sally rooney books kinda suck 👎🏾

[@psingh135]

Shoutout the KZbin algorithm for bringing me here, because I thought I was SOOOOOOO alone in thinking Sally Rooney kind of mediocre after struggling through Normal People! I've realized that people who love all three of Sally Rooney, Otessa Moshfegh, and Hanya Yanigahara have diametrically opposite taste to mine - their recommendations are not tor me. On the other hand, the fact that you recommended Our Wives Under the Sea (one of my favorite books of last year), means that you have a new subscriber in me 🫡 As a sidenote, you have such a soothing voice!

[@Anna-oe6pg]

the way i clicked so fast on this video! an 1h rant about disliking sally rooney books? sing me uppp!! now i know im not the only one who thinks her books are just really overhyped? like?

[@Babiebackbooks]

The sheer amount of times I had to pause in the middle of reading and ask myself if I just wasn't getting it. Like there is NO way I have ONLY heard positive things about her! All the booktubers and booktokers I like even love her. So the obvious answer is I am the problem 😂

[@abbycarvermusic]

ok first of all love your voice so soothing but also yes even though ive never read a sally rooney book i for some reason trust the people who dont get her more than the ones who do

[@Babiebackbooks]

Thank you 💕 😭 I get caught up in the hype EVERY time no matter how many times I have been let down by the hyped books/authors. My fomo be eating me alive! You sound like you're able to take the hype with a grain of salt--I aspire to be more like you 😭

[@abbycarvermusic]

@@Babiebackbooks your critique was so well thought out and said!

[@GoddessKry]

I only read normal people and I hated it. It just seems like a lot of telling and not showing in that book

[@Babiebackbooks]

@@GoddessKry don’t even get me started. I was just talking to a friend about how there’s a part of reading for me that is “work”. The action of imagining, picturing, filling in the blanks, and even feeling lost-all of those are a necessary part of reading for me. With Rooney I straight up turned my brain off. And I HATED it.

[@GoddessKry]

@@Babiebackbooks I had to go back to look at my Goodreads review, so many things in the book were just surface level, no real depth anywhere

[@ReadingAfterDark1]

Your voice is so lovely. I've only read normal people but I hated it passionately. It's nice to see i'm not alone in my loathing 😂

[@Babiebackbooks]

@@ReadingAfterDark1 booktube needs more loathing safe spaces! There is NO way this many people like Rooney and they didn’t just feel peer pressured by the masses. And thank you 🥰♥️

[@kiuastar]

this was such a good watch! i've never read any sally rooney, but the things you have to say about her books were insightful and thought-provoking. i often feel similarly disappointed about modern books "telling and not showing", so it's great to know i'm not alone 😭 i'll definitely be watching your other videos!

[@Babiebackbooks]

Ouu! You have me intrigued now! Do you have any book recommendations of books you LOVED that did more showing than telling? Or just a book that all in all you want to recommend everyone?

[@kiuastar]

@@Babiebackbooks OOH let’s see i’ve been enjoying graphic novels recently - this is a bit of a cheat answer LOL but some recent favourites include: himawari house by harmony becker, and the magic fish by trung le nguyen. my go-to novel recommendation for “show not tell” is honestly the aristotle and dante duology - i hesitate to recommend YA since i don’t read it anymore, but these books still encapsulate everything i look for in a novel (and their ability to show-not-tell is really amazing)!

[@Babiebackbooks]

@@kiuastar you are about to be really bad for my tbr 😭😭♥️

[@grreeeeee]

they're so apolitical for being so political

[@Babiebackbooks]

@@grreeeeee you literally put it so perfectly 😂😭 there’s so much emptiness to something that is technically covering very full topics. That’s almost a talent in itself.

[@palpitations00]

I’m so glad I’ve seen this- I’ve never wanted my time back so much until I read Normal People. (I feel similarly about Moshfegh but thats a different discussion!!!!)

[@Babiebackbooks]

OuuuuuuuuuuUUU! I have more than once said I don't understand the Moshfegh hype! I feel like she really pioneered the hot girl reading genre and I just figured I didn't have what it takes to be a cool girl 😂 At least she knows how to use punctuation--I really feel like I have to choose my battles recently

[@KateSynd]

I'm only 16 minutes in, so if this is covered later in the video please disregard! I feel like the way she writes characters, as well as those characters themselves, when seen through an autistic lens, make perfect sense. your description of Rooney writing what she thinks a woman should feel, slightly detached or viewed and copied via shadow projections- yeah, that's the undiagnosed female autism for you. of course, not diagnosing Rooney. merely pointing out that, as a late diagnosed woman, these "flat, detached" female characters make a lot of sense to me

[@Babiebackbooks]

I love that you said this. Love. 💕 Because I can admit there is a sense that I have a lot of privilege in looking at a character and demanding a neurotypical representation of that character. I want to piggy off of what you are saying and relate it to how I felt like sex and intimacy were uncomfy to read giving a sense that the characters themselves easily do not experience sexuality in the way that I do. Even in the construction of dialogue. Gah! I love that you said this!

