Unpopular Opinions Book Tag
Questions:
1. A Popular Book or series that you didn't like.
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. A recent release that is very much hyped in the book-internet-sphere. Kristin Hannah is one of my favourite authors so pair that with having heard people say that her new book is in the same league as The Nightingale, I was excited to pick this survivalist story up. But.. ehh. I didn't hate it, I gave it a 3 (2.5) star rating. But I wouldn't recommend it. And I most definitely don't agree with people how great it is. The story felt long-winded, unrealistic, and rather boring. I didn't like the characters, or the relationships that formed. I did, however, appreciate the atmospheric writing on Alaska, which is solely why I didn't give it a lesser score.
2. A Popular Book or series that every one else seems to hate but you love.
The Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead. Getting released around the time of the Twilight phenomenon it's not hard to see why many picked up this book series and instantly put it down with a 'meh'. It's more of the same, I can imagine Twihard's saying. However, having stuck with this series throughout it's six book run, I can hand-on-heart say that it's worth sticking with. Unlike the Fallen series, House of Night, or the Shiver Trilogy (all of which gained popularity during the mass YA fantasy uproar) Vampire Academy gets better with each book. The story arc grows more mature and the characters themselves evolve. I adore this series, as you can probably tell. Is it some well-thought-out incredible life changing story? No, but it's fun and enjoyable.
3. A Love Triangle where the main character ended up with the person you did NOT want them to end up with OR an OTP (one true pairing) that you don't like.
Little Women. Without spoiling anything for anyone, I think you all know the love/non-love triangle I'm talking about. Involving two of our Marsh sisters, I just couldn't bring myself to root for the eventual coupling that happened with our beloved guy character. A couple that I also hated were Kehi and Esme from The Bride Test by Helen Hoang. That book was just the epitome of an incompatible couple.
4. A popular book genre that you hardly reach for.
Horror. I've read a grad total of four horror books in my lifetime, which is mighty odd as horror is my favourite genre of movie. I guess I just don't magnate toward horror novels, and baring the huge Stephen King books, I rarely read super positive things about books of this genre. And, in all honesty, I know they won't scare me. So it seems rather pointless. Welp. Any suggestions?
5. A popular or beloved character that you do not like.
Ron Weasley from Harry Potter. I know, I know. Harry Potter is a universally loved book series, and after 23 years of life, I decided to finally pick up the series. I'm currently on book six, and I'm strongly disliking Ron. I hated him in the movies but as with most adaptions, the characters can come across differently in movie-form. I mean, jeepers, Ginnie has a personality in the books! Woe. I digress, Ron is a selfish prick. Not a fan.
6. A popular author that you can't seem to get into.
Neil Gaiman. Granted, I've read two of his books - The Ocean at the End of The Lane and Coraline - but I just didn't get the appeal of his world building. I've never been huge on magical realism so perhaps that's the problem. Neverwhere is still on my TBR as it's one of my husband's favourite books, so I'm sure to continue trying to get into his work. But for the time being, I just can't get swept up in his writing.
7. A popular book trope that you're tired of seeing. (examples "lost princess", corrupt ruler, love triangles, etc.
The insanely attractive girl who happens to be the greatest at most things, and yet still doesn't get it as she's "plain". I'm tired of YA giving unrealistic examples of your average Jane. We don't need a main character who happens to be flawless in every way, finds herself doted upon by every male in the book, but is somehow still misunderstood. Her appearance isn't something we need to read about in every chapter, nor do we need it to be how she gets her inevitable big win at the end. Throne of Glass comes to mind.
8. A popular series that you have no interest in reading.
The Dark Tower by Stephen King. This dark fantasy series has nothing that appeals to me. Not only that, but the reviews never seem to be good. King's work is always hit or miss for people, I think 99.9% of the population can appreciate his writing but not all can accept the weird quirkiness of his story telling. I want to give one of his masterpieces a go, such as 11/22/63. But I have absolutely no desire to read about a western fantasy world that seems part confusion and part dull. All in all, I don't ever foresee myself picking this series up.
9. The saying goes "The book is always better than the movie", but what movie or T.V. show adaptation do you prefer more than the book?
This was a tough one for me as I never seem to get around to actually watching the movie adaptation of a book I read. So I'm going with Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. I read the book last year and though I enjoyed it, it didn't have half the magic that the movie starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman had. This could be a case of the movie having a special place in my heart from childhood watches with my mum, but nevertheless, I would always recommend you watch the movie first. Fun fact! Alice Hoffman actually released a prequel to Practical Magic last year called The Rules Of Magic. I only recently found this out, and you best believe that it's gone straight to the top of my October TBR. We don't have enough witch books in our lives!
If this blog post seems like something up your ally, I officially tag you!
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