Books to Consider for Your Next 'Shitpile' Challenge

The Girl In Room 105

311 pages

This book tells the story of a poor guy who is friend-zoned by a rich girl, leading to a series of dramatic events filled with emotional turmoil, unexpected reunions, and even a surprise appearance by Bill Gates. It's a rollercoaster of love, loss, and the quest for happiness that keeps you engaged.

Revealing Eden

This YA book presents a dystopian future where humanity survives underground, but it takes a troubling turn with its portrayal of race, making it a controversial read. If you're curious about the extremes of YA tropes and want to see a book that pushes boundaries in the wrong way, this might be the one for you!

I Didn't Ask to Be Born

122 pages

This book offers advice for new graduates, but it also dives into a controversial chapter discussing consent culture, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in current social issues.

Rampant

436 pages

This book has a unique twist with its focus on the main character's virginity due to the threat of killer unicorns, making it an intriguing read.

Fifty Shades of Grey - Gefährliche Liebe

582 pages

The writing style is often criticized as being quite poor, which might make you think twice about diving into this book.

New Moon

563 pages

Despite being a fan of the Twilight saga, I found Midnight Sun to be awful, repetitive, and boring, lacking any sexual tension. It was disappointing even for someone who has fond memories of the original series.

Atlas Shrugged

1243 pages

Peopled by larger-than-life heroes and villains, charged with towering questions of good and evil, Atlas Shrugged is Ayn Rand’s magnum opus: a philosophical revolution told in the form of an action thriller—nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read. Who is John Galt? When he says that he will stop the motor of the world, is he a destroyer or a liberator? Why does he have to fight his battles not against his enemies but against those who need him most? Why does he fight his hardest battle against the woman he loves? You will know the answer to these questions when you discover the reason behind the baffling events that play havoc with the lives of the amazing men and women in this book. You will discover why a productive genius becomes a worthless playboy...why a great steel industrialist is working for his own destruction...why a composer gives up his career on the night of his triumph...why a beautiful woman who runs a transcontinental railroad falls in love with the man she has sworn to kill. Atlas Shrugged, a modern classic and Rand’s most extensive statement of Objectivism—her groundbreaking philosophy—offers the reader the spectacle of human greatness, depicted with all the poetry and power of one of the twentieth century’s leading artists.

Hidden Secrets

384 pages

The book suffers from poor editing, with character names being switched multiple times, making it a frustrating read.

James Patterson by James Patterson

334 pages

This book features a unique blend of a model, a World Cup-winning football player, and a serial killer, making it an intriguing yet challenging read.

The Loser

202 pages

The prose in 'The Loser' is so frustrating that it might make you want to toss the book aside after every page. The author has a peculiar style, often ending sentences with 'thought I', which can be quite jarring. The protagonist is portrayed as a whining elitist, making it hard to connect with the story.

The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life.

248 pages

Despite being highly recommended, this book left me feeling like I wasted my time, as it offered no redeeming qualities.

The Midnight Library

324 pages

While many adore it, I found The Midnight Library to be overly didactic and filled with unlikable characters, making it feel more like a collection of tweets than a novel. It’s frustrating to see it take up space that could be filled with better books.

Ready Player One

386 pages

Despite its popularity, I found 'Ready Player One' to be quite disappointing.

The Alchemist

166 pages

AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • OVER 80 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE “Translated into 80 languages, the allegory teaches us about dreams, destiny, and the reason we are all here.”—Oprah Daily, “Best Self-Help Books of a Generation” “It’s a brilliant, magical, life-changing book that continues to blow my mind with its lessons. [...] A remarkable tome.”—Neil Patrick Harris, actor A special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new foreword by Paulo Coelho. Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom, and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations. Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams. “A magical little volume.”—San Francisco Chronicle “[This] Brazilian wizard makes books disappear from stores.”—The New York Times “A sweetly exotic tale for young and old alike.”—Publishers Weekly

Beautiful Bastard

320 pages

I wanted something steamy and read great things about the book, but unfortunately, I couldn’t even finish it.

Go Ask Alice

168 pages

While I’m not a drug enthusiast, this book had the potential to offer an interesting perspective on a normal teenager's experiences in the late 60s, but its exaggerated portrayal of drug use felt unrealistic and somewhat insulting.