[@KateSynd]

@@Babiebackbooks !!! I honestly didn't even think of it until I started reading Intermezzo, and Rooney flat out told us that Ivan was (most likely) on the spectrum. After that, it all clicked.

[@Babiebackbooks]

@KateSynd there isn’t enough autistic representation in the literary fiction world. Rooney just might have my vote for that alone! you have me rethinking everything! My goodness thank you so much for commenting. You are such a light 💖✨

[@Elnora-i6e]

Another sad sign of what the world has become. People are like cattle. Being led to the same books. Reading them whether they are of interest to them or not. It really has become insane! It's what everyone is reading.. it's what's being promoted. The best books often fly below the radar. It's such a shame. Books are supposed to open your mind... hohum

[@Babiebackbooks]

You know what really made me question myself? When I was returning my book to my local bookstore, ALL the employees were wildly bamboozled that I didn't like the book! There wasn't a single person in a group of what I assume to be well-read people that agreed with how much I disliked it. One of my favorite booksellers said "the beginning is really hard to get through, you just have to stick through it" ... uhm... no? Do you know how many amazing books there are in this world? Why am I going to "stick through" ANYTHING!?

[@snehapradhan5591]

also your voice is so pleasing!!

[@biancastephanie8830]

This is exactly WHY I stick to the classics. And I love your intro too! So refreshing.

[@Babiebackbooks]

I LOVE the classics. Lovelovelove. I just find myself taking them as a much slower read. I cannot speed through them. I just convinced my friend to read Frankenstein for the spooky season, so I have been geeking out about my love of that book. Austin Powers is easily a top tier movie 😂 And thank you

[@SuperHappyNotMerry]

sterile is exactly the feeling I got trying to read normal people. I couldn't get past 50 pages because it felt so clinical. clearly there's an audience for that, or people who "get" that style, but it's not for me and I just don't get what people like about her work

[@Babiebackbooks]

I do believe there are millions of ways to tell a story and that there is no "right" way for someone to do so. But recently with things like trope writing, removal of punctuation, and this clinical "literary fiction"--I think somewhere along the lines we have all lost the plot. Like when did society collectively agree we didn't like the art of storytelling anymore?

[@SuperHappyNotMerry]

@Babiebackbooks you're so right. and I think the removal of quotations in rooney's works exemplifies that disinterest in storytelling. I've read a good number of books that choose to not use quotations. sometimes I like the choice, other times I don't. but I always respect it _because_ it's a choice. with rooney, she herself has stated she just doesn't get the point of quotations and that's why she doesn't use them. it makes her work feel very dispassionate imo. it's like, if something as fundamental to The Novel as quotations was something she didn't put more than a passing thought in to, how can I believe any love for the craft that comes through the page?

[@erzascarlett7895]

Idk bout anyone else here but normal people, was so bad to me. Real talk, it shouldn't be controversial to say. And because of that, there's so many bookokers that recommend that book where I actually tried their other recommendations and came to the empirical conclusion that anyone that recommends I read a Sally Rooney books I will never take their recommendations (except for Jack Edwards

[@Babiebackbooks]

I am such a Jack Edwards STAN 😂 I think it is so interesting to think about using Sally Rooney as a litmus test for compatibility! But I think I agree with you. All the people I follow on booktube haven't even picked up one of her books. So, I think I am subconsciously doing the same 😅

[@erzascarlett7895]

@@Babiebackbooks really and truly love that man down😭 but yes I can confirm a year later this still holds true and I thoroughly appreciate you bringing this topic up and giving space for this sort of discussion

[@snehapradhan5591]

I really didn't like Normal People but i still want to try one more of her books. And i absolutely completely understand and agree with what you're saying here. The writing is beautiful, yet so depersonalised! Like i want to get into these characters psyche but they just feel so far away from me!

[@Babiebackbooks]

@@snehapradhan5591 yes! I’ve struggled because so many people who love her books say it’s relatable. But I think there is a huge difference between a relatable scene and having that intimacy with a character. These scenes are lifelike but the characters within them aren’t-not sure that makes any sense??

[@nessaxreads]

headphones on, coffee in hand...class has started. class ended...rate your professor : 5/5! love these author spotlights! quotes: "there is kindness in a little bit of spanking" 👏👏👏 " i just wish she cared about her story as much as she did her lessons" just from the quotes you showed, i could tell that her writing is superficial and her lessons that she brings up would only satisfy those who are living under a rock. also does she hate women? i have never read her books so i cant add much but the bdsm part alone gave me an icky feeling. Adding motherhood to my tbr!

