Books you wanted to loathe but couldn't

[Emily]

I was thoroughly prepared to dislike (but not hate) Shakespeare's Henry V. I love Shakespeare, but I didn't think that a historical play would really be as interesting as his other work. I had to read it for school, and of course it was absolutely wonderful.
Oh Shakespeare, how could I have doubted you?

[Ellen]

I love Shakespeare's history plays. King Henry IV, Part 1 is wonderful (Part 2, not so much & full of very sad moments); King Edward III is a favorite of mine, and, of course, The Tragedy of King Richard III while historically inaccurate is a wonderful play.

[Ellen]

I love King John.

[Emily]

Anna wrote: "Henry V was always a favourite of mine and I think I almost fell in love with Kenneth Brannaugh when the film came out. "

I'm totally in love with Brannaugh too. Have you seen him in Much Ado About Nothing? Oh my gosh.

I was also expecting to hate Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which I had to read for the same class as Henry V. I wasn't expecting it to be that great, but the translation we had of it was really wonderful so I ended up really enjoying it.

[Maudie]

"The Art of Racing in the Rain" Garth Stein

The premise of this book just did not appeal to me...yet, over a three or four month period I literally came across this novel seemingly everywhere...at a book store where it was featured, a friend's house, etc. Finally, I just said, "I Give," and bought a copy. I adored it and read through the night, closing the back cover as the rest of the household was beginning their day. The protagonist and the story he told just stole my heart.

[Toni]

Your review made me want to read this one. Thanks

[Maudie]

In MHO, it is well worth the read, Toni. The next morning, my hubby asked me what I was laughing and crying about during the night, so I briefly told him about the story and how I couldn't put it down. "You have to read it to me...tonight!" was his response. So, just a few hours after finishing the book, I was reading it again and he shared the laughter and tears. Once this book pulls you into the story, you're along for the ride.

Caution: If you read this, keep a box of tissues handy!

[Karen B.]

Wow. Thanks. Believe it or not I bought this book in hardback at when it first came out. And it's been sitting on my shelf. When I found out the "racing" referred to car racing, I got kind of blah about it. Now you have rekindled my interest.

[Melanie]

Michelle wrote: "The Twilight Series.... I know they are terrible books, with terrible writing and a terrible plot.

But I still really enjoyed them. Maybe the characters were good?"

Michelle, I hear you loud and clear on this one. I was so set on hating these books. I had watched the first movie and was so turned off by sparkling vampires and a dumb girl that seemed like she was just a hair short of suicidal, so I was NOT going to even read the books. But after feeling so out of the loop with every other female around I decided to read them....just so I could add to the discussion. Well I was wrong. Couldn't put the books down, and read the first 3 in just over a week.

[Victoria]

Charlaine Harris Sookie stackhouse series... I read them because I saw one episode of True Blood and hated it and decided I would hate the book also but i read all the books that were published ... Haven't tried the last 3-4 books yet because I feel ridiculous reading them lol

also the daughters of the moon series ... I don't know why i like it lol

[Charles]

Emily wrote: "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
I wanted to hate it because it's a silly premise, a gimmicky style, a cliched plot, and not written all that well. But I liked it an..."

Emily, I agree with the silly premise and gimicky style and cliched plot and writing. Ultimately, however, I felt that the good, or at least lovely, aspects of the book were not able to overcome the weaknesses. I thought it was... meh.

[[deleted user]]

Abigail (42stitches) wrote: "I don't really like mystery books. Never have. But whenever they are demented, horror, or have a metaphysical theme I end up really liking them for some reason. Season of the Witch, Sepulchre to na..."

I generally don't care for them either. I usually call them "who done its?" and I don't care who done it most days.

[Anna]

Princess Diaries use to be my guilty pleasures now a different sort of series has taken over and I admit, it was all my doing..okay some had to do with my best friend Lizzie, however, it's now Sophie Kinsella that has taken over my guilty pleasure and now I can't stop reading them, her series of different books. It all started....never mind, it's a loooong story.

[[deleted user]]

I expected to hate The Hunger Games, but I found it very engaging. Mostly because I tend to favor first-person narrative, and I found Katniss' voice, as a narrator, to be both strong and vulnerable. I also expected the story to be incredibly silly, but it was focused and tight. I enjoyed reading it.

I'm not sure I'd read the follow-ups any time soon, though.

[Meghan]

Gus wrote: "I expected to hate The Hunger Games, but I found it very engaging. "

Exactly how I felt as well. I did find the book smarmy in places, but overall enjoyed the story.

I read them back-to-back. Though I can't say I loved them, I did like them enough that I get the hype.

[Anna]

I really loathe the Twilight series..more than I can say but I found New Moon and I thought I would really hate and everything but as it turns out...I love it!!! Jacob is such an amazing character and I keep imagining myself as Bella even though I would totally make different choices.

[Meghan]

Gus wrote: "I expected to hate The Hunger Games, but I found it very engaging. Mostly because I tend to favor first-person narrative, and I found Katniss' voice, as a narrator, to be both strong and vulnerable..."

Me too. I won't say I loved them, and I'm SO TIRED of the girl-and-two-guys triangle, but overall I enjoyed the world and the story.

[Nanci]

Prozac nation by E Wurtzel.

[Kellyn]

I feel really embarrassed to say this, but I just can't seem to put down cheesy vampire/angel romance novels. They bug the crap out of me because they're so cliche, but for some reason I can't put them down. I'll go, "This is a terrible book!" and throw it against a wall, only to come back because I want to know what happened to that stupid lovestruck girl and her fallen angel boyfriend. I hate myself because of it.

[Nanci]

Sarah silverman's the Bedwetter I was convinced I would find as strained as her whole "cute-politically-incorrect-baby talking-slut"-schtick... But I found Silverman in this memoir to be surprisingly honest and charming. I don't like to be surprised, so it was quite a shock, I tells ya.