Teenage me loved Twilight. Early 20’s me loved The Host. And 30 year old me enjoyed The Chemist. I may change my mind if I reread them, but I don’t want to ruin it. Lol
@Shelly the first step to healing is acknowledgement ? I was already in my 30s when they came out. Teaching 9th graders. I read through twilight. In an attempt to be relevant with them. Then decided I didn’t give a shit about being relevant with them in that area of life ????♀️??♀️
She is less an author and more of a marketing machine that I feel (IMO) preys on people’s faith to make a lot of money. It’s like the Chicken Soup For The Soul Of spiritual reading. Osteen is up there, too.
You can be bad for the money. A coworker lent me this bestseller once and it was the most awful thing. Cringy, distractingly unrealistic and so predictable it gave me a headache.
It takes more than merit to make money. Sometimes merit isn’t even in the equation. The author or the author’s representative could have a deal with a publisher that has power to push some books. Publishers pay stores like Target to put books on an end display – it costs money for a book to be placed where you can see it
Eye-catching covers and constant exposure and suddenly everyone’s like, that so-and-so is a great writer! They made a movie of it, it must be good!
@Tracy – Whose to judge an author’s motivations? Someone who’s just “in it for the money” could find many easier ways than writing a book. Most make no money. JK Rowling is the richest author in the world but spent 8 years on her book, with no guarantee it would ever get published.
I hate-yes hate when someone big like James Patterson co-authors. I don’t like that this may be the only way to launch a new author, and I don’t like that a celebrity author doesn’t do his own work.
Omg yes!! His name is everywhere, even on books he didn’t write. Plus he co-writes with others a lot . He spits so many books out that he has to have a ghost writer. I met him once and he didn’t say a word or look up even to say hi to my 10 yr old. Heard he’s arrogant
He has a “creative team.” I saw him on a panel which included Alan Alda. He pretty much dissed Alda and people in the audience weren’t very happy about it. You do have to give him credit, though, for his generosity to libraries and booksellers.
I think you might be thinking of the wrong author. Unless you mean his methodically sterile way of transforming characters into one-dimensional cardboard cutouts of people.
@Lisa The one good thing? I was having a pedicure and the woman next to me was reading book 2. I asked her how she liked it. She said she loved it and that she hadn’t read a book in years. She was thrilled that her library carried it. She said that she couldn’t wait to go back and try more. That was music to this librarian’s ears.
@Mamie my 70 yr old mom had heard about it and asked my brother to pick her up a copy. She said she didn’t like it but managed to finish the whole thing.
Lisa Holbert Too funny!! Sadly my mother fell in love with Harry Potter in her 80″s. She stopped reading/listening to it when Mother Angelica on the Catholic channel EWTN said that it was evil. I told her that it was about good v. evil and that good won over evil. It didn’t make any difference. She was losing her eyesight was really, really enjoying Jim Dale’s audio presentations. ???
Karen Miller, author of the Kingmaker, Kingbreaker duology. Don’t bother reading the first book, because it’s 600 pages of poor fluff, and the climax happens on the last page. I was left thinking, “That’s it!?”
@Gwenn I started the wizard as first rule series and found the violence just gratuitous. I am quite happy with violence and gore done well, but this was just unpleasant. The author then got involved in someunpleasant litigation which rather confirmed it for me.
The article you posted just seems to be some fluff opinion piece (by someone who has actually read very little of his most famous series) that could apply to any number of fantasy writers. The only actual quote from Goodkind is very pro women. Besides, if we crucified male authors for writing women from a male perspective, there’d be a waiting line (with Robert Jordan at the front, please).
He’s no more violent or gory than most–there’s no reason to call him “nasty.” And you should probably stay away from horror!!
@Laura There was more material at the time – I just thought this was quite a good contextual analysis. “Nasty” is a fine line – I’m fine with it if it’s relevant and well done. Read Malazan Book Of The Fallen – spectacularlay violent, but well executed. His is just neither IMHO.
I don’t agree with the Bloom guy. Just because you are celebrating some author of this era doesn’t mean you have forgotten the great authors of the last century. We are celebrating new authors but not above / comparing with older ones. Atleast thats my take.
@James but I has seen a huge crowd love her style. I picked up another book and started reading it (I normally don’t look at the author) and instantly knew it was her by the writing. However, I’ve seen supporters on both sides.
Wow! I have to disagree with that choice! Isn’t it interesting that readers can enjoy books but have such strong differences with respect to authors? That is something that keeps life interesting.
I’m going to get a ton of crap for this one but there is something about the way Neil Gaimon tells a story that just drives me nuts. He creates a great story but the way he writes it is often monotonous and one dimensional.
I get it. I loved Neverwhere and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, but I was unable to finish either Stardust or American Gods. He’s very talented but I find him a bit… ponderous? That’s about the best description I can think of.
I was just about to put her down next. I tried reading the books. I got three chapters in, and I almost threw the books. I never stop reading books but this, I did. And I have no desire to see the movies either now. Oy! Terrible terrible writing.
Some of the Amish/Mennonite writers. Not all are created equal. There’s a few main ones – the rest are sooooo repetitive in their style. “What will Joseph do next?” Pretty much at the end of every chapter. ?♀️
James Patterson. Sorry, I said it. I’m actually going to clarify and say that I don’t necessarily think his writing is the worst, just that I like him the least.
Unless she has drastically improved as a writer nothing could induce me to read another word of hers. The Twilight series wasn’t just terrible storytelling but honest to goodness the worst writing I’ve ever read.
I’m sorry they might include a troubled girl and a boy who wants to save her but you’ve completely missed the point about them if that’s what you think. If you read Will Grayson, Will Grayson you’d see that there’s no troubled girl and nobody wants to save anybody. Looking for Alaska is one of my favorite novels and although Alaska is somewhat troubled the book is not about her at all nor does Miles want to save her. You have to keep in mind that these books are meant for adolescents and that they might see and relate to them in ways adults might not even think of. At least I know I have.
Darren Shan. I read 2 of his series and spoilers. Nothing actually happened. Its the whole, “harry woke up back under the stairs. It was only a dream,” thing.
Me…. because my work is unfinished lol. I have respect for anyone who decides to write anything and actually finishes. My least favorite author would be John Irving.
I know that’s why I don’t read Jodi Piquot and J.K. Rowling. Read one book each. Poory written, so I’ve never read another book by either of these wildly popular writers.
I love Dickens. And I love other books and writers from that time period. I keep seeing complaints on here about his “old-fashioned” writing and difficult vocabulary. I can’t figure out why those folks feel that way.
@Denise It was the fact that I found his work depressing and had no connection to any characters, I’ll read Shakespeare or Beowulf or other old fashioned things. But Dickens was horrible. I also put him in the class of dull men writing about duller men like Jack London and other garbage I was forced to read.back in the day when only white male literature was read in school. He had nothing to say to me.
Simon Ginks I judge him because his writing was bad. It was full of characters who had no good qualities and none of the women bore the slightest relationship to real women. After you have been forced to read only feminist writers for 16 years of school, then you can talk to me about my objections to white male drivel. None of his writing has ever resonated with me but somehow you think that must be because I am too stupid to understand his greatness. Well that is just bullshit. He was a crappy writer who wrote crap.
SimonGinks, I think you are mansplaining. When literature refuses to even acknowledge my existence, then I have a right to think it is crap. Again, you read nothing but feminist writing for 16 years and tell me how you fell about it when you are done. When I was in school we did not study even one female writer or one writer of color. Not a single one. Instead it was pure garbage like Dickens. Because at the time women and people of color were specifically told they were incapable of writing anything of substance. There was not a single female artist in my college art history textbook (The one used in almost all art history classes) because the author felt women were incapable of producing art. Great women were erased through my entire educator in favor of mediocre white men.
Judith Moffitt We’re all entitled to our own opinions and reactions about what we read. There are writers I completely disregard after reading a single book they’ve written. There are too many wonderful books to read to spend time on ones we don’t enjoy. I respect your pov, and commented only because I love the works of Dickens and was surprised you didn’t. Happy reading, whatever our differences might be. I’m thrilled that so many Americans are reading passionately and thoughtfully, and am grateful that these web groups are thriving.
Don’t hate me but I think James Patterson is the worst. He cranks out books like popcorn. No depth! I used to work at a library and his books were circulated like crazy. People couldn’t wait to read them. He is a publisher’s dream. It’s all about the money!
I don’t think he’s the worst ever, but one of the worst I’ve read recently is John Green. I know that’s probably not going to go over well, but his books came SO highly recommended, that they were significant let downs. I’ve read two of them, and his characters are all pretty much the same; snarky, unrealistically witty, pretentious teens, who are apparently very attractive yet wildly unpopular, and claim victims to bullying while bullying and insulting others. They were horribly obnoxious characters. I couldn’t find a single one I could relate to, or even moderately tolerate. ??♀️
@Kim in their obnoxiousness? Perhaps! ? I read Fault in our Stars, and the Finding Alaska. I was unimpressed with both. But like I said, still probably not the worst. I tend to avoid books that people say are downright horrible, or I don’t finish books or even remember them well enough to describe, if I absolutely hate them. At least I finished these two. ??♀️?
