5 Disappointing Reads of 2024 / Books Teacup and Reviews

As a reader, I approach every book with a sense of hope and curiosity, eager to dive in and enjoy the unique magic every book possess. Unfortunately, not every book meets expectations. There were 5 Disappointing Reads of 2024 for me.

Disappointing doesn’t necessarily mean I rated these books negatively. While a few did receive negative ratings, most had mixed reviews. I included them in this list because they didn’t meet my expectations, and I wouldn’t read them again. If I owned physical copies, I’d donate them, and I certainly wouldn’t recommend them to friends or anyone else.

5 Disappointing Reads of 2024

1. Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger

This book promised an intriguing premise combining thriller with romance. However, I found the characters frustrating throughout. There was more lust than romance, and while the twist was interesting, it wasn’t impactful enough to redeem the setbacks I experienced.

2. Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil by Ananda Lima

Drawn to this collection for its dark, evocative themes, I appreciated the unique writing, concept, and stories. Yet, I often struggled to stay engaged, to the point where I considered not finishing the book.

3. The Distaste of the Earth by Kynpham Singh Nongkynrih

I had high hopes for this historical literary fiction that explores Khasi culture and the legendary forbidden love story of Manik Raitong and Lieng Makaw. While the book was emotive and poignant, it left little room for the romance to blossom, as there was minimal interaction between Manik and Lieng. The narrative heavily relied on side characters whose stories felt disconnected from the central love story. Additionally, the lengthy focus on animal conversations detracted from the main plot.

4. Surviving the Storm by I.J. Miller

Surviving the Storm was an erotica thriller with emotional complexity of the tangled relationships. While the interpersonal drama adds intrigue to the story, I found overall books somewhat underwhelming.

5. The Physics of Relationships by Chas Halpern

With such an intriguing title, I expected a fresh, insightful exploration of human connections. Instead, the characters’ contradictory thoughts and actions made it hard to connect emotionally, leaving me detached from the story.

Every book offers something to its readers, even if it’s not to everyone’s taste. While these titles didn’t work for me, they might find a different audience who appreciates them.