Divergent

419 pages

This first book in Veronica Roth's #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent series of books is the novel the inspired the major motion picture starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, and Kate Winslet. This dystopian series set in a futuristic Chicago has captured the hearts of millions of teen and adult readers. Perfect for fans of the Hunger Games and Maze Runner series, Divergent and its sequels, Insurgent and Allegiant, are the gripping story of a dystopian world transformed by courage, self-sacrifice, and love. Fans of the Divergent movie will find the book packed with just as much emotional depth and exhilarating action as the film, all told in beautiful, rich language. One choice can transform you. Beatrice Prior's society is divided into five factions—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Beatrice must choose between staying with her Abnegation family and transferring factions. Her choice will shock her community and herself. But the newly christened Tris also has a secret, one she's determined to keep hidden, because in this world, what makes you different makes you dangerous. And don't miss The Fates Divide, Veronica Roth's powerful sequel to the bestselling Carve the Mark!

Allegiant

The last book in the series offers a unique perspective that might not align with popular opinions, making it a thought-provoking read for those who enjoy exploring different viewpoints.

Insurgent (Divergent Trilogy, Book 2)

407 pages

The thrillingly dark sequel to New York Times bestseller, DIVERGENT – a major motion picture series.

Who Moved My Cheese?

62 pages

THE #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER WITH OVER 28 MILLION COPIES IN PRINT! A timeless business classic, Who Moved My Cheese? uses a simple parable to reveal profound truths about dealing with change so that you can enjoy less stress and more success in your work and in your life. It would be all so easy if you had a map to the Maze. If the same old routines worked. If they'd just stop moving "The Cheese." But things keep changing... Most people are fearful of change, both personal and professional, because they don't have any control over how or when it happens to them. Since change happens either to the individual or by the individual, Dr. Spencer Johnson, the coauthor of the multimillion bestseller The One Minute Manager, uses a deceptively simple story to show that when it comes to living in a rapidly changing world, what matters most is your attitude. Exploring a simple way to take the fear and anxiety out of managing the future, Who Moved My Cheese? can help you discover how to anticipate, acknowledge, and accept change in order to have a positive impact on your job, your relationships, and every aspect of your life.

A Visit from the Goon Squad

289 pages

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is a fascinating exploration of the interconnected lives of its characters, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the complexities of modern life.

Flowers In The Attic

411 pages

I read it and some sequels mainly out of fascination with its rise to popularity, which still baffles me. It was marketed towards teenaged girls in the 70's, similar to how Twilight was in the 2000's.

Outlander - Ein Schatten von Verrat und Liebe

1815 pages

While some people absolutely love it, I found it didn't resonate with me at all.

A Discovery of Witches (Movie Tie-In)

594 pages

While it started with promise, the book ultimately fell apart with a heroine who transformed from a bright academic to an insecure damsel. The overly descriptive passages detracted from the story, making it feel disjointed with too many unconnected plots.

The Secret

303 pages

This book is often criticized for its overly simplistic approach to the law of attraction, which can be frustrating for readers seeking deeper insights.

The City in the Middle of the Night

370 pages

I struggled to finish **The City in the Middle of the Night** and really questioned whether my partner knows me.

Eat, Pray, Love

385 pages

I found **Eat, Pray, Love** to be the worst book I ever read, and I definitely won't be rereading it.

Reading Lolita in Tehran

386 pages

Unlike 'IT', 'Lolita' is written with sensitivity, making it a more palatable read despite its controversial themes.

It

1488 pages

While Stephen King's 'IT' has great horror and genuine tension, the portrayal of women, particularly through the character of Bev, is problematic and detracts from the overall experience.

Star Wars: Outbound Flight

482 pages

Despite being a well-known author, Timothy Zahn's 'Outbound Flight' felt unfinished and lacking depth, which might disappoint fans looking for a complete story.

A Court of Thorns and Roses

476 pages

While it may be popular, I found A Court of Thorns and Roses challenging to get through, which might make it a polarizing choice for some readers.

The Selection Series 4-Book Collection

796 pages

The Selection is a captivating read that offers a unique twist on the dystopian genre, making it a great addition for fans of The Hunger Games.

Rebels: City of Indra

352 pages

Lex grew up in the orphanage, alone, and now is training to be a Special Op so she can finally destroy the rebels with her own hands. She needs no one. Livia lives miles above everything on a floating island in the city of Indra. She is training too, but for a life that she doesn't want. She wants to be free, to finally leave her floating island, and to run with her beloved horse until she can't run any longer. And then there's Kane--Lex's only friend. When she finds that Kane is in danger, she doesn't hesitate to leave her post and blast her way to the top of Indra to save him. She just needs to get one stubborn, unexpectedly clever airgirl to tell her where he is first.

