Thread Of Dire Judgment

[Jayme]

And Lori, those are all awesome movies, many of which are also my favourites, especially The Princess Bride. The only I haven't heard of is Flight of the Navigator, is this something I need to watch?

Oh, and 5 stars for Sookie Stackhouse and only 3 for Dracula?!!! There wouldn't even be a Sookie Stackhouse if there was no Dracula. LAME!

[Sasha]

Okay, here's my problem with all those books I read ages ago: I don't trust my opinion of them. We've had a bunch of people on this very thread say, "Well, I read it a long time ago...maybe I'd feel differently about it now." I want to be able to stand by my ratings, y'know? I didn't really like Wuthering Heights, but I suspect I'd like it a lot better now, so I'm not gonna go two-starring it just because I was high all the time when I read it.

Although I know I've read it (because I heard there were dirty parts, whee!), I have no memory of whether I liked Flowers in the Attic or not.

(Jayme has a shelf called "smut." That's awesome.)

I know it makes me harder to pick on, and I feel bad about that. I will work on entering those books that I remember well enough to have an opinion on, and I'll try to focus on the really embarrassing stuff.

I wonder if this is a good time to mention that I thought Little House on the Prairie was crazy boring.

[Jayme]

I haven't read any of those Prairie books, I can understand how they'd be boring. They fall into the Anne of Green Gables category, that I also refused to read as a child. Even the covers look boring. So I can't pick on you there.

I still say you need to enter the books, you can always change your mind on the ratings if you re-read it. Or just add them to your library without ratings so we can make fun of you for even having read them.

And isn't the promise of dirty parts the reason everyone reads V.C. Andrews? ;) I'm surprised you can't remember them though, I think those are burned on my brain forever, cause I was like "They just did what? EW!" and then I'd keep reading for more.

[Marci]

Ulysses Yuk !! Started to read once didn't get it... Who decides what is a great read? Too many good books to read books I don't enjoy... Now for snarky..Hate anything by James Patterson, Danielle Steel any vampire books !!!!

[Becky]

I loved the Little House books when I was a kid! They were ANYTHING but boring!

And Anne of Green Gables was the most boring thing I'd ever tried to read as a kid, but I read it last year and it was great. I really loved it.

[[deleted user]]

Oh, one thing probably shameful about my shelf - I've read three Vonnegut books, and I'm still ambivalent about his writing. I feel like I SHOULD like it because he is so awesome, but it's not working for me.

I know, kari, that post was from a while ago, but I'm just getting the digest in my email. HOW can you not like Vonnegut seriously!? He mixes all of the great genre's together, that and he pisses parents off too with the "f" bomb! (the reason why his books are/were sooo controversial)

[Becky]

I haven't read any Vonnegut but I have Slaughterhouse-5 on my shelves to read.

I can almost guarantee you that my dad used the F-bomb way more than Vonnegut. LOL

[Kandice]

I love all the 80's movies Lori mentioned, ESPECIALLY The Dark Crystal. I'm a sucker for anything Brian Froud had any sort of input on. I especially love the adventure movies from the late 70s, eraly 80s and on. To this day I am always up for a Star Wars or Indiana Jones marathon. Seriously. Right now owuld be fine;)

I love Vonnegut, but haven't read any Ayn Rand. I don't mind the f8bomb in books, and like Becky said, there are times I've heard it used more in life. (not by me!)

[Kari]

I don't know, Ashley! I wonder if I might have liked him more if I had read his books in a different order - I read Cat's Cradle, then Galapagos, then Slaughterhouse-Five. I definitely enjoyed S-5 most of the three, so maybe that should have come first to acclimate me more to his writing style. Often, I could tell that some parts in the various books were meant to be funny, but I just found them strange.

Also, Ashley, five stars for Catcher in the Rye? I've read that book twice, once in high school and once several years later, and both times I found Holden whiny and insufferable.

[Sasha]

Three things I knew we'd argue about on this thread:

- Ayn Rand (check!)
- Catcher in the Rye (here we go!)
- Twilight, which is the one argument that will finally hurt someone's feelings so much that the thread isn't fun anymore.

I give Catcher in the Rye four stars. I had a perfectly good time reading it, I just don't see what the big deal is. And yeah, Holden is a little brat. I read it in high school with everyone else, and years later to see if it'd changed. Nope.

[Becky]

Alex wrote: "- Twilight, which is the one argument that will finally hurt someone's feelings so much that the thread isn't fun anymore...."

You sure? :P
I read and enjoyed the Twilight series. It was NOT great lit, and I wouldn't ever recommend it to anyone, but it was compelling. I just had to keep reading. It was like book crack.

