Most Disappointing Books of 2023 🙄 publishing isn't even trying anymore

[@gabbyreads]

I’m dying at the fact that almost half the books on this list ended up in my favorites of the year hahhaa 😂 it’s so funny how different our tastes can be sometimes 😂 but yeah, Rouge and Looking Glass Sound were not for me either 🫣

[@KatieColson]

I KNOW! It’s wild. But I always pick the books up cause when we match we MATCH. I’m always searching for that next book-high from your book recommendations

[@clairewhite1211]

so happy you pointed out the whole "when ur an adult your whole life revolves around so and have no time for friends or anything else" because this agenda is just Sad and No. Great video!

[@bookishbowen]

🍊it sucks when there is a book that you love so much that you read the rest of the books by that author chasing the same high and none of them hit the same 😢 🍊

[@kathybryar06]

Me with Samantha Downing this year. Read My Lovely Wife and loved it….. was less and less impressed by the rest of her backlist and her new release as the year went on

[@michellecgb]

I love it when I discover that a genre or author isn’t for me cause it saves me so much time and energy in the future, so I love that for you too Katie!

[@michellecgb]

🍊🍊🍊

[@meowlo-the-mood-reader]

Masters of Death was such a bummer because i LOVED those characters but I feel like the author was just trying to do TOO MUCH. TOO MUCH. I'm so sad. Give me more about those characters but what the heck was that game thing q.q

[@mrsmarthareads]

I’m so here for your honesty! I mean, even when an author reaches out to you to give you an AC, you are not holding anything back. Love. It. PS. I thought something was wrong with me for not liking Lessons in Chemistry. Thank you for the affirmation! 🤣

[@kaesinfinitelibrary]

The whole intro and transition from the truck to the disappointing books was amazing 😂🍊

[@mybeliefisgone]

I am dying "omg is that junji ito coming to take me away???"

[@teodorapetkovic]

Finally someone who understands my frustrations with Half a Soul. People praised this book through hell and back, and the main girl sharing my first name made everyone I know recommend it to me. Not to mention, they "fixed" her in the last sentence of the epilogue, thus ruining the whole message of the book? Like okay??? I read on in the series since I didn't mind the writing style, and they keep coming back to Elias being an absolute horrible person. In the newest one, he literally has a "God I hate my wife" sentence, and I just... don't understand the appeal.

[@sarawithoutanH]

Happy Place was literally a blemish on my year 😭🍊

[@deborahalice]

Showing my age with the Catriona Ward book I think - they read the right age for me, but then I was a genuine child when I was a child (and yes you are still a child at 14/16).

[@iamkellyah]

I rarely DNF books and I DNF'd Lessons in Chemistry. It made me mad how terrible it was. I truly do not understand how so many people loved it.

[@dianak.5412]

🍊 Dear Katie, will there be a reading journal flip through and set up? 🥰 I wish you, your family and friends a merry Christmas 🎄🕯️🍊

[@christinefortner7725]

Katie, my face is still attempting to relax after almost half an hour of constant smiling & giggling! 😆 Thanks for all your helpful info. 🍊🍊🍊

[@KatieColson]

Aw omg thank you. This made me smile so freaking big. Thank you for this compliment and comment

[@marabookstagram]

Jeez, that IS a loud muffler! I don't understand people that leave motorcycles running either!

[@kilee2568]

i agree with you on One for My Enemy!! i just finished it and i was left so confused and bored!! i had such high hopes for it, but it was just so convoluted and dumb for no reason😩

[@kristenchumley1421]

The way Shark Heart and Lessons in Chemistry are in my top 20 this year. LOL It stings a little, not going to lie, but I am always here for Katie's slander. ❤

[@annaviedoux9028]

Same. I can understand why some people may not like Shark Heart, but I loved it because the writing style was different and it haunted me for days when the husband 'died' as a human and became fully shark. It honestly inspires me to write more magical realism stories ❤😂

[@LorrieReads]

Shout out to”The truth is out there.” ❤❤❤❤❤

[@paulaburrow7727]

🍊 i also did not like lessons in chemistry 🤷‍♀️ and thank you for saying the Legends and Lattes was meh! I feel so validated lol

[@Matteomanuel0789]

I’m re-writing my vampire series and intend to republish it, and it’s a satirical fantasy if anyone was curious to know, I hope it helps with the slog of publishing thats been happening this year.

