Review for Glenn Hates Books Vol. 1.
Once you get over the shock of the authors earthy vernacular, this book is a veritable riot. Everything you have ever wanted to say about all manner of books is right here.
At times, I laughed aloud, and this takes some doing, being remarkably jaded in my old age. Sometimes I disagreed with the author, having read the book in question myself, but overall it was unanimous.
What did surprise me, was the length of all of these reviews. All too often these days, you are lucky to get more than just a few words (if you get a review at all). Glenn has given each and every book a lengthy and detailed review.
Scathingly honest, this author will sniff out everything that is bad about a book and say it loud. He has single handedly cornered the market in unreadable books. Where on earth did he find them all?
It was really quite amazing just how many books the author has found that didn’t match up to his specific criteria. I have been reading for over sixty years, and my list of bad books is nowhere near as long. Maybe he likes reading these books?
One star book reviews
Not much here that appealed to me, but I quite liked the sound of The Influence: by Bentley Little. Nothing really wrong with it that a little judicious editing wouldn’t cure.
I thought it a shame that Iain Banks was included in this list, although to be fair, it wasn’t one of his best…
Two star book reviews
Nothing I liked in this list at all, they were all pretty bad.
Three star book reviews
Halfway through this book and the lists of reviews, I began to wonder if Glenn Conley would like any book, really like them, as he was coming across as a man who is not easily pleased.
However, I was surprised…
My favourite book of 2014 made this list. Gone Girl: by Gillian Flynn. I enjoyed this book immensely, although I will admit to feeling cheated with the ending, although I don’t really think it could have been written any differently. I think that was the only reason Glenn included it here.
Every Day: by David Levithan, was a refreshingly interesting fantasy with some very clever twists.
The Cult of Me: by Michael Brookes should be worth reading, from what was said about it.
Dan Brown was in this list too, with Inferno. And this I totally disagreed with. I know it was a bit like some of his others, but it really made me think seriously about solving the world’s overpopulation problem; and what our politicians and scientists might be planning to do about it.
Several of the books in this category were ones he almost liked. Can’t wait to get to the four star ones.
Four star book reviews
The Giver: by Lois Lowry has just leapt onto my TR list. Glenn likes it too, for like me, the author has a thing for villains.
Woken Furies: by Richard K. Morgan. An interesting sci-fi book with immortal characters, and one hell of a twist.
The Game: by Terry Scott. This one also made my TR list. A virtual reality story, a lot like Blade Runner, but could be okay.
The Water Travellers: by Daniel Waltz. All about interplanetary travellers, people who can travel from one planet to another through water portals. Different.
By the time I was two thirds into this book, I was dying to know if any books had made it into the final, coveted five star list. I mean, the author openly states that he hates books, and what I had already read really emphasised this.
Five star book reviews
But lo and behold, there were as many books in this section as in the others.
In the After: by Demetria Lunetta. An alien invasion story. Glenn really liked this one, all of it.
In The End: by Demetria Lunetta. Glenn thought this one was even better than the first.
The Other Normals: by Ned Vizzini. I was surprised to find this book listed here, I mean, it’s a romance. Who knew? Apparently, Glenn stayed up all night to finish it.
The Breach: by Patrick Lee. This one was compelling and unique, and Glenn loved it because he couldn’t predict anything. Recommended highly.
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I was pleased Glenn had found some he liked, for I love books. Rarely do I find one I cannot read, as there is usually some redeeming feature.
Made me wonder what he would make of one of mine?
I haven’t read this yet, but I’ve recently encountered this author’s website and found it somewhat amusing. Working in a bookstore, I read a number of books I don’t really like so I can make recommendations for customers other than those who read the same kinds of books I enjoy. It’s fun sometimes to laugh about books with someone who shares the same distaste for a book as you do. That being said, however, I respect authors who put their work out there to be critiqued. It takes guts!