Hello my dear friends!

I hope you are all doing well! I’m sure you read my last post “The Best Books I Read in 2024”, so you already know I had a great reading year and I was happy that most of the books I picked were good and interesting… but that doesn’t apply to all of them!

I’ve also picked up some books that I ended up not liking, so that’s exactly what I’m sharing with you today: the worst books I read in 2024!

I have to say that I’m surprised I’ve had so many to share with you this year. I don’t know why, but I’ve had the impression that I didn’t have that many negative ratings in 2024. Obviously, I was wrong because I ended up picking up 8 books with a negative rating (given by me) from my Goodreads account. So I’m going to tell you all about them and the reasons why I disliked them.

Now here’s today’s disclaimer: not all of these are what I consider bad books – I just didn’t like reading them. Please don’t take it personally if I mention a book you loved! We all have different opinions and tastes when it comes to reading and I’m not trying to offend anyone… this is just my personal opinion!

Okay, now let’s go into the list! Here are the books:

1. Entwined by Heather Dixon

Yeah, this book was not for me! This is a retelling of the “Twelve Dancing Princesses” story – which I’m not the biggest fan of in the first place. I just think this could have been way shorter – it dragged out so much and it was very unnecessary! The pacing was slow, and I lost interest because nothing engaging ever happened. The characters were bland, uninteresting, and lacked development. Also, the romance was mostly nonexistent, which was disappointing because I thought it screamed romance. The story wasn’t terrible, but the slow pace, lack of character development, and the overall plot didn’t make me a fan. I’m sure there are better retellings out there, so I would skip this one if I were you!

Synopsis

“Just when Azalea should feel that everything is before her—beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing—it’s taken away. All of it. And Azalea is trapped. The Keeper understands. He’s trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. So he extends an invitation.
Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest, but there is a cost. The Keeper likes to keep things. Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.”

2. The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

I was tricked into reading “The Great Gatsby” again – how could I imagine by the title and cover this was going to be a retelling of that classic? I was at least hoping the story would be changed to accommodate the magic, the Vietnamese representation, and an LGBTQ representation of the plot like the synopsis indicates – but that did not happen.
I just don’t see the point of writing the exact same story with a different POV and adding random magical elements here and there. Although I found some beauty in the writing, it was underwhelming, nothing exciting happened, nothing was ever explained, and frankly, the magic was almost non-existent. I guess I could recommend this to the fans of the original book, but what would be the point? Just reread the original!

Synopsis

“Immigrant. Socialite. Magician.
Jordan Baker grows up in the most rarefied circles of 1920s American society—she has money, education, a killer golf handicap, and invitations to some of the most exclusive parties of the Jazz Age. She’s also queer, Asian, adopted, and treated as an exotic attraction by her peers, while the most important doors remain closed to her.
But the world is full of wonders: infernal pacts and dazzling illusions, lost ghosts and elemental mysteries. In all paper is fire, and Jordan can burn the cut paper heart out of a man. She just has to learn how.
Nghi Vo’s debut novel The Chosen and the Beautiful reinvents this classic of the American canon as a coming-of-age story full of magic, mystery, and glittering excess, and introduces a major new literary voice.”

3. The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka

This book was very disappointing. I was hyped because of how popular it became and because it was “inspired” by Taylor Swift – but at the end of the day, it is not a good book. The characters were so boring and had zero personality (especially Max); the romance was boring and they had no chemistry; there were elements added to the book that shouldn’t be there in the first place; the book progresses with little action (there’s a lot of internal dialogs and introspective); and there was so much room and inspiration from Taylor’s tour to add details and to develop the story to make it rich, but the authors kept it very superficial and it wasn’t fun to read about. I was disappointed and bored and I wouldn’t recommend this to other swifties.

