My Least Favorite Books of 2021 

Just for the record, I reread Cursed Child every year so I could always say that it's my least favorite read of the year

Nothing compares to like the most collected and wholesome BookTuber going *absolutely ham* on novels which wasted her valuable time this year!

I feel like Stardust is a very rare case of the adaptation improving upon the book. The movie is fantastic and I think fixes a lot of the problems I had with the book.

Do those books include the word "Undulating"? XD

I love Murakami (typically), but I enjoyed your rant. I exactly had the same thought "that man needs an editor" when I read Kafka. My theory is that when you reach a certain status an author you don't really get edited anymore. They can submit 1000 pages drafts and the editors may cringe and swear, but they are just too intimidated to ask for any changes or cuts or tell that some pages are just terrible. And Kafka is such a book. I think his earlier books were much more compact. The American editors did cut hundreds of pages from The Wind-up-Bird-Chronicle (his actual masterpiece :), but he didn't care back then because he was just happy to get published.

The thing about Colonel Sanders tho. In Japan he is almost a Santa Clauss like figure, many families in Japan eat KFC for chirstmass they usually have to reserve the meal in advance even. So for a Japanese author I can see how that would be a fun "mythical creature" to bring to life

I randomly read Kafka a few months before your review and was like WTF I hate this why was it recommended?? I was so relieved when you said everything I felt about it. I was yelling with you!! Haha

I completely agree about Murakami. I have read all of his books, and I can't say I truly enjoy them. I noticed that once I have finished one of his works that I take very little from it, it just feels like a bizarre dream that soon evaporates from my memory. For everything he does well, he does something equally baffling that hampers the experience. I feel like he needs a good, ruthless editor that can pan the gold from the dirt. I can tell that his stuff probably gets very little input once he has written it--it reads as one man's sprawling narrative, warts and all. Most of his stuff could be cut in half--remove the pointless bloviating, meandering, philosophising and odd references to genitals, ears, and jazz music, and each book might shine better for it, instead of just joining the mirk of his writing at large. You can certainly recognise a Murakami book, his identity is all over it, but I am not sure that is a great thing anymore.

That was the most adorable introduction in an ad I’ve ever seen. THIS CHANNEL IS TOO PURE.

I loved Kafka on the shore. But after finishing it I definitely see why other people would hate it. I love books that feel like fever dreams and I love books that blend supernatural elements with the real world. I also think that the overdone descriptions of sex, violence, or other disturbing things is there to add to the tone and vibes that the book aims to give off. I think it fits what Murakami was trying to do, in making the weirdest book ever, but it for sure does not allign with the tastes of many people.

Kafka sounds like me trying to hit a wordcount on my essay. Sure there's some really good stuff in there, but then there's the padding. Oh boy the padding. Ive read books like that. That I feel could just be cut in half and tell the same story. And I completely feel for merphy here

Just a few hours ago, I was telling my boyfriend how Gaiman's Stardust isn't a good book in my opinion, even though the movie is one of my all time favourites. I know that's a very unpopular opinion though, but I am glad to find more and more people whom I agree with.

I really appreciate that you give comprehensive explanations about why you didn’t enjoy these titles. Getting suggestions on what to avoid can be as useful as suggestions about what to try!

I started reading Wheel of Time on 12/13 partly because of your recommendation and partly because the show really hooked me. Loving this series so far.

AAAH I remember your review RIGHT after reading Kafka on the shore and I was being a menace to my friends about it. One of them sent me your review and I was like YES!! THIS IS EXACTLY HOW I FEEL

Bonus points for a Korey appearance.

Stardust is one of my favorites because Gaiman is one of my favorites. I was so ready to be mad but I love your opinions and reviews so much. Your points were very, very valid and I can understand someone reading Stardust and not hating it but also not loving it. As always, you never disappoint with another good video.

Thank you for your thoughts on „Kafka on the shore“. I‘ve been torn on reading it, but I can really do without graphic animal torture. Read „the Wind-up Bird chronicle“ last year and the graphic torture scene in the dessert still haunts me. Not gonna add to that

I've never read The Maidens, but the plot seems very similar to Lost Souls by Lisa Jackson. Which I did enjoy. Murders/disappearances on a college campus, one girl tries to solve them because her dad's a cop, and from what I remember (I read this years ago) there was also this weird cult story with some of the professors. Even the relationship between Kristi and her "father" sounds similar. Kristi's mom was married to the guy she considers to be her dad, but he isn't her bio father because the mom cheated. With her husband's brother. Who's a priest. The cop knew but raised Kristi as his anyway, and didn't have that great a relationship with his brother, understandably.

my love-hate relationship w murakami is FINALLY in words!! now whenever someone asks me how i feel about him, im just gonna link them to this vid

I would LOVE to see you talk about Backman books that’s aren’t your favorite. I can’t stop reading his books lately and haven’t found one that didn’t absolutely crush me in the best way! I can’t find any problems with anything he does! I love hearing other opinions and perspectives.

