Books I've had to put down and why

[Jen]

I was very disappointed in "Enchantment" by Orson Scott Card. The author uses every opportunity to throw in a foul word or sexual comment. It's like he's a 14-year-old boy who thinks it's fun to talk about being naked or private parts. Ditto for "Ender's Game" by O.S.C. I'm very picky in what I waste my time reading!

[Margaret]

I'm new to this group and would like to thank you all for your input. It really saves a lot of time to know in advance if a book is a good read.

[Melissa]

Jen wrote: "I was very disappointed in "Enchantment" by Orson Scott Card. The author uses every opportunity to throw in a foul word or sexual comment. It's like he's a 14-year-old boy who thinks it's fun to t..."

His "Memory of Earth" was a lot that way too. Not a book I would recommend to anyone...

[[deleted user]]

Do not read "Ellen Foster" by Kay Gibbons. In fact, don't read any of Kay Gibbons books. On page 1 of "Ellen Foster" the YA Ellen is considering how to kill her drunk father - the reason - rape - continually by him. The book gets worse from there.

It was on a reading list for my daughter's English Lit Class when she was in 8th grade. I always previewed assigned books and when I objected, I'd investigate the author along with their other books.

Needless to say, I told the teacher that Briana wouldn't read it and I'd find her another book. She tried to argue the typical bit about expanding Briana's world, but I didn't budge. I made it clear that when it comes to morality what my daughter reads is up to her father and I - not a teacher.

I'm far from politically correct. :)

[Laura]

Shawn wrote: "Do not read "Ellen Foster" by Kay Gibbons. In fact, don't read any of Kay Gibbons books. On page 1 of "Ellen Foster" the YA Ellen is considering how to kill her drunk father - the reason - rape - c..."

I would have done exactly the same thing! We are responsible for our children's education.

[[deleted user]]

Thanks, Laura. Unfortunately, not many parents do while those take a stand met usually met stiff opposition or are totally ignored by teachers, authors and publishers.

That's been the most surprising attitude I've run into since becoming published - authors who dismiss the concerns of parents about book content by citing creative license to write what they want and look down on morality - and publishers who just don't care and simply chase the bottom dollar.

[Beth Earl]

I've been reading The Traitor's Wife by Susan Higginbothom. As much as I've enjoyed the story, I have been turned off by the amount of homosexuality that occurs between the king and the main character's husband. It's just so unnecessary. I also don't appreciate the acceptance of it by the main character because she loves her husband so much.

[Eileen]

Grace said, “Just tried The 13th Tale... this book is beautifully written... But then, incest, sadism, masochism---yuck!”

Yeah, I tried it too, based on someone's else's recommendation. I wasted my time reading 70 pages only to end up finding incest, violence, even self-inflicted violence. And for no discernable reason. The characters seem to have little or no motivation for doing these senseless acts. I hate it when books (and movies) have people doing things that would be considered horrible in real life, but in the context of the book are presented in such a matter-of-fact way that it's no big deal for the characters. That's what makes for desensitization and a crueler, more hostile world.

[[deleted user]]

Not trying to be pushy or do too much self-promotions, but FYI - since we've discussed book 1. In advance of the release of ALLON BOOK 2: INSURRECTION this fall, I reorganized the home page of my website.

http://www.allonbooks.com

[Bridget]

Jessica wrote: "i am so happy to have found this group! i have to tell you that Water For Elephants is not one that should be read. I am still scarred by what I did read, it is very sexual and the swear words are..."

I couldn't agree more. I searched this site out because of "Water for Elephants." I wish I had known about it sooner.

[Becca]

Emily (Super Reader Girl Reviews) wrote: "I didn't personally put it down, but definitely would not recommend The Sky is Everywhere to any teenagers because of the casual attitude towards unmarried sex/foreplay as well as some drinking and..."

I would say the same. I didn't put it down either, but wish I had. What a waste of good reading time.

Wicked Lovely is another I wouldn't recommend. There's an absurd amount of crude language in this book that had my head reeling. I felt ashamed that I had purchased it for my sister before really reading through it.