[@Babiebackbooks]

😂💕 Thank you! I really enjoy making them! They take the most work behind the scenes, but it's satisfying to really dig into a book/author. So! Everything to do with sex and the body gave me an icky feeling! And I think this is the effect of her making everything into a motif rather than actually writing characters. (..?) Like she wants to show how women are perceived and wants to show the uncaring side of how women are treated in sexual spaces, but as a reader I feel just how you feel! Icky! But then again--if that was her intent...then good job?? [Fun fact, I see all of these books labeled as "romance" in Goodreads and Storygraph, which is even more interesting with the level of "ick".] Side note: I just started My Heart is a Chainsaw after waiting months for it on Libby and I am OBSESSED so far! It's a unique narrative voice that I'm enjoying. I remember you thinking about grabbing it, or saying you started it and I never heard if you got to it yet. If you did--thoughts and vibes?

[@nessaxreads]

@@Babiebackbooks I'm a little intimidated to start that trilogy! Honestly i have a hard time continuing books after the first one haha, im so bad at it! but im glad you're obsessed so far, maybe I can be convinced to start it. I did look at my library for it to get like a taste test but i couldn't find it so maybe people are still checking it out.

[@BEe-hi4my]

The video I have been looking for for so long. Loved your critique, especially as a writer in progress myself. So I’m also taking notes haha. I also looove how you framed NP as a story of two people connecting over things they shouldn’t. I read NP in one go and for me it really reminded me of my first queer platonic relationship that I knew both at the time and in hindsight was really unhealthy, codependent and dare I say a little mutually narcissistic. But there was also that sense of “you just get me” which is the core of what Marianne and Connell share. At least it’s better than One Day where I still don’t know why the characters even liked each other, other than he’s rich and handsome, and he’s into her being into him. That thing about coming apart even though you don’t want to, but also coming together even though you don’t want to! (but you just go with the gravity of shared history ugh). And yes her characters can come off a bit flat! Though as a writer that is my greatest fear - writing flat/predictable characters. What is a non-flat character? Aren’t all characters a little flat by definition? I feel like her books are lowkey about desirability more than anything else, based on what I hear about CWF and BWWAY which I haven’t read. NP is so much about desirability and how many people hang their whole self on that whether they know it or not and when they no longer are amongst the desirable they spiral. I think that explains the focus on status in the story so much. ANYWAY. THANK YOU. And as someone else has said - your voice is amazing. Gonna go watch your other vids now.

[@BEe-hi4my]

Ps I felt your point about her treatment of bdsm to the core. I also feel like she seems to get close to critiquing white womanhood only to retreat into its privileges over and over again.

[@Babiebackbooks]

I want to sit and think about the phrase "aren't all characters flat by definition"; because my immediate reaction is to grab you by your shoulders and shake you in the most loving way. But also I think there is a lot to that. Words are so powerful and yet they can only do so much. Hmmmmmm--- I think humans are like a hotdog (stick with me, I promise this is going somewhere). A rubbery conglomeration made up of scraps, choice cuts, cartilage, and food coloring. There are pieces of ribeye and prime rib in there, but what makes a hotdog a hotdog ARE the knuckles, chemicals, and feelings of questionable make-up. But we eat them. Covered in mustard, relish, ketchup, or chilli and cheese; and they usually hold some type of really warming memory to them. A flat character to me is someone has taken a prime rib and cut it into a cylinder and told me it is a hot dog. Have you given me a more forward sense of meat? yes. Is it technically better? yes. But it isn't a hot dog. You took my childhood memories, connection, and the "confusing" parts out. And I can promise you no two hotdogs are the same, but two cuts of prime rib can be. What are you writing!? Oh this has me so excited for you! Writing is such a beautiful talent! You literally have this magic power to CREATE worlds. P.S. I had to hold my tongue on the privilege this book is DRIPPING in. P.P.S. No, thank YOU 💕

[@willynick]

Love this video and can't agree more. I'm almost done with Intermezzo and it sucked up my whole October 😭 Please do Ottessa Moshfegh next! She's my favorite lol I know you made some videos about some of her books but would love to know your opinion about all of her work overall. ❤

[@Babiebackbooks]

@@willynick ouuuu! I think I’ve read almost all of her books! I am literally sitting here thinking about what authors I want to do some research into for my next round of reads. I need to start early because reading 4 Rooney books in a week was not fun 😂 I need to spread out my reading for these author highlights a bit more. I also need to figure out how to put up a vote somewhere, so PLEASE keep an eye out for the vote so I can tally you in!! ♥️

[@emeluzun4731]

good points made and you have a lovely voice. helped me calm down after a crying session… thank u so much

[@sunstream4]

you have such a lovely voice

[@Babiebackbooks]

Thank youuuu! 🖤

[@MaudeDonovanisreading]

I thought that intermezzo was exhausting and horribly overwritten. I thought the stylistic choice was a little bit interesting and said a lot more about Ivan and Peter than the actual words did, but it was just so meandering in premise and idea that really tested me.

