The Most Overrated Books Showing 2,651-2,700 of 5,680

[Kallie]

Karen wrote: "Jamie Lynn wrote: "Yes it is Karen. I'm sure that most disagree because it's still extremely popular. :)"

I welcome opinions, don't get me wrong. :) I just like explanations to go with them, and I..."

Then I owe one about Updike. It seems small to me when a writer uses his/her skill to describe a character as pathetic and stupid, which Updike does with Rabbit Angstrom's wife, Janet. And in that particular case, there are sexist overtones as well.

[Leslie]

Lucie wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Karen wrote: "Kallie wrote; "I vote John Updike overrated and would be interested to hear why I should give him another chance."

I have been thinking that also, I read one of his Ra..."

I did enjoy "Kavalier and Clay" and "The Good Earth" (which I read at the same time as Goldfinch - talk about stark contrast in writing style!)

[Leslie]

Edward wrote: "However, up until now, no one had stooped to discuss shit."

Nothing stopping you from starting your own thread on the book and topic of your choosing, Edward, if this one isn't meeting your needs/expectations.

[Kallie]

Leslie wrote: "San Francisco *sigh* God I miss the Bay Area..."

I miss it as it used to be: funky, wildly diverse and free-wheelin'.

[Monty J]

Leslie wrote: "San Francisco *sigh* God I miss the Bay Area..."

There are so many off-the-beaten-track places that are a delight to visit, if you like to walk. There's an elevated neighborhood with a stairway to a comedy club and a beautiful fountain overlooking a park; crazy street people who come out only at night; a wave organ (ocean waves); street performers; etc.

[Leslie]

Monty J wrote: "Leslie wrote: "San Francisco *sigh* God I miss the Bay Area..."

There are so many off-the-beaten-track places that are a delight to visit, if you like to walk. There's an elevated neighborhood wit..."

I lived in Sonoma for a summer a while back, and would drive into the city to visit friends on the weekend. Driving back through the city at night to get home, it was like another world, amazing to this small-towngirl-been-nowhere, loved it! I would move back in a heartbeat if it wasn't so damned expensive.

[Renee E]

Monty J wrote: "Leslie wrote: "San Francisco *sigh* God I miss the Bay Area..."

There are so many off-the-beaten-track places that are a delight to visit, if you like to walk. There's an elevated neighborhood wit..."

I wish they hadn't done away with the Mud Flat art. I loved that, growing up.

[Karen]

Monty J wrote: "Leslie wrote: "San Francisco *sigh* God I miss the Bay Area..."

There are so many off-the-beaten-track places that are a delight to visit, if you like to walk. There's an elevated neighborhood wit..."

I would go to City Lights book store and buy On The Road, and ofcourse that bridge! I've read so much about SF. Iwant to go there also.

[Karen]

Kallie wrote: "Karen wrote: "Jamie Lynn wrote: "Yes it is Karen. I'm sure that most disagree because it's still extremely popular. :)"

I welcome opinions, don't get me wrong. :) I just like explanations to go wi..."

Those sexist overtones don't bother me much, maybe because I haven't lived with it for over 30 years, I just consider the times it was written in.

[Leslie]

Karen wrote: "Kallie wrote: "Karen wrote: "Jamie Lynn wrote: "Yes it is Karen. I'm sure that most disagree because it's still extremely popular. :)"

I welcome opinions, don't get me wrong. :) I just like explan..."

I can usually set objectionable content aside as "the times" (the language in Huck Finn, that sort of thing), but an exception for me is "Gone with the Wind"...man I hate that book...and I can't excuse it for "the times" to find any redeeming qualities.

[Renee E]

The south is still a lot like that, Leslie. It's an undercurrent (not always) but it's there.

[Cosmic]

Edward wrote: "However, up until now, no one had stooped to discuss shit."

I think that most of the people that are posting on this list are educators.

It is not in their best interest to discuss. They are the high priest of knowledge and they must keep people's enlightenment controlled. We are headed back to the dark ages.

I have wondered who might benefit from the resurfacing of The Catcher in the Rye based on the popular opinion of this and cliff notes? Since they want to focus on mental illness and teenagers? What is the agenda in only keeping The Catcher in the Rye
so narrowly discussed?