[@YW2324]

Ah cool 😎

[@scubacat22]

I thought I was the only other person on the planet that thought Lessons In Chemistry was overrated!

[@anniewestervelt5915]

🍊i totally agree about lessons in chemistry it sucked bc i really wanted to like it but i couldn’t get over the smart baby and the dog that spoke english

[@shinyswondrouslibrary]

omg I can't wait for this year's best books according to booktubers videooo

[@michellecgb]

Happy Place was my first Emily Henry book and I loved it 😢😂 I’m excited to explore her other work if it’s better. Also, I agree with you on the rethoric you pointed out, I didn’t like that either.

[@GavinReadsItAll]

20:00 I wish because this is SLANDER

[@Meg_Davis]

I came here for chaotic energy and was not disappointed. Can't wait for the the compilation!!! 🍊

[@saraackerman8019]

I also thought Legend and Lattes was meh. I still like cozy, but I need stakes, otherwise I'm like what's the point?

[@Rainbopagn]

I didn’t realize you’re aroace! I have Happy Place from the library and I’m so afraid to read it. 😅

[@nilulal545]

I do get mad about books i was so excited for, too!! And it's so upsetting or somebooks will have so much plot twist or annoying characters ohhh and then wait what was the story where we going Adam wait whos Adam!! 🤦‍♀️but i do have to say you made the best muffler sound!! 😄❤ i had a good laugh!!

[@dianabanana7394]

you being a Gemini makes so much sense omg the Mercury influence

[@sagekay]

🍊 loveeeee the editing as alwayssss! One for My Enemy was also a disappointing read for the same reasons. Like it was fine i guess, but it was just really long for literally no reason?

[@KatieColson]

Aw thank you so much. These comments still mean a lot to me. Cause I'm always worried that I'm annoying people, ha

[@WereWereingtonTheThird]

I loveee Slice of Life personally, but I totally understand when others have gripes with it. 🍊 For me it helps when I feel like I am being immersed in a totally different lifestyle/setting than my own, which is why one of my faves is Barakamon (snooty city-kid calligraphy artist is exiled to live in a rural fishing community and has to adapt to small town nosiness). Love your passion about reading as always! I read a fair bit in 2023 but am planning on spending more time away from the computer and with books next year for sure.

[@toriguidry4000]

I loved Alone With You in the Ether but I put down One for My Enemy after 35 pages.

[@jaimemo5893]

I'm glad someone else didn't like Orange. I like slice of life but hated it. 🍊🍊🍊

[@samdor935]

Sounds like Lessons in Chemistry should be reclassified as fantasy😂 I LOVE a strong character but especially in historical retellings it’s just unrealistic sometimes

[@Kristin_35]

🍊🍊🍊personally very excited for the unhaul and 2023 best books according to booktubers🍊🍊

[@thebookishbeautician]

Oh my gosh no, I love the shirt! It looks so good! And under 30 minutes! You did it haha 🍊

[@bby.kaylamarie]

It’s a child👀🤣🤣 happy to say I didn’t pick up any of these books😊🍊

[@haleylquinton]

Rouge and Looking Glass Sound are both books I read like half of on Libby before they had to go back to the library... I keep telling myself I'm gonna finish... but the holds keep coming available and I just keep hitting "deliver later" 😆 am I ever gonna finish?

[@pauieeepau]

I also avoid authors whose works I think I won't like. So good on you for knowing what you want to read. I personally like the Orange anime but haven't read the manga. But I also don't like slice-of-life unless it's heavily comedic. I think I used to read/watch the genre, but maybe my attention span shortened with age. I might have some slice-of-life webcomics I follow, but only if they're hybrid with other genres. 🍊

[@Books.n.winter]

I just bought The Looking Glass Sound and NOW you are telling me that's your most disappointing book of 2023. Girl? GURLLLLLLL?????

