If you had to burn a book...

[Don]

tosses 1Q84 back into the fire, "Sorry Peggy, it came out with a Parent". I enjoyed 1Q84 but I understand folks feeling like they got trapped in a hallucinogenic drug experience and not the Triple rainbow kind.

[Rachel]

Wow clicking on that link for the ‘how to abuse your child’ book took me down a rabbit hole of terror.
Why isn’t there a flag for abuse option on books?

[Don]

sniffles... They used to beat us kids and starve us !! Getting spanked and sent to bed without dinner were common tortures back when !! It gimme some of that there PTSD, woe is me !

[Rachel]

Yeah explaining mother goose to my kids why the old lady who lived in a shoe “whipped then all soundly and sent them to bed” is....Fun....

[Trike]

Don wrote: "sniffles... They used to beat us kids and starve us !! Getting spanked and sent to bed without dinner were common tortures back when !! It gimme some of that there PTSD, woe is me !"

That’s not what this book is about. It is literally a system designed to create sociopaths. Everything we know about how to create monsters — not cutesy-wootsy rugrats who misbehave, but the kind of monsters who do everything from abuse children to murder — is laid out as a Bible-approved way to raise kids.

Two of the organizations I volunteer with helps abused women and children and we hear this exact story all the time, and it was the first time I heard about this book. It came out about 25-30 years ago, but it was based on earlier, similar teachings, and at the very least they perpetuate the cycle of abuse.

[Ruth]

Rachel wrote: "Wow clicking on that link for the ‘how to abuse your child’ book took me down a rabbit hole of terror.
Why isn’t there a flag for abuse option on books?"

Sorry about that, should have put a warning on my post. This book (and the consequences of people following it) really is horrifying.
Now you know why I suggested putting the parents on the bonfire too.

[Jarod]

Mein Kampf...or any manifesto which propagates hatred.

[Esther]

Karin wrote: "Inkheart, followed quickly by Inkspell. Fantastic idea horribly executed."

I loved the idea too but found the writing in Inkheart so stodgy I just couldn't continue. But I did give the book away, not burn it :0)

[Don]

says "really sorry about this!" "Ruth, you might have had the right of this". as he throws parents back into the fire.

[Don]

GoodOnYa Trike, That kind of volunteer work is truly Righteous.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Esther wrote: "Karin wrote: "Inkheart, followed quickly by Inkspell. Fantastic idea horribly executed."

I loved the idea too but found the writing in Inkheart so stodgy I just couldn't ..."


Agreed. I never could bring myself to read Inkdeath because the first 2 were such a chore.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Don wrote: "says "really sorry about this!" "Ruth, you might have had the right of this". as he throws parents back into the fire."


*helps*

[Karin]

colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: "Esther wrote: "Karin wrote: "Inkheart, followed quickly by Inkspell. Fantastic idea horribly executed."

I loved the idea too but found the writing in Inkheart so stodgy I..."

Same here. I only read Inkspell because I had already purchased it.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Karin wrote: "Same here. I only read Inkspell because I had already purchased it. "


Same! And I almost never do that, but I'd heard such good things about it I thought I was safe to buy them both. Ugh!

[Kateb]

I suppose the thing about throwing books on the fire is more about books which you think do/did a lot of damage rather than ones you didn't like. If it was just useless books, I could throw on thousands! There is a lot of crap out there!!

But books that should be destroyed? I would probably throw both the Bible and the Koran as both have caused so much damage to the world. And Mein Kampf

There aren't many books that stand out as ones I really didn't like and were not crap if you know what I mean.

I put books into this category that are supposed to be 'good' but I didn't like. Some classics like Vanity Fair maybe or Patrick White books.

Trashy romance and other stuff is just too easy! Wasn't fussed on some of DH Lawrence. But even these I can see were well written, they just didn't appeal.

I always object to people who label a book 'boring'. I always say that if someone likes the book, then it isn't boring, it just doesn't appeal. I suppose I should apply that to myself and rephrase my attitude to 'trashy' books. The style doesn't appeal!!

[Dj]

Michel wrote: "Most of David Weber's books, particularly the last dozen or so books of the Honorverse series, for being endless babbling and info dump going on for hundreds of pages."

He is trying to outdo Melville.

[Dj]

Paul wrote: "Any of L. Ron Hubbard's terrible SF, from Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000 to Dianetics"

I actually liked the first part of Battlefield Earth, but it quickly went down hill.

[Dj]

Gary wrote: "True there are a few gems within Rands work. I think her stuff is just ridiculously dated other than simple western priclnciples of individualism and all that.

"Communist Russia bad, America good..."

I loved Anthem, it is in fact the basis of one of my favorite songs. 2112. A very interesting take on the Meek Shall Inherit the Earth.

[Cheryl]

Bill wrote: "all fiction that is classified as non-fiction"

Oh, yes, wow, that'll keep us warm for some time....

