Top Ten Books to Avoid

[Becky]

Tara, I read Wicked and didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. I simply liked it. It seemed to drag in places, but I thought that the idea was interesting, and I liked Maguire's ideas of what Oz was like prior to Dorothy's appearance there. It was surprisingly political, which was interesting, but I still think that it could have been better.

I have not seen the play though, so I can't compare it to that.

[Tara]

I haven't seen the play, either--for people who have, it seems that the book is even more blah in comparison. I've heard that the play was magical :) I liked the politics of the book lots and lots--that was what I liked about it, the social commentary, how he wove politics into a fantasy world that was familiar yet strange by how he fashioned it--but then again I was off work for a month at the time, recovering from a minor surgery, so all I did was read and I liked reading something that made me think. It's possible that if I'd read it at another time it wouldn't have been so great.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Tara, I feel your pain on the multiple assignments. I felt that way with Waiting for Godot A Tragicomedy in Two Acts. I was assigned that one four times in college! In two different languages. I think the worst January of my life was when I was assigned it twice, once in English and once in French. It's no wonder I was mildly suicidal.

[Kate]

This is probably cheating, but my list is pretty much authors only:

1. Anything by Dan Brown.
2. Anything by Danielle Steel.
3. Anything with "Chicken Soup" in the title.
4. Anything by Herman Melville.
5. Anything by James Patterson.

[Tara]

Susanna wrote: "Tara, I feel your pain on the multiple assignments. I felt that way with Waiting for Godot A Tragicomedy in Two Acts. I was assigned that one four times in college! In two differen..."

:D Yes, this all reminds me of why I'm so so soooo glad to be out of school now. 7 years of higher education--tired, tired, tired I was. Never had to read that play. Maybe it's a good thing!

[Roseann]

Tom wrote: "All I can say is that I am sorry you missed out on what I consider to be one of the most extraordinary reading experiences I have ever had - three times, actually since I think it's the only book I..."

Well, I have read "The Stand" three times and consider it a classic, yet there are those who
would say it is pulp and wouldn't waste their time with anthing King writes. I don't judge them as I see reading as a personal experience; I sometimes say "I loved this book, you might want to read it", but I cannot say that I assume anyone has my taste in reading.

I read for all reasons, be it for literary value, to learn something new, or just a good time. I don't judge someone by what they have or have not read as I think any reading is a good thing.

[[deleted user]]

Susanna wrote: "Tara, I feel your pain on the multiple assignments ... I think the worst January of my life was when I was assigned it (Godot) twice, once in English and once in French. It's no wonder I was mildly suicidal..."

I'm suicidal just imagining you having to read it twice!! Couldn't love that one! Couldn't even like it...

[Kate]

You sometimes have to wonder if college professors have actually read anything that isn't on a booklist. I so rarely got anything off the beaten track in college.

[Petra]

I tend to encourage people to read and make up their own minds about books but the books that I would recommend to avoid, if I would recommend such a thing would be:

1. anything by Ernest Hemingway. I had an overzealous Hemingway fan of an English Teacher in High School and she tore The Old Man and the Sea apart word for word. It was so boring! She did the same with Orwell's Animal Farm. In University, we read Orwell's 1984 and I loved it. I reread Animal Farm and loved it, too. I've tried to reread Hemingway over the years but just can't finish any of his books.

2. Angela's Ashes. I know I'm in the minority but I found the Author to be whiney and filled with self-sympathy. This "woe is me-the world is against me" feeling just got worse in Tis. Ugh!

3. The Lovely Bones. This story just did not hit a cord with me at all.

I guess I've been fairly lucky. I can't think of any other books to totaly avoid.

[Tara]

Kate wrote: "You sometimes have to wonder if college professors have actually read anything that isn't on a booklist. I so rarely got anything off the beaten track in college. "

I know, right? I was lucky to have just a couple professors in college who were "regular" readers, meaning they read the canon but they liked other stuff, too. One of them had us reading Angela Carter (The Bloody Chamber-- so so soooo awesome) and Michael Cunningham. Another loved Jodi Picoult! She's teaching "Mudbound" by Hilary Jordan this summer. Excellent book. I would have loved reading that for class (lucky dogs)... ;)

[Tara]

Petra wrote: "I tend to encourage people to read and make up their own minds about books but the books that I would recommend to avoid, if I would recommend such a thing would be:

1. anything by Ernest Heming..."
Yeah, I'm not really sure why Hemingway is taught so earnestly in high school. To be honest, I never did well in high school english (yet I ended up being a lit major). Part of that was the stuff that we had to read. I loved to read, I was always a reader, but I just didn't *get* half the stuff they assigned. My last english teacher had us reading Cormac McCarthy, Barbara Kingsolver, Sandra Cisneros...now that makes a lot more sense. I didn't read Hemingway again until I was 23, we studied "In Our Time" for 1/4 of the semester. I have to say those are very good from a scholarly standpoint. Can't read his novels for fun, though. They're just so freakin' boring. Not to mention Hemingway was crazy, did you know he'd put on brass knuckles and knock people out for asking for an autograph?