Synopsis

“A rising-star musician has a second chance at love with an old flame she remembers all too well in this swoony romance from the acclaimed authors of The Roughest Draft.
Riley Wynn went from a promising singer-songwriter to a superstar overnight, thanks to her breakup song concept album and its unforgettable lead single. When Riley’s ex-husband claims the hit song is about him, she does something she hasn’t in ten years and calls Max Harcourt, her college boyfriend and the real inspiration for the song of the summer.
Max hasn’t spoken to Riley since their relationship ended. He’s content with managing the retirement home his family owns, but it’s not the life he dreamed of filled with music. When Riley asks him to go public as her songwriting muse, he agrees on one he’ll join her in her band on tour.
As they perform across the country, Max and Riley start to realize that while they hit some wrong notes in the past, their future could hold incredible things. And their rekindled relationship will either last forever or go down in flames.”

4. Break You (Boys of Trinity Hall #1) by M.V. Ellis

Yeah, I didn’t like this at all. There was nothing about this book that made any sense, and unfortunately, it wasn’t a pleasant reading experience. The romance was non-existent and there was zero chemistry between the main characters. I love smut, but I wish there was some sort of romantic relationship developed between the characters – or even an actual plot. And not only the romance was bad, but there were so many instances from this book that make zero sense.

Synopsis

“Xavier
This is not a love story.
I hate you not for who you are, but what you represent.
I’m the whispers in the darkness you can’t quite hear.
I’m the unease that can’t be explained, but won’t go away.
I’m your worst nightmare come to life.
I’m the filthy rich guy who’s coming for revenge.
Everything you’ve ever had.
Everything you hold dear.
I won’t stop until I break you.

Rocky
You were once my savior.
Now you’re my bully.
I’m the girl from the wrong side of the wrong side of the tracks.
No match for your money, your might, or your wrath.
But I’m not going down without a fight.
When I go, I’ll take you with me.
Because we’re more alike than you want to admit.
And more connected than you know.
This is not a love story.”

5. Living With Kidney Stones by Samantha Bowick

This book is here because I don’t think it’s very helpful. The author talks mostly about symptoms, possible treatments, and her experience dealing with health insurance and medical professionals. The few facts the book presents and that matter are not very complete. Maybe this could help some U.S. patients – which is not my case – in the sense that they could understand what the hospital experience would be like, but other than there’s nothing too valuable you can take from this book.
I wish the author shared the advice she received from doctors and her own experience of what she learned along the way to prevent stones. There are great books on the subject out there, but unfortunately, this is not one of them.

Synopsis

“Living with Kidney Stones is a health resource for anyone who has ever suffered with the pain of kidney stones.
One in 10 individuals will suffer from kidney stones at some point in their life. Composed of hard, painful mineral deposits forming inside the kidneys, these stones are both crippling and potentially chronic. Thankfully, patients can take action to reduce their chances of developing or redeveloping kidney stones by following a good diet, observing proper self-care, and adopting a comprehensive wellness plan.
To that end, Living with Kidney Stones offers the most up-to-date information on this illness, paired with heartfelt insight from an actual kidney stone sufferer.
Living with Kidney Stones also
• Easy-to-understand information on types and causes of kidney stones
• The latest information on kidney stone testing
• Traditional and alternative options for a broad, full-body approach to wellness
• Guidance on self-care techniques for patients, families and caregivers
• Valuable medical and community resources for kidney stone sufferers
Learning to manage your risk factors for kidney stones can seem overwhelming, but by taking everything one day at a time and making sure you’re provided with the care and support you need, you can minimize your risk while maximizing your quality of life. Don’t just live with kidney stones— live well.”

6. Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3) by Stephanie Perkins

I loved the other books in the series, but this was such a weird book to me. Isla was OBSESSED with her crush in a very toxic way, and it was too much! I was hoping there was a message here like “don’t be obsessed with boys and focus on you”, but it felt like it was being portrayed as a quirky, cute quality. She’s also very jealous and insecure, and it was painful to read – and worse, it was just glossed over like it didn’t matter. I seriously couldn’t stop cringing while reading this book! Isla is probably one of the most immature characters I have ever read in YA – and that’s saying a lot, knowing I’ve read a LOT of YA books. And also, if you like the miscommunication trope, oh boy, this book is for you! I just couldn’t get over the immaturity and it ruined the book for me. Too bad this is how I concluded the series!