My grandma used to read her stuff. She turned me onto His Bright Light. Only book I’ve ever picked up of hers and I actually loved it, but it was right up my alley and she knew that lol.
@Sheila stuff it. You knew who I was talking about. Do not inflict whatever thing you have for that Patterson guy onto me. If you have a problem with my reading preferences, you can stick it where the sun does not shine. Patterson, James or otherwise, sucks.
Two amazing and innovating writers of their times. Joyce wrote some beautiful short stories (and coined the word epiphany as it relates to literature) as well as Ulysses. Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse were also mold-breaking novels, and A Room of Ones Own is a core book for women’s rights.
Denise Walsh Woolf was indeed an important feminist figure, but I simply don’t enjoy her writing. I forced myself through To the Lighthouse, which consisted of pages of tedium with virtually no plot and characters that were more like vague ideas of something rather then real people. Mrs. Dalloway was better, but not much. I couldn’t care about her. I confess I haven’t read her others because I disliked these two so much.
I never enjoyed James Joyce and I think Ulysses is one of the worst, most unreadable books ever, a view shared by many, many others, including Virginia Woolf. She wrote about Ulysses, saying it was, “an illiterate, underbred book” that made her feel “puzzled, bored, irritated, & disillusioned as by a queasy undergraduate scratching his pimples.” Her class snobbishness is reflected in a further comment about it: ” . . .the book of a self taught working man, and we all know how distressing they are, how egotistic, insistent, raw, striking and ultimately nauseating.”
I know these two aren’t actually the worst authors ever. But I feel about them like I feel about bad actors in movies – they are overly conscious of their craft, of trying to experiment and be innovative with the result that they come across as self-indulgent and even a bit arrogant. I think they are drastically overrated. That’s my opinion. Others obviously have a different view and I respect that.
I love classic literature and I don’t at all mind a challenge. I just don’t like these two.
not sure “worst” author, but annoyed/angry when author writes about unfamiliar subject as if he/she is expert–like Last of the Mohicans author James fenimore Cooper (never met a Native American, let alone a Mohican) –suspension of disbelief or fantastical settings exempt–
Karen Stauber About fifteen years ago, I worked at Borders. Jodi Picoult came in one day to sign copies of her books. She was delightful, and at one point she said, referring to Nicholas Sparks, “I don’t think Nicky can read.”
Maybe I’m crazy but I don’t even think that there is authors like that. Because I think it is a huge thing to even make some books like this. It is different that your taste is that you don’t like some authors books than it his/her books are a waste of time etc. And maybe I try also find some good things for books and not only negatives when I read them. Even books like 50SoG or LOTR. (Tolkien is one author which books are boring and not of my cup of tea etc.).
STOP! I attended an annual Hemingway Seminar in Ketchum where he ended his life. 120 of us who father tear to study his writing & celebrate him vehemently disagree. I’ve spent 53 years studying Hemingway & his writing. Reading 2 books about him might encourage you to read & reconsider his works. Paul Hendrickson’s Hemingway’s Boat and Valerie Hemingway’s Running with the Bulls are fascinating reads.
I’ve spent over 53 years trying to read Hemingway. My opinion is that he stinks. The question was: who do you think is the worst author ever? Not, which author do you want to defend. smh?
Mark Helprin. His novel, “A Soldier of the Great War” was one of THE WORST novels I’ve yet read. The tale is ponderous and tiresome. The prose also had a tendency to be clunky and superfluous.The main character was an arrogant jerk. Furthermore, the more I read this novel, the more I found myself fighting it, hoping that I would find a more engaging tale. Alas, it was not to be.
This is incredibly fun…if one is uncomfortable with this thread….I would suggest that individual stop reading the posts, stop posting, which is acting a bit Troll-like, and go read for the evening.
@Duella I’m not sure what your comment means, if one expresses their opinion, passionate or not, it’s fine with me, as long as it isn’t hateful, degrading, racist, etc. If I find opinions posted like that, here in this group, then no, that’s not OK with me. Does that help?
Interesting to see how everyone is so comfortable being ugly, mean and vindictive just because its being done in a group. You can dislike someone’s work, you can have solid reasons, but some people here are being downright nasty.
Really? Don’t see a lot of “nasty” or “ugly”. These writers are not really in need of your defense…they are, for the most part, successful, professional people, making a good, or great, living writing books. They know who read, and purchase, their books, and those are whom they write for. A published writer gets critiqued…some love, some like, some dislike, some detest the writing….it’s RARELY personal.
@Kathleen some comments here do sound personal. I understand how it works, not everyone will love everything.. Im just saying thr is a way of expressing yourself that it doesnt have to be abrasive. Perhaps we can agree to disagree.
I really haven’t seen what I would call “personal” attacks or comments….besides I doubt any of these writers are reading any of our comments, so they aren’t really at risk of getting their feelings hurt. If one is referring to comments made toward other posters, I really just see a bit of spirited debate, which is always good and healthy, and a lot of one’s own opinion being expressed. One can then agree or disagree. It’s OK to do that…..even in 2018.
I find posts like this good because it’s a gentle reminder that everyone has different tastes. I personally dont think the worst author is anyone in the fiction genre, but rather there are a few in non fiction (history specifically) that published falsehoods that hurt the general public and think they would qualify for that moniker
I tend to admire anyone who has the tenacity and perseverance to actually write a book and see it through to print, even if I don’t like the book or appreciate their writing “skill”. That said though, the rise in self publishing has launched way too many poorly written books by unskilled authors than I could ever count. But for my money James Redfield who wrote the Celestine Prophecy is probably the worst “real” book author ever. He had a great idea and a wonderful plot. I actually loved his books when I read them years ago, in spite of the amateurish and sophomoric writing.
Here’s the thing. I’m not a published author, so if someone is, I say “well done”. That person wrote and finished and published a book which is more than I have done. I will never criticise that person publicly.
For me Nicholas Sparks — just hate the predictable stories that ultimately make me cry. But in the end everyone has different tastes and I’m always happy to see someone writing and finding their audience.
I’ve enjoyed this thread. Here’s me. Reading my favorite authors new book that dropped today. Several people listed that they hate him. That’s ok. *judgey side eye* ???
Not sure she’s the worst, but not too crazy about Carol Higgins Clark. Read Wrecked and suffered through it. Ending was very annoying and predictable. Glad I only paid a $1 for that book.
For me, a book is badly written or its not. Where writing styles are concerned, I dont really enjoy most of Nicholas Sparks (though The Notebook was ok) and Jodi Picoult (My Sister’s Keeper was not that bad). Dont think they are bad authors though…
Someone who lives near me self published… But other than that, there is a writer of Amish stories named Wanda E. Brunstetter who just seems to copy every story she “writes” from Beverly Lewis who is a good writer… Seriously EVERY story I’ve read by her is a copy cat of Beverly Lewis books.
Of course EL James who wrote the bestselling erotic romance trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Free.. nothing could be worse than this
I’m reading his Mr. Murder. Some chapters are too wordy but somehow it help build up the mood. I’ve read his Voice of the Night and loved it! I’ve read only two of his books, and I still have to read, read, read some of his to tell whether I like him or not.
I don’t remember the authors name but I once read a book where the author used the character’s name every time she referred to her “Alisa laughed and then Alisa went to the kitchen to get a drink. Alisa opened the fridge and Alisa sighed to herself because all the juice was gone’
That’s not a direct quote but the whole book was written like that. I had to put it down after the thirty fifth mention of Alisa in the first two pages ??♀️
I’ve just started to read the thread and when I see Danielle Steele and James Joyce as the answers to the same question, I understand it’s all a matter of taste…
Haha okay I haven’t read it so I can’t comment on the writing. I’m commenting only on the fact that you can’t have an opinion if you haven’t read the book. 😉
@Laura, since I have trouble critiquing someone else’s love, I figured I’d attack the actual author. Also, the post didn’t specify, so I figured he was fair game! Anyway, I didn’t care for Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall. But it received the Man Booker prize, so who am I to judge?
I don’t particularly like reading Danielle Steele but every time my imagination dries up and writers block sets in, I find her very inspirational and I will plough through her works in the comfort that if she can get a novel published, I surely can too…
Exactly, when I posted this I knew that I was going to see the name of some of my favorites, but it’s really interesting to read so many different opinions
@Rosanne even the Da Vinci was a poorly constructed novel. The entire idea was strolen from more interesting books. A poor novel sold by an intriguing premise.
@Linda I was saying last night that if they changed the music in the movies to something darker it would be perfect for Lifetime lol he’s a psycho control freak
Laura Rushing because it started out on fanfic dot net — the whole thing still baffles me. She pulled a great con job. We can only hope she’s a one hit wonder
@Michelle I haven’t seen the movie but I know what you mean. You can watch a woman walking down the street in a movie or TV show and just tell by the music whether she is in danger or not.
ok first of all the author of 50 shades of grey, secondly J.K. Rowling and thirdly Ken Follet. Not that I think he doesn’t have a talent for writing but I think he expresses it wrongly.
