Book Geeks and Bookniks discussion

Did you read a book this year that you were disappointed in? A book that came so highly recommended yet left you wanting. Post them here!

For me, it was A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan. I believe it received 4 stars from both People and Entertainment Weekly yet I really didn't like it. I finished it, just barely.

Share yours.

I was rather disappointed in The Postmistress. The ending left me flat. Also, I was disappointed in The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. The dialogue was not punctuated correctly, and even though it started out on a good note, the story seemed to go downhill.

Had a good year can honestly say that really wasn't a bad book. Yes some were just so so but still worth the reading.

I was really diappointed in The Reliable Wife. I thought it started out so promising and then really fell flat and then I just didn't care about the characters by the end.

I was disappointed with Wide Sargasso Sea (I gave it 2 stars) and Like Water for Chocolate (I gave it 3 stars). Both were highly recommended by a friend and I don't think they lived up to the hype.

Well, I had 2 that I didn't finish: "Kingdom of Ohio" by Matthew Flaming & "Total Oblivion" by Alan Deniro. And I was a bit disappointed in "As Husbands Go" by Susan Isaacs. I usually like her books, but in this one everyone/everythings just seemed so superficial.

I had a few that were disappointments and that I didn't finish: The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World, Loving Frank and The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank: A Novel.

I expected more from Wench. There was so much potential there for a really great read and what we got was a mediocre first book. I think we'll see better work from her.

Julie wrote: "Did you read a book this year that you were disappointed in? A book that came so highly recommended yet left you wanting. Post them here!

For me, it was A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer E..."
I gave up on the Egan book, too, and was surprised to see it on so many "Best of" lists.

Carol wrote: "I was rather disappointed in The Postmistress. The ending left me flat. Also, I was disappointed in The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. The dialogue was not punctu..."

I was also disappointed in "The Postmistress." I thought it lacked substance.

Melissa wrote: "I had a few that were disappointments and that I didn't finish: The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World, Loving Frank and [book:The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank..."

Oh, well! The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank was one of my top favorites the year I read it.

Annika wrote: "I was really diappointed in The Reliable Wife. I thought it started out so promising and then really fell flat and then I just didn't care about the characters by the end."

Me, too. Just couldn't understand all of the raves.

Jennifer L. wrote: "I was disappointed with Wide Sargasso Sea (I gave it 2 stars) and Like Water for Chocolate (I gave it 3 stars). Both were highly recommended by a friend and I don't think ..."

I really enjoyed both of them, but I read them soon after they came out.

Theresa wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I had a few that were disappointments and that I didn't finish: The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World, Loving Frank and The Boy Who ..."</i>

I thought I'd like it because I liked [book:Lucy a lot, but I just couldn't get into this one.

Julie wrote: "Did you read a book this year that you were disappointed in? A book that came so highly recommended yet left you wanting. Post them here!

For me, it was A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer E..."

I had two - The Last Night at the Lobster, and Mr. Peanut. Last Night was just okay. It was boring though, and I think had I liked the charactors more I might have enjoyed it more. And Mr. Peanut I just thought tried to be too much. I think that the main story would have been good but it got wrapped in a lot of literary crap. LOL

I was very disappointed in The Gargoyle and The Hunger Games. I kept hearing so much about these books and I really wanted to like them, but I just couldn't.

Laurel wrote: "I expected more from Wench. There was so much potential there for a really great read and what we got was a mediocre first book. I think we'll see better work from her."

I completely agree, Laurel.

Annika wrote: "I was really diappointed in The Reliable Wife. I thought it started out so promising and then really fell flat and then I just didn't care about the characters by the end."

Yes. The characters really annoyed me in this one.

Theresa wrote: "Jennifer L. wrote: "I was disappointed with Wide Sargasso Sea (I gave it 2 stars) and Like Water for Chocolate (I gave it 3 stars). Both were highly recommended by a frien..."

I think the problem I had with Wide Sargasso Sea was that I don't really care for these types of books - sequels or prequels written by different authors. Jane Eyre was the first real Classic/grown up book that I read (for a 9th grade English class independent study project). I guess I just don't like people messing with my first love! lol

Although, I did enjoy the books Mr. Darcy's Diary, Mr. Knightly's Diary and Captain Wentworth's Diary - but they were more of the story retold from a different point of view, not a whole new story.

Jennifer, I do so agree with you on the prequel/sequel thing.

Some years back my sister bought me 'Mrs de Winter' by Susan Hill, a sequel to 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier', one of my all-time favourite novels; I don't think I even finished the book. One shouldn't mess with perfection!

'Jane Eyre' is also one of my first loves - so I didn't even go near 'Wide Sargasso Sea', LOL

Melissa wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I had a few that were disappointments and that I didn't finish: The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World, Loving Frank and [b..."

Funny! It was just the opposite for me. I didn't care for "Lucy." I don't think I finished it.

Sue J wrote: "Jennifer, I do so agree with you on the prequel/sequel thing.

Some years back my sister bought me 'Mrs de Winter' by Susan Hill, a sequel to 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier', one of my all-time fav..."

I also shy away from prequel/sequel books. I couldn't even finished "Mrs. de Winter." But for me, "Wide Sargasso Sea" was very much a different viewpoint kind of book, so I enjoyed it. And "Jane Eyre" was the first grown-up book I ever read and I still love it.

disappointed in both new John Grisham novels The ConfessionTheodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

I am disappointed with Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré, I thought it was going to be a great read - for me its not even average!

I have others I downloaded last week but not sure I can cope with them! We try The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, one of the World Book Night giveaways as I have a challenge going for the WBN books.

Theresa wrote: "Julie wrote: "Did you read a book this year that you were disappointed in? A book that came so highly recommended yet left you wanting. Post them here!

For me, it was A Visit From the Goon Squad b..."

I loved it. I have read it twice and forced my husband to read it too. I think he might agree with you two.

I heard great things about Matterhorn, but I gave it about 70 pages and then I just had to fling it. (Flinging is what we do with books that suck at my house.) It might be the subject matter that turned me off; war is depressing after all, but I do love some other war stories. I can't put my finger on the problem, but I was very disappointed.

Yes, for me, it was "A Visit From The Goon Squad".

I finally read Catch-22 by Joseph Heller and it did nothing for me! I was so looking forward to this but it was such a let down!