Synopsis

“Love ignites in the City That Never Sleeps, but can it last?
Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart.
Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Étienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love—set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona—is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series.”

7. I’ll Just Be Five More Minutes by Emily Farris

Another miss for me! This book is described as an autobiographical collection of stories, focused on the author’s experience living with ADHD.
At first, I was enjoying it, but as the book progressed I started losing interest. The book was all over the place – I get that the author was showing how her brain works, but I think this backfired and decreased the quality of the book. That could also be achieved if the book was a little more organized and structured. There were so many moments where I thought to myself “what is she even talking about”.
Also, it seems like the book was focused on quirks and personality over ADHD. There are a lot of stories in the book that weren’t relevant and at some point, it felt like the author was just rambling talking about random events that happened – and worse, I feel like the diagnosis was used as an excuse for her poor behavior towards others. It was weird because at some point it felt like I was just reading a random, quirky biography of someone who sees themselves as a main character. I wouldn’t recommend this!

Synopsis

“A hilariously honest, heartwarming essay collection about life, love, and discovering you have ADHD at age 35. 
Despite being a published writer with a family, a gaggle of internet fans, and (most shockingly) a mortgage, Emily Farris could never get her act together. As she saw it, disorganization was one of her countless character flaws—that is, until she was diagnosed with ADHD at age 35. Like many women and girls who go undiagnosed, Farris grew up internalizing criticisms about her impulsivity and lack of follow-through. She held on to that shame as she tried (and often failed) to fit into a world designed for neurotypical brains. 
I’ll Just Be Five More Minutes is a personal essay collection of laugh-out-loud funny, tear-jerking, and at times cringe-worthy true stories of Farris’s experiences as a neurodivergent woman. With the newfound knowledge of her ADHD, Farris candidly reexamines her complicated relationships (including one with a celebrity stalker), her money problems, the years she spent unknowingly self-medicating, and her hyper-fixations. 
I’ll Just Be Five More Minutes is a powerful collection of deeply relatable, wide-ranging stories about a woman’s right to control her own body, about overwhelm and oversharing, about drinking too much and sleeping too little, and about being misunderstood by the people closest to you. At its heart, it’s about not quite fitting in and not understanding why.”

8. Wake Up Sleeping Beauty (Ohayou, Ibarahime #1) by Megumi Morino

This was probably one of the worst books in today’s list. I found this series randomly, and I thought it would be a really simple and cute, romantic, 6-volumes manga series. Well, I don’t know exactly what I expected, but it wasn’t what I ended up reading. This is SUCH a weird story! I’m guilty of judging books by the covers, but this is WAY darker than it appears to be. And I think it’s a paranormal story? I’m not entirely sure, and I never will be sure because I’m not going to continue it. I kind of regret starting it in the first place, if I’m being honest. It’s too weird and uninteresting.

Synopsis

“This funny and heartrending romantic manga set in modern Tokyo is not the fairy tale you remember! This time, Prince Charming is a teenage janitor, and Sleeping Beauty’s curse is a supernatural, gender-bending dream that threatens to pull them both into a deeper and deeper slumber…
THE AWAKENING
High schooler Tetsu Misato is hardworking, frugal, and easily scared, but he commits to a part-time job at the mansion on the hill—the one that’s rumored to be haunted. As he toils away, he notices a building separate from the estate, and the mysterious girl who lives within it: Shizu Karasawa. Tetsu slowly becomes enchanted by Shizu’s lonely smile, but by their second encounter, he quickly finds himself in over his head. There’s an unsettling feeling he can’t quite shake, but there’s love there, too.”

Like I said, please take my opinion with a grain of salt. Everyone likes what they like and we all have different opinions!

So tell me, have you ever read any of these books? Let me know in the comments! I hope you enjoyed this post and I will see you in my next post!

Hello friends!

