Young Adult Book Reading Challenges discussion
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Worst YA books
I though that Alanna: The First Adventure was truly awful; one of the worst things about it was that it was just addictive enough that I read the 3 sequels as well. That's like 6 hours of my life I'll never get back. I also hated I am Number Four, so much that by the end I wished the main character would just die horrifically already. No such luck.
Julia - Don't stress it if you don't like a book that others all seem to like. I feel that way many times. For example, I just personally didn't like Daughter of Smoke and Bone but almost everyone else disagrees.
I was just curious if the reasons why with those two books. I can see why you wouldn't like the characters in Before I Fall. I almost stopped too but realized that the main character goes through a transformation and it is the story of the transformation that makes the book what it is. In a way, it's about finding redemption.
I also agree with On the Jellicoe Road. It does start out really really slow and there isn't really a particular genre that screams out when you read it. I only finished it because I was curious about why it was winning all of the awards it was. I did really enjoy it but sadly, it's one of the books that sits on the shelf at the library.
I was just curious if the reasons why with those two books. I can see why you wouldn't like the characters in Before I Fall. I almost stopped too but realized that the main character goes through a transformation and it is the story of the transformation that makes the book what it is. In a way, it's about finding redemption.
I also agree with On the Jellicoe Road. It does start out really really slow and there isn't really a particular genre that screams out when you read it. I only finished it because I was curious about why it was winning all of the awards it was. I did really enjoy it but sadly, it's one of the books that sits on the shelf at the library.
Is it just me or are you all finding more editorial errors/grammatical errors in books today than before? Are we doomed to sloppy editing as publishers cut back on editors like they have on the quality of binding just to save a buck or two?
Colby wrote: "*Glares at Michelle for not liking It's Kind of a Funny Story*I LOVE that book. Although guys seem to like that one more than girls do. I know a girl reccomended it to me, but she said it was onl..."
Haha sorry... I guess I just thought it was kind of a stretch to believe that a 15 yr old would feel completely at ease and comfortable around a bunch of truly mentally ill adults. Craig seemed completely normal/cured as soon as he walked through the doors of the mental ward, I think getting a grip on depression is a lot more hard work than the author made it out to be. It was a well written book, I just didn't like the main character or the message.
Brenda wrote: "Is it just me or are you all finding more editorial errors/grammatical errors in books today than before? Are we doomed to sloppy editing as publishers cut back on editors like they have on the qu..."I can't stand when books have grammatical errors! That is why I can't read the Twilight series. The first book made me too angry. I'm to the point where I have to put it down if there are mistakes.
Courtney wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Is it just me or are you all finding more editorial errors/grammatical errors in books today than before? Are we doomed to sloppy editing as publishers cut back on editors like they..."
I agree. It looks unprofessional and is extremely distracting. I tend to stare at errors for a few seconds before moving on. How do they let grammatical errors through? Are they too lazy to properly proof read books before releasing them?
I agree. It looks unprofessional and is extremely distracting. I tend to stare at errors for a few seconds before moving on. How do they let grammatical errors through? Are they too lazy to properly proof read books before releasing them?
Wednesday asked: How do they let grammatical errors through? Are they too lazy to properly proof read books before releasing them? From what I've read, it's out of the hands of authors, it's up to the publishers, who don't think we care. They've fired the editors and proofreaders, because everyone has spellcheck... It's especially egregious in YA publishing, IMO, because kids are just learning how to write and if they're learning it from their poorly edited books, then what are they learning?
Spellcheck doesn't mean anything. Sometimes spellcheck ends up giving the wrong spelling of a misspelled word, and people don't know better, so they take the first one. A good example is the difference between "effect" and "affect". I see people pick the wrong one in spellcheck all the time.
Computers can't find every mistake. Perhaps if there were editors AND computers, mistakes wouldn't make it into as many publications. Of course, if authors proofread their own work before sending it in, maybe we'd also have less mistakes.
