11: Deep Dive - The Phenomenon of Overhyped Books

What's with all the hype? In this deep dive hosts Alexys, Kaylin, and Larsen dissect the modern hype machine that powers the phenomonen of overrated books. We break down the social media frenzy and recency bias that propel big reader expectations and can lead to dissatisfaction and disappointment. Critical discourse includes our definition of overhyped- this is not a conversation about bad books, so much as it is a conversation about books who are built up too big, becoming cultural behemonths at the front of every book store. Digressions include a look at both the Readers' and Critics' Choice New York Times "Best Books of the 21st Century" Lists, as well as an exploration of what books we think are actually underhyped. Ultimately, we plead with the hype machine- let a book be just good, not everything has to be sold as the best book of the century.   Sources: "Best Books of the 21st Century: Reader's Response", New York Times "Review: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow Feels So Yesterday", The Spinoff "The Thing About Popular and Overhyped Books", The Daily Star