How are y’all doing? You already know January is a month of reflection for me, so starting with today’s post, I will do a little wrap-up to talk about all the books that were part of my past reading year. You know me, I have to tell you all about my favorite reads of 2024!

I’ve read amazing books last year that I want to share with you, so today’s post is exactly about that! And who knows, maybe you’ll find yourself a few new books to read. I ended up reading 75 books in 2024 and there were plenty 4 and 5-star ratings, but today you’ll only find the crème de la crème!

It’s funny because when I was going through my Goodreads to find my 2024 favorites, I thought I would find more variety, genre-wise. I thought I was going to find books from different genres such as romance, self-development, memoirs, science, literary fiction, science-fiction, fantasy, and thrillers. But what REALLY ended up happening is that it seems like most of my favorite books were non-fiction (4/6), one was romance, and another one was a thriller. This was something I found very surprising and unexpected!

Another thing I found surprising was the fact I only picked 6 favorite books this year. I usually have a bigger list – almost double the amount of books -, but this year, I had very few favorite books to share with you. Which is also a very odd thing to happen!

Regardless, I still have a selection of books to share with you today! Just a small disclaimer: these are not necessarily books that came out last year! This list is focused on my personal reading year and the books that were part of it. Meaning: you’ll find a few oldies here!

Ok so now that we got that out of the way, let’s get into it! Below each book you’ll find the respective synopsis in case you’re curious. Here are my favorite 6 books I read in 2024:

Let’s take a look at the books individually!

1. More Than We Can Tell (Letters to the Lost #2) by Brigid Kemmerer

I read this book in one sitting – that should tell you how amazing it was! I thought it would be difficult for it to be as good as the first book, “Letters to the Lost” (which was also incredible), but I was wrong. This story gives you all the feels – both main characters have their ghosts, so the story is sad and heavy, especially when you begin to understand their backstories a little better. But at the same time, it’s a very heartwarming story.
This is a good book because it has great characters, great character development, and also great relationships. The romance was cute, but it’s not only a romance story – it’s about growing up and learning to deal with life’s traumas. Despite the heavy subjects, it’s an easy book to follow, it is detailed, and it is very easy to empathize with the characters. It’s an excellent book, and I’m glad I finally read it and concluded the duology. I honestly can’t recommend this duology enough. It’s beyond amazing for a contemporary YA!

Synopsis

“Rev Fletcher is battling the demons of his past. But with loving adoptive parents by his side, he’s managed to keep them at bay…until he gets a letter from his abusive father and the trauma of his childhood comes hurtling back.
Emma Blue spends her time perfecting the computer game she built from scratch, rather than facing her parents’ crumbling marriage. She can solve any problem with the right code, but when an online troll’s harassment escalates, she’s truly afraid.
When Rev and Emma meet, they both long to lift the burden of their secrets and bond instantly over their shared turmoil. But when their situations turn dangerous, their trust in each other will be tested in ways they never expected. This must-read story will once again have readers falling for Brigid Kemmerer’s emotional storytelling.”

2. How to Keep House While Drowing by K.C. Davis

I have never thought I would feel so validated after reading a book, but here we are! The title describes exactly what this book is about, how to keep your house clean and organized when feeling overwhelmed.
There are a lot of great ideas and advice in this book, such as care tasks are morally neutral (there’s no point in being ashamed because care tasks are not related to morality); rest is a right, not a reward; reset the space for functionality instead of thinking about “having to do it”. The author reinforces over and over again that we deserve kindness and compassion. The goal of this book is to tell you it’s okay – It’s okay not to have everything figured out. It’s okay to not have a perfectly clean and organized home. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes. It’s a really good book to pick up, whether you’re having trouble keeping house or not.

Synopsis

“How to Keep House While Drowning will introduce you to six life-changing principles that will revolutionize the way you approach home care—without endless to-do lists. Presented in 31 daily thoughts, this compassionate guide will help you begin to get free of the shame and anxiety you feel over home care.
Inside you will learn:
· How to shift your perspective of care tasks from moral to functional;
· How to stop negative self-talk and shame around care tasks;
· How to give yourself permission to rest, even when things aren’t finished;
· How to motivate yourself to care for your space.”