Also….why all the hate for JK??? Wtf people???? Just bc you don’t like her doesn’t mean she is a bad writer. I think she is one of the best writers, no other author has allowed me to escape into another world like she has.
Omg.. i must have the worst taste ever.. my favorites are on the worst list and I can’t love Stephen King even tho I’ve tried! No one has made me fall in love with characters and a story like JK Rowling!
Wait, JK Rowling is on the worst list?! ? I mean, granted, I’m reading Harry Potter right now, in my 30s, for the first time ever, and I was incredibly skeptical of their cult-inducing popularity, but her stories are very creative and elaborate! My 9 year old daughter convinced my parents, in their 50s/60s to begin reading them, and they love them too! Haha I can’t ever get behind Stephen King either. I hate scary stuff. To each their own! Love what you love! ❤️
I love scary….horror and thrillers! Not so much for romance, but I did read it as a teen. I still haven’t read Harry Potter, but we love the movies. My kids have the books..they are grown kids…so there’s still a chance I might read them.
@Lee that may be true, but when you take into consideration the time she came on the scene, youth/ya fiction didn’t have many options. Because of my reading level, I was reading books with pretty inappropriate storylines in my middle school years. I’d already read all the classics. Today the youth and ya sections are filled with fantasy fiction stories that just weren’t there when Rowling began.
@Erin She is still overrated in my opinion. I know she gave birth to so many readers, but the fact remains, she’s still very much overrated as a writer….I think.
@Erin thank you! She was a genius with this story! Every idea she intoduces is followed thru.. every character she has is made to feel like you know them in real life! I’ve never read a book series before where I felt like I lost my best friends when they were over and this one made me mourn for a long time!
I have heard her newer ones are less romance. The series I bought is about witches, but I haven’t read them yet. Also Year One is a dystopian novel…also haven’t read…but thinking about it.? Guess we will see…lol…or I will.?
Nora Robert’s seems repetitive. Like every story follows the same format and she just rolls some dice to pick out a subject. It always seem to be 3 woman( witches, sisters, or friends) who all fall in love in some magical fancy town and all have to fight some big bad evil.
It is…amazing to see the differences. But sad when people get mean…then others get defensive. I tend to try to avoid these posts…for that reason….but I keep looking at them…so guess I haven’t completely given up!?
The first ever mystery I ever read was by Mary Higgins Clark and I was so hooked on her books BUT she has never progressed. I first started reading her almost 30 years ago. I feel a writer should show progression and she just writes the same old mystery where you can pretty much guess who did it from the start. I was bored to tears when I picked up one of her books about a year ago and I really can’t be bothered with her now. To many good mystery/thriller writers out there now.
@Kay I haven’t read any of her books. I was thinking about getting one of her books after reading reviews on this page about her stories being funny, but I just never got around to picking one up. Maybe I won’t bother, lol
@Susan I feel that was about Sidney Sheldon. He was the reason I became obsessed with reading. Now when I read his books I think to myself, “wow, this seemed way better the first time I read it”, haha. But I was also 15 and stupid, so…. ???
@Cathy exactly! Our minds mature and we view things differently. @KayKay I’ve heard the Plum series was good, with humor. I found the same thing with the series that James Patterson had, the women’s murder club, I liked the first couple but then they all started sounding the same.
@Tammy I read Sydney Sheldon too and loved Master of the Game. That was the first book of his I ever read and I fell in love with him. I read a lot of his books but I got a bit bored of him too, like you. I was always a big reader when I was little then it turned to all romance novels. I only started reading mystery when I first got a book from my mom by Mary Higgins Clark and I was hooked on mystery and romance. I bored easy only reading those two styles of books but since discovering other genres and the YA world I have been reading for 3 years straight and haven’t lost momentum or been in a slump yet. It really opened up a whole new world of reading for me.
@Tammy one last thing. Have you ever read anything from Carol Higgins Clark? If not don’t bother…she is worse then her mother. I tried 2 of her books and both was a struggle to get through. I was even more bored with her books and her writing is awful. I hate to be so negative but my gosh were her books awful. Maybe she has gotten better. It has been about 20 years since I tried the 2 books I got but those two books did me in. I’m good with not reading from her again. If you read her and like her then I apologize for knocking someone you may like. I truly mean no disrespect.
@Susan back in the day Sidney Sheldon was the trashy book to read. I was working in a hospital years ago and walked into a patients room and this darling old Italian lady whipped something under her covers. When she saw me, she brought out her book from under the covers and said, I thought you were Father ———-it was a Sidney Sheldon book with the bodice ripper red cover. We had a good laugh.
I actually find all the different opinions very interesting….opinions are always subjective, right? Negative I guess if someone else’s reading material matters to you?
But my point is that it tends to get nasty. I couldn’t care less about whether or not people’s opinions about a book agree with mine, I just dislike it when the implications start about books being bad books, rather than books that are not to your taste.
I guess I give credit to anyone who writes and gets a book published. Just because I don’t like them doesn’t mean the author is bad. Blessedly we all like different things. I could mention an author that someone else loves. Go figure. My least favorite author would be EL James.
Jonathan Franzen and John Irving. They both have written books whose styles just fall flat. I have had to go back and read whole pages to make sense of the book.
it took me a year to read A prayer for Owen Meany. the story itself was pretty good but i also had to go back and re-read sections and found myself putting it down for long stretches of time.
@Greta I can feel this vibe. I despised the actual character harry. And said so somewhere last week and was Surprised to find I wasn’t the only one. #teamhermoine #slytherin (but I did read all the books. )
@Greta I think it came at a time where there was a void in youth literature. She really was a Renaissance writer in that aspect. I was still in college, and had education friends whose lives were so much better teaching wise, with this series being something connected young kids and got them excited to read.
I LOVED her books in my teen years! Maybe because they were a decent stepping stone from Nancy Drew as a kid, or maybe because I couldn’t handle anything any scarier. Maybe a combo. ??♀️ But I haven’t tried reading them as an adult. I’m curious now!
Dan Brown is on the cbs morning news, they had John Grisham on last week. I wish they would pick some not so famous authors to have on instead of these millionaires. Maybe a Pulitzer winner or someone with a great debut novel, or a great new nonfiction.
Stephanie Myers
@Crystal my teenage self wants to disagree but adult self knows ??
@Shelly Same ???
Teenage me loved Twilight. Early 20’s me loved The Host. And 30 year old me enjoyed The Chemist. I may change my mind if I reread them, but I don’t want to ruin it. Lol
@Shelly the first step to healing is acknowledgement ? I was already in my 30s when they came out. Teaching 9th graders. I read through twilight. In an attempt to be relevant with them. Then decided I didn’t give a shit about being relevant with them in that area of life ????♀️??♀️
Katie Price ?
Joyce Meyer
@Christa really? Why?
She is less an author and more of a marketing machine that I feel (IMO) preys on people’s faith to make a lot of money. It’s like the Chicken Soup For The Soul Of spiritual reading. Osteen is up there, too.
I agree.
The ones who only do it for the money.
Hmmm…but to get ‘the money’ you can’t be the worst….or no one would buy your book????
You can be bad for the money. A coworker lent me this bestseller once and it was the most awful thing. Cringy, distractingly unrealistic and so predictable it gave me a headache.
I do think the right marketing and covers get books much further than they ought to get in many cases.
I just can’t imagine that awful books sell.
It takes more than merit to make money. Sometimes merit isn’t even in the equation. The author or the author’s representative could have a deal with a publisher that has power to push some books. Publishers pay stores like Target to put books on an end display – it costs money for a book to be placed where you can see it
Eye-catching covers and constant exposure and suddenly everyone’s like, that so-and-so is a great writer! They made a movie of it, it must be good!
No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money. Samuel Johnson
@Cathy I’ve been a bookseller off and on for almost 50 years. Trash sells.
@Tracy – Whose to judge an author’s motivations? Someone who’s just “in it for the money” could find many easier ways than writing a book. Most make no money. JK Rowling is the richest author in the world but spent 8 years on her book, with no guarantee it would ever get published.
I was meaning your z list celebs. They’re not true authors, they get a book published because of their so called fame and nothing else.
@Cathy, case in point IMHO is the Twilight series. Hugely successful, terrible books.
Danielle Steel
Danielle Steele
James Joyce
Not even close. But maybe impenetrable? 🙂
@Paolo I read The Dead 20+ years ago and it was so awful that I still have a visceral reaction when I think of it. ?
@Laura Did you try Finnegans Wake? XD
@Paolo nope. The experience with The Dead was plenty. The sense of loathing I have for that was enough to ensure I will never try Joyce again!
I hate-yes hate when someone big like James Patterson co-authors. I don’t like that this may be the only way to launch a new author, and I don’t like that a celebrity author doesn’t do his own work.
Omg yes!! His name is everywhere, even on books he didn’t write. Plus he co-writes with others a lot . He spits so many books out that he has to have a ghost writer. I met him once and he didn’t say a word or look up even to say hi to my 10 yr old. Heard he’s arrogant
I could quickly tell when he started relying on ghost writers
He has a “creative team.” I saw him on a panel which included Alan Alda. He pretty much dissed Alda and people in the audience weren’t very happy about it. You do have to give him credit, though, for his generosity to libraries and booksellers.