[[deleted user]]

My son, who has just finished 6th grade, is fortunately a reader, but most of his class is not.

So what summer reading books did the teacher assign them? One by Italo Calvino (oh, come on! I know we're in Italy, but Calvino for 12 year olds!), Little Women (a lovely book, but a little... erm... dated?), and two or three other golden moldies. When my husband saw the list he said "These were old and grey when I was 12 years old!"

What a great way to ruin reading for a young person!

[Helen]

Though there are quite a few books that I either disliked or couldn't finish, I think the only one that I'd encourage people to avoid is Dracula. I had to study it for an exam, which I suppose didn't really help, but I just found it incredibly difficult to read. None of the characters are particularly likeable, and the ending was a bit of a let down - an entire book resolved in a few lines.

[Ed]

Tara wrote: "Can't read his novels for fun, though. They're just so freakin' boring. Not to mention Hemingway was crazy, did you know he'd put on brass knuckles and knock people out for asking for an autograph? "

Tara,

At the risk of sounding like the guy who defended Conrad in some earlier posts, I do not understand how you can characterize Hemingway's writing as "boring". Most of his stories have their weaknesses, of course, but "boring" is not one of them.

I also would like to know your source for the brass knuckles allegation. I'm a fan of Hemingway and have never heard that one. Nor was I able to find any references to it. Doesn't mean it's not true but while I would believe Hemingway might take a swing at an obnoxious autograph seeker, doing it regularly with brass knuckles strains my credulity to the limit.

If it is true, I guess I'll have to bring a pair of brass knuckles for fighting off autograph seekers when I win the Hemingway Look Alike contest in Key West this July.

[Becky]

Finding Hemingway boring is a matter of opinion. Tara has hers, which obviously differs from your own, Ed. But that does not make it less valid as an opinion.

Going back to the Dracula vs. Frankenstein debate, I personally loved Dracula and found Frankenstein tedious and irritating. I recognize that it is a classic, and it had it's interesting moments, but on the whole I wasn't a huge fan. Maybe that was because Victor Frankenstein pissed me off so much, though.

[Ed]

Becky wrote: "Finding Hemingway boring is a matter of opinion. Tara has hers, which obviously differs from your own, Ed. But that does not make it less valid as an opinion.

Going back to the Dracula vs. Franke..."

Becky,

While I am impressed with your quick defense of Tara's right to her opinion, I am less impressed with your assumption that I, in any way, said she didn't have a right to her opinion. What I said was that I did not understand, not that she was wrong. I was inviting a dialogue not denying her opinion.

I also referred in a humorous way to a previous discussion where a member did attack someone's opinion.

Being a Hemingway fan, I also found her "Brass Knuckles" assertion unbelievable and asked for the source. Neither of these items were meant to indicate that she was wrong but rather to discuss what she said.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I, personally, found Old Man and the Sea boring.

On the other hand, I really enjoyed several of his other books, particularly The Sun Also Rises.

[Jessica]

I think perhaps we all need to remember that posting online loses the nuances of speaking in person, and that we should try to assume the best rather than jump to the worst conclusion. Just a thought.

[Kandice]

I find some of Hemmingway's stories boring, but his writing...never! He writes so sparsely, but with enough detail to let me imagine it my way. I know a lot of people found Old Man boring, but I thought it was thrilling. I am also the girl, however, that LOVED Moby Dick, and after GRs I can see most people Do not!!! LOL

[Tara]

Ed wrote: "Tara wrote: "Can't read his novels for fun, though. They're just so freakin' boring. Not to mention Hemingway was crazy, did you know he'd put on brass knuckles and knock people out for asking for ..."