(Assuming you mean bad science, hypothetical history, etc.
I got nothin' against poetry or plays as genres.)

[Cheryl]

Kateb wrote: "I suppose the thing about throwing books on the fire is more about books which you think do/did a lot of damage rather than ones you didn't like. If it was just useless books, I could throw on thou..."

Yes. Kateb, yes, thank you for this.

And I agree with the commenter who objected to Where the Red Fern Grows. But maybe not for the same reasons. I believe it very likely to be a harmful book. I'm all for sustenance hunting and free-range children, so I don't necessarily have a problem with the cultural & historical context. However, the lessons it teaches a school-child, especially a girl, have never been relevant to healthy families... certainly not since the book was written and added to lists of books that school children should read. And the saddest part of the book? When they cut down that huge old tree just to get a coon down. Wtf?!

[Justin]

I will gleefully supply the fuel to ignite Atlas Shrugged. It took me an entire summer to struggle through that towering monument to obstreperous conceit, and I have no one to blame but myself for not putting it back on the shelf. "If only the great thinkers could be unshackled from onerous regulations and small-mindedness!" Anytime I hear that woeful refrain I encourage people to read The Smartest Guys in the Room about Enron's collapse. I read it right after Atlas Shrugged and it seemed to me a clear case study in the dangers of unfettered inventiveness (and arrogance).

Surprised to see Windup Girl on some folks' lists. I found the story to be a thoughtful and plausible view of the future. To each his or her own ...

[Dj]

Anything by Bill O'Rielly, he wouldn't know History if it up and slapped him in the face. The Bilge he passes off as history, made my High School Text book look like it had all the answers.

[David]

Allegiant

I couldn't finish it. I just couldn't take it anymore. I had to go to Wikipedia and read the plot synopsis to find out what happened. It affirmed my decision. Don't even get me started on the movie.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

David wrote: "Allegiant

I couldn't finish it. I just couldn't take it anymore. I had to go to Wikipedia and read the plot synopsis to find out what happened. It affirmed my decision. Don't even ..."


I bailed on that series after the first book. Glad to see I wasn't wrong. ;)

[Michelle]

Fool's Assassin by Robin Hobbs. Infuriating and insulting on so many levels! What a waste of time, money, and the tree to make the book. I think that was the angriest I've ever been upon finishing a book. I never bothered to pick up books 2 and three.

[Michelle]

Sorry...Hobb. my autocorrect kicked in.

[Gary]

There is one book that I threw across the room after I finished reading it. That book is The Lost Eagles by Ralph Graves. I wish I could have burned the last page before I read that page. It was a very good book but I did not like the ending and that changed my opinion about the book. But I still remember it, don't I?

[Hank]

Michelle wrote: "Fool's Assassin by Robin Hobbs. Infuriating and insulting on so many levels! What a waste of time, money, and the tree to make the book. I think that was the angriest I've ever been upon finishing ..."

I think you are my new best friend! Not saying it will last long but....

[CBRetriever]

and I loved it

[Dj]

Michelle wrote: "Sorry...Hobb. my autocorrect kicked in."

Cruse that autocorrect. It makes you say the darndest things.

[Cheryl]

Shouldn't that be 'Cruise?' ;)

[Kateb]

or "Curse" ?
Hobb was the best books for my teenager who wouldn't read. Got him started , so I ignored so much .

Then again if we are talking series I have never recovered from a Eddings : a reasonable read and then the final book was the hero got to choose good or bad. WTF ??? Pointless . I gave the whol series away.

Again I comment that everyone has a style that they like, but as to burning a book I would go for those that push an unrealistic point of view.

And of course cook books , exercise books that are really too hard for most people. All books written by people who say they are experts but hold no qualifications.

After that rant I will have to go and read a decent Sci fi/ fantasy

[Phrynne]

David wrote: "Allegiant

I couldn't finish it. I just couldn't take it anymore. I had to go to Wikipedia and read the plot synopsis to find out what happened. It affirmed my decision. Don't even ..."

At least you saved yourself from reading a truly awful ending.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Cheryl wrote: "Shouldn't that be 'Cruise?' ;)"

haha!

I did not expect the book burning thread to make me laugh this much. But turning the words over, I guess I should have expected this to turn into a roast.

[Catherine]

Michelle wrote: "Fool's Assassin by Robin Hobbs. Infuriating and insulting on so many levels! What a waste of time, money, and the tree to make the book. I think that was the angriest I've ever been upon finishing ..."

So glad I’m not alone - couldn’t finish it. Gah and blergh.

[Catherine]

Kateb wrote: "or "Curse" ?
Hobb was the best books for my teenager who wouldn't read. Got him started , so I ignored so much .

Then again if we are talking series I have never recovered from a Eddings : a reaso..."