3. Confessions by Kanae Minato

This book is INCREDIBLE! It was one of the best books I’ve ever read, and I will never shut up about it. I don’t think I have ever read something like this before! I don’t want to spoil the story because the book gets right into it from the start, so I’ll advise you to read the synopsis to get a gist of what the story is about. I’m in awe of this book. The fact that it was super shocking and devious made this book very different from other thrillers in my eyes. I seriously couldn’t put it down, and when I did it was because I had to! Can’t recommend this enough for thriller fans!

Synopsis

“Her pupils killed her daughter.
Now, she will have her revenge.
After calling off her engagement in wake of a tragic revelation, Yuko Moriguchi had nothing to live for except her only child, four-year-old Manami. Now, following an accident on the grounds of the middle school where she teaches, Yuko has given up and tendered her resignation.
But first she has one last lecture to deliver. She tells a story that upends everything her students ever thought they knew about two of their peers, and sets in motion a maniacal plot for revenge.
Narrated in alternating voices, with twists you’ll never see coming, Confessions explores the limits of punishment, despair, and tragic love, culminating in a harrowing confrontation between teacher and student that will place the occupants of an entire school in danger. You’ll never look at a classroom the same way again.”

4. The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté

Another great book I read in 2024 that is going to stay with me for a very long time! It’s a book written by a doctor talking about how trauma and illness develop when you are living in a toxic culture. It was a very fascinating book that opened my eyes to how much our environment and society play a role in our physical and mental health. I saw myself a lot in it, and it definitely changed my perspective. Definitely worth reading!

Synopsis

“By the acclaimed author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, a groundbreaking investigation into the causes of illness, a bracing critique of how our society breeds disease, and a pathway to health and healing.
In this revolutionary book, renowned physician Gabor Maté eloquently dissects how in Western countries that pride themselves on their healthcare systems, chronic illness and general ill health are on the rise. Nearly 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug; more than half take two. In Canada, every fifth person has high blood pressure. In Europe, hypertension is diagnosed in more than 30 percent of the population. And everywhere, adolescent mental illness is on the rise. So what is really “normal” when it comes to health?
Over four decades of clinical experience, Maté has come to recognize the prevailing understanding of “normal” as false, neglecting the roles that trauma and stress, and the pressures of modern-day living, exert on our bodies and our minds at the expense of good health. For all our expertise and technological sophistication, Western medicine often fails to treat the whole person, ignoring how today’s culture stresses the body, burdens the immune system, and undermines emotional balance. Now Maté brings his perspective to the great untangling of common myths about what makes us sick, connects the dots between the maladies of individuals and the declining soundness of society—and offers a compassionate guide for health and healing. Co-written with his son Daniel, The Myth of Normal is Maté’s most ambitious and urgent book yet.”

5. Mirror Work by Louise Hay

Another great book I read in 2024! This is one heck of a book, my friends – you have to read it! In “Mirror Work”, the author shows readers how we can heal ourselves by taking her 21-day journey of mirror work. The days are divided by chapters, so the goal is to read a chapter each day to complete the 21 days. Each day focuses on a specific topic, such as healing the inner child, letting go of anger, letting go of fear, etc. It is a very well–structured book, and the chapters are fairly short, so you’ll take 10 minutes of your day to read it! I enjoyed this book a lot and I took a lot from it – so that’s why I will always recommend it to other self-development readers. This ended up being a life-changing book for me, and I can’t recommend it enough! I loved it so much that I still read a chapter once in a while to start my day the right way. If you’re into self-development, this is a must!

