine line between sweet because it's short and short because who needs length when you're in the shallows? Y'know? There's a certain amount of irony that you single out Hemingway since he was a champion of brevity.

Takes all kinds.

[Michael]

Mark wrote: "[I]t's interesting to note the distinction the WaPo piece (and apparently some of the literacy funding engines) make between the skills of functional literacy and the ability to appreciate literature's life affirming principles."

Functional literacy is hardly the issue. Even the lowest performing students can read well enough to get by, certainly well enough to interact on social media, buy stuff, and otherwise interact in our society at the basic level; but the real problem is appreciating literature. And it's my observation as a teacher that those students who consume the latest YA series like so much soda are no better off than those lowest performing students, because though they are reading books, they are not appreciating those books; they are consuming them and then forgetting them. (Do you remember all the cans of soda you've guzzled?) But I digress.

Throughout my childhood, Reading Rainbow presented wonderful books that provoked my imagination, and LeVar Burton's passion for reading contaminated me and taught me to appreciate the imaginative power of what I read (and, by contrast, to grimace at what lacked that power). That's what students really need: not how to read, but why read anything beyond the functional level in the first place.

[Karen]

Michael wrote: "Mark wrote: "[I]t's interesting to note the distinction the WaPo piece (and apparently some of the literacy funding engines) make between the skills of functional literacy and the ability to apprec..."

The students I work with know how to read-their disability is comprehending what they read, we can practice over and over, but if it is difficult for them and they don't seem to want to go farther. By the time they get to us they have ALMOST lost all interest in anything but the simplest of stories.

[Michael]

Thera wrote: "As for reading Hemmigway, unfortunately I have suffered through a handful of his works. I remember them from college, and several classmates swooned over them. I was not impressed. Maybe it's just a me."

Hemingway's strengths lie in his short stories, though The Sun Also Rises is as magnificent an example of the 20th century American novel as The Great Gatsby. Though people tend to shower it with praise, I can't stand The Old Man and the Sea; it's far too transparent; and as for his other novels, none capture the mastery of tone or storytelling as The Sun Also Rises or his short stories.

For what it's worth, here's his six-word short story, which he wrote on a bet; I give it to my students each year:

For sale: baby shoes, never worn.

Short, but genius! Six powerful words.

[Gary]

Apparently, the provenance of that Hemingway short story is more than a little questionable.

http://www.snopes.com/language/litera...

Still, it's an interesting piece of work, and I've shown it to students myself (and attributed it to Hemingway... possibly.) Hemingway probably didn't write it, but he should have.

[Kallie]

I remember being very impressed by Hemingway's short stories and 'The Sun Also Rises' but disliking 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' and 'A Farewell to Arms' and being bored by 'The Old Man and the Sea.' However, I can't remember why, either way, and don't know if I will re-read. Maybe, though, I liked that Brett was her own woman if of questionable character. That was a novelty.

[Kallie]

I prefer Yates' Revolutionary Road to any of Hemingway's novels. Probably because of Yates' female characters and because his were much more complex than Hemingway's. For that matter, Fitzgerald's were too.

[Michael]

Gary wrote: "Hemingway probably didn't write it"

Shhh. It's quiet time. ;)

[Monty J]

Kallie wrote: "I liked that Brett was her own woman if of questionable character. That was a novelty. "

She was indeed fascinating, certainly had an air of entitlement and confidence about her, although she had curiously villainous traits almost on the level of Curley's wife in Of Mice and Men.

Hemingway wrote her in such a way that we don't/can't know a lot about her, a limitation of first-person narration. Maybe she was just a mixed up kid and couldn't make up her mind about men. We don't know because Hemingway rarely gets inside her head.

She can be taken as a spoiled trust fund baby who mooched off men, trading on her looks, charm and sexual favors because her monthly trust fund check wasn't enough to support her carefree, careless lifestyle.

At the end she's run out of money again and calls on Jake to come rescue her. If Jake hadn't come she'd have summoned some other willing sap. Count Mippipopolous perhaps. Brett is independent only within the limited sphere of men she can control with her feminine charms and prodigious sex drive. I briefly (she dropped out) knew a girl like this in college. Quite popular among the boys but the girls hated her.

Brett's title "Lady" might have been a backhanded slap by Hemingway at the British aristocracy or women in general. His mother was incensed. The film version had to soften Brett to get past the censors. (Same thing happened with Steinbeck's Curley's wife in Of Mice and Men.)

Regardless, her scandalous behavior probably accounted for much of the book's early success.

[Karen]

Monty J wrote: "Kallie wrote: "I liked that Brett was her own woman if of questionable character. That was a novelty. "


She was indeed fascinating, certainly had an air of entitlement and confidence about her, al..."

You onky knew one girl like that in college Monty? Sorry, I was compelled to write that.

[Monty J]

Karen wrote: "You only knew one girl like that in college Monty? Sorry, I was compelled to write that."

Yes. I led a pretty sheltered life. Bashful around girls. But this one sort of, well, initiated me.

[Karen]

Monty J wrote: "Karen wrote: "You only knew one girl like that in college Monty? Sorry, I was compelled to write that."

Yes. I led a pretty sheltered life. Bashful around girls. But this one sort of, well, initia..."

Oh, well that's nice! I just went to your web page- I appreciate all that you do.

[Monty J]

Karen wrote: "I just went to your web page- I appreciate all that you do."

Many thanks.

[Petergiaquinta]

"Elvis was a hero to most
But he never meant shit to me you see."

[Mark]

"We got Elvis in the ground and my beer on ice tonight.
Income tax deduction one hell of a function . . ."

