Due to a few books I've been reading lately I started thinking about books that are sooo bad they're good. The writing isn't great, the plot's a little shaky, the characters either aren't your favorite or fall flat and yet...you inexplicably like it. Am I the only one who finds this to be true? I doubt it but I'd like that confirmation so I don't feel like I'm losing it, you know?
So, just in case you wondered what books specifically inspired me as of late I'll tell you.
Desire's of the Dead by Kimberly Derting
All three of The Mortal Instrument series by Cassandra Clare. Here, here and here.
The Power of Six by Pitacus Lore
Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Possession by Elaina Johnson
The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Deipen
So, what is it about a book that really has nothing going for it that makes you love it anyway? For me I think it's the suspense and adventure, (The Mortal Instruments) but sometimes I think it's the desire to have an answer to a question answered that keeps me reading. (Desires of the Dead) What about you? What books have you loved despite not really liking?
This happens to me a lot...um, Twilight. I see the flaws and yet I was more than addicted.
ReplyDeleteThe series Need was kind of like that for me too :)
I love this question! I have a few "guilty pleasures" books... where I"m almost embarrassed to admit how much I liked them because they're really not that good.
ReplyDeleteThe Wings series by Aprilynne Pike was like that ("love triangle" where one boy is stale toast & has no page time, and the other boy is mysterious and flirty and hot) It's so obvious, but I can't wait to read the last book.
The Body Finder series is like that for me, too. And The Dark Divine books. I thought the first one was stupid, but I already had the second from the library so I read it. And I ended up liking it.
Ok, one more then I'm done with this monstrously long comment...
Variant by Robison Wells. It comes out next month & I'm curious what you would think/how you would poke a little fun at it. :)
Oh yes. I love these kinds of books! Twilight is the big one for me. I was always so caught up in the story. Also the Mortal Instruments series and pretty much most other paranormal romances out there. Something undefinable for me, really, but I admit it's usually just a story that's interesting.
ReplyDeleteLOL - love this post! I happen to adore the TMI series. Maybe I should be embarrassed by that, but I'm not! I also loved THE BODY FINDER. The sequel? Not so much. And FIRELIGHT? Loooved it! I think it is the exciting, can't-put-it-down factor that makes us love these books despite their flaws.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic question. While I'm usually pretty easy to please in my reading adventures, there are a few things that bother me.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read Twilight, I didn't think anything of the writing. It was the first book I'd read in a really long time. So, I didn't really have anything to compare it to. All I remember is loving the story and loving the feelings I had while reading it. Thankfully, it made such an impact on me that I started to read more and more.
But, as I read more and more, I noticed that the writing of other books was quite different from Twilight and not just because of the story. I also began discussing the books with other fans and not-so fans. When I read Twilight for the second or third time, I was put off by the writing more and more because I started to notice the over usage of "beautiful" and other descriptions, etc. But, I still loved the feelings.
This last time I read it, I decided to heck with the bad writing and all the negativity surrounding the book. I ENJOYED it much more. I was back to that first-time feeling.
So, the moral of my story: Ignorance is bliss. ;)
Sarah, I'd forgotten about the Need series but that one belonged on this list too.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I have Variant on my TBR list, when I'll get to it is another story.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, Yeah, these books definitely exist.
Susan, I agree, if I'm into the story and can't put it down I end up liking it despite other less desirable qualities.
Jenni, I didn't used to be so picky but I read tons of how to write books and now I'm so freaking picky. I kinda miss the good old days and I think that's why I like these books; they're good enough to make me overlook the bad stuff.
That's a great question! I can't think of any right now but I KNOW I've read them. It's usually the plot that gets me: a quest, or a romance, or imminent danger, or an outrageous situation that needs to be resolved. If I'm curious enough, I'll quietly overlook lots of things I'd normally call flaws :)
ReplyDeleteErin, Too bad they can't be both good and well written.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I seriously cannot think of a book that I didn't enjoy yet still kept reading. I think I just have very little tolerance. Firelight is probably the closest thing I would come to a book of this description. Funnily enough it's never the writing that kills a book for me. It's always the daft characters!
ReplyDeleteLan, LOL, yeah, I think the writing drives me more crazy but stupid characters can be a deal breaker too. I try to find one I can stand and then I manage to finish.
ReplyDeleteI am having such a difficult time finishing The Power of Six; I'm just going to end up sending the book on to the next person and finish it from the library. I'm just not invested in any of the characters. :(
ReplyDeleteBut I DO want to know what happens. Ah.
I think I'll have to answer which books in a new post as I really like this idea!
Kaye, I'd love to see your list. Sorry The Power of Six is boring for you.
ReplyDelete