[Leslie]

Renee wrote: "The south is still a lot like that, Leslie. It's an undercurrent (not always) but it's there."

That's probably what turns me off so much about the book...that "undercurrent" doesn't need any "glorification" or "romanticizing" ...it made me sick.

[Kallie]

Karen wrote: "Kallie wrote: "Karen wrote: "Jamie Lynn wrote: "Yes it is Karen. I'm sure that most disagree because it's still extremely popular. :)"

I welcome opinions, don't get me wrong. :) I just like explan..."

In that book it's not just 'the times'; it's reductive, and truly great writers give their characters more complexity even when those writers are sexist. That tendency in his writing is one reason I think Updike overrated.

[Kallie]

Cosmic wrote: "Edward wrote: "However, up until now, no one had stooped to discuss shit."

I think that most of the people that are posting on this list are educators.

It is not in their best interest to discuss..."

And here is another example of being reductive, frequently seen on this very thread.

[Karen]

Kallie wrote: "Karen wrote: "Kallie wrote: "Karen wrote: "Jamie Lynn wrote: "Yes it is Karen. I'm sure that most disagree because it's still extremely popular. :)"

I welcome opinions, don't get me wrong. :) I ju..."

Oh I see, makes sense.

[[deleted user]]

Leslie wrote: "Kallie wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Lucie wrote: "Are you all having fun why I am working? Doesn't look like it."

We've fallen down the rabbit hole. TGIF!"

Ha. This is not the only white rabbit thread..."
I liked his rabbit books, but yes, they are a bit sexist- it was a different time.

[Leslie]

Edward wrote: "To Leslie. Try reading words without superimposing your own stupidity. There is no need nor desire on my part to establish a new thread. I merely stated a preference for living by the guidelines established for this one. I suspect you must be a grammar school teacher, fully confident with being the smartest one in the room. Save your confusion for the kiddies.

To Edward: This is a very special sentiment that I reserve only for the most deserving so please accept it in the manner in which it is classically intended. "Fuck off".

[Monty J]

Hey guys, children could be reading this. Play nice.

[Karen]

Monty J wrote: "Hey guys, children could be reading this. Play nice."

You're right, it's kinda hard sometimes as there was no need for the use of the word stupid to begin with.

[Leslie]

Karen wrote: "Monty J wrote: "Hey guys, children could be reading this. Play nice."

You're right, it's kinda hard sometimes as there was no need for the use of the word stupid to begin with."

Exactly.

[Karen]

Jamie Lynn wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Lucie wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Karen wrote: "Kallie wrote; "I vote John Updike overrated and would be interested to hear why I should give him another chance."

I have been thinking th..."

People seemed to either like The Goldfinch or not like it at all

[Petergiaquinta]

Charles Dickens tended to "overwrite" as well...no problems, as far as I can see. Not everything has to be thin and terse...Tartt's doing this on purpose.

I'm in Montana where wifi is a rare commodity. Looks like standards are sliding in my absence.

[Cosmic]

Edward wrote: "Absolutely love your revolutionary, insightful commentary. Wish I could stop being lethargic.
..."

I love your NJ/New York wit!

I noticed that when I was looking at the maps of New York I couldn't find "South Central Park". But Holden specifically says this is the place that he is concerned about when he talks about the DUCKS.

I wrote a post here about it:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I hope you will join my thread or at least take a look at it.

[[deleted user]]

Jamie Lynn wrote: "Tartt overwrites to the point that the book is separated in Book 1 and Book 2. Part of book 2 is literally saying what books the main character reads during a dull summer and what the books are abo..."

I liked LIttle Friend and Secret History, and recently I have lots going on at the moment so maybe I should give Goldfinch another chance. I stopped mid way.

[[deleted user]]

Jamie Lynn wrote: "Lucie, I was totally hooked on The Secret History until book 2. Then it changed it's tone. I have to say that the story itself is like no other. It kept me reading. I had to see how ev..."
Try The Little Friend I thought that was better

[Karen]

Petergiaquinta wrote: "Charles Dickens tended to "overwrite" as well...no problems, as far as I can see. Not everything has to be thin and terse...Tartt's doing this on purpose.

I'm in Montana where wifi is a rare commo..."

Ya they are. You reminded me of Zappas song Montana. Love that.