You just earned a sub with that Kafka on the Shore review! It's been about a year since I read that book but I'm still scarred from the time I spent reading it. I think my only motivation halfway thru the book was Nakata because the storyline for Kafka and his ''fate/curse'' was so horrendous to read. Anyways I'm so glad to find a youtuber who didn't like that book as much as I did. I also love the way you describe these books! I'll be watching your other reviews after this :)))

i will never forget Colonel Sanders as a pimp in Kafka on the Shore, lmao. also the dragging on and on of mundane and ridiculous things really add to the fever dream-ish energy of his works for me.

as you were describing murakami's style of writing, i thought "that sounds like magical realism" but the only person i know does it well is Isabel Allende. She and Gabriel García Márquez actually know what they're doing when it comes to magical realism. whenever else i've read it, it just pulls me right out of the story.

I feel like lack of editing makes sense why people feel so many ways about Murakami, like there's so many ideas in the book and it does go through them all on some level that depending on what your mind focuses on you can have a vastly different experience.

I look forward to this video every year it’s amazing

Just wanted to say, hello and MERRY CHRISTMAS! I’m a new viewer, only started watching since last month.

I like Neil Gaiman, but I didn't like Stardust either. In my case it was the protracted beginning. I have never been able to finish a Murakami book. He writes like an angel, but somehow I don't connect. I remember a torture scene in one book. It was so horrible I couldn't go on reading.

Im coming back to your channel after nearly 3 years and really enjoyed seeing your videos again 😭 It's lowkey wild to see that you're into one piece now (manga in general) and also im so happy that your adoption journey has been successful Keep being awesome

On an unrelated note, I love your shirt!

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki or Norwegian Wood might be Murakami books you could enjoy. Hope you have a great week!

I didn't read for a whole YEAR after my second child. My brain broke for awhile. 😂

God I am so glad that someone shares my feelings of Kafka, there are plenty of good aspects, but it gets ruined by the flat out weird moments that fit in with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.

I read Norwegian Wood this year and I had the exact same reaction as you with other youtubers. If you don't like unnecessary and downright weird sex, I would not recommend this book. Objectively, I understand why people like it, and in my review I said I'd give it either 1 star or 5 stars... but there are just things you cannot ignore.

I ALWAYS watch these videos for the book content. But usually, about five minutes in, all I can think about are those incredibly beautiful brown eyes! It’s like, yes I totally agree with you there, but also this book… this… ahhhhhhhh big brown eyes 👁👁😍

Fantastic video. I wanted to thank you Merphy for teaching me to properly DNF things (for me its books and video games lol) I used to have a hard time not finishing things even if I wasnt enjoying it. I am a much happier reader now that I go into things with the mindset of "I dont have to see this through to the end if I dont like it" funny enough one of those for me was the book Stardust. Loved the film adaptation though that was amazing.

Your voice is back! It's nice to hear you.

Wait, now you have the thousand sunny painted on a wall?! That's so cool!

Your Lord of Maps ad was awesome.

Loved your rant on Maidens :D

I read The Windup Bird Chronicles by Murakami earlier this year for one of my book clubs. I liked it more than I thought I would, but your description of his writing is spot on.

I felt the same about Stardust. Generally, I love Gaiman's work but felt very "meh" about this one. However, I listened the audio and Gaiman's voice and narration are so lovely I kept going all the way to the end.

Did you read Kafka on the shore this year?! Wow, 2021 feels so long...

I also read Kafka on the Shore. One of the few books I read this year. It was... something, to say the least, lol. Also, book recommendation for someone looking. I read Turtles All The Way Down this year and that's honestly one of my favourite books, granted I don't read a lot but still.