[@desireeambermoore621]

I was so excited for Shark Heart but it just didn't give enough! But I actually loved Our Wives Under the Sea... PLEASE READ WHALEFALL

[@ja.ck.IE_Ma.kw09]

Totally agree on the slice of life and orange manga/anime thing. Because it's absolutely not my thing to read about. 🍊

[@madisonkearns]

I love the very beginning of this video, like are you rich???

[@happyfamily1298]

Shark Heart, Happy Place, and Lessons in Chemistry were not favorites on my list either this year. To be frank, Lessons in Chemistry teed me off on different levels, and the fact that it is getting so much love makes me wonder if I read the same book as everyone else😅 Barnes and Noble has lost my trust after naming it their Book of the Year last year 😂

[@KatieColson]

I felt the same way. I was like “hold up…this…this is the book everybody’s talking about???”

[@KeriJo12]

For Orange, SAME!!! Insufferable main character, couldn't stand her naiveté, truly cringe. Couldn't continue.

[@becwrites]

Ahh I've been wanting to hear you speak about Rouge and agree. Also, I think that Awad just loves Tom Cruise because I read Bunny after Rouge and she mentions Tom Cruise at least once in Bunny. However, in Rouge that was one of my biggest cringe moments and it got SOOOOOOOOOOO annoying!!!!!

[@heathermalmal9943]

Thank goodness someone said it. 15:01

[@andieland1923]

🍊🍊 I actually DNFed Orange even though I like slice of life, it really dragged for me. So excited for all the upcoming content!!

[@asgoodasgolden]

Agreeeed on Half A Soul, plus I kind of chafe at the whole not having feelings as a metaphor for being neurodivergent thing... like I'm not trying to tell ND people who relate that they're wrong about their experiences, but it's literally the exact opposite of MY experience of being ND (big huge feelings all the time) and a little too close to offensive stereotypes about autistic people being unfeeling robots. Also yeah I was just bored, DNFed that shit.

[@quillheart877]

Shark Heart and Rouge were also disappointments for me this year

[@ayecollette]

🍊 I didn’t care for Shark Heart either. I was expecting it to be so much better and I wanted to cry! But I didn’t, it was underwhelming. I gave it 2.5 stars 😭

[@bookishalex18]

I just finished Masters of Death not that long ago, and I agree with so many things you said. I was in disbelief that I still had no idea what the game was or how it worked when I finished it. Everything was so convoluted and for what? It took me so long to read it too. I read One for My Enemy this year, too, but I actually really liked it. I thought it was a very clever mish-mash of Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. But to each their own!

[@jessicamarie6693]

🍊Maybe give Jordan L Hawk a try. They have some turn-of-the-century gay romance with Eldric horror enemies books. . . You know a good wholesome time.

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

NOT SPONGEBOB 😂

[@shaynaparker3337]

🍊As soon as they named the dog 6:30 I started thinking of Lessons in Chemistry as like, speculative adjacent, and I think that actually helped my enjoyment a lot. I really liked it but at no point did I think of it as taking place in our real world. Also, is that the normal way to cross your fingers?? Is there a normal way to cross your fingers? I do mine the other way but now I’m worried I’ve been doing it wrong.

[@GothicBookLover]

I don't think it's that publishers aren't trying anymore, it's that readers are either too picky or not picky enough.

[@kerisbookishcorner2864]

🍊 this emoji is cute! I always like watching this video from creators because it helps me lower my expectations for things and if I’m still interested sometimes I like the book more 😂

[@tammyd4208]

🍊 I am just so happy someone else disliked Happy Place and Lessons in Chemistry. 😂

[@sarahgreen5475]

I’m so glad I’m not the only one who didn’t like Lessons In Chemistry! 🍊

[@katywall1898]

Is there a future video coming our way? Katie's One Hit Wonders?