[Stephen]

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

This is a great question but it's better supported on this site by a LISTOPIA list like this one https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

LISTOPIA lists allow you to vote and to nominate books. It automatically keeps track of the standings and it allows for commentary on each book you add as long as a general discussion

[[deleted user]]

Thanks, I looked

[Kallie]

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

This is a great question but it's better supported on this site by a LISTOPIA list like this one https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1..."

That's kind of funny because this thread has gone, with you, to 2800 wide-ranging messages that have covered more communications (good, bad, indifferent) than I can say. So how is the question better supported on Listopia? (This is not a rhetorical question; I really want to know.)

[Kallie]

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

This is a great question but it's better supported on this site by a LISTOPIA list like this one https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1..."

Stephen, I looked at the list and don't understand how the question is better supported by LISTOPIA, etc. On this thread, we are mainly discussing books that we have been encouraged (since forever, so to speak) to read in school, and arguing the merits and demerits of those books.

[David]

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..."

Skip the following
1. Atlas Shrugged....damn was that tedious
2. The Da Vinci Code...Brown is a hack...flat characters, stilted dialogue, predictable plot, poor exposition, turgid narrative, but excellent puzzles. How it ever got published is beyond me.
3. Twilight....For all the same reasons the Da Vinci Code should be skipped and more. Only teenage girls, or those emotionally stunted would call this piece of crap a classic.
4. I despise The Catcher in the Rye but it is a classic and should be read.

I've read all of these books but only cultural zombies would include Moby Dick, The Great Gatsby, Camus' The Stranger, Waiting for Godot, and Ulysses. None of these are for cultural or intellectual lightweights, or those who are not willing to commit to difficult books, but they are exceptionally rewarding if you get through them and are capable of paying attention and maybe doing some research.

All these books are extremely important and should be read by serious readers and students of 'literature' as opposed to 'genre'...and YES! there is a difference.

[Karen]

Jamie Lynn wrote: "There are some extremely intelligent people who might choose to skip some of the books on the so called intellectual list Or the popular list for that matter."

Yes, especially Ullysses, which I have read.I'm glad I read it, but I will never pretend to understand alot of it. I do appreciate this book and its author so much for its influence. But I suffered through that book and rejoiced while reading the funny parts.

[[deleted user]]

Karen wrote: "Jamie Lynn wrote: "There are some extremely intelligent people who might choose to skip some of the books on the so called intellectual list Or the popular list for that matter."

Yes, especially U..."
Well, I am not that sure. I think sometimes there is this idea that something is " so precious but I do not really understand this" But maybe it is " emperor has no clothes". I have that feeling with Paul Coelho's books. Some of the best books ever written are simple. SImple language, simple story.

[Karen]

Lucie wrote;
"Well, I am not that sure. I think sometimes there is this idea that something is " so precious but I do not really understand this" But maybe it is " emperor has no clothes". I have that feeling with Paul Coelho's books. Some of the best books ever written are simple. SImple language, simple story."

I agree somewhat with this, but James Joyces influence is undeniable- but that influence is better discussed by people who are more capable than myself! And it certainly was not my favorite book. I think though that I can safely say that if there was no Ullysses, Faulkner may not have written the way he did, and he is my favorite.

[Cosmic]

David wrote: "I despise The Catcher in the Rye but it is a classic and should be read.

I've read all of these books but only cultural zombies would include Moby Dick, The Great Gatsby, Camus' The Stranger, Waiting for Godot, and Ulysses. None of these are for cultural or intellectual lightweights, or those who are not willing to commit to difficult books, but they are exceptionally rewarding if you get through them and are capable of paying attention and maybe doing some research.

All these books are extremely important and should be read by serious readers and students of 'literature' as opposed to 'genre'...and YES! there is a difference.
..."


I agree with you that there is a difference between a serious reader and a 'genre' or light read-er.

Now if you had read The Catcher In The Rye the like a serious reader I think you would have discovered the value of this book.

I have started to and these are my notes so far:

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

I hope you will take a look and tell me what you think.

[David]

Karen wrote: "Jamie Lynn wrote: "There are some extremely intelligent people who might choose to skip some of the books on the so called intellectual list Or the popular list for that matter."

Yes, especially U..."

You want confusion read Finegan's Wake or Laurence Sterne's Tristram Shandy....and then there is The Infinite Jest...a lightweight in comparison.