Hi Ed,

It's totally fine, I understand that we disagree on whether or not Hemingway is boring. I really liked the stories in "In Our Time," and in general find his short stories really good. He's a writer to learn from and we owe him a lot in American literature as his influence is friggin HUGE. I studied his work as a lit major and later as a creative writer for craft. In fact, my first story in my thesis was modeled after "Hills Like White Elephants." I swear I must have read that story 30 times! But I personally find his longer work--the novels--boring. It's not bedside or garden reading for me. I hope to study him again in the future, but for my summer reading list, Hemingway won't be on it. I could be wrong about the brass knuckles. A literature professor told my class this story when we were studying Hemingway. I suppose it could be true or not, it didn't occur to me at that time to look it up.

[Becky]

Ed, I did see that you said you "didn't understand how she could characterize Hemingway's writing as boring". You go on to say "Most of his stories have their weaknesses, of course, but "boring" is not one of them," which, as I read it, seems to imply that anyone who finds his writing boring is wrong because they are NOT boring.

I wasn't being argumentative, nor did I say that YOU were wrong in your opinion either. Rather I was just making the point that Tara is entitled to have her opinion without the assertion being raised that Hemingway's writing IS NOT boring, which was, as I interpreted, stated as fact, not opinion. Stating that you do not find his writing boring is fine, but implying that it could ever be seen that way by others is not, as it implies that everyone who holds that opinion is wrong.

And, I don't know anything about Hemingway, so I don't know whether the brass knuckles thing is true or not. But that is a completely separate issue, and you'll see that I did not comment on it at all. :)

[Tara]

Jessica wrote: "I think perhaps we all need to remember that posting online loses the nuances of speaking in person, and that we should try to assume the best rather than jump to the worst conclusion. Just a thou..."
Three cheers for that! I also type like a wild hag--so sometimes half of what I mean to say is lost in my fury ;) I probably sound like an idiot here, but we should all be nice to each other. These communities are for friendship and fun, no? :)

[Kandice]

Absolutely! Debate is fun, arguing is NOT.

[Petra X]

I think any and all Dr. Seuss books should be avoided on the grounds that they are puerile, repetitive and once a child is introduced to them you have to read them again and again and again. However, this is only my opinion and I realise loads of people adore Dr. Seuss.

[Ed]

Tara wrote: "It's totally fine, I understand that we disagree on whether or not Hemingway is boring. "

I responded to Becky off-line so as to not clutter this discussion up with a personal disagreement.

I see, Tara, that you and I can agree to disagree, which what dialogue is all about. I agree some of his novels can be boring and his short stories can be interesting.

So enough. I'm sure we all have lives outside GR so back to work.

Thanks for the adrenaline hit.

[Tara]

Ed wrote: "Tara wrote: "It's totally fine, I understand that we disagree on whether or not Hemingway is boring. "

I responded to Becky off-line so as to not clutter this discussion up with a personal disagre..."

Lives outside GR? No way! ;) I probably do spend way too much time here. I'd be better off reading, eh?

I think one of these days I'll give the Hemingway novel a second try. Maybe when I have more patience? I notice that my reading habits change over the years. Last year I went through a Jane Austen phase--who knew? Hated her stuff when I was younger. Now I find her books a pleasure. You never know.

All best to you.

[Becky]

No, no... He just meant that he sent me a private message outside of the thread. Ed and I do not know each other in real life, haha! ;)

[Brenda]

Petra X wrote: "I think any and all Dr. Seuss books should be avoided on the grounds that they are puerile, repetitive and once a child is introduced to them you have to read them again and again and again. Howeve..."

Have you read "Look me in the Eye" by J.E. Robison...
He was finally diagnosed at 40 with mild asbergers syndrome and can remember reading Dr. Seuss to his son. He would make up verses (because they were so repetitive) and his son would complain .. read it right Dad.. that's not what it says in the book...

I'd guess a lot of people agree with you....

[Marsha]

Tara, I also liked Wicked very much, and I haven't seen the play either. It does seem to me that the people who hate the book are people who saw the play first.

[Kandice]

I saw the musical after I read the book. I was actually dragged by a friend. I had no interest because I disliked the book so much, but the musical was wonderful!

[Dionisia]

Thanks to the summer challenge I can now contribute to this discussion (with gusto!)....

If you truly love yourself, then avoid "Almost Moon" by Alice Sebold. Awful! Awful! Awful!

Also...and please don't hurt me....Lord of the Rings. Just see the movie, really.