[Karen]

What's all this Elvis stuff? Is it his birthday?

[Petergiaquinta]

It beats pickin cotton
And waiting to be forgotten!

[Karen]

Petergiaquinta wrote: "It beats pickin cotton
And waiting to be forgotten!"

Unless you're doing it with Johnny Rotten

[Jamie]

On the sample list, I love Catcher in the Rye, Gatsby, Da Vinci.
I liked Catcher in the Rye because I was not a teenager anymore, I had crossed the boundary line of being a full fledged adult by my legal birthday (i was 20...yes, 18 is legal but it is a "teen"). I was unsure of this new change in life because of the expectations of after high school. That book helped me figure out a few things. Every generation is the same with its hypocrisy.
I have Gatsby many times over. I have seen Robert Redford's version and Dicaprio's version of the story. It is overrated as a romance. It is a soap opera in writing before tv existed to consume millions in daytime hours. But I love it for the comparisons and the tragedy that is hidden below the surface. It takes a while to get to it but that makes a great story. You learn and dig deeper every time you read it.
The Da Vinci Code is wonderful. I read it as a teenager, and I was born and raised catholic. It is anti-catholic but its more than that on a philosophical level. It puts the world in perspective of paranoia, and secrets, and just the all around search of the truth.
I have not read any of the other books on this list so I cannot say whether I agree or not, except for Twilight. I have read and seen all Twilight movies. There is a lot of potential in this story if the two main characters were not our main characters. I understand why people love this story but I am not one who enjoyed it entirely a whole lot. I liked just about everyone except Bella and Edward. So, I guess that means I hate Twilight since the story is about them.
As far as maybe replacing what I believe to be overrated stories, I don't have much of an opinion since not many stand out. Lord of the Rings might be one of the few that stands in my head but even I can justify the hype that is built on it. Maybe I relate because I want to be a writer.

[Ralph]

Maria wrote: "Which books do you think are overrated?

Here's a quick sampling from various internet sites that recommend skipping these:
The Catcher in the Rye
Moby Dick
The Great Gatsby
Waiting for Godot
The..."


The catcher in the rye has got to be the most overrated piece of shit to ever make its way into the curriculum. why students are forced to read this nonsensical book is beyond me, and I consider myself an avid reader. The rest on the list is not so bad, except from twilight and the da vinci code. They're garbage, almost as bad as catcher in the rye

[[deleted user]]

Why such a hostility? The point is, it is just not your cup of tea, and that is fine. But millions of people loved this book. I never, even as a young Czech teenagers identified myself with Holden, but the character is very well written. One of my friends, a very smart but troubled girl loved the book, read it 10 x, and was exactly like Holden. Vera unfortunately cointinued to be troubled and killed her self ,age 40. Hardly Salinger's fault though!
I am a family doctor, and this is one of the books that helped me treating young teenager in a way that they trust me and tell me things they would not tell their parents or grandparents,
There is a bit of Holden in each of them.
SO, Catcher in the Rye obviously is MY cup of tea,
But the main reason I wrote was your hostility! Why does it upset you enough to write this?
Curious!

[Ralph]

Lucie wrote: "Why such a hostility? The point is, it is just not your cup of tea, and that is fine. But millions of people loved this book. I never, even as a young Czech teenagers identified myself with Holden,..."

sorry aboyt your friend but the book is just bad and if im hostile its because low quality books generally makes me hostile.

[[deleted user]]

Oh OK. But don't you think that tastes vary?
I remember my grandmother telling me " Never say this dish is disgusting, some people might think it is delicious and who says who is right?"
It was a good lesson. I have a rule, but unfortunately often break it myself when I am not paying attention.
The rule is:
Any criticism is subjective, so make sure you are aware of that.
SO not This is a terrible book", but " I think this is a terrible book and here is why"
Petty? Maybe, and if I am, I am sorry! What are your favourite books, Ralph?
Lucie

[Dina]

Lucie wrote: It was a good lesson. I have a rule, but unfortunately often break it myself when I am not paying attention.
The rule is:
Any criticism is subjective, so make sure you are aware of that.
SO not This is a terrible book", but " I think this is a terrible book and here is why"
Petty? Maybe, and if I am, I am sorry! What are your favourite books, Ralph?

I have that exact same rule! And like you, I sometimes break it. It does bother me though when people seem to think their opinion equals fact.

[[deleted user]]

Yep. presenting opinions as facts was something my ex husband does. Even though he often has interesting opinions, he should stop doing it! It is similar to not quoting your resources! Cheating.

[Monty J]

Ralph wrote: "The catcher in the rye has got to be the most overrated piece of shit to ever make its way into the curriculum. why students are forced to read this nonsensical book is beyond me, and I consider myself an avid reader. The rest on the list is not so bad, except from twilight and the da vinci code. They're garbage, almost as bad as catcher in the rye."

You made me laugh out loud when I realized you sounded a lot like Holden. I mean no disrespect, but are you repelled by Holden because you felt a similarity to him?

[[deleted user]]

LOL Now YOU made me laugh, too, Monty, thanks. Good point ! Holden was of course pretty intolerant of everything and everybody.

[Kallie]

Lucie wrote: "LOL Now YOU made me laugh, too, Monty, thanks. Good point ! Holden was of course pretty intolerant of everything and everybody."

Yes, but Holden shared his reasons. In detail. And he also expressed appreciation for people's good qualities, even Stradlater's. So Ralph kinda sorta reminds me of Holden but not really. Holden was actually pretty polite in his behavior (i.e., toward the old teacher with a cold, who was in fact not very nice to Holden).

[[deleted user]]

yep. I might re read the book, I read it 40 years ago!