[LaSibila]

Thank so much fo the tips... I am English student... I wish to have same in Spanish.

[[deleted user]]

I'm back! Hadn't realized a month has passed since I last posted, wow. Been very busy with INSURRECTION and attending the Decatur Book Festival this past weekend.

INSURRECTION maybe ready earlier than October, but we'll see how the next proof looks. As for the book festival, I'll be blogging about my participation and experience over the next couple of days if anyone is interested.

http://allonbooks-thekingdomofallon.b...

[Mimi]

world without end .. a very annoying reading experience, ikept flipping thru pages just cause i wanted to know what would happen in the end, so i couldnt enjoy the story,and i didnt understand alot of what was going on due to my skipping. not nice :/

[Rebecca]

Illyria
by Elizabeth Hand

I picked this up at the library (in the YA section) thinking it looked unique. What started as mild bad language progressed and then there was an explicit sex scene. That was enough for me. Even so, the story itself was somewhat shallow and undeveloped, so it wasn't too tough to put it down. Not worth reading.

[Sarah]

I've pretty much stopped reading books from the teenage section, there all crap.
I have a problem I enjoy war/adventure books but apperantly everyone must get it on before, during and after and adventure/war...very annoying.

[Becca]

Not all books from the teenage section are crap. Almost all the books on my top ten best ever list are YA/teen books. Don't give up on a genre just because there are some real duds in it. I'd have to give up on adult lit altogether if that was the case.

[Sarah]

There is a defierence, at lest at my barnes and nobel betwwen 'teen' and 'Young Adult' Young Adult is ok most of the time but at my book store it's for 12 year olds....

[Becca]

That's what I would classify as "middle-grade." My B&N only has Children, YA, and adult, so the MG books get thrown in with the YA. And 6 out of 10 of my faves are true YA books written for ages 16-25, 2 of them are MG and the other 2 are classics that don't really qualify as YA or adult. I think there's value in every genre, you just have to search for it.

[Kathryn]

Wicked-in every sense of the word (the book, I've never seen the play)

I also purchased a little book for my daughter at a book fair. I think it was called "If I have a Wicked Step-mother, then where is my Prince Charming" or something like that. It was marketed to 4-6 graders. Full of drug use and sexual promiscuity of children, much of which known of and accepted by the adults. I was going to donate the book to a second hand store. Decided it would be much better to destroy! I have never been more thankful for my rule that I must review all my children's books before they read them.

[Teryn]

Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian.

language, underage drinking, sexual content, language and situations. It could have been a fun and cute story, but unfortunately it was completley ruined. Couldn't finish it.

[Laura]

Kathryn wrote: "Wicked-in every sense of the word (the book, I've never seen the play)

I also purchased a little book for my daughter at a book fair. I think it was called "If I have a Wicked Step-mother, then w..."

If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? is considered 4-6 graders? Not in a million years. There were things that I wasn't okay with, and I'm in 10th grade. I suppose the vocabulary is a little younger, but content is definitely not!

[Lanetta]

Kathryn wrote: "Wicked-in every sense of the word (the book, I've never seen the play)

I also purchased a little book for my daughter at a book fair. I think it was called "If I have a Wicked Step-mother, then w..."

I can't believe they said that book is for 4-6 graders. I haven't read it and never will, but it is in the teen section of the library.

[Christine]

Lanetta wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Wicked-in every sense of the word (the book, I've never seen the play)

I also purchased a little book for my daughter at a book fair. I think it was called "If I have a Wicked S..."

Publishers Weekly recommended If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? for ages 12 and up, not grades 4-6.

[Dawn]

I would not stop reading YA books in a million years. I find some very great books that are quite deep in meaning for the young and old alike. I will have to say that some of more recent "vampirey" stuff turns me off. I have never liked that theme, and feel bad that it is out there for young adults now.

