Welcome to Top 10 Tuesday! This is a weekly challenge hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, and this week’s challenge is about books I’d gladly throw in the ocean!
Normally for these posts I focus on either books I’ve read and enjoyed or books that I’m still looking forward to reading. However, for this post I got to think back on books that I haven’t enjoyed so much. To be fair, even with books I don’t enjoy, I would never go as far to destroy any of them (or in this case, throw them in the ocean). Normally I would just donate them, but I have to say it was fun to reminisce and remember those books that made me feel… strong feelings. Without further ado, here are my top ten books that I’d gladly throw in the ocean!
1. “Sphere” by Michael Crichton
Genre: Science Fiction
Seeing as the majority of this novel takes place underseas, I’d say the ocean is an apt location for this one! The overall concept was actually interesting, but the writing and character development really irked me. The writing itself was dry, and the portrayal of women and people of color was offensive. The one woman in the novel is constantly objectified and seen as overly emotional; she’s never taken seriously. And there are racist stereotypes used to describe the one black character. Not one I plan on reading again.
You can find the Goodreads synopsis HERE.
2. “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad
Genre: Fiction
I read this one in high school and HATED it. I honestly don’t even remember why, I just remember feeling very strongly about my hatred of it.
You can find the Goodreads synopsis HERE.
3. “One of Those Flings” by Lauren Blakely
Genre: Romance
This was a short little audiobook that I got for free on Audible, but it was just way too cheesy for me. The writing was cringeworthy and the story just… didn’t make a lot of sense. I thought the narrators did a good job with what they were given though!
You can find the Goodreads synopsis HERE.
4. “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” by Philip K. Dick
5. “Allegiant” by Veronica Roth
Genre: YA Fiction
I enjoyed Divergent (the first book in this series). Insurgent (the second book) was okay. But Allegiant… It just didn’t make much sense. And I won’t reveal any spoilers, but I really didn’t like the ending.
You can find the Goodreads synopsis HERE.
6. “The Giver” by Lois Lowry
Genre: YA Fiction
This is going to be a controversial one! I read this one in high school and really didn’t like it. I don’t remember much about it, other than being disappointed by the ending and not getting the hype. I might need to try this one again though! So maybe I’ll hold off on throwing it in the ocean.
You can find the Goodreads synopsis HERE.
7. “After You” by Jojo Moyes
Genre: Romance
At the time, I enjoyed the first book in this series (though I now recognize that there are some majorly problematic issues with the plot). However, I just found the sequel so disappointing and unnecessary.
You can find the Goodreads synopsis HERE.
8. “Before I Fall” by Lauren Oliver
Genre: YA Fiction
This is another one that I read in high school and just didn’t really enjoy. Again, I don’t remember exactly why. I remember not liking the choices the characters were making, and that it seemed pretty generic and bothersome.
You can find the Goodreads synopsis HERE.
9. “The Vine Witch” by Luanne G. Smith
Genre: Fantasy
I read this one about a year ago, and found the plot boring and the romance forced. Truthfully, I didn’t hate this one at all! But I didn’t love it either.
You can find the Goodreads synopsis HERE.
10. “Swing Time” by Zadie Smith
Genre: Realistic Fiction
This was one of the first audiobooks I ever listened to. I thought the premise sounded interesting and I was really excited to read it! However, I felt like the plot meandered and like it never really went anywhere. I also felt like the main character never really grew and developed much. By the time I finished, it just seemed like a big waste of time because there was no real pay-off.
You can find the Goodreads synopsis HERE.
Have you read any of these books? What would your top ten be?
Let me know in the comments!
C.A. Hughes Book Reviews 
So many books that I’ve thought of trying but didn’t now I guess I won’t. My TTT is off-the-board this week
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I can’t exactly say I recommend them, but you never know! There are certainly plenty of people who enjoy them. Thanks!
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I liked The Giver, but the sequels weren’t good at all in my opinion.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-id-gladly-throw-into-the-ocean/
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Yeah I’m definitely in the minority on that one, maybe I’ll have to try it again! But I’ll definitely stay away from the sequels. =) Thanks!
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I also despised Heart of Darkness when I read it in school (and high school made us read it TWICE – once in ninth grade, once in AP Lit!).
I did enjoy The Vine Witch enough to purchase the other books in the series; it’s more of a fun popcorn read for me than for any real substance.
My post: https://booksareonlythebeginning.wordpress.com/2021/04/06/top-ten-books-id-gladly-throw-into-the-ocean/
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It’s probably the only book I truly despise and can’t find any redeeming qualities for haha.
And I totally get that for The Vine Witch! I definitely didn’t hate it, I just didn’t love it either.
Thanks!
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I would gladly throw any and all copies of 50 Shades of Gray in the ocean!
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Haha yes!!
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Allegiant was on my list this week too. I couldn’t finish Before I Fall, the repetitiveness of the story didn’t really work for me.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2021/04/06/top-ten-tuesday-310/
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Yes! So many things wrong with Allegiant. Thanks!
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Definitely!
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Agree with the The Giver as I had similar thoughts about it. Aside from the Vine Witch (I still might give this a try), I have no desire to try the others and based on your list, I guess my instincts were right to avoid them haha. [My Top Ten]
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The Vine Witch is kind of out of place on here. It wasn’t a good fit for me, but it definitely wasn’t terrible! But yes the other ones I definitely can’t recommend haha! Thanks!
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I hear you on a book not being bad as it just isn’t a fit for you – I have several! 🙂
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Personally, I enjoyed the Giver, but I’m someone who likes ambiguous endings if they’re done well.
I did have similar feelings about the ending of Allegiant. Even though the changed POV kind of tipped me off, it was still a very unsatisfying ending and probably the main reason I never had a desire to re-read the series.
Here’s my Top Ten Post
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Yeah I think I owe that one a re-read, I might feel differently about it as an adult! And yes, Allegiant overall was just kind of unsatisfying and anticlimactic. Thanks!
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I’d throw the last seven chapters of Allegiant into the ocean. I’ve never read Sphere, but I did read Timeline a long time ago and I remember liking it; haven’t read his other books.
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Definitely!! And I didn’t enjoy Sphere, but I wouldn’t give up on Crichton all together (not yet anyway). I’m still hoping to read the Jurassic Park books!
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