MOST OVERRATED BOOKS (WHY I'M NOT A CREDIBLE LITERARY CRITIC)

I am on the breach of an existential crisis. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have just realized that I am not a credible literary critic. How convenient to realize such a thing, after creating a blog for that exact occupation. I probably shouldn't label myself as such a thing anyway, It's not like I work for the Chicago Tribune or something. I bet three people are going to read this, and I know all of them. But you know what, literary criticism does not require a verification. I can read, I study literature. I am a damn literary critic. Just not a very credible one. I mean, what literary critic genuinely enjoys Twilight?! (Hint: it's me).

I'm working on a new review and it happens to be a book that has gotten a lot of rage over the last few months. I've been meaning to read it since before it was hyped but shit happens. But it got me thinking about how teenagers extremely hype up some of the books in this genre. What are the most overrated books in the field? I thought of a few books that I considered to be overrated, or rather just not as good as I was hoping. Upon comparing this to some articles and polls online, I discovered that I am in fact complete book trash. I love all of them. And while they might be "overrated" in some eyes, I feel the attention is rightfully deserved. 

According to Goodreads and The Top Tens, the most overrated books include:

1) The Twilight Saga. Okay, I saw this coming. I know Meyer is not everyones cup of tea. These books are so controversial, but to be completely honest. I didn't hate them at all. I really like the series. And while I wouldn't do any deep literary analysis on it, I do really enjoy the aesthetic of the stories, as dumb and cliché as they are. I always want to reread Twilight during the Fall season.  

2) The Great Gatsby. Are you f**cking kidding me?? The literal art that is F. Scott Fitzgerald? Who wrote this article? I don't know her. I understand how people would think it to be overrated before they actually read it, but that imagery is timeless. I live for the imagery it's the best part of the story and it feels like an artistic piece that should be up in a museum. It's one of those beautiful tragic things that makes your heart swell and sink at the same time. Fitzgerald novels are classic. Never overrated. 

3) Divergent. Maybe I'm just biased because I will always have a crush on Tobias, but I loved those books. While they continually got a little worse as the trilogy went on I loved them enough to be mad at the plot and keep reading. The first book however I really enjoyed and always thought was a genius concept. For that reason, I wouldn't say it's overrated. The concept of the plot is the reason that it is the face of the YA Fiction world. 

4)  Fifty Shades of Grey. Can't speak for this one. I've been reluctant to pick it up. 

5) Mockingjay. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! My actual child. I love the whole trilogy. I was one of those people obsessed with these books and I was at every first premier for the movies. I thought it was the best way to end it. Finnick is my favorite character though. I will never forgive for that. Not overrated. Underrated, if possible. 

6) The Bible. Interesting that this made it on the list? I don't want to speak about this one just because I don't want to offend anyone. I don't affiliate with it and I've never read any of it so I can't really say. That's an interesting debate. 

7)  Breaking Dawn. I read it. Enjoyed it. I loved it honestly. I don't know why everyone hates so much on the concept, most everyone judges it but I know there's some people out there who love it and I appreciate you. Keep loving it. 

8) The Hunger Games. Go back and reread the last sentence of number 5.

9) The Fault in Our Stars. Okay. The reason I love this book so much has less to do with the chick flick YA romance, but rather John Green's writing. I love the existential deep stuff. It really coincides with me and it matters a lot. Appreciate that next time you read it and it won't seem so overrated.

10) Eleanor and Park. I really enjoyed it. It was cute. I could agree that it might be a little overrated. But worth enough hype that everyone should still read it. 

So there you have it. I love overrated books. If I were to have been able to critique them professionally back when they came out, you can bet I would have given them all the praise in the world. But that's just the thing. So many critics gave those books praise. So many fans read them and loved them and still do. And I wonder if maybe it's because they just aren't relevant anymore that now they are deemed as overrated. I'd be proud to have an overrated book if they consist of all of these. Isn't it a little true that everyone who judges and deems things as overrated could just be jealous or even careless? Moral of the story? Keep reading. Whether the books are overrated or not, reading is reading. Let it not be diminished.