In fact, I think I gave them all 4 stars. Commence bashing. :)

[[deleted user]]

Actually I read Vonnegut in the same order as you did, minus the Galapagos and add Mother Night. Cat's Cradle is actually my favorite by him. I read most his books last year, I guess I just caught the Vonnegut bug.

Catcher in the Rye was one of those books that you have to read in highschool that I actually really enjoyed despite the over analysis of it.

Good Omens...3 stars! At least you liked American Gods.

[Matthew]

The wife enjoyed the 'Twilight Series' and could not put them down. I hear they are very addicting.
James Patterson's 'Alex Cross' series I tend to enjoy though. If nothing else they usually are entertaining and fun reads.

[Sasha]

My wife hated the Twilight series...but also couldn't put them down.

Matthew, I plan to try Moby Dick again sometime. I'm willing to give Melville another shot. Heck, I thought "Bartleby the Scrivener" was totally awesome, so he's not all bad.

[Carol]

I deep sixed Moby Dick . Maybe I should dive in and just do it. Nah not right now. Most awful long winded book. Alex Cross series got to creepy for me. I am such a wuss.

[Lori, Super Mod]

Ha Jaymie,

When I star rate things, I usually rate them within their genre. So even though Dracula and Sookie have vamps in commn, there is no way to rate them on the same scale.

One is a classic and one is brain candy...
I wasnt a fan of Dracula partially due to the hype surrounding it. I can appreciate it as the backbone of all things horror and vampy, but wasnt blown away.

Now Sookie, on the other hand... that's written in a style I can devour in a few hours and keeps me coming back for more! Certianly not the stuff classics are made of, but man oh man, I couldnt get me e'nuff!

[Becky]

Lori, I rate the same way... One really can't compare fluff and classics.

[Becky]

Well, I mean you can, but... you know what I mean. :P

[Kaion]

If "classic" is the *best* argument someone has for reading something, it's lost on me.

Joining in on The Breakfast Club and Back to the Future love. Speaking of beloved movies I don't understand though: Neverending Story is neverending boring.

Lori wrote: "Ok, So I am jumping in rather late, but here we go:

I loved The Road and The Secret History. For shame to everyone who bashed them!!!

What I didnt like was:
1984 - dull and humdrum and so an..."

Lori, high-five on 1984 and Saturday- I gave up in disgust and jumped around the book to the "interesting" parts... yeah, not that satisfying even when (... *spoiler* all those "horrible" things happen to his smug ass).

Ashley wrote: "Good Omens...3 stars! At least you liked American Gods."

I didn't like Good Omens either. Talk about beating a dead duck. (In fact, I haven't been impressed by Neil Gaiman anywhere.)

[Carol]

I hated The Road, but thought I would give McCarthy another chance. Blah I hated Blood Meridian also.

[Kandice]

I rate books according to their genre as well. If I go into a book expecting literary genius, that's what I rate it on. If I go into a book just looking for a few entertaining hours...that's what I rate there as well.

I don't expect Sookie, Alex Cross or Dan Brown books to have beautiful passages I want to memorize or write down, but that doesn't stop me from reading them voraciously!

[Suzanne]

Kaion wrote: "I'm not sure that offsets the big money drain being on goodreads causes. O.O My TBR pile scares me."

I know...but one can dream!!!!!

And this will offend the whole Goodreads gang...

I did not like the Graveyard Book. ))))))))))((((((((

THERE I'VE SAID IT OUT LOUD !!!!!

Now it's just moments before I will be sent to cyber hell and disappear forever, with all traces of me eliminated permanently from Goodreads and Nordstrom's Beauty Hotline...

Goodbye all, I truly cared for you!!!

[Becky]

And may you burn!!!! :P

I audioed The Graveyard Book, and Neil's reading of it was really, really good. I loved it. :)

[Hannah]

This thread is hilarious. I'm so glad that someone else called out The Historian -- the book made my want to travel to Eastern Europe, but dear God I just wanted the awful thing to end. Between a flimsy climax and some borderline pedophilia (if I recall correctly) I really have to wonder about this book's popularity.

And now that I've opened myself up to some bashing, please keep in mind that I give my star ratings based on enjoyability factor. So I completely stand behind my ratings of The Luxe series!

[Stacey]

I thought The Graveyard Book was okay, nothing to rave about.

However, I HATED The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, while several others loved it. I would enjoy hitting myself in the head with a hammer more than that piece of @&*%!

[Becky]

Stacey wrote: "However, I HATED The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, while several others loved it. I would enjoy hitting myself in the head with a hammer more than that piece of @&*%!"

*Gasp!* Hitchhiker's Guide is hilarious and brilliant! Now... Where's my hammer? ;)

[Becky]

Fiona wrote: "Neil Gaiman leaves me feeling cold. I did not like American Gods... and Good Omens wasn't funny! I have never found Pratchett funny anyway.