Synopsis

“Mirror work has long been Louise Hay’s favorite method for cultivating a deeper relationship with yourself, and leading a more peaceful and meaningful life.
The Mirror Principle, one of Louise’s core teachings, holds that our experience of life mirrors our relationship with ourselves; unless we see ourselves as loveable, the world can be a dark and lonely place.
Mirror work—looking at oneself in a mirror and repeating positive affirmations—was Louise’s powerful method for learning to love oneself and experience the world as a safe and loving place.
Each of the 21 days is organized around a theme, such as monitoring self-talk, overcoming fear, releasing anger, healing relationships, forgiving self and others, receiving prosperity, and living stress-free.
The daily program involves an exercise in front of the mirror, positive affirmations, journaling, an inspiring Heart Thought to ponder, and a guided meditation.
Packed with practical guidance and support, presented in Louise’s warmly personal words, MIRROR WORK—or Mirror Play, as she likes to call it—is designed to help
• Learn a deeper level of self-care
• Gain confidence in their own inner guidance system
• Develop awareness of their soul gifts
• Overcome resistance to change
• Boost self-esteem
• Cultivate love and compassion in their relationships with self and others
“Mirror work—looking deeply into your eyes and repeating affirmations—is the most effective method I’ve found for learning to love yourself and see the world as a safe and loving place. I have been teaching people how to do mirror work for as long as I have been teaching affirmations.
The most powerful affirmations are those you say out loud when you are in front of your mirror. The mirror reflects back to you the feelings you have about yourself.
As you learn to do mirror work, you will become much more aware of the words you say and the things you do. You will learn to take care of yourself on a deeper level than you have done before.
The more you use mirrors for complimenting yourself, approving of yourself, and supporting yourself during difficult times, the deeper and more enjoyable your relationship with yourself will become.”
Love,
Louise Hay”

6. The Big Bang Theory by Jessica Radloff

Of course, this book is here, it’s incredible! This is a very complete piece of work that allows us to take a peak behind the scenes from the time “The Big Bang Theory” was only an idea to the creation of the prequel show, “Young Sheldon”! There are so many things that happened that the viewers can only find out by reading this book, myself included. What really amazed me was the amount of information the author was able to put together and then create a very well-structured, entertaining, and informative book! Everyone who participated in creating this book opened up and talked about all aspects of the show, including what they were going through on a personal level – and even more surprising was how vulnerable and honest they were, even talking about personal relationships on set and conflicts.
Needless to say, this is a must-read for all lovers of “The Big Bang Theory” like myself.

Synopsis

“The definitive, behind-the-scenes look at the most popular sitcom of the last decade, The Big Bang Theory, packed with all-new, exclusive interviews with the producers and the entire cast. The Big Bang Theory is a television phenomenon. To the casual viewer, it’s a seemingly effortless comedy, with relatable characters tackling real-life issues, offering a kind of visual comfort food to its millions of dedicated fans. But the behind-the-scenes journey of the show from a failed pilot to a global sensation is a fascinating story that even the most die-hard fans don’t know in its entirety.  The Big Bang The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series is a riveting, entertaining look at the sitcom sensation, with the blessing and participation of co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, executive producers Steve Molaro and Steve Holland, as well as Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bialik, and more. Glamour senior editor Jessica Radloff, who has written over 150 articles on the series (and even had a cameo in the finale!), gives readers an all-access pass to its intrepid producing and writing team and beloved cast. It’s a story of on-and-off screen romance told in hilarious and emotional detail, of casting choices that nearly changed everything (which even some of the actors didn’t know until now), of cast members bravely powering through personal tragedies, and when it came time to announce the 12th season would be its last, the complicated reasons why it was more difficult than anyone ever led on. Through hundreds of hours of interviews with the sitcom’s major players, Radloff dives into all this and much more. The book is the ultimate celebration of this once-in-a-generation show and a must-have for all fans.
“Talking with Jessica, I realized how easy it had been for me to kind of put all 12 years of my time on Big Bang Theory under one general umbrella, as it were. The questions she asked and the information she’d reveal to me from someone else she’d interviewed forced me into a frame of mind where each season – and sometimes each episode – became it’s own, separate entity again… Frankly, it turned into a version of therapy I hadn’t realized I’d needed and couldn’t have known how much I’d enjoy.” —Jim Parsons”

Great books huh? Well, but not everything is sunshine and roses… I also read a few “bad” books! And that’s what I’m bringing you in my next post: “The Worst Books I’ve Read in 2024”! Stay tuned for that. 🙂

What about you? What were the best books you read last year? Did you read any of the books I included in the list? Let me know in the comments!

