Shit just works - forever and always.
(shh, it just works and shit just works are both valid - the intent was the former IIRC - but the latter is obviously the superior choice. I’m also partial to sh.it.heads when referring to users [cheeky, but thought about in the same way as Deadheads for Grateful Dead fans])
I wouldn’t go that far - oftentimes people actually do like those books that get name dropped for clout.
I would say if you take a recommendation and aren’t digging the book, drop it with absolutely no guilt. If something like (for example) Infinite Jest just feels like a slog with no payoff, and you just wanna kick back with something trashy, do it and fuck the haters.
But you may find you dig it - you won’t know without giving it a shot.