The Problem With Modern "Books"

By Chloe Lin

Back in the 1800s when someone said they read books, they would be the smartest person in the room. But, today, when someone says they read, it’s well… debatable whether they’re the smartest person in the room. The problem with modern books today is that they’re like a form of brain-rot. So, I’ll be giving the basic context and rating some popular “so-called” BookTok books that are all the rage (currently). (Note: This is not ranked based on any particular order like I would for meatloaf from the school’s lunchroom to your grandmother’s.)

1. The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene: Tells you how to become powerful by giving you outdated tips for manipulating people. It’s actually not bad of a book, but let’s be honest. Who even remembers all 48 laws and applies them in our daily lives? People who read it only read it to put on a pretentious facade of trying to sound smart. 7/10. Solid read.

2. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover: A story about a girl who can’t choose between two guys while somehow also talking about the horrors of domestic violence. Honey, anything by Colleen Hoover is questionable. 2/10. The movie press tour was a mess. 

3. Icebreaker by Hannah Grace: Two ice-loving college students going through it while doing some funny business every few chapters. Trust me, you do not want to read this. The biggest problem, though, is that this book is being put in the children’s section of some stores for its cartoon cover, which is highly concerning. If you ever see a kid with this book, take it away immediately. 0/10. No comment.

4. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara: Tells a story about four grown adults that just can’t seem to move on from depending on their parents and friends. Honestly though, this book is amazing, and I do recommend it. It’s also sad and depressing like my love life. 10/10. Get some tissues ready in case you do read it.

5. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas: An illiterate feral girl is somehow eventually liked and respected by a court of big fairies without wings. It’s also adult content disguised as a YA fantasy book. (I’m trying to be PG here, okay?) I’ve seen a lot of great reviews from others about this series though. But, I would not place this book in the YA section. It’s definitely a new adult or adult book. 3/10. Sarah J. Maas has other great books, trust me.

6. Reckless by Lauren Roberts: Now, don’t get me wrong here, I love Lauren Roberts. It was just the first book of this series, Powerless, was such a good fantasy book that I had extremely high expectations for the second. Was I right to be excited? Nope! Wrong! Big loud red buzzer, BZZZZ! Not only did the characters serve no plot except for their own snogging and cuddling every five minutes, but they also thought they were extremely cool for being lost in the wilderness for like, a decade or something! Is it that hard to find your way back home? I don’t know, maybe spend more time hiking through the mountains instead of resting every five minutes so you can snuggle up together? 4/10. I have PTSD now, so I’m not sure if I even want to touch the third book in this series when it comes out.

Honestly, I would just say it depends on what side of BookTok you’re on. The side that promotes unique novels and classical literature is definitely what I would sign up to read, but it’s safe to say that even I sometimes read some romance books. It’s just what we do in our teenage years as a phase, and it’s totally understandable and normal. (What’s not normal is what your school is putting in their meatloafs. Stick with your grandma’s.)