[[deleted user]]

I'm pleased to announce the second installment of my YA fantasy series ALLON - INSURRECTION is now available.

http://www.amazon.com/Allon-~-Book-In...

https://www.createspace.com/3476762

[Karyn]

Marla wrote: "FYI: Girl who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson has a very graphic scene (I don't want to spoil the plot). The series (1st book: Girl With a Dragon Tattoo) is probably way over the top with violenc..."

I had a lot of trouble with the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I finished it, but will not read any more of the series. It is VERY graphic with lots of language as well.

[Daryl]

I wish I had come here first before trying to read "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo". My dad bought me that one and the second as well for my birthday. He had read them, but we have vastly different moral boundaries - but I didn't even consider he would give me a book with such graphic language and sexual content.

+1 on the ratings request. I can't believe books aren't rated. How can a child of any age purchase a book with graphic sexual content? Why isn't that shielded?

[Tracy]

Welcome Daryl. Thanks for your comment, and I couldn't agree more!

Tracy

[[deleted user]]

Daryl wrote: "I can't believe books aren't rated. How can a child of any age purchase a book with graphic sexual content? Why isn't that shielded? "

Unfortunately, Daryl, publishers follow the latest social trends. If novels with graphic language and sex sell, they pump out copy-cat books as fast as they can to turn a buck.

Like the movie industry back in the 1930s & 40s when the rating system was introduced, if the publishers aren't forced to screen content, they won't.

I write YA fantasy, and hear this same complaint from kids and parents everywhere I go. I didn't want my daughter reading such material, so why should I write it for other people's kids? I don't. But publishers aren't listening. That's why groups like Clean Reads and other websites provide a valuable service to those looking for appropriate content.

The books are out there, it just requires diligence in searching.

Shawn Lamb
http://www.allonbooks.com

[Anna]

Shawn wrote: "Do not read "Ellen Foster" by Kay Gibbons. In fact, don't read any of Kay Gibbons books. On page 1 of "Ellen Foster" the YA Ellen is considering how to kill her drunk father - the reason - rape - c..."

My hat off to you. That is so good. Many parents and children think that because a teacher say it... is the law. I am with you here. I would never let my kids read anything I believe is agains my moral standard.
Anna del C. Dye
Author of "The Silent Warrior Trilogy"
http://www.annadelc.com

[Anna]

Jen wrote: "I was very disappointed in "Enchantment" by Orson Scott Card. The author uses every opportunity to throw in a foul word or sexual comment. It's like he's a 14-year-old boy who thinks it's fun to t..."
I put down the "what ever games" he wrote, it was disgusting. I am embarrass that he call himself and YA author.

[Marla]

Daryl wrote: "I wish I had come here first before trying to read "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo". My dad bought me that one and the second as well for my birthday. He had read them, but we have vastly differen..."

I totally agree. They are good enough to restrict access to a movie that has inappropriate material, but a child could buy a book with graphic violence, sex or profanity and be able to read it over and over and pass it on to friends with no restrictions. Can you buy or rent a PG-13 or R rated DVD if you are under the age restriction?

[Anna]

I write YA fantasy, and hear this same complaint from kids and parents everywhere I go. I didn't want my daughter reading such material, so why should I write it for other people's kids? I don't. But publishers aren't listening. That's why groups like Clean Reads and other websites provide a valuable service to those looking for appropriate content.
Thanks for that last part (and the rest too). To me as an author it s very important that my books have high morals and that they are clean. I agree with you 100%

[Daryl]

I'm surprised to hear that Orson Scott Card has some questionable material in his books. I haven't followed him closely, but did read the Ender's Game series and most of the Shadow series. There was some violence, but not much swearing or sexuality at all.

Good to know which books to avoid.

[[deleted user]]

If anyone is curious, excerpts of all 3 of my series so far are available on the website via the home page. This includes the entire 1st chapter of the upcoming book HEIR APPARENT.

http://www.allonbooks.com

Enjoy!

[Melissa]

Not sure if anyone else has already talked about this book... but we just read "Mister Pip" by Lloyd Jones for our book club. Everything was going really will till about half way through and they start using the f-word. Then there were some really brutal murders. Wouldn't recommend it to anyone...