[Karen]

David wrote: "Karen wrote: "Jamie Lynn wrote: "There are some extremely intelligent people who might choose to skip some of the books on the so called intellectual list Or the popular list for that matter."

Yes..."

I don't want any more confusion, since even the most scholarly and intellectual have trouble with Ullysses, that book was enough for me.

[[deleted user]]

LOL Maybe you should all read my book,A Woman with (no) Strings Attached definitely not a difficult read.
I AM kidding, of course.

[Steph]

I can't agree with skipping "The DaVinci Code" and being that "The Great Gastby" is my favorite book of all time, I absolutely disagree. I do, however, completely agree with "The Catcher in the Rye,"; what a total waste of time!

[Karen]

Lucie wrote: "LOL Maybe you should all read my book,A Woman with (no) Strings Attached definitely not a difficult read.
I AM kidding, of course."

We all should read it ofcourse!

[Karen]

Steph wrote: "I can't agree with skipping "The DaVinci Code" and being that "The Great Gastby" is my favorite book of all time, I absolutely disagree. I do, however, completely agree with "The Catcher in the Ry..."

A waste of your time, certainly not mine.

[[deleted user]]

Jamie Lynn wrote: "Lucie wrote: "Karen wrote: "Jamie Lynn wrote: "There are some extremely intelligent people who might choose to skip some of the books on the so called intellectual list Or the popular list for that..."
Yep, and we must not forget that we read books because it is fun, unlike work, nobody pays are to do that.
I like my job, but it is not ALWAYS fun, but my attitude is -if it was, why should anybody pay me to do that?
But I insist on my right to read classics, literary fiction AND easy reading whenever and wherever my fancy takes me.
One of the freedoms we have is to choose our leisure and entertainment.
I lived in a country that freedom was not obvious, so I cherish it.

[Karen]

I have not read all the classics, and won't, as some don't interest me. Alot of them do though. If I want to read sonething for fun I certainly will, and have. To me, Kerouac can be fun but at the same time sad and lonely. I love feeling all those emotions when I read. Faulkner for me is not fun, but it's so damn interesting and full of emotion and questions and puzzles, and beauty-I love it. When I really want fun I will read Lucies book! It will be a nice break, and I can't wait because I already read a sample of it, and it's interesting too!

[Karen]

Jamie Lynn wrote: "True Karen, recreational reading might not always be light and fun but it's an individual choice. Southern Gothic is a great example of books that don't cheer us but the keep us interested."

So true.

[Kallie]

David wrote: "4. I despise The Catcher in the Rye but it is a classic and should be read. "

I've been trying to think of what books I can say I despise (whoa). I guess books that are merely shallow, exploitative, preachy, propagandizing, mean-spirited in characterization (the writer using his/her book to present a one-sided case), and of course poor writing is what makes these sins unpardonable. I think CitR might have a few of these characteristics, but Salinger's artistry can't be reduced to any of them because the writing is so brilliant and uniquely Salingeresque.

I read books because I enjoy them, but have also found that timing is important A book I find boring may later prove compelling, so I try again later if the book is generally admired as quality lit.

[Karen]

Kallie wrote: "David wrote: "4. I despise The Catcher in the Rye but it is a classic and should be read. "

I've been trying to think of what books I can say I despise (whoa). I guess books that are merely shall..."

What makes you say TCiTR has any of these characteristics since you also gave the book 5 stars. David, (I didn't see his post) to despise a book is a really strong reaction.

[David]

I was abused with TCiTR in high school and Uni...I see the space it inhabits in the Canon and the reason it is there but it offends my sense of the world and how men move through it; how men see it...TCiTR is Chick Lit is what I am saying. Not that there is anything wrong with that...but i get more from the epic of Gilgamesh, the Iliad, the odyssey, Shakespeare, Dostoyevsky, jim Thompson, Herman Melville, PKD, etc... then I will ever get outer of a whiner like Holden Caulfield.

Someone had to say it. -_-

[Renee E]

David wrote: "I was abused with TCiTR in high school and Uni...I see the space it inhabits in the Canon and the reason it is there but it offends my sense of the world and how men move through it; how men see it..."

Not Beowulf? ;-) (The epic, not the modern novels and movies it spawned)

[David]

Yes Beowulf too