I ended up picking some books from that list that I felt were unfairly labeled as the worst, not all of them were my favorite books, but I liked them. They need defending from the haters!
5. It's a tie between The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket and Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead-- I don't really understand why these would be labeled as the worst books. They are both the beginnings to series, and I didn't think they were that bad. In fact, they were pretty enjoyable. I mean, Vampire Academy might win for having the worst cover, but the story inside wasn't that bad. I've read worse. And The Bad Beginning was super depressing, sure, but I thought it was a fun story that sets up for delightfully depressing series. I guess I don't understand the passion that goes into labeling these as the worst books.
4. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman-- Now I haven't read this book since middle school, but I remember really liking it when I read it. It had a lot of adventure in it and I just thought the daeman animal sidekicks were the coolest thing ever, I wanted one. It also had a bit of a dark feel to it that I liked. In my older years, knowing more about the author's feelings while writing the book, what he was trying to express, maybe that's not my favorite thing. Not that I've really researched it, I've just heard things, but I don't think I really agree with his opinions. But just basing it off the story I read and enjoyed, I'm not mad at it. This is why I like to know nothing about the author. I just want a good story.
3. The Host by Stephenie Meyer-- I kind of feel like this one might be unfairly hated on just because it is a Stephenie Meyer book. It's kind of a "popular" thing after the Twilight craze to hate on Stephenie Meyer. There's all this talk about how she's such a bad writer blah blah blah. How can she have made so much money producing such awful stories blah blah blah. Obviously, I pay these reviewers no mind, because they like to act so elite, and I'm better than you. If you're one of those people, sorry, but that's the feeling I get from some of them. Especially the ones that go hard core, criticizing her writing and then spouting how people should read classics and good literary fiction. I read this book, I liked this book, and I thought this book was good. Wanna fight about it?
2. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella-- Okay, I will fight about this one. I love this series. I think one of the hardest things to write is a good funny book. If a book can make me laugh with genuine amusement, it's a winner. The people that hate on this one must be serious and no fun, I don't think I want to hang out with them. So yes, I will proudly proclaim that I LOVE THIS SERIES!
1. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer-- The hate this book gets probably irks me the most, just because of how people are so two-faced about it. When these books first came out, the general consensus was that people liked them. They were fun, they were addictive, and they really kickstarted the publishing of more young adult reads. I will admit that the movies were not that good, although they have their uber fans too.
What irks me about the hate this series gets is that it's from readers that loved it at first, and then throw it off a cliff as they get older. There is no shame in saying you liked this book at one time. I just feel like these "serious readers" try to distance themselves from books they feel will bring them shame if people found out they liked them. And I get tired of hearing people say how badly written these books were. If they're such literary critics, they should go write their own fabulously wonderful books.
I'm not ashamed to say I liked these books, I still like these books. I think, as a reader, you shouldn't have to be ashamed of what you read, shouldn't be ashamed of whether you like a book or hate it. I mean, their hatred isn't doing anything to Stephenie Meyer, she made some money from these books, and good for her. I want her to keep on writing books because I will keep on reading them.
Sorry for the rant, but this one was one of those that I have strong-ish feelings about. I really can't stand the stuck-up reader persona. Drives me bonkers. Read a story because it sounds interesting to you, not so you can brag about what a diverse or literary classic reader you are. I feel like that's doing it for the wrong reasons, kind of for the praises-of-men thing.
So that's my Top 5 Wenesday: Top 5 Favorite Polarizing Books. If I offended you, I'm not really all that sorry because I'm allowed my opinions, just like you are allowed yours. I'm not into this PC crap. If you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen. If you want to join in on the Top 5 Wednesday fun, you totally should! Each Wednesday there is a new, fun topic to contemplate and consider. Check out all the other Top 5 Wednesday-ers Here!
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