E.L James
☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️
Did you know that she had the audacity to write a ‘how to write’ book? I laughed so much I nearly fell off my chair when I heard that! 😀
Sorry if this offends anyone but I’m not a fan of James Patterson.
That I could like that a hundred times!
@Heather although I am a fan I understand. Some of his books I’m like what in the world is this?
@Heather me either…
He doesn’t write his own books. So he deserves this comment
He is terrible!
“He” is a committee.
I didn’t know he had ghostwriters! ? Granted, the only book I read by him was The Jester. I remember liking it.
Too right. Also EL James.
E L james and stephanie meyer
Bad or not? They’re all worth a motza! Lol.
Anne Rice. Tried to read “Vampire” after enjoying the movie, shouldn’t have bothered
Anne Rice is awesome.
Nicholas Sparks
@Cindy Not bad for an accounting major.
You spend the whole book just guessing who he’s going to kill
I think you might be thinking of the wrong author. Unless you mean his methodically sterile way of transforming characters into one-dimensional cardboard cutouts of people.
@Cindy I’m not. Someone dies or almost dies in the majority, if not all, of his books
This is true.
Who wrote the Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy? I think I made it about a chapter.
I couldn’t get past the first two pages. You’re a stronger woman than I.
Lol. Do I get something for going three chapters?
It WAS horrid.
Lynette Massey winner winner chicken dinner! Sending you a promotional copy of the movie trilogy. ?
@Lisa The one good thing? I was having a pedicure and the woman next to me was reading book 2. I asked her how she liked it. She said she loved it and that she hadn’t read a book in years. She was thrilled that her library carried it. She said that she couldn’t wait to go back and try more. That was music to this librarian’s ears.
@Mamie my 70 yr old mom had heard about it and asked my brother to pick her up a copy. She said she didn’t like it but managed to finish the whole thing.
Lisa Holbert Too funny!! Sadly my mother fell in love with Harry Potter in her 80″s. She stopped reading/listening to it when Mother Angelica on the Catholic channel EWTN said that it was evil. I told her that it was about good v. evil and that good won over evil. It didn’t make any difference. She was losing her eyesight was really, really enjoying Jim Dale’s audio presentations. ???
@Mamie ughh… sorry to hear that.
I made 30 pages. Then just abandoned it. It was too horrible
Tie between whoever wrote Twilight and that 50 Shades of Drivel.
And I loved both series
@Michelle when I found out 50 shades started off as fan fiction for Twilight I wasn’t surprised at all
@Morgan ha. Makes perfect sense.
Anita Blake
Good until obsidian butterfly, then absolute trash after
Absolutely agree with you!!!
lol
do u mean laurell k hamilton?
@Jennifer Yeah. Couldn’t remember her name. I think I blotted it from my memory after being forced to read the series by my best friend.
@Lee she has another series about some sort of fairie kingdom that I thought was even worse
@Jennifer Lord, no
It’s a toss up between James Patterson and Anita Shreve.
Danielle Steel
Agreed. I just can’t.
@Susan ?
@Sherry I’m not too fond of her myself but she is hardly the worst
@Francine she is to me!
Rick Riordan
I really wanted to like his books but I couldn’t
@Karen me too!!! Good idea, TERRIBLE execution!
Zane Gray
John Kennedy Toole, author of A Confederacy of Dunces.
Blasphemy
I understand but can’t say I agree ?
It’s the favorite book of two of my favorite people. It was not my favorite.
Loved it.
Karen Miller, author of the Kingmaker, Kingbreaker duology. Don’t bother reading the first book, because it’s 600 pages of poor fluff, and the climax happens on the last page. I was left thinking, “That’s it!?”
Thanks! ?
Terry Goodkind – nasty books and seems like a nasty man.
Nasty??
Interesting. I don’t know about him, but I am on my second book by him and don’t find it either nasty. Dark at times. Maybe that’s what you mean?
@Gwenn I started the wizard as first rule series and found the violence just gratuitous. I am quite happy with violence and gore done well, but this was just unpleasant. The author then got involved in someunpleasant litigation which rather confirmed it for me.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2018/mar/06/terry-goodkind-sexism-cover-shroud-eternity
The article you posted just seems to be some fluff opinion piece (by someone who has actually read very little of his most famous series) that could apply to any number of fantasy writers. The only actual quote from Goodkind is very pro women. Besides, if we crucified male authors for writing women from a male perspective, there’d be a waiting line (with Robert Jordan at the front, please).
He’s no more violent or gory than most–there’s no reason to call him “nasty.” And you should probably stay away from horror!!
@Laura There was more material at the time – I just thought this was quite a good contextual analysis. “Nasty” is a fine line – I’m fine with it if it’s relevant and well done. Read Malazan Book Of The Fallen – spectacularlay violent, but well executed. His is just neither IMHO.
I found Lee Child laughable. I managed a book and a half of the Reacher series, and gave up.
@James this is one of those VERY few times I’ll say the movies are better!
I saw the first one, and enjoyed it. I know the purists were horrified at the choice of casting but I liked Cruise in the role.
@James same!
Dean Koontz. Not a fan at all.
Yep…read one, read them all
@Missy I hear that!
Tie between Erich Segal of Love Story fame and whoever wrote that Bridges of Madison County drivel.
I actually threw Bridges against the wall. It was a soft porn fantasy for a lot of people, and they loved it.
Bridges was ridiculous! Everybody in that small community would have known she was carrying on with him while her husband was gone
@Sarah And why did a disaffected farm wife have to be Italian, of all things? I’m sure there are many American farm wives who are lonely.
@Denise yes and that was another irritating part of the plot!
And what loving mother would leave a note to her grieving children that didn’t love their father??
Stephen King, JK Rowling, Paulo Coelho
@James Yeah, because these three as SO unassailable XD
I’m not a Rowling fan either man, but worst author EVER? Get outta here ya big kidder.
Also, I don’t know who that dude is but someone put caterpillars on his face ?♂️
@James Yeah, the greatest living literary critic definitely serves that. Stop it Nightman! XD
I googled him. He wrote a novel once. Apparently it was garbage ?
@James Well, I think you’re not fond of literary criticisms? Google The Western Canon and read this ?https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/the-immortal-harold-bloom-the-greatest-literary-critic-on-the-planet-a7681621.html
How is that possible?!?
@Tania It is, only if you branch out and discover. 🙂
I don’t agree with the Bloom guy. Just because you are celebrating some author of this era doesn’t mean you have forgotten the great authors of the last century. We are celebrating new authors but not above / comparing with older ones. Atleast thats my take.
I think Stephen King can be hit or miss, and most of his writing fits into a niche.
@Paolo as oppposed to who, el james?
King is Awesome.
I hope King writes forever…good or bad. He has given millions to Maine libraries.
I don’t really get the argument, either. Just because he’s a celebrated critic, we all have to share his opinions? No thanks, buddy. I’ll form my own.
Joyce Carol Oates
Really?!
@James it was The Falls…. her writting style KILLED me
@Vicki Okay… ??
@James but I has seen a huge crowd love her style. I picked up another book and started reading it (I normally don’t look at the author) and instantly knew it was her by the writing. However, I’ve seen supporters on both sides.
@Vicki I’m one of the supporters ??
Hi, sorry to throw shade. <3
@Vicki That’s what differences of opinion are all about. Even worse, I loved Moby Dick and Ulysses. ?
@James i was down with Moby but never even tried Ulysses
@Vicki I was a Lit Major so I had an Irish Lit professor guide me through. I would never have made it on my own!!
One of my favorite writers. She’s a genius, and has written so many good novels and short stories.
@James I was guided through A Tale of Two Cities… love the book, but never could’ve don’t it myself, especially in High School no less
@Denise maybe I never grabbed the right one ?♀️
Vicki E Wood Try Because It is Bitter and Because It Is My Heart. It’s one of her earliest books, and relatively short.
Wow! I have to disagree with that choice!
Isn’t it interesting that readers can enjoy books but have such strong differences with respect to authors? That is something that keeps life interesting.
She seems like a lovely person, but I tried a book of her short stories and had never been so bored in my life.
I’m going to get a ton of crap for this one but there is something about the way Neil Gaimon tells a story that just drives me nuts. He creates a great story but the way he writes it is often monotonous and one dimensional.
I get it. I loved Neverwhere and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, but I was unable to finish either Stardust or American Gods. He’s very talented but I find him a bit… ponderous? That’s about the best description I can think of.
He’s my favorite author, but he’s not for everyone. I agree with Del. Those were two of my favorites and two of my least favorites.
American God’s the audiobook was so much better.
I’m currently reading American Gods, I’ll think about this once I finish
The gal who wrote Fifty Shades of Grey. I’ve blocked her name from my brain.
I was just about to put her down next.
I tried reading the books. I got three chapters in, and I almost threw the books. I never stop reading books but this, I did. And I have no desire to see the movies either now. Oy! Terrible terrible writing.
