Seattle Book Examiner's 10 worst books of 2008

December 20, 5:26 PMSeattle Books ExaminerDanielle Dreger-Babbitt

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Is it me, or does it seem like 2008 was not the best year for book publishing?  Granted there were a few really good or even notable books published, but it also seems a lot of crap made it on to the shelves at my local libraries and bookstores (and I checked out almost every title it would seem). 

The 10  Worst Books of 2008

1.  Knit Two by Kate Jacobs
I recommended this on my gift guide before I read it (big mistake).  Now I really liked The Friday Night Knitting Club.  I thought it was worth the hype and an incredibly satisfying (if not incredibly sad) story.  I loved the characters the first time around, but by the sequel they all became the worst versions of themselves.

2.  Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
I love Meg Cabot as much as the next girl.  I've read almost everything she's written except for all of those hideous Princess Diaries books and historical fiction novels.  I really liked the first two Queen of Babble books.  They were funny (though not as funny as Size 12 is Not Fat).  This last novel was just not on par with the rest of Meg Cabot's work.  

3.  Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich
I've read all the Stephanie Plum novels, and for the most part have liked them a lot.  I think Evanovich has a great voice and Plum's antics are pretty hilarious.  My only problem with the novels in the series is that they are progressively getting worse.  I don't know if it is because Evanovich is running out of ideas or if she is just being pushed to write them so quickly that the content is compromised.  And would Stephane please choose between Joe and Ranger already?  The sexual tension is killing me.

Image from bn.com

4.  Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
I think Breaking Dawn  was quite possibly the worst book I read this year.  Scratch that.  It was the worst book I've read in my life.  I was a fan of Twilight.  I thought it was well written and unintentionally funny.  I tolerated New Moon and Eclipse even though they both got progressively worse as they wore on and the language became redundant.  Honestly, I couldn't even finish Breaking Dawn I thought it was so bad.  I stopped after page 300.  It was like someone forgot to edit it before it got sent to the printer.  At least 200 pages could have been cut out.  And don't get me started on the whole vampire baby plot line.

5.  Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death:  Reflections on Revenge, Germophobia, and Laser Hair Removal by Laurie Notaro
I think it's quite possible that Laurie Notaro is running out of clever stories to tell.  Maybe she's just getting boring as she grows older.  In her latest book of essays, her humor falls short, especially in the stories about spying on other guests at a resort and the ex-con that moves in on her street.  Notaro also came out with her first fiction novel last year that was equally awful.

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Image from Amazon

6.  Quantum Wellness:  A Practical and Spiritual Guide to Health and Happiness by Kathy Freston
The only reason this book made it to the bestseller lists was because Oprah decided to do the master cleanse diet featured in the book.  I thought the book was a load of crap.  It's like every other self-help book out there.  Skip this if at all possible.

7.  Dewey:  The Small-Town Library Cat That Changed the World by Vicki Myron
I love cats and and I love libraries, but this book totally baffled me.  Part of the story were cute (the kitten in the book drop box) but most of the story was pointless.  Truthfully, the cat wasn't anything extraordinary.  My cats are just as noteworthy and friendly as Dewey, but you don't see me writing a book about them.  The reason this became such a popular book was because it was a feel-good story.  The reason Dewey the cat became the town icon was that the town didn't have much to be hopeful for and the cat distracted them.  I guess the book isn't necessarily bad, just that it wasn't worth all the hype.  Rumor has it this could be turned into a movie (probably one that should not be made).

8. The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
Do we really need another sappy romance by Mr. Spark.s?  Even Publishers Weekly agrees that it isn't his most original tale.  Let's hope this isn't made into a movie.

9.  Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives: An All-American Road Trip...With Recipes by Guy Fieri
I'm pretty sick of all the Food Network chefs coming out with cookbooks.  I like watching the Food Network but I don't think I've ever liked a cookbook by a Food Network Chef.  There are far better cookbooks out there (like Mark Bittman).

10.  Warriors:  Power of Three #5:  Long Shadows by Erin Hunter
I can't believe this series about talking cats is still going strong.  I read one years ago and every time a cat "meowed" or "purred" what was on his mind it made me cringe.  It's not nearly as good as anything Brian Jaques ever wrote.