Let’s talk about the book(s) everyone’s talking about. Do you love them or hate them? I don’t mind hype. Hype doesn’t affect how I’ll feel about a book, or even a movie. If I like the story, I like it. It doesn’t matter to me how many people love or hate it. (For example, I’m one of the few Twilight fans that loved Breaking Dawn. In fact, it was almost my favorite book in the series.)
I like to read the most talked about books too. I figure if lots of people like it, as long as it’s in a genre I like (basically anything except erotica), then I’ll probably like it and I’m glad to know that the book exists so I can try my hand at it.
What do you think? Do you love them or hate them?
About Jenni Elyse
Blogger. Reader. Movie watcher. Social media addict. Crocheter. Time waster. Animal lover. 
Hmmm, do I even need to comment? I doubt it but I shall anyway.
I always fall for they hype! Even when I know I probably won’t like the book. But sometimes I do love the book everyone else does so it’s a risk I have to take. Sigh! Such a horribly tough life I have.
Ha ha! Yes, you need to comment! I was waiting for your answer!
I’m sorry you fall for the hype and that you don’t end up liking the books as much as other people do. I almost wish I was more like you because then I’d be more critical and smart. I feel like I just read to read, which may be what you do, but I don’t feel like I’m very smart about it. I don’t see plot holes until they’re pointed out to me. I don’t care if the characters fall head over heels for each other at their first meeting. And, I don’t care if the author uses the same word to describe them Adonis god love interest. 
(I think this is why I didn’t continue to pursue a career as an editor.)
The only things that make me not like a book are if the characters aren’t engaging or I can’t relate to them, I don’t like the type of story it is, I can’t understand or follow what’s going on, it’s boring, too much language and graphic sex, or the writing is very poor and even then if the story’s engaging I can push that aside.
I actually get really bugged by people who avid something just because there is hype. I’ve no tolerance for “being different” just for the sake of “being different”. So, safe to say, hype doesn’t bother me. In fact, I figure if that many people love it, it must have something good about it right?
I don’t like people who avoid something because it’s hyped too. I don’t mind if they wait a while to help set their expectations more realistically. But, I hate people who are all like, “I won’t read that ever because it’s too popular.” Or, I have one friend that bugs me to no end because she refuses to read The Hunger Games because it’s YA. So freaking what! It’s an awesome story. Just because it’s YA doesn’t mean it’s EVIL. Grrr.
I will usually read a book eventually if there is enough hype over a long period of time (ahem, FIFTY SHADES OF GREY). But sometimes the hype can set up too many expectations that they book just can’t meet.
Ha ha! You’re braver than I.
And, yes, the hype can set up too many expectations. But, for whatever reason, it doesn’t usually influence what I think about it. The only time it will, is if the hype is bad. Then, I usually go into it thinking bad things. Sometimes, I’m pleasantly surprised, though.
I tend to avoid reading books at the height of their hype. I think when people set expectations so high I end up disappointed. If enough people whose opinions I trust like them, I’ll maybe put them on the shelves to read later. Sometimes I feel the hype is a bit manufactured though, lots of hyped up books aren’t that amazing at the end of the day which is why I’d rather trust bloggers. I think there is a difference between hype and buzz too. Buzz is the sound of people enjoying a book and talking about it. Hype is when it’s all over the media and you can’t move for being told it’s the next big thing.
That is true. Buzz and hype are different. I don’t mind either, but I do prefer buzz or hype if I were to think about it. But, usually, hype will still not affect how I feel about something unless is bad because then I go in with low or bad expectations.
I am so easily influenced to pick up a book! I usually end up snagging it eventually when there’s enough people talking it up. Though, I generally end up waiting until there are enough blogger reviews out there that there are both good and bad, so I can have a balanced idea of what to expect. I hate to be disappointed in the super talked-about books.
I’m usually the same way. Some books I’ll pick up and read right away. And, some I’ll wait forever … usually because of time and large TBR list constraints, though, lol. I do like to see both good and bad reviews, but at the same time, I don’t. If I see a bad review before I read a book unless I have my heart set on reading it, it will usually influence how I feel because I’ll see things I don’t normally see or look for.
I think I’m on the very same page as you regarding hype. I don’t mind it, it’s fun, and if something is hyped up, I’ll probably read it… IF I know I’ll probably like it. Some things I won’t, like 50 Shades, or the Dragon Tattoo books… or even the new JK Rowling book!
I’m the same way. I won’t usually read a book if I don’t want to, even if it’s hyped.
Honestly, it depends on the book that’s being hyped. If it sounds like something that will interest me(i.e. UNBROKEN), I’ll read it; if it doesn’t (i.e. FIFTY SHADES …), I won’t. Simple as that.
Oh, I agree there. I won’t give into hype if I don’t want to read the book. So, yeah, I’ll never read Fifty Shades of Grey even though it was the highest selling book on Amazon last year.
I usually use hype to help me judge if I want to buy a book, but it depends on where the hype is coming from. If it’s book blogger hype, I’m on board, I trust my blogger friends’ opinions. If it’s general public hype, I’m skeptical. I guess I’m a bit of a snob there
I still usually wait a while to actually read the book though, since I have so many books that I always want to read, can’t have cutters!
That’s interesting. I can see why you’d value book bloggers’ opinion over the general public. To me, it doesn’t matter as much. As long as the book sounds like something I’d enjoy, I’ll give it a go.
Sometimes I just get SO SICK of all the hype… but sometimes it is WELL worth it. I do trust book blogger hype and friend hyper more than the media hype for sure!
I can definitely understand your feelings of being sick of the hype. I don’t know how to avoid it, though, lol. And, I agree. I trust book blogger or friend hype more than media hype.