See you in the next one!

Hello my dear friends!

Did you read my last post “The Best Books I Read in 2023”? I had a very positive year because most of the books I picked were good and interesting… but not all of them were.

I’ve also read a few books that I didn’t like as much, so that’s exactly what I’m sharing with you today: the worst books I read in 2023. Well, I want to clarify that not all of these are bad books – they were just at the bottom of the list for me. This means not all of these received bad reviews – I just didn’t like them as much.

So I’m bringing you the 5 books I read last year that I disliked and the reasons why I disliked them.

Just a small disclaimer: please don’t take it personally if I mention a book you loved! We all have different opinions and tastes when it comes to reading and I’m not trying to offend anyone… this is just my personal opinion. 🙂

Okay, now let’s go into the list! Here are the books:

1. Ink (Skin Books #1) by Alice Broadway

This was a bit of a disappointment to me. I had really high expectations when I started the “Skin Books” trilogy, but the first book was very slow and nonsensical to me. It seemed like nothing made sense in this story (the character’s attitudes, actions, plot, etc.). I was sad and disappointed because the concept seemed really interesting, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out for me in the end.

Synopsis

“There are no secrets in Saintstone.
From the second you’re born, every achievement, every failing, every significant moment are all immortalized on your skin. There are honorable marks that let people know you’re trustworthy. And shameful tattoos that announce you as a traitor.
After her father dies, Leora finds solace in the fact that his skin tells a wonderful story. That is, until she glimpses a mark on the back of his neck…the symbol of the worst crime a person can commit in Saintstone. Leora knows it has to be a mistake, but before she can do anything about it, the horrifying secret gets out, jeopardizing her father’s legacy…and Leora’s life.
In her startlingly prescient debut, Alice Broadway shines a light on the dangerous lengths we go to make our world feel orderly–even when the truth refuses to stay within the lines. This rich, lyrical fantasy with echoes of Orwell is unlike anything you’ve ever read, a tale guaranteed to get under your skin…”

2. Lore by Alexandra Bracken

“Lore” was not necessarily a terrible read and it didn’t get a negative rating from me, but it was definitely one of the books that I thought I would mention here for a simple reason: it was super confusing! I thought this was a “me” problem, but apparently, a lot of readers shared my opinion on this book. Not only it was confusing to understand the story and who was on each side, but there were so many characters with funky names that I kept rereading bits thinking “Who is this again?”. It wasn’t a very enjoyable read for this reason, even though the concept seemed promising.

Synopsis

“From the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Darkest Minds comes a sweepingly ambitious, high-octane tale of power, destiny, love and redemption.
Every seven years, the Agon begins. As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines, all eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality.
Long ago, Lore Perseous fled that brutal world in the wake of her family’s sadistic murder by a rival line, turning her back on the hunt’s promises of eternal glory. For years she’s pushed away any thought of revenge against the man–now a god–responsible for their deaths.
Yet as the next hunt dawns over New York City, two participants seek out her help: Castor, a childhood friend of Lore believed long dead, and a gravely wounded Athena, among the last of the original gods.
The goddess offers an alliance against their mutual enemy and, at last, a way for Lore to leave the Agon behind forever. But Lore’s decision to bind her fate to Athena’s and rejoin the hunt will come at a deadly cost–and still may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with the power to bring humanity to its knees.”

3. Me by Elton John

Don’t come for me Elton John fans, hear me out first! I just didn’t find this memoir to be enjoyable. To give you some context: I’m not necessarily an Elton John fan, but I also don’t dislike his music – it’s just not something I listen to. Obviously, music is a huge part of his life, but I easily got bored while reading this. There’s a lot of Rock’n’Roll talk and “I met this person” moments… and I just didn’t care about it. The only part that I enjoyed the most was knowing about how he met his husband and their sons’ adoption story he shared near the end. I wish we had more moments like this instead of just talking about music. Like I said, I understand why it’s written like that… I just didn’t care about it. I’m sure if you’re a fan, you will probably like this book.