Computers can't find every mistake. Perhaps if there were editors AND computers, mistakes wouldn't make it into as many publications. Of course, if authors proofread their own work before sending it in, maybe we'd also have less mistakes.
I totally agree about the misspellings and gramatical errors... it drove me nuts in twilight also, which is why I only read 3/4ths of it (well that and I couldn't stand how whiny and needy the Bella character was). What I really hate is when there is a word missing and I have to read a sentence 3 or 4 times to figure out what that word is. It ruins my whole reading flow!! I understand it's hard to proofread your own work, but the publishers should have it read by a team of people so that they can get everything fixed!! I would be so embarrassed if I was an author and my book was full of errors!
Megan....why didn't you like Twisted by Anderson?
I really enjoyed reading Twisted as I thought it showed a different side to a story than what we normally hear/read about. But everyone is entitled to their own feelings....just curious as to what you didn't like?
and fyi....I didn't really like Matched that well either but chalked it up to being tired of reading books all with the same setup/theme.
I really enjoyed reading Twisted as I thought it showed a different side to a story than what we normally hear/read about. But everyone is entitled to their own feelings....just curious as to what you didn't like?
and fyi....I didn't really like Matched that well either but chalked it up to being tired of reading books all with the same setup/theme.
Just last week, I finished probably what was one of the worst YA books I've ever read, and most definitely one of the worst books I've read in this past year. Though I realized there was a wide divide of opinions surrounding it, I still wanted to give it a try for myself to see how it would fare. Swoon was horrible. I'm still struggling to figure out how I'm going to review this because there's so much I could point out that's wrong with it, but I'll say, respectfully, I personally wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
I dunno Rose, there seem to me to be an awful lot of one and two star reviews for Swoon. And get this, or rather don't; it has a sequel.
.
I disliked I am Number Four, I also am not a fan of Twilight at all. Right know I am trying to read the book Reckless, but I can't seem to get past it. It is confusing me and moving so fast I feel like I missed an entire story in the first 4 chapters.
I just finished
and it was pretty horrible. The characters were flat, the mythology was kinda boring, and I overall just did not enjoy this book. The title is a major let down, because you (view spoiler)
and it was pretty horrible. The characters were flat, the mythology was kinda boring, and I overall just did not enjoy this book. The title is a major let down, because you (view spoiler)
Emily wrote: "Vampire Academy, completely."Really? I really liked the Vampire Academy books. They were the only good vampire series I've ever read.
I really hated this series:
Finished it a few hours ago and I only have one thing to say: It doesn't deserve to be called YA :/
Erin wrote: "Emily wrote: "Vampire Academy, completely."Really? I really liked the Vampire Academy books. They were the only good vampire series I've ever read.
I really hated this series:
[bookcover:Fallen..."
I completely agree with you on the Fallen series. i thought the first one was okay but then it all went down the crapper. I totally wasted my money.
Did you read all of the Vampire Academy Series or just the 1st book? The first book is probably my least favorite, but I loved the series. If you read them all and did not like them, then to each their own. :~)
Carri wrote: "Did you read all of the Vampire Academy Series or just the 1st book? The first book is probably my least favorite, but I loved the series. If you read them all and did not like them, then to each..."I can relate to not liking the first book (didn't care for it that much), but ended up reading the 2nd and 3rd (both I loved) which made me stick with the series. I still have yet to finish it, though.
Erin wrote: "Emily wrote: "Vampire Academy, completely."Really? I really liked the Vampire Academy books. They were the only good vampire series I've ever read.
I really hated this series:
[bookcover:Fallen..."
I agree, I like VA! But I really, really dislike the Fallen series by Lauren Kate as well as the Strange Angels series by Lili St Crow and the Shifters series by Rachel Vincent, they're all in my worst-YA-book-ever list.