I’ve never read them but believe she might be it. The only thing I can say is she got lots of people to read.
Some of the Amish/Mennonite writers. Not all are created equal. There’s a few main ones – the rest are sooooo repetitive in their style. “What will Joseph do next?” Pretty much at the end of every chapter. ?♀️
Love Joyce Carol Oates and I would say the worse author I know is a local person and I won’t name names.
J. D. Salinger. Maybe not the worst, but way, way, way overrated!
@Lee ?
I Nicholas Sparks.
Agree
The Notebook was great but the rest of his stuff seems pretty much the same. A lot of authors fall into that.
@Agnes yes he is gaggy!
Nora Roberts.
Whoa! Thems fightin words!
Yep, read one, read them all.
Oh wait, read one trilogy, read them all.
Danielle Steel
You’re my favourite person ever!
James Patterson. Sorry, I said it.
I’m actually going to clarify and say that I don’t necessarily think his writing is the worst, just that I like him the least.
EL James
completely agree
Dan Brown
Dan Brown
Romance novelists. Yawn.
Don’t hate me but Leigh Bardugo
@Tara I don’t hate you but I am… shocked.
E L James
Sarah J Maas! There I said it and I’m not taking it back.
Oh wait Rainbow Rowell
How is that even possible?
Stephanie Meyers
@Shannon have you read her other book The Host? I love that book and the movie. But I can’t do Twilight ?
Unless she has drastically improved as a writer nothing could induce me to read another word of hers. The Twilight series wasn’t just terrible storytelling but honest to goodness the worst writing I’ve ever read.
@Shannon saaaaame. Sentence structure. Wording. Juvenile. So bad.
Who wrote 50 Shades? That one.
Absolutely agree, can’t even be bothered to remember her name xxx
Since I asked this I have to say my answer is Paulo Coelho.
I just don’t understand what’s so great about his books. I hate them, sorry but I just do.
Herman Melville
E.L. James
Same
Agreed. You can predict the entire story after the first 5 pages. Simple Simon
John Green
@Bonnie you’re my spirit animal! John Green is my least favorite!
I’ve tried 3 books. Hated them. Always about a boy who wants to save a troubled or sick girl. Bleh.
I’m sorry they might include a troubled girl and a boy who wants to save her but you’ve completely missed the point about them if that’s what you think. If you read Will Grayson, Will Grayson you’d see that there’s no troubled girl and nobody wants to save anybody. Looking for Alaska is one of my favorite novels and although Alaska is somewhat troubled the book is not about her at all nor does Miles want to save her. You have to keep in mind that these books are meant for adolescents and that they might see and relate to them in ways adults might not even think of. At least I know I have.
Yeah, not gonna happen. 3 books wasted my time. I have better things to read.
Darren Shan. I read 2 of his series and spoilers. Nothing actually happened. Its the whole, “harry woke up back under the stairs. It was only a dream,” thing.
Not a fan of Jennifer Egan.
Me…. because my work is unfinished lol. I have respect for anyone who decides to write anything and actually finishes. My least favorite author would be John Irving.
@Charlene you have the best answer to this q. I’m sure u r a wonderful, sensitive writer.
@Mehraavar thank you. I try and plan to keep at it until I am done.
I don’t like John Irving at all. Period!
I think a good author can write one bad book and if that’s the book you read first…wham you hate them.
I know that’s why I don’t read Jodi Piquot and J.K. Rowling. Read one book each. Poory written, so I’ve never read another book by either of these wildly popular writers.
One author I just can’t get into is Scott Westerfeld. I’ve tried reading several of his books and I can’t even finish them.
Anonymous
I don’t know!
Whoever wrote 50 shades of grey…
I highly respect you for not knowing who wrote it ?
Ken Follett
@Bonnie pillars of the Earth is one of my favorites. In my top 10.
@Bonnie that was awesome
I liked Pillars, but you definitely nailed the review, haha
Dickens
@Judith yes! I don’t understand why people love those books.
I was never a fan either, but I had to read several books for highschool English. Great Expectations was a bore to me.
@Jacquelyn I love them, but, then again, I’m kind of weird.
I love Dickens. And I love other books and writers from that time period. I keep seeing complaints on here about his “old-fashioned” writing and difficult vocabulary. I can’t figure out why those folks feel that way.
No way.
@Denise It was the fact that I found his work depressing and had no connection to any characters, I’ll read Shakespeare or Beowulf or other old fashioned things. But Dickens was horrible. I also put him in the class of dull men writing about duller men like Jack London and other garbage I was forced to read.back in the day when only white male literature was read in school. He had nothing to say to me.
Simon Ginks I judge him because his writing was bad. It was full of characters who had no good qualities and none of the women bore the slightest relationship to real women. After you have been forced to read only feminist writers for 16 years of school, then you can talk to me about my objections to white male drivel. None of his writing has ever resonated with me but somehow you think that must be because I am too stupid to understand his greatness. Well that is just bullshit. He was a crappy writer who wrote crap.
SimonGinks, I think you are mansplaining. When literature refuses to even acknowledge my existence, then I have a right to think it is crap. Again, you read nothing but feminist writing for 16 years and tell me how you fell about it when you are done. When I was in school we did not study even one female writer or one writer of color. Not a single one. Instead it was pure garbage like Dickens. Because at the time women and people of color were specifically told they were incapable of writing anything of substance. There was not a single female artist in my college art history textbook (The one used in almost all art history classes) because the author felt women were incapable of producing art. Great women were erased through my entire educator in favor of mediocre white men.
Judith Moffitt We’re all entitled to our own opinions and reactions about what we read. There are writers I completely disregard after reading a single book they’ve written. There are too many wonderful books to read to spend time on ones we don’t enjoy. I respect your pov, and commented only because I love the works of Dickens and was surprised you didn’t. Happy reading, whatever our differences might be. I’m thrilled that so many Americans are reading passionately and thoughtfully, and am grateful that these web groups are thriving.
Stephanie meyer
Why?
Who?
@Jean she wrote the host and the twilight series.
@Souha I just couldn’t read anything she wrote. Didnt like her style. Very long and bland.
Same could be said for the movies
Just go on Amazon and you’ll see all kinds of wonders ?
@Souha Especially those free ones ?
Don’t hate me but I think James Patterson is the worst. He cranks out books like popcorn. No depth! I used to work at a library and his books were circulated like crazy. People couldn’t wait to read them. He is a publisher’s dream. It’s all about the money!
@Michele But at least he spreads his wealth around, even if it may be self-serving.
I can’t stand the author of 50 shades of grey. Also another least favorite is Nelson Demille and Joyce Carol Oates.
My sister used to call Nora Roberts books f**k books.
Jodi Picoult. I know, so many of you love her, but to me, she slams you in the face with emotion – “Feel this! And this!” No subtlety at all.
Not a fan of Picoult either.
Agreed.
I don’t think he’s the worst ever, but one of the worst I’ve read recently is John Green. I know that’s probably not going to go over well, but his books came SO highly recommended, that they were significant let downs. I’ve read two of them, and his characters are all pretty much the same; snarky, unrealistically witty, pretentious teens, who are apparently very attractive yet wildly unpopular, and claim victims to bullying while bullying and insulting others. They were horribly obnoxious characters. I couldn’t find a single one I could relate to, or even moderately tolerate. ??♀️
@Erin so, they were realistic? ? yeah, I agree, but I did like the Fault. Not exactly loved, but good enough.
@Kim in their obnoxiousness? Perhaps! ? I read Fault in our Stars, and the Finding Alaska. I was unimpressed with both. But like I said, still probably not the worst. I tend to avoid books that people say are downright horrible, or I don’t finish books or even remember them well enough to describe, if I absolutely hate them. At least I finished these two. ??♀️?
N O N E!!!
Lisa DeJong!
Me ,?
@Sibas Hey! I’m right up there with you!
J D Salinger. OTT
I would not even comment. That’s not a very nice question.
@Linda Oh, but it’s been a great thread!
Joan Didion
Stephanie Meyer…
Danielle Steele. Swear she uses fill-in-the-blanks like Mad Libs ??
That’s what I’ve always said, changes names and locations.
True sometimes, but she’s written some that I’ve loved.
My grandma used to read her stuff. She turned me onto His Bright Light. Only book I’ve ever picked up of hers and I actually loved it, but it was right up my alley and she knew that lol.
To be completely candid, me.
Hey, that sentence was pretty good.
I enjoy well crafted sentences.
That Patterson guy.
His name is James Patterson NOT The Patterson guy *smh*
But you knew who she was talking about….I completely agree…
@Sheila stuff it. You knew who I was talking about. Do not inflict whatever thing you have for that Patterson guy onto me. If you have a problem with my reading preferences, you can stick it where the sun does not shine. Patterson, James or otherwise, sucks.
@Christina agree!!!!!!!
I agree… James Patterson is the worst for me. But he is prolific!
His average book averages around 6 million chapters too.
@Susan easy to be prolific when you have half a dozen other people doing the actual writing!
Stuart Woods. Tried reading one of his once and it read like a screen play. I really don’t need that much actual direction as to what’s going on.