[@Babiebackbooks]

YesyesyesYES! Lemme just emphasize the word "meandering". I agree! There is this weird juxtaposition I get with Rooney's content. It feels like everything is a motif and a tool to the point that it feels like a collection of essays, but on the other hand it feels like she writes without knowing where she wants the story itself to go--if that makes any sense? I'm in these scenes and they have no purpose other than the message she want to get across.

[@TinRaTin]

38:15 yes!!!! Thank you for saying it. Spoonfeed, that is how it feels.

[@Babiebackbooks]

It feels like Rooney doesn't trust that I can do the thinking on my own! Like dagnabbit give me the spoon! I got this!

[@dontmicrowavecats]

Clicked on a yt recommendation and now I'm never leaving here!

[@Babiebackbooks]

I truly am not to be trusted, just so you know 😂 I just rated a monster romance book higher than I did Conversations With Friends. Someone take my mic IMMEDIATELY. Privileges revoked. 😅 P.S. happy to have you in the unhinged and unreliable corner of the internet 💕

[@steffikreis2030]

Wow i wish i could talk about books/writing this eloquently. I have not read sally rooney because somehow my intuition kept me from it even though the hype should have long convinced me to jump on the bandwagon (as happened with A little life) but I am now more interested to read rooney just to see how i actually feel about her writing. I think i might end up having mixed feelings (as i do with a little life). I think alone with you in the ether was ruined for me by the internet hype. I throught i was going to read a healthy romance/lovestory and it was not that…maybe if i had gone in with the right expectations I would have liked it. Our wives under the sea was great I almost wanted it to be longer tho… Gonna put Sheila Heti on the list. Thanks for the great video.

[@Babiebackbooks]

@@steffikreis2030 I am not going ANYWHERE near A Little Life. Thankfully my fomo hasn’t swayed me in that direction. Trauma p*rn just does not sound like something my mental health can handle. It’s almost an act of self care for me to avoid it like the PLAGUE. I’m excited for you to dabble into Rooney! Please keep me updated (and I bet it will be more than eloquent ♥️) Heti has that same self aggrandizing journal style that Rooney has. And while almost masturbatory, I do think she does it slightly better than Rooney. Rachel Cusk is another one that I think is adjacent to Rooney but does it a teeny bit better.

[@michaelaporee260]

I liked normal people after about 4 times trying to start it but her others…..

[@Babiebackbooks]

The fact that you stuck through FOUR attempts to start makes you a much stronger person than I ever could be 😭 (*bows down in reverence*)

[@michaelaporee260]

@@Babiebackbooks thank you for the bows 😂 i honestly think because i am a mood reader it just worked out that one time but your video was so good. I just can’t jive with her books. Conversation with friends was like pulling teeth, had to dnf

[@loisclark-johnston3337]

This title though, lol!

[@Babiebackbooks]

@@loisclark-johnston3337 I really be out here looking for problems 😂😂

[@vanitylagail]

The not using quotation marks in “Normal People” had me thinking I got a bad copy. I picked it up because I love trying different things when it comes to reading, but I picked up a Kennedy Ryan book and I might have to DNF 🫣

[@Babiebackbooks]

I haven't gotten into Kennedy Ryan! I admittedly am always so afraid and hesitant when it comes to popular black authors because I am not one to ever curb my words or soften my opinions. 😅😭 Sally Rooney is such a smart woman, and it just feels like she's getting over making her lack of proper punctuation seem like this mind-blowing and fancy tactic. Like my elementary school teacher would get you straight real quick. Ms. Davis didn't play that.

[@vanitylagail]

@ I’m like this with popular authors in general, so I understand. However, I think Kennedy Ryan lives up to the hype. She has a way of incorporating serious topics with romance in such a way where you feel like you’re in the story. I just finished “ Before I Let Go “ and I don’t regret it. I’m ready to buddy read the 2nd book in that series. I will say you may want to check trigger warnings if you start with her “ Hoop Series” , but that didn’t disappoint either. When I tell you I almost got ate up on threads for mentioning the punctuation like I was the dummy for expecting proper punctuation. Come to find out she’s not the only author who writes in this “style”. I just couldn’t finish it. I’m not eager to pick up anymore Sally Rooney either. I have too long of a tbr to not be excited or engulfed when reading. My teachers didn’t play that either. The way my anxiety flares up when I, myself make an error in my writing . Baby format these sentences right. PLEASE!