Books I Wasn't Fond of (And Why)

This is a list of books that I have read, and that I didn't really enjoy. I didn't hate any of these books, because I have a policy of never hating books, but I did dislike them. If you like any of the books on this list I can totally respect that. Everyone has different opinions on books and everyone's opinion is equally valid. However, I would not recommend any of these books to you if you have not read them.

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong: This is the first book in an urban fantasy trilogy. I read the whole trilogy two years ago, but I almost didn't. I can't actually remember why I didn't like it, and you see, that's saying something. Usually books leave me with a picture of them, or they leave a few scenes stuck in my head. This book left... nothing. All I remember is that is was very boring.

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood: I have no idea why I read this book. It was probably during that phase I had when I was twelve where I would only read things about Shakespeare. Anyway, it was awful. Characters that had no personality, a plot that made literally no sense and way too much random unnecessary information. I do not recommend it.

The Selection by Kiera Cass: I honestly don't understand why people like this series so much. I have read the first two books. I considered reading the third, but then I realized that I already knew what was going to happen. I'm not saying this book series is predictable, but, it's very predictable. And that's not even why I don't like it. I honestly don't mind if a book is predictable, as long as there are things to like about it, such as, oh, I don't know, interesting characters or a fascinating writing style. The Selection has nothing to like. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't an awful book. In fact, I even kind of enjoyed reading it. It's such a quick read. But overall, there was nothing good about this book, and so I couldn't bring myself to like it.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner: Some people love this series, and I can understand why. But I didn't. Honestly, dystopian is not my favourite genre. I don't hate dystopian, it's just that I won't read books simply because they are in that genre (unlike with epic fantasy). There has to be something else interesting about them, or they have to come highly recommended. The Maze Runner did sound interesting, and it did come highly recommended. I actually liked the first book. The plot was interesting and suspenseful. The characters were boring, but I can forgive that. If there had only been one book, I would have liked it. But, unfortunately, there were two other books in the series and a prequel. In my opinion, the books just got worse and worse. The plot dragged on and on and characters died way too often. I don't mind character deaths, but I do mind them when they happen every other page. They become kind of meaningless. I could never get to know any of the characters because they just kept dying off. I honestly can't understand why some people say this series is better than the Hunger Games, but we all have our own opinions.

So You Want to be a Wizard by Diane Duane: This book is probably the worst book I have ever read. There are weird books, and then there are books that are just so weird that they make your head explode. And then there is this book. I don't even know how to describe it. The plot makes literally no sense. And the characters are made out of cardboard. Please do not read this book.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick: Apparently some people really like this book. I could not finish it, and that's really saying something. In that past three years, I have only not finished three books. I'm not sure what exactly put me off this book. I think it was the male main character. He was literally the most annoying thing ever. I don't even remember his name.

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto: This book was, in one word, boring. I read about half of it. Nothing seemed to happen, and the characters were too perfect.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen: This book was okay, but I found it boring. It's just about a guy surviving in the wilderness. I never would have read this book if it hadn't been a pick for a book club that I was in. This is really not my kind of book.

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch: This book came out last year, and I was hearing such good things about it. I really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, I didn't. There are a few reasons why. First, there were several things in the book that didn't make sense. I'm not going to say anything specific, but the world just seemed really illogical. And, yes, I know it's fantasy. Second, the characters. Most of the characters had no personalities, and the ones that did made no sense. They would do things or say things and I couldn't understand why they were doing or saying those things. The final reason I didn't like this book was that IO found it quite boring and hard to get into. (I'm not listing this as one f the reasons I didn't like the book, but I guessed the plot twist from almost the beginning of the book.)

Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs: Some people really love this book. The thing is, it's just really not my thing. It was actually pretty good, but I just didn't like it.

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi: This is a science fiction book that I read a few years ago. I barely finished it. I don't actually remember what exactly it was that made this book unappealing. I just could not get into it. I was bored the entire time. I've considered the possibility that I was just not in the mood for this particular type of book when I read it, but I have not felt the urge to read the rest of the books in the series.