I couldn't stand the Strange Angels series either. I read the first one and barely got through it
I love this thread because I, too, have read a YA book series that I expected to love but really didn't no matter how hard I try. I have completely shied away from reading the Twilight books because I love the movies and I'm afraid reading the books will wreck it because of this bad experience I had. And I don't want to ruffle any feathers, but it's the Anne of Green Gables series. I have read all the books, twice, and I'm just not in love even though I was completely obsessed by movies 1 and 2 as a kid. But through most of book 1 LM Montgomery has her characters standing in rooms, completely alone, talking out loud to themselves. And by the time you get to the last book, Anne is barely even a background character -- very distressing. I love the characters in all the books but I'm just not taken with the writing. Please don't throw your books at me!
Rose wrote: "Carri wrote: "Did you read all of the Vampire Academy Series or just the 1st book? The first book is probably my least favorite, but I loved the series. If you read them all and did not like them..."I also loved the VA series, Rose is one of the boldest vampire charecters I've read about in awhile.
As far as the Fallen series goes, I've read all of the books because I'm curious how it ends. But I am always lost. When ever I read the books I feel like I'm missing the point.
Erin wrote:I really hated this series:
"
So much. Hated so, so much.
I also hated
. The only fallen angel book I've read and enjoyed so far is
.The writing style of
made me want to drill a hole into my head. The characters had the same discussions and same thoughts on repeat for an endless amount of pages. The concept is great, but it was almost like the book didn't quite reach the 50,000 word mark, so dialogue had to be repeated.I couldn't finish
or
because I just felt like I was reading the same thing over and over again, and while
was beautifully written, the plot was so boring that I just put the book down one day and never picked it up again.
I hated Fallen and Hush Hush along with Spells
I hated
. Tons of people love it, but personally, it was terrible and I will never read it again. I guess this hate stems from being terrified of zombies. Also the story just broke my heart WAY too much. I might have hated it less if things hadn't gone the way they did.
Yeah I hated Hush Hush
and I was wondering if I'd gotten the right book cause all my friends said that it was really good. I also dislike I am Number Four
for a while but it grew on me as it started to get fast paced. I kind of liked fallen but it was a bit um kind of tedious in places.
and I was wondering if I'd gotten the right book cause all my friends said that it was really good. I also dislike I am Number Four
for a while but it grew on me as it started to get fast paced. I kind of liked fallen but it was a bit um kind of tedious in places.
Okay, i loved the Iron fey series... but the book that i've had since it was released and still have not finished reading has been
idk why, i mean i love Ash i really do. But its just soo slow to me i always only read like a chapter then put it up. Idk maybe i should just concentrate and start from the beginning. Worst i will have to say is the
series. 1st book is okay, but i could not keep reading after that.
Does the Iron Fey series get better? I read the first book and really did not care for it, but everyone seems to like the series!
I could only get through the first iron fey books. I really want to like fairy books but they are so predictable and slow
My worst YA list...-House of Night series by P.C. & Kristin Cast
When I read the first 4 back in freshman year, I LOVED them. After I waited a year to read the next one, I was like... uh... wut? And then it just progressed downhill from there. Like (view spoiler). Uh. Huh.
-Hades Now, you must understand that I frigging LOVED Halo! But it's sequel is so... HORRID is the only word I can think of at the moment... that I literally got a headache from reading it. That has NEVER happened before. NEVER. Oy. Supernatural girl protected by scrawny, weak mortal? Shouldn't it be the other way around? *I lost my train of thought. Time to move on to the next one!*
-Need series by Carrie Jones
My main problem with this series is that the writing is very fragmented and choppy. It's awkward to read and it makes me doubt the author's ability. Also, Zara can do very, very stupid things (as seen in Entice, or which ever is the third on... I forget).
Breaking Dawn
Alright, I was a HUGE fan of Twilight when it came out in the 7th grade. I still really like New Moon and I don't particularly care for Eclipse, but... Breaking Dawn was just ridiculous. None of it made sense. It was confusing and incoherent. Kind of like my thoughts right now as I reflect upon this tragedy. I can't believe I went to the midnight release at B&N and spent... 20 some bucks on it? D:
*end late night book rant*
Emmy Lou wrote: "My worst YA list...-House of Night series by P.C. & Kristin Cast
When I read the first 4 back in freshman year, I LOVED them. After I waited a year to read the next one, I was like... uh... wut? A..."