I love Stuart Woods!
His first books were pretty good, but he’s definitely gotten into a rut, and not a good one.
And why does every woman his main character meets leap into bed with him? That got old fast.
Eugene O’Neil. Nearly died of boredom reading his plays in college ?
This has been an interesting thread. We who are passionate about books can get critical when things aren’t good.
I’d say it’s more so we get pretentious and condescending, when we dont like something, but hey, we all see things differently lol.
Thank goodness.
James Joyce. Or maybe Virginia Woolf. How about worst male and worst female? Then it works.
Two amazing and innovating writers of their times. Joyce wrote some beautiful short stories (and coined the word epiphany as it relates to literature) as well as Ulysses. Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse were also mold-breaking novels, and A Room of Ones Own is a core book for women’s rights.
Denise Walsh Woolf was indeed an important feminist figure, but I simply don’t enjoy her writing. I forced myself through To the Lighthouse, which consisted of pages of tedium with virtually no plot and characters that were more like vague ideas of something rather then real people. Mrs. Dalloway was better, but not much. I couldn’t care about her. I confess I haven’t read her others because I disliked these two so much.
I never enjoyed James Joyce and I think Ulysses is one of the worst, most unreadable books ever, a view shared by many, many others, including Virginia Woolf. She wrote about Ulysses, saying it was, “an illiterate, underbred book” that made her feel “puzzled, bored, irritated, & disillusioned as by a queasy undergraduate scratching his pimples.” Her class snobbishness is reflected in a further comment about it: ” . . .the book of a self taught working man, and we all know how distressing they are, how egotistic, insistent, raw, striking and ultimately nauseating.”
I know these two aren’t actually the worst authors ever. But I feel about them like I feel about bad actors in movies – they are overly conscious of their craft, of trying to experiment and be innovative with the result that they come across as self-indulgent and even a bit arrogant. I think they are drastically overrated. That’s my opinion. Others obviously have a different view and I respect that.
I love classic literature and I don’t at all mind a challenge. I just don’t like these two.
That 50 Shades of Gray woman.
not sure “worst” author, but annoyed/angry when author writes about unfamiliar subject as if he/she is expert–like Last of the Mohicans author James fenimore Cooper (never met a Native American, let alone a Mohican)
–suspension of disbelief or fantastical settings exempt–
@Dee and the Mohicans even have their own website….which means there is no last Mohican.?
Nicholas Sparks
Karen Stauber About fifteen years ago, I worked at Borders. Jodi Picoult came in one day to sign copies of her books. She was delightful, and at one point she said, referring to Nicholas Sparks, “I don’t think Nicky can read.”
He was an accounting major.
The guy who wrote The Celestine Prophecy
The lady who writes the house of night series. I gave up after the 7th book
At least it took you seven!
@Jenny hahaha
The twilight chick. SMH.
Johnny Punk Really? Twilight was a series for teens. I thought The Host was pretty good
Teen or not ….writing is writing. It was cliche and predictable…… Just my opinion. ?
Britta lundin
Maybe I’m crazy but I don’t even think that there is authors like that. Because I think it is a huge thing to even make some books like this. It is different that your taste is that you don’t like some authors books than it his/her books are a waste of time etc. And maybe I try also find some good things for books and not only negatives when I read them. Even books like 50SoG or LOTR. (Tolkien is one author which books are boring and not of my cup of tea etc.).
Flannery O’Connor.
I think she’s amazing. Love her shory stories.
@Denise I feel like I should love her too, but my stomach aches when I read her work.
she is a difficult author, but an amazing writer. Her short stories have influenced so many of us who attempt such writing.
@Jenny
Jackie Collins
Merriam Webster
I dont know, probably the one that gave up and didnt try and finish their book.
did Chump write a book? ?
Several????
Hemingway?
Nooooo!
Yesssss. Unless you’re willing to wade through garbage for a few gems.
Glinda Farquart That’s my reaction, too. I just finished a reread of A Farewell to Arms, and it’s still a favorite. And the short stories!!
STOP! I attended an annual Hemingway Seminar in Ketchum where he ended his life. 120 of us who father tear to study his writing & celebrate him vehemently disagree. I’ve spent 53 years studying Hemingway & his writing. Reading 2 books about him might encourage you to read & reconsider his works. Paul Hendrickson’s Hemingway’s Boat and Valerie Hemingway’s Running with the Bulls are fascinating reads.
I’ve spent over 53 years trying to read Hemingway. My opinion is that he stinks. The question was: who do you think is the worst author ever? Not, which author do you want to defend. smh?
@Glinda ok. I’m done. This was a page where I could escape negativity & rude responses. I guess it t was a matter of time.
@Glinda ok. PLEASE stop. SMH.
STOP! Who’s rude?
@Glinda Nope. You can do that if you are so inclined.
I was agreeing with @Rebecca
@Duella oh Lord…she is so NOT being rude….she is simply passionate and doesn’t agree…that SHOULD be OK here
@Kathleen as should my opinion.
@Duella abosolutely…until “STOP” and “I’m done”
@Kathleen hmmm….ok.
Danielle Steele. Just sit down at a typewriter with a bottle of wine.
Probably not a popular opinion, but Shakespeare.
@Kathy was literally thinking that in my head. Still thank you!
@Kathy I like him when other people explain. Or when he’s on Doctor Who ???
James Patterson
Cassie Edwards.
How can this even be answered? And why??
@Joyce Bc it’s fun. Some people have named my favorite author here. I like hearing others
Viewpoints. ???♀️
@Joyce I think it’s a hoot!
Mark Helprin. His novel, “A Soldier of the Great War” was one of THE WORST novels I’ve yet read. The tale is ponderous and tiresome. The prose also had a tendency to be clunky and superfluous.The main character was an arrogant jerk. Furthermore, the more I read this novel, the more I found myself fighting it, hoping that I would find a more engaging tale. Alas, it was not to be.
tldr lol
@Stacy – I leave it to you to read the novel and decide for yourself.
Cheryl Strayed, Dan Brown
Stuart Woods…he seems to be a pompous so and so.
E. L. James…ugh!
from the books i read Sidney Sheldon
@Tina I agree!
The Twilight author.
Cheryl Strayed
I really thought that Wild was awful
@Debra I hated it sooo much.
@Bonnie — if you want a real stinko, (don’t) read The Emperor of Ocean Park…
Cheryl Strayed and Danielle Steel
How is this post even productive? There is too much negativity in the world these days without passionate readers adding to it.
Passionate readers have strong opinions they want to express.
@Terri I understand that. But asking who the worst author is it s not a productive question.
@Georgina ah, yes. I was deluded into thinking this site might provide that.
@Duella No, but it’s a popular one
@Terri yes. That attracted me.
Don’t like a post, don’t post on it. I’ve enjoyed reading and giggling over our passionate literary opinions. I don’t view it as negative.
Oh my! I think this thread is a lot of fun. ?
How can we appreciate the best without discussing the worse?
This is incredibly fun…if one is uncomfortable with this thread….I would suggest that individual stop reading the posts, stop posting, which is acting a bit Troll-like, and go read for the evening.
@Kathleen wow. So every opinion is not ok. Huh.
@Duella I’m not sure what your comment means, if one expresses their opinion, passionate or not, it’s fine with me, as long as it isn’t hateful, degrading, racist, etc. If I find opinions posted like that, here in this group, then no, that’s not OK with me. Does that help?
E.L. James.
Stephanie Meyer and E.L. James
The guy who wrote The Emperor of Ocean Park
Nicholas Sparks. I like some of the movies based on his books, but find his books unreadable.
That person who wrote the 50 shades of gray
Omg yes!!! I read the back cover and immediately knew it was trash. Put it right down
Smart
Move
@Jonathan One man’s trash i another’s treasure. ?
Interesting to see how everyone is so comfortable being ugly, mean and vindictive just because its being done in a group. You can dislike someone’s work, you can have solid reasons, but some people here are being downright nasty.
Really? Don’t see a lot of “nasty” or “ugly”. These writers are not really in need of your defense…they are, for the most part, successful, professional people, making a good, or great, living writing books. They know who read, and purchase, their books, and those are whom they write for. A published writer gets critiqued…some love, some like, some dislike, some detest the writing….it’s RARELY personal.
@Kathleen some comments here do sound personal. I understand how it works, not everyone will love everything.. Im just saying thr is a way of expressing yourself that it doesnt have to be abrasive. Perhaps we can agree to disagree.
I really haven’t seen what I would call “personal” attacks or comments….besides I doubt any of these writers are reading any of our comments, so they aren’t really at risk of getting their feelings hurt. If one is referring to comments made toward other posters, I really just see a bit of spirited debate, which is always good and healthy, and a lot of one’s own opinion being expressed. One can then agree or disagree. It’s OK to do that…..even in 2018.
@Kathleen i dont want to single out the comments i found harsh. Like I said, we can agree to disagree.
I don’t see anyone being nasty.
Janet Dailey
totally agree Do Not Like any of james pattersons books
Whoever wrote Listen to the Warm, a poetry book. Does anyone know his name?
Rod McKuen. I agree. Yech!