[@sunkissedbeautyxo]

Happy Place was my favorite by her!! I know that’s a hot take, I’ve been in a similar position before and this hit so hard for me. I generally think romance is too unrealistic for me to really adore (usually 3-4 stars), but I love Emily Henry for her ability to make it serious but fun and relatively realistic

[@PetalThunder]

The first 3 minutes of this video are iconic 😂

[@KatieColson]

💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@audiolect6303]

I havebt read the orange manga but i liked the anime reasonably, though i didnt love the ending woth the time travel stuff.

[@tdfortune9118]

🍊🍊🍊 So nothing to do with this video, but I needed to tell you that I started Bunny last night. Halfway through. No freaking idea what is happening! lol But man I am i here for this ride...... Love you so freaking much!

[@blakebaird5829]

I totally agree with Mona not writing anything on the level of Bunny… which is okay! Bunny was definitely a peak for her. My ranking of Mona’s books would definitely be 1. Bunny 2. Rouge 3. All’s Well I really really could just not get into All’s Well

[@kudzaishemakoni5279]

Happy Place 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@diananoriega8330]

I found out Shark Heart’s audiobook good, and in times, hilarious. I did like the story because it was weird in the best way. NEVERTHELESS, HAPPY PLACE IS SO OVERRATED PUT THAT BOOK TO SLEEP PLEASE 🤓 It was my first introduction to Emily Henry and it totally failed. After that I read People We Meet on Vacation and loved it ❤

[@Jupitertx79]

Check out sharkman by Steven alten he wrote meg🎉.. There is some emotional moments

[@BrittanyLovesReading]

🍊 I love watching these videos and seeing the receipts of what people thought of books!

[@trojansc]

Love this channel....maybe it's the shirt. ;O)

[@thebookgeek87]

Love your top

[@chrisiereads]

🍊 As soon as you said this is going to be fast all the Bunnies were like uh oh 😂

[@chappellroanplsgotomanilaibeg]

for anyone who doesnt like Rouge, Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang was waaaay better

[@sehbasareen6669]

I think happy place started interesting but after like a 100 pages it went downhill and i also didn't feel very good about the friendship there weren't any good moments to show how sincere it was they were mostly on bad terms which made it seem like they were not that close

[@sludgeduke]

🍊 thanks for sparing me some reading pain

[@heatherm561]

🍊😂 love your videos, you lovely talkative Gemini

[@madimiss]

I hated Kiss her Once for Me! I feel seen! Love your videos!!!

[@kendra5554]

under 30 mins you made it! 🍊

[@heatherheatherandpeggy9134]

im surprised hell bent wasn’t on here from what you’ve said 🍊

[@ozsaur6655]

🟠🟠🟠

[@janaedonim]

Finallllyyyyy some dissing on lessons and chemistry. I found it so basic, did not relate to Elizabeth zott as a badass or a woman. This was just not it. And she’s a feminist in the 60s and only MENTIONS Rosa parks and takes no other steps? Okay. Bc we’re clearly not going for stark realism here so if it’s not gonna be realistic then at least make it diverse/anti racist like come on. There were white people involved in civil rights too. Girl.

[@ambrelicious04]

Katie! I just love you! Lol

[@maeve_ever_manga]

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[@greysonlb4224]

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[@rebeccamarsden2128]

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[@TeenaReadsandCrochets]

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[@yarima13]

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[@DBee1133]

🍊

[@samauthor342]

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[@brandim1230]

🍊

[@pip4846]

🍊

[@cubegirl97]

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[@Katiedora122]

I had no interest in reading Lessons in Chemistry in the first place and I felt bad that I didn't care, so it's always a relief to me when I see a review that hits on my concerns. But I did see a nonfiction "companion" recommendation from abookolive for The Secret History or Home Economics by Danielle Dreilinger, which was actually a fun read and talks about the reality of the women during that time including on radio, TV, and in the entire business of home ec.

[@ayragon]

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[@sproutygamerreads7947]

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[@swankscares]

🍊 Great Job!

[@River475]

🍊 🍊 🍊

[@naomiking7518]

🍊🍊

[@cassielovesreading]

🍊