Although i like the house of night series, the first few were the best, and the series is way too long.
Oh and i hate breaking dawn too.I loved eclipse, new moon was OK twilight was pretty good, but breaking dawn was just awful.
I also hatedThe Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
The Lost Saint
Kitty Kitty
And i was dissapointed with The Fury and Dark Reunion The ending ruined the series, not reading any of the new books.
Breaking Dawn was pretty bad. I read the Twilight series before I'd delved into much other YA, and I kept wondering what great twist would happen to wrap it all up in the 4th book. Why was Bella special? Would she go to college? Etc. WOW. I just have no words for that book and how inconsistent it is with the rest of the series.
Carri wrote: "Does the Iron Fey series get better? I read the first book and really did not care for it, but everyone seems to like the series!"This is so late, but yes they do get better,
I still have not finished reading Shatter Me because I really hate it. (I am a little over half way done but I have been trying to get through it since January). Did anyone read it? Does it get better?
Rebecca wrote: "I still have not finished reading Shatter Me because I really hate it. (I am a little over half way done but I have been trying to get through it since January). Did anyone read i..."
I bought it because of the good reviews, but it has been sitting on my shelf for a while. But IDK I hope it doesn't suck lol
Nancy wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I still have not finished reading Shatter Me because I really hate it. (I am a little over half way done but I have been trying to get through it since January). ..."
Its just that she spend so much of the book being weepy and i understand why she is depressed but I just hate the page after page of woe is me. I think its about to get better but just when she seems like she is about to start growing a spine she goes back to whining. So I hope it gets better.
Oh man that is one thing i dislike, when all they do is mope around and whine... hopefully it does, let me know please to see is it's worth reading, if not so i can just set it aside cause i was actually thinking about starting it today.
I loved
but I couldn't fight my way through
it was so boring. which was upsetting because Eragon was awesome.
I probably wont finish it now. I put it down for the hunger games and im on the second book i will probably read it after cathing fire. I think it does get better and most of the writin actually very beautiful ( its heavy on description). Most people seem to like it so I could just be weird. Ijist like strong heroines or at least have them start to get strong sooner rather then later.
This is probably one of the worst ya books I've read for a while.
Mod
but I couldn't fight my way through it was so boring. which was upsetting because Eragon was awesome."I agree... the further the series went the more it started to stink!
The Twilight series... and Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins.
Cari wrote: "The Twilight series... and Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins."Mockingjay wasn't my Favourite book in the series.It could have been better.
Jodie wrote: "Cari wrote: "The Twilight series... and Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins."
Mockingjay wasn't my Favourite book in the series.It could have been better."
Yeah... I was so disappointed with it. I loved the first two.
Mockingjay wasn't my Favourite book in the series.It could have been better."
Yeah... I was so disappointed with it. I loved the first two.
I HATED Eragon!! With an irrational passion!! When it came out/was popular everyone around me knew never *ever* to mention its name or risk a 40 minute rant. Looking back, I can't remember most of what made me so mad, other than it wasn't too well written and borrowed a number of direct quotes from one of my favorite tv shows, babylon 5. And also wasn't there somewhere where he was never good enough/strong enough as a human and had to have some kind of sparkle transformation into a near-elf? Or something? I wasn't a huge fan of that message. I only read the first book, I couldn't bring myself to suffer through the rest.
Young Adult Book Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Incarceron (other topics)Sapphique (other topics)
Reached (other topics)
Matched (other topics)
Crossed (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Emma Bull (other topics)Terri Windling (other topics)
Charles de Lint (other topics)
Beth Fantaskey (other topics)
I didn't think it was as good as Vampire Kisses. Of course, werewolves were never quite my thing.