*burns*"

Yum! Roast bird!! Who's hungry? LOL

[Stacey]

Becky wrote: "Stacey wrote: "However, I HATED The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, while several others loved it. I would enjoy hitting myself in the head with a hammer more than that piece of @&*%!"

*Gasp!*..."

;)~ *Running away, ducking my head....

[Becky]

LOL!

[Suzanne]

ROFLMAO..........................

[Carol]

I am running for cover as I write, don't like Neil Gaimen,Teri Pratchett or Elizabeth Kostova books. Ouch !ouch! Stop that!!!!!!

[Petra]

Alex wrote: "Gosh, you step away for a little while and you miss all this hatin'.

Petra, not a fan of Into the Wild huh? Did you like Into Thin Air? ..."

Alex, Into The Wild was my first (and last, I'm sure) Krakauer book. I really disliked the kid in that book and the writing style (although it was so long ago, I can't remember what about the style). The best chapter was the last where the explanation of what happened to the kid occurred.

Jayme wrote: "Petra, you have great taste in books. Only three stars for Graveyard Book and Hunger Games? Booo..."

Thanks, Jayme.
Really??.....I should give Graveyard Book more stars than The Hunger Games. I'll have to revisit that.
Yeah....someone has to think that The Hunger Games are long-winded and overly repetitive. It may as well be me. I will continue with the series, though. I didn't like it at all until she befriended Rue.

Lori wrote: "Atlas Shrugged - Tryed twice to get past page 60. the worlds most uninteresting, know it all, crap for personality chracters I have ever attempted to read about...."

**mouth drops open in shock!!*** Lori, Atlas Shrugged, the story of staying true to one's self and one's abilities and accepting others who do the same? That Atlas Shrugged???? You dissed Atlas Shrugged?!?!?!?! Oh my. I admit I read it many, many years ago but it's an all time favorite of mine.
I enjoyed 1984 as well......

Alex wrote: "Atlas Shrugged partly falls under the Ulysses rule: I've never met anyone who made it through all those 20-page speeches near the end. They go on forEVER. ..."

Hi, Alex....me again. LOL! I don't remember 20-page speeches (it was ages ago when I read Atlas Shrugged) but I was fascinated by it. I enjoyed all of Rand's books, exept maybe The Fountainhead.

Becky wrote: "Guess I'll be starting with Anthem, then."

Becky, good idea. If you like the concept and thoughts in Anthem, you'll like other Rand books. Keep in mind that Anthem is more Dystopean and the other books are "real" world.

Becky wrote: "*Gasp!* Hitchhiker's Guide is hilarious and brilliant! Now... Where's my hammer? ;)..."

Hitchhiker's was an odd book....some very amusing parts, some boring parts.....and yet, it's surprising how many (occasional) comments made in everyday life are related to Hitchhikers. I'll never forget the Restaurant At The End Of The World. I want to have dinner there.

[Becky]

Petra wrote: "Becky, good idea. If you like the concept and thoughts in Anthem, you'll like other Rand books. Keep in mind that Anthem is more Dystopean and the other books are "real" world."

I know... that's why I initially picked up Anthem. I love dystopian fiction. :)

Re: Hitchhiker's lingo... 42. :)

[Manday]

I am jumping in late as well. Books I hate that are best sellers:

The Shack
The Alchemist
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
The God of Small Things

In terms of classics, I would prefer the fork to the face referenced earlier before having to re-read Jane Eyre or Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Other books I just hate: Disgrace, The Crying of Lot 49, Blue Sky July: A True Tale of Love, Light and 'Impossible Odds'

[Manday]

Stacey wrote: "I thought The Graveyard Book was okay, nothing to rave about.

However, I HATED The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, while several others loved it. I would enjoy hitting myself in the head with..."

Oh Dear!! Hitchhikers guide is pure genius, absolutely hilarious! I think you need your funny bone checked. LOL

[Becky]

I can't really argue with The Alchemist, even though I haven't read it. I've only read one Coelho book, and I was so unimpressed that I don't think I can bring myself to try another. =\

[Kaion]

People, this is not the hating on books thread, this is the comparing books thread! (I gotta wonder what sort of scintillating books are hiding in hidden profiles though.) There are some books I ponder my sanity in persisting to read, but none that I'm actively ashamed of.

[Becky]

I thought it was both. We're supposed to make fun of people who hated the books we love, and who love the books we hate, right?

:)

[Kandice]

I didn't like The Memory Keeper's Daughter, but I love Tess of the D'Urbervilles. I can read it over and over.

Here's an author I feel weird about enjoying as much as I do,E.M. Forster. I can read any of his books any time, over and over, but the subjects he writes about are ones that I would normally steer clear of. He is a definite case of love f "style" as opposed to "story" for me.

