Paperback's Pondering's: To Hype or to not Hype?

Paperback's Pondering's is a weekly discussion when I take a topic and well, ponder about it! This week's topic is about whether or not to follow hyped books.

I did a Paperback's Pondering's post on hype about a year ago, but I wanted to bring the topic back because it seems as if my opinions have kind of changed on the subject. So here we go:

We've all been there: looking at Twitter and gawking over a book that gets shared over and over on our timeline. Now of course we trust our fellow blogger's opinions, so if EVERYONE is saying that this book is fabulous, then it must be. Right?

I am guilty of following hype. I'm one of those people that just assumes that if everyone loves a book, then I must love it too. I feel as if there is sort of a bookish pressure that is put on people when a hyped book comes along. They feel sort of obligated to give the book a try, or so they can join in on all the fangirling discussions and not feel left out. However hyped books cannot always work in your favour, and sometimes you may get more than what you bargained for when it comes to trying that seemingly "perfect" book.

On the positive side of things first, hyped books can be a great way to bring new fans in. Imagine the look on an author's face when they see millions of people gushing over how great their book is. It makes it seem like all of their hardwork paid off. Hyped books are great ways of making new friends, new fandoms, and making maybe little known authors receive new opportunities.

Also, hyped books can, of course, make you discover your new favourite book! Think of it this way, you're in a reading slump, nothing seems to be interesting to you, and all of the sudden this glorious book comes down from the heavens and grasps your heart and never let's go! And now, you are whole again. Maybe following the hype was a good idea.

Or maybe it wasn't. On the negative side, hyped books can generate a bookish bias amongst people, People might feel like they just have to rate a book higher than they wanted to because of the hype surrounding it. I mean, it couldn't be as bad as I thought it was... can it?

There's also the opportunity for crazed bookworms of the book to sometimes attack those who didn't like it. Now this is obviously just a handful of the bunch, but some people just get too protective over books that they feel as if nobody could ever not like it. Not true, because here I am, giving it a one star.

Now, I would say that I do not like following hype. It has failed me too often in the past couple of months, that I like to actually stay away now and just go for the things that I have researched more. However there is always that slight urge I get when a book starts floating around the community.

To go along with this topic, I've compiled a list of my favourite/non-favourite hyped books, to give you a representation on where I stand with hype:

Favourites:

The Fault in Our Stars by: John Green
A lot of people love it, and a lot of people hate it, but I found it to be so beautiful.

The Selection series by: Kiera Cass
This series seems so cheesy to some but honestly they are so addicting!

The Divergent series by: Veronica Roth
Got me first hooked on dystopia, and to be honest, I really liked the movie adaptions as well.

The Harry Potter series by: J.K. Rowling
I'm not even going to explain myself with this one.

Non-Favourites:

Throne of Glass series by: Sarah J. Maas
This series escalated into something terrible for me.

After by: Anna Todd
The last time I read a One Direction fanfiction.

The Maze Runner by: James Dashner
I kind of liked the movies better than the books... oops.

Cinder: by: Marissa Meyer
Oh was this book ever so boring for me! Ugh I could not stand it!

There you have it! I guess hype could go either ways, and it's up to you and your willpower to decide whether or not you want to follow it.

Do you follow hype? Why/Why Not?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Paperback's Pondering's: Bookish Hype

Paperback's Pondering's is a weekly discussion when I take a topic and well, ponder about it! This week's topic is all about hyped books, and how they impact your reading.

We all know that feeling: when everyone and anyone in the blogosphere has raved over a book, and you are debating whether to pick it up or not. I have read many hyped books, most of which I loved, but I can't help but wonder if I would have had the same feelings towards the book if it wasn't hyped at all.

I feel as if hyped books change the way you read them. You go in with mindset that everything is going to be spectacular and that you will be intrigued. I think that this works in your favour because it allows you to be fully engrossed in the book. However, I always wonder if my love for a book is because I'm feeding off of everyone else's feeling's.

I do follow hype. I love being able to see a book everywhere across social media, and being able to say that I am a fan. But I do take sort of a pride when I've read a book before the hype. I just feel like it seems as if I'm more of a "true" fan that way. Selfish, I know, because who's to say that someone reading during the hype isn't obsessed with it at all?

One thing that scares me about reading hyped books is if I don't like it. This happened with me and The Hunger Games. Suddenly, you're stuck wondering why you couldn't see the book like everyone else did, and if people will come after you for it. The answer is no, you are entitled to your own opinion and no one can take that away from you, but you might be wondering why you couldn't be brought to like this book! It is a struggle.

Of course, there are many positive outcomes of reading hyped books and loving them! There are so many people that you can talk to about it, not to mention the fan art, merch and endless Tumblr posts about your faves. Fangirling, is brought to a maximum!

I want to know what you think! Do you follow hype, or do you wait until it all dies down to like a book? What are some of your favourite hyped books?

Emily @ Paperback Princess