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Worst book you had to read?
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Paul
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Apr 22, 2014 09:27AM
we could try push a vote through on Lord of the Flies;-)
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I have to agree with Isabella. I liked Maeve Binchey's books especially her early ones. The later ones weren't as good in my humble opinion.
Susan wrote: "I have to agree with Isabella. I liked Maeve Binchey's books especially her early ones. The later ones weren't as good in my humble opinion."I didn't enjoy them as much either, Susan. I've had Minding Frankie for ages and can't get into it. I still love her though - such a gentle soul. I like Patricia Scanlan for a good bit of escapism too.
I think I read Circle of Friends but that's about it. It's a good book. Haven't read any of her newer stuff.
I particularly liked Light a Penny Candle and the Glass Lake. I didn't particularly care for Minding Frankie.
@Brian - I didn't mind Peig at school, maybe because she was a local legend and everything else we had to read was even more boring!!The worst books for me are those where you expect more or something else - tried "A long way down" by Nick Hornby a few months ago and had to leave it in disgust. Now Fifty Shades of Grey were ok for me as I knew it was trash and enjoyed it for what it was (couldn't bring myself to read the third one though - only so much trash you can take, lol!).
I actually liked The Great Gatsby. It'll never make a list of my favourite books but I loved the overly lavish and elaborte lives described in the book. It was one of those books where I could visualise everything perfectly from the details given. I read Breakfast at Tiffany's around the same time and thought it was crap. I didn't get what all the fuss was about.
With mention of school books, I read The Old Man and The Sea at school and hated it. I though it was the most tedious piece of scuttery arse-gravy I eve read. I eventually read Hemingway again and saw what the fuss was about, but he is pretty dark.
It's that sort of book Jamie Lynn, a lot of people don't like it. I enjoyed the world of the book more than the actual story. I also liked the narrator but that's just me.
I liked the language of 'Gatsby' but other than that it didn't have anything else meaningful or insightful to say.
Susan wrote: "I particularly liked Light a Penny Candle and the Glass Lake. I didn't particularly care for Minding Frankie."Light a Penny Candle was the first Maeve Binchy I ever read, and even now, it seems to me to be totally different from her other books - has 'more teeth'.
@Emma lol! Yeah, I never liked Irish at school but that year we had a great teacher, I just liked hearing about her life and how difficult it was (and I grew up on the Dingle road so it was local history, maybe). I didn't say I loved it but it was better than most years learning Irish at school!!! Again, the power of a good teacher.Jeez - I see I rated it 5 stars on goodreads a few months back, I must have loved it!
@Emma re school destroys a lot of books, I totally agree. My first year at secondary school (aged about 12) we read "The Bogman" by Walter Macken. It bored me to tears and the rest of the all girl class. I think if I read it now, I'd get a lot out of it but at the time it was not relevant or interesting and I can't face a re-read! Haven't read anything by Walter Macken since.
Declan wrote: "With mention of school books, I read The Old Man and The Sea at school and hated it. I though it was the most tedious piece of scuttery arse-gravy I eve read. I eventually read Hemingway again and ..."Declan, your post just made me laugh out loud. I read OMATS in high school and I was bored to tears. Catch the stupid fish already...I never really took to Hemingway.
I agree with you, Cathleen. I always thought he was writing for men but after Declan's comment I am not sure.I loved Robert Redford in Jeremiah Johnson. In fact, our oldest son was named after the movie. He's Jeremiah Johnson but not much of a mountain man.
Tara wrote: "@Emma re school destroys a lot of books, I totally agree. My first year at secondary school (aged about 12) we read "The Bogman" by Walter Macken. It bored me to tears and the rest of the all gir..."Have you tried his Irish Trilogy? Three basically stand alone novels, which I found totally engrossing.
I loved the Irish trilogy. Seek the Fair land was always one of my favourite books. Brilliantly written and emotionally charged
@Isabella & Paul, no I should give them a go, they do sound interesting. Unfortunately, "Seek the Fair Land" (or any other Macken book) isn't available through our library or Book Depository. May have to stock up when I go home next time.@Jamie Lynn & Emma - yes, you would wonder what the purpose of reading the book is? Developing a love of reading should be in there somewhere.
@Cathleen & Susan.
And the thing about The Old Man and the Sea is he didn't even have enough fish left for a sandwich(!?).
And the thing about The Old Man and the Sea is he didn't even have enough fish left for a sandwich(!?).
Declan wrote: "@Cathleen & Susan.And the thing about The Old Man and the Sea is he didn't even have enough fish left for a sandwich(!?)."
It was much ado about nothing :)
@Tara That's a shame. Worth picking up when ever you can
Tara wrote: "@Isabella & Paul, no I should give them a go, they do sound interesting. Unfortunately, "Seek the Fair Land" (or any other Macken book) isn't available through our library or Book Depository. May..."Bizarre pricing (for all three in fact) from Amazon.co.uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seek-Fair-Lan...
Its reasonable at awesome books to the US http://www.awesomebooks.com/search/?q...
Delivery to the states is $5 for as many books as you order
Thanks Isabelle & Paul, much appreciated, yes, definitely no excuses now! I decided last night that I'm going buy a kindle for these type of purchases (I'm based in NZ) as shipping can be a pain unless a relatively recently published book.
Same link as below delivers to New Zealand for the same priceBut so whats needed to get the books you want
The delivery prices from some sites can be mental which is maddening when the book just isn't available in store. Kindle seems like a reasonable solution especially if you buy books online regularly.
@Paul - those are very good rates for delivery of used books, thanks wasn't aware of that site (are you sure you just don't want me to buy a Kindle!)@Trelawn - yes, I've found Amazon really frustrating when trying to buy used books and given up. You go through the whole process and then find out they don't deliver to NZ.
Kindle is the final option / last resort
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