Thanks!
I find posts like this good because it’s a gentle reminder that everyone has different tastes. I personally dont think the worst author is anyone in the fiction genre, but rather there are a few in non fiction (history specifically) that published falsehoods that hurt the general public and think they would qualify for that moniker
I tend to admire anyone who has the tenacity and perseverance to actually write a book and see it through to print, even if I don’t like the book or appreciate their writing “skill”. That said though, the rise in self publishing has launched way too many poorly written books by unskilled authors than I could ever count. But for my money James Redfield who wrote the Celestine Prophecy is probably the worst “real” book author ever. He had a great idea and a wonderful plot. I actually loved his books when I read them years ago, in spite of the amateurish and sophomoric writing.
I remember that some of what he wrote truly resonated with me all of those years ago — but a skilled writer, not so much.
Nicola Yoon. Her books are so highly recommended and I just hate them!
E.l. James
The person who wrote 50 Shades of Grey, maybe?!
Now, that is one I just completely avoided, so I don’t know….but I have heard stories…?
Phillipa @Gregory for writing the Wideacre trilogy.
@Li Yes!
Danielle Steel ?
Jonathen Lethem
Here’s the thing. I’m not a published author, so if someone is, I say “well done”. That person wrote and finished and published a book which is more than I have done. I will never criticise that person publicly.
Exactly!
Absolutely!
Aren’t authors like any other celebrity/public figure though? If you put yourself out there, you’re open to public praise and/or criticism.
@Glinda Sure, that’s true. It just won’t be me criticising.
For me Nicholas Sparks — just hate the predictable stories that ultimately make me cry. But in the end everyone has different tastes and I’m always happy to see someone writing and finding their audience.
Lots of people want to cry!!! Ask for it….give me murder and mayhem…thrillers!!?
Ann Rice…too self important for an editor.
I’ve enjoyed this thread. Here’s me. Reading my favorite authors new book that dropped today. Several people listed that they hate him. That’s ok. *judgey side eye* ???
stephen king, james patterson
Leila Meacham
Stephanie Myers, EL James and Katie Price
I think the worst authors never get published to begin with. Thankfully!
Thankfully
Hope that doesn’t mean that authors who don’t get their books published are bad? 😉
Not sure she’s the worst, but not too crazy about Carol Higgins Clark. Read Wrecked and suffered through it. Ending was very annoying and predictable. Glad I only paid a $1 for that book.
Whoever wrote Twilight and the Fifty Shades books
Hilarious thing is that 50 Shades is a fanfiction based off Twilight.
There are authors I don’t care to read and I don’t. But there is something for everybody. I’m just happy people read!
good attitude
VC Andrews is pretty bad
Although she actually writes pretty well for someone who’s been dead for decades.
I liked her books, but didn’t read many if the others after she died…
I forgot who continued to write as her?
Lisa Unger
For me, a book is badly written or its not. Where writing styles are concerned, I dont really enjoy most of Nicholas Sparks (though The Notebook was ok) and Jodi Picoult (My Sister’s Keeper was not that bad). Dont think they are bad authors though…
Someone who lives near me self published… But other than that, there is a writer of Amish stories named Wanda E. Brunstetter who just seems to copy every story she “writes” from Beverly Lewis who is a good writer… Seriously EVERY story I’ve read by her is a copy cat of Beverly Lewis books.
Phillips Gregory because she murders history — along with the “bodice-ripping” narrative. Ugh!!
Phillipa
It’s a pity that some authors start off with a very good books and then they seem to write an annual book which becomes just fluff eventually.
a friend of mine ?
An acquaintance of mine is the worst EVER. lol She self-published…
Of course EL James who wrote the bestselling erotic romance trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Free.. nothing could be worse than this
Not the worst but my least favorite author has to be Dean Koontz
Really, Man. Dean is in my top 5.
Especially Intensity! One of my favorite books.?
@Henry Stephen King and Dean Koontz are my top 2. Favorite.
I’m reading his Mr. Murder. Some chapters are too wordy but somehow it help build up the mood. I’ve read his Voice of the Night and loved it! I’ve read only two of his books, and I still have to read, read, read some of his to tell whether I like him or not.
The author of Eat,Pray,Love.
I passed on that book based on friends’ warnings
Really liked the “Eat” part, the rest not so much.
I don’t remember the authors name but I once read a book where the author used the character’s name every time she referred to her “Alisa laughed and then Alisa went to the kitchen to get a drink. Alisa opened the fridge and Alisa sighed to herself because all the juice was gone’
That’s not a direct quote but the whole book was written like that. I had to put it down after the thirty fifth mention of Alisa in the first two pages ??♀️
@Danielle I think I tried that book, too.
I’ve just started to read the thread and when I see Danielle Steele and James Joyce as the answers to the same question, I understand it’s all a matter of taste…
The clown that wrote that 50 shades of shait. How did writing that bad ever got published?!?
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!”
Interesting one gets curious on these “bad” authors…. Nice if you can add why you have this sentiment to exactly that author.
Hitler-and I didn’t even read his book.
There’s a difference between subject matter you don’t like and bad writing.
@Laura to be fair, Mein Kampf is a shitty book, regardless of author.
Haha okay I haven’t read it so I can’t comment on the writing. I’m commenting only on the fact that you can’t have an opinion if you haven’t read the book. 😉
@Laura ?
@Laura, since I have trouble critiquing someone else’s love, I figured I’d attack the actual author. Also, the post didn’t specify, so I figured he was fair game! Anyway, I didn’t care for Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall. But it received the Man Booker prize, so who am I to judge?
What’s worse though, his writing or his painting. Stiff competition between them, or so I’ve heard anyway.
I don’t like the authors who leave the book open ended. I did not travel the adventure of their story only to be left to fill in the blanks. Grr
I love some of them….one in particular…seemed to make it, even creepier.
El James, chetan bhagat
Oates
Veronica Roth
I don’t particularly like reading Danielle Steele but every time my imagination dries up and writers block sets in, I find her very inspirational and I will plough through her works in the comfort that if she can get a novel published, I surely can too…
This is like every book club meeting ever, when everyone hates the book ?
No!!!! I love the book!?
@Laura And those meetings sometimes have the best discussions.
Exactly, when I posted this I knew that I was going to see the name of some of my favorites, but it’s really interesting to read so many different opinions
I have a low opinion of Dan Brown. I know there a worse writers out there but for a world famous author he is dreadful.
Yeah agree. There are several super popular authors that are just bad.
The guy doesn’t understand internal monologue.
I really enjoyed The DaVinci Code but after that the books just seemed a regurgitation of it
@Rosanne even the Da Vinci was a poorly constructed novel. The entire idea was strolen from more interesting books. A poor novel sold by an intriguing premise.
@James LOL, regardless I still enjoyed it!
@Rosanne different strokes for different folk’s.
I loved his books!?
I don’t like a long book with a sad, bad, tragic ending. Don’t make me read 1000 pages for that.
It’s the journey not what’s at the end of it that counts at least in my view.
The guy who wrote the Dexter novels, Jeff Lindsay. Great show, utter crap books. ??
My personal favorite ‘worst author’ is Nicholas Sparks.
Can’t agree more!
@Janet yes!!! Thank you!
Bleccchhhh….
Whoever it was that committed the abortion that is 50 Shades of Grey. Hands down, no competition.
Exactly.
It’s not about the content–it’s about how horrible the writing quality is.
@Laura Oh, I wouldn’t know… lol I don’t read that type of stuff. But I have friends who told me about it. Ick.
I have no problems with erotica. It’s a respected genre that can be beautifully written (Anais Nin for example). This is badly written.
@Laura My step daughter loves Nin.
@Linda I was saying last night that if they changed the music in the movies to something darker it would be perfect for Lifetime lol he’s a psycho control freak
Laura Rushing because it started out on fanfic dot net — the whole thing still baffles me. She pulled a great con job. We can only hope she’s a one hit wonder
@Michelle I haven’t seen the movie but I know what you mean. You can watch a woman walking down the street in a movie or TV show and just tell by the music whether she is in danger or not.
@Linda lol I love criminal minds. That’s a fantastic storyline idea. It would bring a whole new meaning to handcuffs lol
ok first of all the author of 50 shades of grey, secondly J.K. Rowling and thirdly Ken Follet. Not that I think he doesn’t have a talent for writing but I think he expresses it wrongly.
Robert James Waller
Stephanie Meyers. Bleh.
Also….why all the hate for JK??? Wtf people???? Just bc you don’t like her doesn’t mean she is a bad writer. I think she is one of the best writers, no other author has allowed me to escape into another world like she has.
@Blair agree
@Jennifer thank you!!!!
@Blair I couldn’t agree more!!!
Omg.. i must have the worst taste ever.. my favorites are on the worst list and I can’t love Stephen King even tho I’ve tried! No one has made me fall in love with characters and a story like JK Rowling!
@Jaime No you don’t. Just enjoy what you enjoy.
I’m right there with you Jaime!
27 percent of adults did not read a single book last year. No one should feel put down by their reading choices.