Synopsis

“In his only official autobiography, music icon Elton John writes about his extraordinary life, which is also the subject of the film Rocketman.
Christened Reginald Dwight, he was a shy boy with Buddy Holly glasses who grew up in the London suburb of Pinner and dreamed of becoming a pop star. By the age of twenty-three, he was on his first tour of America, facing an astonished audience in his tight silver hotpants, bare legs and a T-shirt with ROCK AND ROLL emblazoned across it in sequins. Elton John had arrived and the music world would never be the same again.
His life has been full of drama, from the early rejection of his work with song-writing partner Bernie Taupin to spinning out of control as a chart-topping superstar; from half-heartedly trying to drown himself in his LA swimming pool to disco-dancing with the Queen; from friendships with John Lennon, Freddie Mercury and George Michael to setting up his AIDS Foundation. All the while, Elton was hiding a drug addiction that would grip him for over a decade.
In Me Elton also writes about getting clean and changing his life, about finding love with David Furnish and becoming a father.”

4. Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater

I liked “Brave” from Disney, so I thought it would be fun to read this retelling written by Maggie Stiefvater. I can’t say it was a bad book, but from all the books I’ve read this year, this is probably the most bland and unmemorable. The story was a little weird and uninteresting, and I’m a little confused about the plot that was chosen for this. The original “Disney” plot was about her proving she didn’t need to marry, so this plotline could be picked up in this book by her finding someone who she truly loved and seeing love differently – at least that would make more sense than the “change” plotline. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t good as well.

Synopsis

“Merida goes on an all-new, life-changing adventure in this original YA novel set several years after the close of Brave!
What if you had one year to save everything you loved?
ONE PRINCESS. Merida of DunBroch needs a change. She loves her family—jovial King Fergus, proper Queen Elinor, the mischievous triplets— and her peaceful kingdom. But she’s frustrated by its sluggishness; each day, the same. Merida longs for adventure, purpose, challenge – maybe even, someday, love.
TWO GODS. But the fiery Princess never expects her disquiet to manifest by way of Feradach, an uncanny supernatural being tasked with rooting out rot and stagnation, who appears in DunBroch on Christmas Eve with the intent to demolish the realm – and everyone within. Only the intervention of the Cailleach, an ancient entity of creation, gives Merida a shred of hope: convince her family to change within the year – or suffer the eternal consequences.
THREE VOYAGES. Under the watchful eyes of the gods, Merida leads a series of epic journeys to kingdoms near and far in an attempt to inspire revolution within her family. But in her efforts to save those she loves from ruin, has Merida lost sight of the Clan member grown most stagnant of all – herself?
FOUR SEASONS TO SAVE DUNBROCH – OR SEE IT DESTROYED, FOREVER.”

5. The Rainbow Catcher by Cédric Mayen

This was a book sent to me from a publisher to review, but it ended up being a little too weird for me. The story was super inconsistent and fragmented into bits that didn’t connect well in my opinion. Also, I just couldn’t connect or care too much about the story and characters. I personally liked the artwork, but other than that this was all over the place! Probably the worst book of 2023, not going to lie.

Synopsis

“As the plague rages through England, Hayden Springworth is busy trying to find hidden treasure at the end of a rainbow. But an encounter with Isaac Newton will shatter the young lord’s antiquated beliefs. Sent to the southwest of France as a spy, Hayden continues his research on rainbows in secret. That is until he meets a strange young girl who seemingly has the power to bring rain with her wherever she goes…”

Like I said, please take my opinion with a grain of salt. Everyone likes what they like and we all have different opinions!

So tell me, have you ever read any of these books? Let me know in the comments! I hope you enjoyed this post and I will see you in my next post!