[Becky]

Bleh - Can't agree with you there, K. I couldn't make it through even 1/4 of Howards End.

[KHoopMan]

Awesome thread. I'll jump in...

JODI PICCOULT SUCKS. Not as a person, just as a writer. As in, everything she writes. Every. Single. Word.

The Shack is brilliant. I sobbed hysterically and felt like a terrible person and had many deep thoughts about my relationship with God. Shack-haters be gone!!!

[Hannah]

Eliza wrote: "JODI PICCOULT SUCKS..."

Throw down! Jodi Piccoult's books are sappy, formulaic, and stupid but they're book crack. And who doesn't appreciate that every once in a while.

Full disclosure: I totally loved Nineteen Minutes.

[Becky]

I have never read a Jodi Picoult book. I did, however, get "Mercy" for free, so I have one to read, but I haven't gotten to it yet.

Of course, everyone I've mentioned that to says that it's not her best.... so... there's that too. *shrug*

[Jayme]

Kandice, I love E.M. Forster too. He does have great style.

And Lori, I like your genre rating style, but I still say gross to Sookie Stackhouse. I'm even regretting the 3 stars that I gave it...might have to be demoted to 2. :p

And I forget who the people were bashing Neil Gaiman, but I take offense. He's a writing god!

[Jayme]

Becky, how do you give Dr. Seuss and Where the Wild Things Are 3 stars. Those are childhood staples!

[El]

I'm one who backs Ayn Rand, though I have not read Atlas Shrugged. Yet. I have read and enjoyed The Fountainhead. In fact, I read that many years ago in college or so when I took my first Greyhound trip to visit my grandparents in another state, alone. It was a big deal, life blew so many different flavors of chunks right then, so reading that particular book during that particular visit during that particular time meant everything to me. And in many ways turned me around. I can't say it changed my life, but in some way I think it changed my views on life, which some might argue is just as important. I've read several other Rand books, and while I might not always agree with her philosophy to the same extent she did, I do think her thoughts are important to consider... and perhaps tone down for public consumption. She was a tad on the cuckoo side, but her ideas shouldn't be discounted just for that. I think of a lot of people automatically discount her because of her gender - you know how if a guy sleeps around he's a stud, but if a girl sleeps around she's a slut; if a guy shows no emotion he's being stoic, but if a woman shows no emotion she's a heartless beyotch, etc.

Sorry for the Rand dissertation. And no, this was not an argument. Just a statement of one gal's opinion. :) Atlas Shrugged is waiting on my shelf for me patiently. I'm sort of saving it for another particularly rainy day.

Have not been able to read a Jodi Picoult book and probably never will. I have a feeling she's not my kind of writing.

I'll admit to liking Brett Easton Ellis when he began his 15 mins of popularity. I think American Psycho is probably highly misinterpreted by most readers (or by viewers of the movie). That or my perception of the book was way off.

I'm still a fan of Stephen King. Though this last one pissed me off.

[El]

Sorry, Jayme, I'm another one who doesn't understand the Neil Gaiman fanclub. Coraline was pretty decent, but American Gods was a drag for me to get through. Haven't been able to read anything else, though after seeing the movie Stardust and adoring it, I feel I should at least humor the book.



Another admission:
OH. Dave Eggers. I have issues with Dave Eggers.

[Becky]

Jayme wrote: "Becky, how do you give Dr. Seuss and Where the Wild Things Are 3 stars. Those are childhood staples!"

I'm ruthless. :P

[Kaion]

But the whole point is to get to know people via the "compare books" feature. (You know, and flirt with making them hate you forever.)

Welcome Eliza, and how can you give Wicked 5 stars? It make the Wicked Witch pathetic. And Glinda from the North. Glinda was an ass-kicking sorceress-dictator who could've taken over the continent- except she just wanted to be alone with her books.

El wrote: "Sorry, Jayme, I'm another one who doesn't understand the Neil Gaiman fanclub. Coraline was pretty decent, but American Gods was a drag for me to get through. Haven't been able to read anything el..."

Here I thought I was going to get skewered for not getting the Neil Gaiman thing and we practically have enough members to not make an apathy club. As for Stardust, here's it is #6 on the list "The Movie Was Better Than the Book" (though any voting bloc that often comes up with Twilight and the Book of Mormon in any list is suspect): http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/10...

[Cait]

I'm going to start out big. I HATED The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Crap writing, crap mystery, crap characters... just crap.

I also couldn't stand The Catcher in the Rye. I wanted to smother Holden with a pillow and make him Shut. The. Fluck. Up.

I hated Heart of Darkness and couldn't finish Atonement or The Glass Castle.

I LOVED 1984 and Animal Farm in High School!

And yes, I gave I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell 4 stars. My husband and I really bonded over that book. :o)