Wait, JK Rowling is on the worst list?! ? I mean, granted, I’m reading Harry Potter right now, in my 30s, for the first time ever, and I was incredibly skeptical of their cult-inducing popularity, but her stories are very creative and elaborate! My 9 year old daughter convinced my parents, in their 50s/60s to begin reading them, and they love them too! Haha
I can’t ever get behind Stephen King either. I hate scary stuff. To each their own! Love what you love! ❤️
I love scary….horror and thrillers! Not so much for romance, but I did read it as a teen. I still haven’t read Harry Potter, but we love the movies. My kids have the books..they are grown kids…so there’s still a chance I might read them.
@Christina Agree!
JK Rowling is way overrated..
@Lee that may be true, but when you take into consideration the time she came on the scene, youth/ya fiction didn’t have many options. Because of my reading level, I was reading books with pretty inappropriate storylines in my middle school years. I’d already read all the classics.
Today the youth and ya sections are filled with fantasy fiction stories that just weren’t there when Rowling began.
@Erin She is still overrated in my opinion.
I know she gave birth to so many readers, but the fact remains, she’s still very much overrated as a writer….I think.
Harry Potter was a brilliantly written story from beginning to end. I don’t know about her other books..
@Erin thank you! She was a genius with this story! Every idea she intoduces is followed thru.. every character she has is made to feel like you know them in real life! I’ve never read a book series before where I felt like I lost my best friends when they were over and this one made me mourn for a long time!
Her other books are well worth reading. Great characters.
James Patterson, trite and formulaic.
Nora Roberts. There I said it.
Used to read her, years ago. I recently got a series of hers about witches to try.
@Cathy, and someone gave me a JD Robb. That’s her, too, yeah? That’s was good, just the romantic, Nora Roberts – blech!!
I have heard her newer ones are less romance. The series I bought is about witches, but I haven’t read them yet. Also Year One is a dystopian novel…also haven’t read…but thinking about it.? Guess we will see…lol…or I will.?
Nora Robert’s seems repetitive. Like every story follows the same format and she just rolls some dice to pick out a subject. It always seem to be 3 woman( witches, sisters, or friends) who all fall in love in some magical fancy town and all have to fight some big bad evil.
It is…amazing to see the differences. But sad when people get mean…then others get defensive. I tend to try to avoid these posts…for that reason….but I keep looking at them…so guess I haven’t completely given up!?
David Arnold
Chetan Bhagat
I’m currently reading my first Mary Higgins Clark novel. Boring, stupid, and just not great writing.
Agree
The first ever mystery I ever read was by Mary Higgins Clark and I was so hooked on her books BUT she has never progressed. I first started reading her almost 30 years ago. I feel a writer should show progression and she just writes the same old mystery where you can pretty much guess who did it from the start. I was bored to tears when I picked up one of her books about a year ago and I really can’t be bothered with her now. To many good mystery/thriller writers out there now.
i feel the same way about Janet Evanovich.
@Kay I haven’t read any of her books. I was thinking about getting one of her books after reading reviews on this page about her stories being funny, but I just never got around to picking one up. Maybe I won’t bother, lol
@Susan I feel that was about Sidney Sheldon. He was the reason I became obsessed with reading. Now when I read his books I think to myself, “wow, this seemed way better the first time I read it”, haha. But I was also 15 and stupid, so…. ???
You were 15 and young…and yeah, I liked Sidney Sheldon back in the day, too. We change and grow.
@Tammy I did enjoy the first few Stephanie Plum series books by Evanovich. But then they all started sounding the same.
@Cathy exactly! Our minds mature and we view things differently.
@KayKay I’ve heard the Plum series was good, with humor. I found the same thing with the series that James Patterson had, the women’s murder club, I liked the first couple but then they all started sounding the same.
@Tammy Some of the early Plum books are laugh-out-loud funny. Try them!
@Kay ok, maybe I’ll read one and see for myself! Thanks for the info ?
@Tammy I read Sydney Sheldon too and loved Master of the Game. That was the first book of his I ever read and I fell in love with him. I read a lot of his books but I got a bit bored of him too, like you. I was always a big reader when I was little then it turned to all romance novels. I only started reading mystery when I first got a book from my mom by Mary Higgins Clark and I was hooked on mystery and romance. I bored easy only reading those two styles of books but since discovering other genres and the YA world I have been reading for 3 years straight and haven’t lost momentum or been in a slump yet. It really opened up a whole new world of reading for me.
@Tammy one last thing. Have you ever read anything from Carol Higgins Clark? If not don’t bother…she is worse then her mother. I tried 2 of her books and both was a struggle to get through. I was even more bored with her books and her writing is awful. I hate to be so negative but my gosh were her books awful. Maybe she has gotten better. It has been about 20 years since I tried the 2 books I got but those two books did me in. I’m good with not reading from her again. If you read her and like her then I apologize for knocking someone you may like. I truly mean no disrespect.
@Susan back in the day Sidney Sheldon was the trashy book to read. I was working in a hospital years ago and walked into a patients room and this darling old Italian lady whipped something under her covers. When she saw me, she brought out her book from under the covers and said, I thought you were Father ———-it was a Sidney Sheldon book with the bodice ripper red cover. We had a good laugh.
@Bonnie OMGosh I think that might be my favorite story ever. I didn’t remember his books being trashy but I read them so long ago…ha ha ha
That’s hilarious! I can’t remember his books being trashy either, but it’s been years and my memory is terrible, haha
This is completely subjective, and a pretty negative thread in my opinion.
I actually find all the different opinions very interesting….opinions are always subjective, right? Negative I guess if someone else’s reading material matters to you?
Of course it’s subjective. I think the point was to get everyone’s opinion.
But my point is that it tends to get nasty. I couldn’t care less about whether or not people’s opinions about a book agree with mine, I just dislike it when the implications start about books being bad books, rather than books that are not to your taste.
@Carolyn i’m loving this thread, especially when there’s an explanation as to why.
James Patterson
One who won’t finish a series! JF take note…
EL James only read one chapter, terrible!
EL had only one memorable sentence, “never trust a man who can dance.”
James Patterson
Right?!?! I really struggled
Chuck palinuick
Me! I love to read and sometimes think writing would be easy to do…but it’s not, my writing is too brief/ not descriptive enough/ no theme, etc. etc.
@Nicole sounds like a rough draft! You should start from there and add details and depth! I bet you could do it!
@Jaime thanks! I will keep trying to develop the craft
I guess I give credit to anyone who writes and gets a book published. Just because I don’t like them doesn’t mean the author is bad. Blessedly we all like different things. I could mention an author that someone else loves. Go figure. My least favorite author would be EL James.
@Melanie I agree. Even though I might like what someone is reading, the great thing is that they read!
Jonathan Franzen and John Irving. They both have written books whose styles just fall flat. I have had to go back and read whole pages to make sense of the book.
it took me a year to read A prayer for Owen Meany. the story itself was pretty good but i also had to go back and re-read sections and found myself putting it down for long stretches of time.
Jk rowling hahaha dont come after me
@Greta I can feel this vibe. I despised the actual character harry. And said so somewhere last week and was
Surprised to find I wasn’t the only one. #teamhermoine #slytherin (but I did read all the books. )
@Crystal i just didnt like the writing style at all! ive seen a bit of the movies and they seem good tho
@Greta they are.
but im not attached to that series in the slightest. i think its really strange that it has such a cult following
@Greta I think it came at a time where there was a void in youth literature. She really was a Renaissance writer in that aspect. I was still in college, and had education friends whose lives were so much better teaching wise, with this series being something connected young kids and got them excited to read.
that does make sense actually 🙂
@Greta and is also why it can be difficult for adults reading. Not just juvenile content,
But sentence structure thought process wise it’s different .
yeah the sentence structure is what makes it unbearable for me personally
Why do I somehow hate her irl?
Ford Maddox Ford. Stream of conscious writing drives me batty.
Marry Higgins Clarke. IMO, she capitalizes on such horrible detective clichés, written poorly as well.
@Alina that was my pick! I’m actually reading one of her books for the very first time. Horrible.
I LOVED her books in my teen years! Maybe because they were a decent stepping stone from Nancy Drew as a kid, or maybe because I couldn’t handle anything any scarier. Maybe a combo. ??♀️ But I haven’t tried reading them as an adult. I’m curious now!
Dan Brown is on the cbs morning news, they had John Grisham on last week. I wish they would pick some not so famous authors to have on instead of these millionaires. Maybe a Pulitzer winner or someone with a great debut novel, or a great new nonfiction.
I did a quick search of our radio podcasts. Only skims the surface – but try https://www.radionz.co.nz/search/results?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=author&commit=Search for a starter. 🙂
No one
Jackie Collins. . .
best trashy novel writer ever.
that she is ! ?
@Rachelle can we both agree on cassie Edwards
@Brandie that was the one I commented
Joseph Conrad. Lord Jim especially.
So interesting, one of my absolute favorites ??
@James Ugh. Good books were thin on the ground the year they decided to make this book a “classic.”
@James ?
Heather Graham. I tried I just can’t read another.
Alissa Nutting. I think she’s only written one book. Thank the gods.