I read the Belgariad from age 12 onwards and I devoured the series as did my Dad and sister. Tried to re-read them and shrivelled up with loathing. Funny how your tastes change isn’t it. I do still read LOTR a couple of times a year though.....still love....always will!!

[Paul]

Speaking of unpopular opinions, I absolutely abhorred Leviathan Wakes, to the point where my eyes hurt from rolling them so much. Anyway, I ranted about it at length in the review I wrote back in the day, so you can find my main complaints there: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jason]

Definitely the Scarlet Letter. I think this is the only book I've ever fallen asleep reading. The book falling out of my hands and hitting the floor woke me up.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Catherine wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Fool's Assassin by Robin Hobbs. Infuriating and insulting on so many levels! What a waste of time, money, and the tree to make the book. I think that was the angriest I've ever bee..."

I ended up giving Fool's Assassin 3-stars at the time, but mostly because it was at least better than Liveship. I never did bother reading after the first book, though. I know people who lurve Hobb, but she's definitely not for me. You can have my copy for the burn pile.

ETA: JFC. According to my book list I actually did read the second book with a group. I didn't even remember. *snort

[Kateb]

I think choice of books is very individual. I have two sisters who read as much as I do. We decided to do a book club between the three of us. Each person chose a book and then started the circle again.

It finally folded as we didn't like each others choices. There were many overlaps with one sister and I , but the other sister just hated anything she felt didn't teach her something .

SO I choose the books to burn on incorrect information: not fantasy where they are allowed to do this, but exercise, child rearing, diet, fashion. Areas where there is no need for proof of qualification

[AndrewP]

I would add all those works of literature that we are forced to read in school. Those do more to discourage people from reading in later life than any other factor.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

I LOVE the Eddings series - I read 11 of them yearly. #12 is too much, even for me.

[Ritchie]

colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Fool's Assassin by Robin Hobbs. Infuriating and insulting on so many levels! What a waste of time, money, and the tree to make the book. I think that was the angr..."

Dare I say it, I agree? Better warn you that 'Robin Hobb' (a pseudonym, obviously) and her fans take themselves very very seriously indeed...

[Kateb]

MrsJoseph wrote: "I LOVE the Eddings series - I read 11 of them yearly. #12 is too much, even for me."
I loved the series, which is why I was soooo disappointed with the last book. My criteria for a good series is will I re read. No in this case

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Ritchie wrote: "Dare I say it, I agree? Better warn you that 'Robin Hobb' (a pseudonym, obviously) and her fans take themselves very very seriously indeed... "

I would say they're hardly the only ones. The reviews I've gotten the most hate for are lower-star ratings for The Name of the Wind and Warbreaker. How dare I not love something which so many other people have loved! ;)

[Michelle]

Actually, I'm truly surprised that I didn't receive hate messages for the crime of my comment! That happened to me when I left a negative review on Amazon for a music artist. Oh my gosh, the backlash was phenomenal! Some of this artist's fans are almost rabid. After that, if I didn't like it, I didn't review it. So far, the Goodreads community has been more tolerant.

[Cheryl]

(GR is marketed as a community for readers; Amazon is all in-your-face about profit. I think therein lies the difference. So long as you don't actually say anything about the author's personal life, but focus on the book, your comments are protected by GR policy.)

[Kateb]

colleen the convivial curmudgeon wrote: "Ritchie wrote: "Dare I say it, I agree? Better warn you that 'Robin Hobb' (a pseudonym, obviously) and her fans take themselves very very seriously indeed... "

I would say they're hardly the only ..."
oh good someone else didn't like those books, I only ever read praise and so said nothing.

[Jacqueline]

I don’t know about burning a book. Maybe turn it into that annoying book art I see everywhere. That would be a better punishment for being a crap book. And would save all of the good books from that fate. Yes I know a set of Harry Potter books that spell MAGIC would be lovely but honestly that’s just all kinds of wrong. Or old bound editions of early classics. Just no. I have read heaps of books that could probably meet a fate worse than death. I’ve read some tripe over the years. But like on Jimmy Kimmel when they asked people the name of a book they’ve read recently I’ve drawn a blank.

.....no...wait....The Sun And Her Flowers. Definitely not a fan of what people call poetry nowadays. It was more heaps of one liners and observations. 1⭐️read and that’s only because I couldn’t work out how to give it -5. Sure there were maybe 2 paragraphs that were OK but other than that it was a pile of steaming shit.

[Cheryl]

As I said before, I would love to burn books that actually put crap ideas in ppls' heads. And yes, I do think that I could be the judge of that. Don't look for it, but there was a parenting guide mentioned above that qualifies.

However, if we're going to talk about books that lots and lots of ppl love yet that I think are a waste of trees, let's see if I'm gonna get blasted for despising Hunger Games and having low opinions of Life of Pi and The Night Circus.

(Btw, I have never even been tempted to read Hobb.)