Podcast Summary: "Overhyped & Not Hyped Enough"
Episode Title: Overhyped & Not Hyped Enough
Release Date: May 21, 2025
Podcast: I'll Read What She's Reading
Hosts: Reggie, Mikayla, and Kennedy
Introduction to the Episode
In this highly anticipated episode of "I'll Read What She's Reading," the trio—Reggie, Mikayla, and Kennedy—delve into a topic frequently requested by their audience: overhyped and under-hyped books. The hosts candidly share their personal experiences and perspectives, navigating the challenging landscape shaped by social media buzz and reader expectations.
Overhyped Books
1. Light Lark by Alex Aster
Kennedy initiates the discussion by addressing Light Lark, highlighting her disappointment with the series despite Alex Aster's evident talent in writing banter.
“The Light Lark series just was really repetitive... and then when I found out that there was going to be another book and she didn't end the series where she said she was going to, it honestly kind of turned me off from the series in general.” [02:33]
She emphasizes that the book felt predictable and the extended series diluted her initial enthusiasm.
“When we say a book is overhyped, it's subjective... it just weren't met.” [04:07]
2. Quicksilver by Michaela Hart
Reggie discusses Quicksilver, acknowledging its bestseller status but expressing that it felt recycled and predictable compared to other fantasy novels.
“It's a very big book, and I applaud her for that... but I just... a lot of it felt predictable.” [05:08]
Kennedy concurs, mentioning high expectations fueled by social media leading to unmet standards.
“It's a little overhyped, but I'm not like, I don't hate it. It's not a terrible book.” [06:34]
3. The Poppy War by RF Kuang
Reggie shares a mixed review of The Poppy War, noting its epic nature and emotional depth but feeling it didn't live up to the extensive hype.
“I was expecting, like, so much more from it... I'm just a little let down.” [07:24]
Kennedy points out the unique pacing of the series but acknowledges its extensive presence on BookTok contributed to its overhype.
“There are so many factors that play into whether a book is overhyped... I've seen this before.” [09:19]
4. The Boys of Tommen Series
Kennedy voices her struggle with this series due to its focus on high school-aged characters, making the content feel inappropriate for her age group.
“I have a really, really hard time with high school aged kids... it's just overhyped.” [12:40]
Reggie empathizes, discussing the harsh online criticism they receive when expressing differing opinions.
“When we did this episode last time... people just going off about how horrible we must be.” [14:25]
5. Spark of the Everflame by Pencole
Reggie expresses frustration with the delayed releases and high expectations set by the series' popularity.
“It's a very simple to follow... but it just sucked because I had much higher expectations.” [20:55]
Kennedy reflects on how reading journey and maturity impact the reception of such books, noting that what once thrilled her now feels less impactful.
“Things like that get thrown around very nonchalantly on BookTok... give it a few days and you might be like, you know, I don't know about this.” [25:01]
Under-Hyped Books
1. Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Kennedy champions Vicious as an underappreciated gem, praising its anti-hero narrative and unique take on villain origins.
“Vicious was so good, and it doesn't get talked about enough.” [40:06]
She laments that newer works by Schwab overshadow this standout book, urging listeners to explore it.
“It's super old... it's one of her older books.” [40:06]
2. The Blighted Stars by Megan O'Keefe
Reggie introduces The Blighted Stars as a hidden treasure in the sci-fi romance genre, despite limited exposure on social media.
“It's a sci-fi romance... stranded on a dying planet together.” [46:02]
Kennedy expresses excitement about the book's unique elements and anticipates it gaining more traction.
“There's some really cool elements to it... it's really fun.” [48:02]
3. Ghosted by J.M. Darhauer
Kennedy highlights Ghosted as a wholesome romance that doesn't receive much attention outside a niche BookTuber's recommendations.
“It's a great romance... it's a great romance book that's wholesome.” [51:21]
She appreciates the book's emotional depth and the dynamic between the main characters, despite not being the best romance she's read.
“Everything else was so great... it's a great romance.” [51:21]
4. War of Lost Hearts Series by Carissa Broadbent
Reggie recommends the War of Lost Hearts series, noting its epic love story and unique fantasy elements that often go unnoticed.
“There's some really cool elements to it that I haven't seen in other fantasy books... it's really great.” [55:49]
He encourages listeners to explore the series, especially those who enjoy deep emotional narratives intertwined with fantasy.
“If you like... if you read that series. You haven't read Daughter of no Worlds yet, give it a go.” [55:49]
5. Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonham Young
Reggie praises Hannah Bonham Young's works as underrated romances with rich emotional depth and unique character development.
“She has a lot of representation for a lot of different things that sometimes you don't see a lot in books.” [64:15]
Kennedy emphasizes the author's ability to create unique characters and foster emotional connections, calling her an up-and-coming romance author.
“She's the next big romance author, I'm convinced.” [66:49]
Impact of Social Media and BookTok
The hosts explore how platforms like BookTok heavily influence book popularity and reader expectations. They discuss the pressure of hype, where extensive online praise can lead to unmet expectations and personal disappointment.
“Where you see things plays in a reader's mind. That affects a reader, but it does so much for an author.” [68:23]
Reggie and Kennedy reflect on the challenges of separating personal opinions from the collective buzz, acknowledging the subjectivity of reading.
“Reading is subjective... it's fine. But being a book critic online is hard.” [70:30]
Personal Preferences and Reading Journeys
Mikayla shares her efforts to reduce criticism and approach books without preconceived notions, aiming to enhance her reading enjoyment.
“I also tried to be less harsh of a critic... I'm losing my enjoyment of reading because I was being so critical.” [67:30]
Reggie discusses his journey of trying to branch out from hyped books, expressing concerns about future reads not meeting expectations.
“I'm just saving it for a rainy day. I'm scared to do it.” [62:10]
Kennedy talks about the need to formulate her own opinions and stay true to her reading preferences, despite external pressures.
“I was gonna say I don't see these books talked about enough... it's hard to be on BookTok to stay within the trends.” [71:05]
Final Thoughts and Moving Forward
The episode concludes with the hosts acknowledging the subjectivity of book preferences and the importance of embracing diverse opinions. They encourage listeners to explore books independently of social media hype and to celebrate varied perspectives in reading.
Mikayla expresses a desire to reconnect with books without the burden of external expectations:
“I'm trying to go into books with nothing preconceived. I just want to experience it.” [66:53]
Reggie emphasizes the balance between appreciating popular books and maintaining personal reading standards:
“How would your feelings about a book depend. There's so many factors that play into it.” [68:23]
Kennedy reiterates the need for individual reading experiences, encouraging listeners to separate personal opinions from widespread trends:
“I think for me, I just have to be very happy for people who are so excited about books...” [71:05]
Conclusion
In "Overhyped & Not Hyped Enough," Reggie, Mikayla, and Kennedy offer an insightful exploration of the intricate dance between book popularity and personal preference. Through honest discussions and relatable experiences, they empower listeners to navigate their reading journeys with confidence and authenticity, free from the constraints of external hype.
Note: Timestamps correspond to the moments when notable quotes were made during the episode.