The Maidens being a published book gave me the confidence to write my book

after you pointed out Lord of Maps in an earlier video, i bought some for my parents and they loved them...

hello :) i haven't watched in a while but something about the camera is set up right now is great. idk how to explain if it's the distance, the focus or the colors?? or maybe it's the lighting idk i just think it's better :))

Have you read anything by Donna Tartt? Seeing what you didn't like about Murakami I'd be really curious to know what you think of her. She's also the type of author that doesn't pull back from uncomfortable/dark things, but I think she managed to find the perfect balance between not puling back but not giving you every excruciatingly unnecessary detail and I love her writing so much. (and if you haven't read her I strongly recommend starting with The secret history)

Thanks for the review of Stardust. I like Gaiman, and I have not read Stardust; maybe I will see the film first.

Kofka on the shore sounds a lot like the Oedipus story the way you described Colonel Sanders made me want to read it lol

I haven't read Stardust but i did enjoy the film. It's been on my tbr for like 15 years but i haven't gone for it yet. I'll still check it out.

Hey merphy I don’t know if you do classics anymore but I was wondering since it’s Christmas if you could do a quick review of the short story gift of the magi? I think you’d love it

Hello Merphie, I enjoy your videos so much ! I have read very little fantasy indeed, I am more like into realistic classics. However, your videos have helped me to understand the genre and i have by now read around 20 books in the last three years, which is a good number for me. I WOULD LOVE if with all your knowledge on this you could make a video about the difference between Fairy Tales and Fantasy. It would be so nice ! Helloes from Mexico City .

I’ve read many many Murakami books. Many of them are exactly the same. Many of them do everything that you hated about Kafka in nearly the exact same way in Kafka. To the point where it feels like he keeps writing the same book over and over again. It’s very tiresome.

On Murakami, I recommend you try the other one, RYU Murakami, specifically Piercing and In The Miso Soup a faster easy reading style but still weird.

The things I hate about Murakami's writing I can't ignore, I cringe really hard when one of these "unnecessary" things pop, and then he strays away from the plot line in the most unnecessary way, he wouldn't go back unless he's describing an awful scene of the main character doing inappropriate things, and he tries to make it valid! That his tastless bland main character has the right to do whatever "men" do! I hate his books, I said it. I mean, I get it Merphy.

I agree with you about stardust. I watched the film first and loved it and when I read the book totally hated. I first read Murakami's Tokio Blues and did loved it. I won't read Kafka on the shore because of the kittens. I can't stand animal cruelty. I haven't read the maidens because I hated the silent patient. As a therapist myself I hate certain tropes on the subject. Always appreciate an honest review!! Sorry if there are some spelling mistakes. Greatings from Argentina!!🤗🤗❤

Went from one to two... That's DOUBLE! Awesome line.

Your so awesome

I appreciate the thought put into not caring for Stardust. I must admit even being a super mega books-first Neil Gaiman “superfan” that I came into it via the whimsical and “Star-studded” film adaptation and I think I might like the book seems whimsical. Although I oddly do get how it might not be to some people’s taste who might even love books and fantasy overall. I like that differentiation and being able to look at different works of even favorite authors dispassionately. Like I imagine I would be way more into Mistborn and Stormlight (his opus forte) than Sanderson’s space YA sci-fi and with automatic-read King (I actually didn’t begin the already a film adapted hefty hardcover Dreamcatcher got as a gift for some reason or its an actual DNF I’m blocking out of memory .. anyway, a book I gave away and ton more other previous excellent King works I would dive into head-on). Other two I’m intrigued to learn more about why they’d didn’t work. 🙂 📚

I began undulating with excitement as my mother gave me a gift.

Kafka on the Shore is one of my fav books of all time. But I’m up for a discussion especially listening to someone who didn’t enjoy it. Really want to know your side as a normal discussion should be like 😊

Hey Murphy! did you ever finish The Only Good Indians?

I love when my favorite booktubers rant about books lol

"When you go from 1 to 2, that's double." Today's math lesson was brought to you by Merphy Napier.

Oh my Kafka on the shore was my favorite book I read this year!

Murakami's the windup bird, pinball 1987 are good stories imho. Hardboiled wonderland and the end of the world is an acquired taste. The author has a hardcore fanbase that more or less feel his writing is above criticism which is wrong but fans gonna fan. He's definitely not for everyone.

After hearing you talk about "kafka on the shore" I am curious to hear your opinion on "The Maias" from Eça de Queiroz.

Never read Murakami, and I still want to give some books a try, but I love your review. It sounds like, in that particular book, he doesn't understand the big rule of writing: not what to write, but what NOT to write.

Holy cow, I'm so glad that I never got very far into Kafka On The Shore!! Thanks for the warning! lmao

Merphy I legit need to know your hair products lordy

Merphy ranting about Kafka on The Shore has to be one of the most hilarious things ever.

