Let's Talk: Books That Have Let Us Down

Let's Talk is a weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

What are some of the books that you have been very excited to read, but then let you down?

I think it's the nature of book blogging to have books that don't work for us. You can go ahead and tell me that all books are great until you're blue in the face, but I will kindly have to disagree with you on that. I don't think it makes it any easier to write a bad review, and it certainly doesn't take the sting away when you read a book you were so excited to try but it doesn't live up...but it does happen. It's the nature of the beast in blogging, I've found. I think, however, that the top three books that disappointed me are as follows.

If you managed to read Tris & Izzie and it worked for you, I bow down to your reviewing prowess. Yes, I realize that's snarky of me, but guys, I struggled to even finish this book. With a cover like that that is simply to die for, you'd better believe I was equally excited to see just how well the content measured up. Well, needless to say, it really didn't. 

I felt that the characterization was disjointed, the plot was haphazard, and the paranormal element was merely hinted at, rather than fleshed out. Honestly, I felt kind of cheated by this book. Give an author a cover like that and book with packaging that's sure to capture you, and we expect perfection. Instead, I personally feel we got far less than that. 

Guys, before I tell you why I was let down by New Girl, please understand that I haven't actually read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, and as this is a modern re-telling of sorts, I probably should have. For all intents and purposes, I've been told that this is a pretty decent modern version, though Becca's character differs greatly from that of Rebecca.

I think that the author is a good writer, but my main issue lies within the fact that the characters felt so dang weak. I like a strong character to offset the other's subtlety, but I really felt nothing. Furthermore, at times the book really moved and was overly dramatic, but then it fell completely flat for several chapters, leaving me with the desire to skim my way through.

Ackkk...I have such a hard time putting This World We Live In on this list, but I kind of really have to. I absolutely loved the first book, and I really love the author's writing style, so as the series continued, despite the fact that the second book wasn't my favourite, I was stoked for the third. Unfortunately, this book was completely and utterly devoid of hope. I kid you not. It's a mess of sheer depression - but not in the way that makes you root for the characters.

I had to watch as the qualities that made me love the characters such as Miranda and Alex in the first two installments were slowly whittled away until they became these sad, antagonistic shells of what they were before, and adding insta-love was the kiss of death. Plus, stating that they were going to live on "family, love and lies" was kind of the final nail in the coffin for me. 

None of these books are bad, per se. They just let me down. The beauty of book blogging is that everyone has their own opinion, so if I'm missing something on these books, please let me know! I also have to mention that I wanted to put up Witch & Wizard by James Patterson for this list, but I decided it doesn't deserve anymore face time on this blog. Bam. 

What about you? What books have you been super excited for and bummed about after reading?