Magyk by Angie Sage: This is the first book in the Septimus Heap series. It's a children's fantasy series, and I actually read the whole thing. However, I didn't like it very much. It was written kind of weirdly and it was the most predictable thing I have ever read. I did actually enjoy reading parts of the book because some of the characters were quite amusing, but overall, I don't think this series was written very well.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld: Some people love this series. Objectively speaking, I thought it was fairly good. But I just didn't enjoy reading it. The plot was interesting, but the characters were what made me dislike this series. It wasn't that they were under-developed exactly, it was that they were infuriating. I honestly hated all of the characters. I couldn't stand them. I read the entire Uglies series because I felt bad for disliking it. I've even considered reading some other books by this author. I just didn't really enjoy the Uglies trilogy.

January 2015 Updates

Here is what I've been reading and watching in January:

• I watched series 2 part 1 of the 100 TV show and I am currently watching series 2 part 2. The 100 is heartbreaking and I wish I'd never started watching this show. Unfortunately, it's too late. I'm hooked. I loved series 1 of the 100, but series 2 is even better.
• I am currently watching Elementary series 3. Series 3 is not as good as the first two series, but I like Kitty.
• I watched Broadchurch series 1 which was AMAZING. I am currently watching season 2. This show is really well done and it's British, so why aren't you watching it?
• I randomly started watching Avatar: the Last Airbender. I thought I was just going to watch the first episode and see what it was, but I accidentally watched the whole first season and I couldn't just stop there. I am now watching the Legend of Korra, the sequel show to The Last Airbender. Avatar is great. I love the world and the characters. This is not the type of show I normally watch, but I don't regret watching nine episodes in one day in the slightest.
• In the very end of December I watched The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. I really enjoyed it. It's probably my favourite of the Hobbit movies. I'm also just really glad Tauriel didn't die. When The Battle of the Five Armies comes out on DVD I'm going to marathon all the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit movies.
• I read The Infinite Sea, sequel to the 5th Wave. The Infinite Sea was even better than the first book, if that's possible. I love the writing style in this series and the characters and everything and I need the final book right now. WHY CAN'T I HAVE IT RIGHT NOW?
• I finished reading The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare. The Bane Chronicles is a book of short stories about the best character in the Mortal Instruments: Magnus Bane. This book made me really happy, and it also made me laugh a lot. I would definitely recommend it for fans of the Mortal Instruments.
• I read the entire Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy and it was really good. I can not understand why I did not read this series earlier. I really like the writing style and the characters. I usually hate angel/demon books, but this one was good.
• I randomly read the first book in s series that came out last year, Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch. I honestly didn't like it very much. I almost didn't finish it, but I ended up reading the whole thing. I just couldn't really get into it. The world didn't seem real, the plot didn't make a lot of sense and the characters seemed like really awkward cardboard cut-outs. I'm a little disappointed, the description of the book sounded good. I don't plan on continuing the series.
• I read the third book in the Falling Kingdoms series: Gathering Darkness. It was pretty good. Literally everyone dies in this series. I will continue to read the series as it comes out. It's not my absolute favourite, but it's good enough to keep reading.
• I read We Were Liars, which is a realistic fiction book. I actually read a realistic book! I mostly read it because it won a Goodreads choice award last year. I actually really enjoyed it. It's really short, so it didn't take me long to read and the ending is mindblowing. I'd definitely recommend it. 
• I read the first book in the Eon duology. It's called Eon: Dragoneye Reborn. I really enjoyed it and i want to read the sequel. The main character is awesome and this is the first book I've read the has a transgender character in it.
• I read To all the Boys I've Loved Before which is another realistic fiction book. I wanted to try to read some more diverse books this year. I liked it, but it's realistic, so I didn't love it. I will read the sequel when it comes out.