Lol I just bought a copy of the maidens 😩💀

Really hoped this video would jokingly start with Daniel Greene’s book. Oh well.

Uhh love ranty Merph :D

Maybe try Norwegian Wood?

Merph woke up today and chose violence.

If you really didn’t enjoy Kafka on the Shore then I think you may enjoy After Dark much more. It has that trippy magical realism feel without things dragging on forever. In After Dark there are multiple story lines that are interwoven with other story lines. Thankfully he breaks these up into small sections so it doesn’t feel stagnant. After Dark is not the kind of book that has a clear resolution, we are merely uninterrupting viewers to different lives. We look through a window into a city, one that’s strange and unpredictable but not wholly dissimilar from our world. We never change the outcome, we only observe. What happens after dark when the final train has left, when the businesses men go back to their families, when your reflection leaves the mirror, when hotels see their late night customers. Who’s to say? Who’s to know? I could talk about this book for hours so I’d definitely encourage anyone to give it a try. To make the experience even better, read this one at night and listen to any songs the book mentions. I promise this makes it SUPER immersive.

Hey Murph, have you ever read any of the Dresden files?

“Y’know, I’m in love with you. I can’t tell you _why_ , Im not really sure, but I do” - said almost every romantic subplot ever

I actually liked " The Maidens"... i liked it so much that after i finished the book, i went out and bought " The Silent Patient" from the same author, even though initially i had no intention of doing so. Strangely though, i'm not in disagreement with most of what you said, except the part of Marianna being a bad therapist. Don't think she was a bad therapist, just a mediocre one with baggage the size OF A SMALL COUNTRY. Your video was fun though, and i don't begrudge you your oppinion, just hope you find the book that you hope " The Maidens" could have been.. and when you do, hope you'll make a vidoe so we can know too :)

I have read 2 of the 3. I agree with you.

Thats exactly what happens with me and Stardust I can't separate the book and the movie anymore in my head so I was caught off guard at first and then I was like no.... you're right I'm thinking of the movie pacing.

Have you tried reading any of The Stormlight Archives?

Sorry if this sounds weird, but you have such an older sister vibe! I just love listening to you talk and invoke your wisdom on us ahaha

oh, wow... hahah I read Kafka On The Shore when I was a teenager (probably around 17-18) and still oblivious to most things. I loved it back then, but I have a feeling I would hate it now 10 years later

Can you make Kaitou Joker review?

Could you react to Vinland Saga. It has 3 completed arcs and we’re now in the final arc of the manga. The art, scenery, fights, characters, concept and philosophy of this manga are absolutely magnificent. It is an absolute masterpiece and has some of the best characters that i have seen in any type of art form.

i really wanted to buy a map but $144 for shipping? lol sorry lord of maps.

I loved Kafka. I have read quite a few of Murakami most famous books. The one i liked the least is 1Q84 because in my opinion it was the least "Murakami" of his works. Kafka, Norwigian Wood, Wind Up Bird Chronicle, After the Earthquake are all very good

I've never read Murakami but have always wanted to! Something keeps putting me off though and after this I guess I know why hahahaha

I really laughed when it came to the chemistry of Napier and Kafka on The Shore.

I have always told the people that recommended Murakami that they didn't know Murphy, I always knew she was gonna hate his writing style.

17:20 that's just adorable

I am about to read kafka on the shore for my book club

The maidens … I did try .. because of the ‘ buzz’ way to light after finishing wheel of time !

Kafka on the Shore was actually one of my favourite books this year ironically. But I totally understand why some people hate it.

Listening to you talk about Kafka killed me 🤣 especially the the very last line, "Why are these things in there?" The way you said it I just started busting up 🤣😅😂

I feel like you should maybe check out Murakami's Norwegian Wood. Its very much realism and so none of the darker things happen (like people eating cats or General Sanders being a pimp) haha and altho the genitalia thing is still sort of there, it makes more sense bc its a kinda coming of age novel about a teenager dealing w the suicide of his BFF and the ex gf of this bff and the loneliness of living alone for the first time in your life, etc. It's a lot abt grief and depression in Japan, especially with the "epidemic" of suicides that happened there. It truly is a masterful novel

Neil Gaiman is super wordy but the thing, none of it is wasted. I was like, i hate this gaiman book...then i took a cup of tea and didnt skip ahead, rush the book---Turns out, every single word mattered. He's way too good for his own good.