[Melody]

Wishing I could have kept reading, well, actually listening to "Parrot and Olivier in America"! The writing is fresh, the characterization unique, and the interweaving of historical fact with fiction, absorbing.

Sadly, sexual themes began appearing too often and in too much detail. I had to give it up. Bummer.

[Melissa]

I watched "Confessions of a Shopaholic" the other day and thought the movie was cute and clean. So I decided to grab the book... less than 20 pages in I had to put it down because of language... :S

[Katherine]

"The Lady's Slipper" by Deborah Swift
I received this as a First-Reads giveaway on GoodReads, but then found some reviews which said there are explicit sex scenes. I wish I hadn't entered, since I won't be reading it.

[Becca]

You should put it up on the book swap Katherine, then you could get something you actually do want.

[[deleted user]]

Martha wrote: "Shawn, Is there any possibility of publishing your books to Amazon or Barnes & Noble ebook formats? I, for one, would personally contribute to your increase in sales if you did."


Martha, Allon Book 2 Insurrection is now on KINDLE. I plan to do the rest also in e-book. Unfortunately, still no go with my publisher for #1.

Book 3 - Heir Apparent is up for GR giveaway and I plan to release a Kindle version within the next 2 months.

Naturally all are clean and moral based. Also in the works are plans to release my historical fiction. Again, clean and moral, but geared for adults.

[Shauna]

I tried to start reading the Bourne Series but only got a third of the way through the first book. This was an instance where the movie was LESS sexually graphic than the book! I was really suprised.

[joy]

Shauna wrote: "I tried to start reading the Bourne Series but only got a third of the way through the first book. This was an instance where the movie was LESS sexually graphic than the book! I was really suprised."

yeah, definitely. the movies may be a heavy pg13, but the books are full-fledged R. they went straight into the not-for-me stack.

[joy]

Katherine wrote: ""The Lady's Slipper" by Deborah Swift
I received this as a First-Reads giveaway on GoodReads, but then found some reviews which said there are explicit sex scenes. I wish I hadn't entered, since I..."
a similar thing happened to me, except i happened to notice that several goodreads users had shelved this interesting sounding book as 'erotica.' yikes!!

[Tracy]

I'm so sad to hear that about the Bourne books. They were on my list as I LOVE the movies. Thanks for saving me from another disappointment/frustration.

[Elena]

Hi,
O.K., I feel crazy because I looked through the group's bookshelf the other day and I thought I saw "The Little Book" on it. Since it was on the shelf I thought it would be clean so I got the audio book from my library. I've just listened to the first disc and am going to quit because it is definitely not clean! I searched the group's shelf again, a few minutes ago, and couldn't find the book on there! Am I crazy??I'm very careful when I choose books to read and I was so excited to find such an interesting-sounding story that was clean! I don't know where I could have found the book - I know it was here on Goodreads....I'm thoroughly confused now! :-O
~Elena

[Stacie]

I Am The Messenger By Markus Zusak

I didn't quite finish the first two pages and came across profanity multiple times. I just read a few reviews on the book here on Goodreads and knew I made the right decision. According to reviewers, it gets worse with the swearing and there is sexual content plus domestic abuse. And this was in the Young Adult section of our library! I was looking forward to reading The Book Thief as well. I hope it is not like this book.

[Michele]

I just finished The Book Thief. It is an interesting, sad and well-written book. It has a different format than most books, but I don't feel it took away from the experience of reading it.
There is swearing in the book. It is in German for the most part, so I think that didn't bother me as much as it would have had it been in English.
I guess you have to decide if German profanity is off limits to you.
Hope this helps.

[Laurie]

Daryl wrote: "The Kite Runner was one I put down and I waited too long to do so. I was really enjoying the book even after I struggled through the teen boy rape scene , but in the end, recurring F-words did me ..."

Really? I don't think I could handle that either...Okay, now that book is coming off my to-read list.