We’ve all fallen prey to book hype. It happens to the best of us. We see a book posted to social media or ranked on bestseller lists over and over and over until it finally baits us – only for the book to fall flat.
Why does this happen? Do we just have exceptionally better taste than “the masses”?
No. It’s probably just that it was outside your usual cup of tea, and that’s okay.
For example, I often see people who are not romance readers choose to read a hyped fantasy romance book (expecting it to be more fantasy than romance, I suppose), and then complain of its “mediocrity,” and that it’s “the last hyped book they’re going to read.” Most of the time, they had incorrect expectations, so when it failed to meet those expectations, they were understandably disappointed.
But there are times we pick up a book that, by all appearances, seems to be something we’d enjoy. It has good reviews. Maybe we have a little FOMO. And we’re still disappointed.
So here are three questions to ask yourself before reading a hyped book.
1. Is this hyped book in my usual genre?
When we see book hype, we have to remember who is doing the hyping. And the answer is: fans of the genre.
If romance readers are enjoying and highly recommending a book, but you find romance too predictable, the book is probably not for you. If it’s being hyped by classic literature fans who tend to like books you’ve snored through, then the book is probably not for you. If you’ve never enjoyed pirate books, and the cover of the book has pirates on it…the book is probably not for you. Etc. You get the picture.
An exception here is if you’re looking to experiment with new genres. In this case, popular books can be a good place to start.
If it’s not your usual genre and you want to read it anyway, always expect it to have those things you usually don’t like. In romance, be prepared to skip over spicy scenes. In drama, be prepared to eye-roll through long-winded monologues and miscommunication. And so on.
If the hyped book in question is in your usual genre, then it’s time for the next question.
2. Does this book appear to use a plot setup or setting I’d enjoy?
Tropes have entered the chat.
There are several things we can gather about a book’s setup by what it says in the synopsis (aka: the back of the book). Mostly the time and place, the type of world (if not our own), and the primary what’s what. Is this a book where the main character must duel others to death in a tournament? Is this a book analyzing inter-generational family trauma in a deep southern town? Does this book feature dark magic secret societies? Does this book follow multiple characters or timelines?
Ask yourself if that is really something that sparks your interest. Can you read 300-400 pages about it? Does it sound like a breath of fresh air or something you’re sick of?
If it doesn’t sound like your thing, but you want to read it anyway, go into it with the acceptance that you may not even want to finish it. It’s okay to DNF a book.
If yes, it sparks your interest, move on to question 3.
3. Do I like the writing style?
Read the first few pages or even the first chapter or three. You can do this easily enough in the bookstore, but many online retailers will also allow you to “look inside.” If you have a Kindle, you can download a sample.
I know readers who strongly prefer either past or present tense, or first person instead of third, and so on. Sometimes, you can tell from just the first few paragraphs that the writer’s prose uses too much telling instead of showing, or uses too many clichés for your taste. Other times, the first page just plain doesn’t hook you. It can be good to call it quits before you even begin.
That’s just good advice for any new read, but sometimes we need to be reminded to go back to the basics if we’re easily swayed by book hype.
As a general rule, I give a book three chapters. If the book doesn’t hook me by then, I don’t keep reading. I have way too many books to read to force it.
Bonus Tip
Find reviewers you trust. I like to follow reviewers who can present well-rounded pictures of the books they read, along with their opinions on who may or may not enjoy them. Even if our tastes don’t always align, I can always come away from their review knowing whether to add it to my own TBR list. I try to offer the same with my reviews.
Book hype can reach a fever pitch without swaying me. But if a reviewer (or friend) I really trust recommends it, I’m more likely to check it out.
Here are a few YouTubers I love to follow:
If it still passes after all that, give it a read.
If not, pass on the bandwagon. I’m sure another one is just around the corner that will appeal to you.
Check out some of my other recent blogs:
2 responses to “Are Hyped Books Worth it? 3 Tips”
I definitely don’t take the time to think about who is doing the hype of books. The more hype I read the more I feel the “need” to read it but if I stop to think about it, the story seems predictable & not my genre of stories “but” then I think…..”what if this time its different?” :-0. It never is 😉 I will read your review & answer all the questions before I start! Thank you for posting.
Lol yes, the dreaded “It might be different this time!” It never is.