Beatrice and Virgil

226 pages

This book left me so frustrated that I wouldn't even pay a quarter for it, despite having bought it for a dollar.

A Man Called Ove

368 pages

I found A Man Called Ove to be quite cliche and lacking in self-awareness, which made it an unenjoyable read for me.

Thirteen Reasons Why 10th Anniversary Edition

354 pages

**THE BOOK THAT STARTED IT ALL, NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES** The #1 New York Times bestseller and modern classic that's been changing lives for a decade gets a gorgeous revamped cover and never-before-seen additional content, including: · An introduction from its award-winning author, Jay Asher; · The until-now-secret alternate ending for Hannah and Clay that almost was; · Early notes and ideas of how the story came to be; · Deleted scenes; · And more! You can't stop the future. You can't rewind the past. The only way to learn the secret . . . is to press play. Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and as he follows Hannah's recorded words throughout his town, what he discovers changes his life forever. Need to talk? Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) anytime if you are in the United States. It’s free and confidential. Find more resources at 13reasonswhy.info. Find out how you can help someone in crisis at bethe1to.com.

Vampires Like It Hot

329 pages

Despite my strong dislike for it, I still suggest you read it to form your own opinion.

Ready Player One

303 pages

*THE BOOK BEHIND THE MAJOR MOTION PICTURE DIRECTED BY STEVEN SPIELBERG* 'Wildly original and stuffed with irresistible nostalgia, Ready Player One is a spectacularly genre-busting, ambitious, and charming debut' Independent 'Part intergalactic scavenger hunt, part romance, and all heart' CNN 'Ernest Cline's novel deserves to be a modern classic' SciFiNow 'Gorgeously geeky, superbly entertaining, this really is a spectacularly successful debut' Daily Mail _______________ A world at stake. A quest for the ultimate prize. Are you ready? It's the year 2044, and the real world has become an ugly place. We're out of oil. We've wrecked the climate. Famine, poverty, and disease are widespread. Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes this depressing reality by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia where you can be anything you want to be, where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. And like most of humanity, Wade is obsessed by the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this alternate reality: OASIS founder James Halliday, who dies with no heir, has promised that control of the OASIS - and his massive fortune - will go to the person who can solve the riddles he has left scattered throughout his creation. For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that the riddles are based in the culture of the late twentieth century. And then Wade stumbles onto the key to the first puzzle. Suddenly, he finds himself pitted against thousands of competitors in a desperate race to claim the ultimate prize, a chase that soon takes on terrifying real-world dimensions - and that will leave both Wade and his world profoundly changed. _______________ Readers can't get enough of Ready Player One . . . ***** 'THAT WAS SO TOTALLY AWESOME, WOW!' ***** 'This is an exciting story, especially for geeks, and the key word is FUN.' ***** 'Ladies and gentlemen, from this day this book is my life and I will obsess over it constantly.' ***** 'I just kinda wanna cry right now. I'll have a proper review at some point, but I gotta let myself recover.' ***** 'I had the feeling while reading this book that it was written expressly for me. This is my childhood captured.'

Eat Pray Love

402 pages

One of the most iconic, beloved, and bestselling books of our time from the bestselling author of City of Girls and Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert. Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love touched the world and changed countless lives, inspiring and empowering millions of readers to search for their own best selves. Now, this beloved and iconic book returns in a beautiful 10th anniversary edition, complete with an updated introduction from the author, to launch a whole new generation of fans. In her early thirties, Elizabeth Gilbert had everything a modern American woman was supposed to want—husband, country home, successful career—but instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she was consumed by panic and confusion. This wise and rapturous book is the story of how she left behind all these outward marks of success, and set out to explore three different aspects of her nature, against the backdrop of three different cultures: pleasure in Italy, devotion in India, and on the Indonesian island of Bali, a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence.

Modelland

578 pages

I remember reading excerpts from Modelland and it was tragically bad, making it a curious read for those interested in the modeling world.

The Amityville Horror

339 pages

The Amityville Horror is a wild ride that takes you through a supposedly haunted house, but honestly, it was so ridiculous that it made me question everything about horror stories.

The Fifth Sacred Thing

496 pages

While I couldn't finish it, the book presents a post-apocalyptic world where San Francisco is an organic utopia and LA is a prison system. The contrast and the idea of SFians trying to resolve conflict through hugs with their enemies is certainly a unique and thought-provoking concept.