[Alisha Marie]

I don't have ten, but one book that I really just disliked was Twilight (and New Moon's lumped with that). In my opinion, it was just a 400+ page ode to an extremely unhealthy relationship. And very little plot in that book also. And in New Moon, Bella goes from relatively unlikeable to downright pathetic with the things she does.
-minor spoiler here-

I mean, doing dangerous/destructive things just because she wants to hear her inner voice (which sounds like Edward, of course) scream out at her is kind of um, crazy. I would just suggest the Gemma Doyle trilogy and skip Twilight and it's subsequent books entirely.

I also thought that Almost Moon was a horrible novel. Although the subject matter didn't turn me off, I found it terribly boring. A story of a person killing her mother is repulsive and horrifying, yes, but it should NEVER be boring. It should be far from boring.

I know a lot of people here have Wicked is horrible. It's a bit disheartening since I haven't read it yet, but own it. I'm thinking I'm not going to rush to get to that one. Oh well, if I get to it and don't like it, I won't feel that bad about it since I only wasted a buck (bought it at a library sale).

[Abigail (42stitches)]

"A story of a person killing her mother is repulsive and horrifying, yes, but it should NEVER be boring. It should be far from boring."

That is the funniest thing I've heard in awhile...And I had planned on reading that...maybe not...

[El]

Marge wrote: "There are so many books to avoid. Here we go:

1. Wuthering Heights - I had no patience for those characters.
2. The Orchard Keeper - boring and not understandable.
3. Twilight sequels - I love..."

Marge - you might want to edit your post about Hunchback as you could easily spoil it for someone who has never read it.

[Manday]

Marge Wrote: 10. The Hunchback of Notre Dame - I just couldn't feel any connection with the characters

I have to agree with this one! The part that really through me was the 100s of pages of descriptions of paris. Not my cup of tea!

[Emily]

I also didn't really like twilight - it was hard to finish. But I will read the next one before the movie - my sister loves the books and I make her read for me constantly, so I gotta do it :)

I loved Wicked! I couldn't but it down. But I seem to like a lot of the books people are saying they don't. I tend to read almost anything though - and haven't had many that I've really disliked.

I would say that I read The Scarlett Letter in H.S. for a summer reading and I had lots of trouble. There would be moments where I liked it - and it's prob just because the book is too antiquated - but it just was not my cup of tea. He left very little up to me to interpret his symbolism and ideas and kind of just bogged you down with his writing (and I am a fan of heavy handed descriptions and monologues in many cases.) That's my two cents.

[Abbie K.]

I'm not sure why "classic" is a term we should hold with reverence. Some of the time it means old and soporific...here's my list.

1. Of Mice and Men-Steinbeck
2. Last of the Mohicans - Cooper
3. The Bell Jar - Plath
4. Lord of the Flies - Golding
5. Tess of the D'Urbavilles - Hardy
6. Absolom, Absolom - Faulkner
7. Ulysses - Joyce
8. Moby Dick - Melville ( I call it Mopy Duck)
9. Great Epectations - Dickens
10 ...to be decided...

Part of this list is because I had to read them as assigned novels in school. That's the greatest way to learn to hate certain novels.

[Lori, Super Mod]

Ack!
Of Mice and Men? Lord of the Rings Flies?!!
I read those in school, but I had a much better appreciation for them when I reread them this past summer/fall. Plus... both are Lost Lit novels!!!

[Becky]

Lori wrote: "Ack!
Of Mice and Men? Lord of the Rings?!!"

That was Lord of the Flies, not Lord of the Rings. ;)
I think that it would be blasphemy to put Lord of the Rings on this list. LOL

[Lori, Super Mod]

Yup, thats what I meant! I must have hobbits on my mind (and Ive never even read that book! ha!)

[Becky]

You should! It's involved, but it's one of my favorites.

[Abbie K.]

I've read LOTR so often, I think I have the entire trilogy down to about 5 hours with appropriate breaks... Lord of the Flies.....more like 5 years ***giggle***

[Emily]

Lord of the Flies was one of my favorites I read in school. So haunting and disturbing. The whole feeling of that book, albeit twisted, was awesome! Obviously to each his own, but to any that haven't read it, give it a whirl!

Another book I don't recommend is the actual Sex and the City by Candice Bushnell. And it's not that I hated it. I fell victim to having watched the series with a lot of serialized drama and fun and development of chars and such, and the book is more or less a series of vignettes of people and events from the show. Sort of like Carrie's monologues. So it's an interesting read but it's really not like the show. It ends differently, (which I did think it was more interesting an ending), but I guess I don't recommend it to someone who is expecting to read the book version of the show...

[Lynne]

I didn't think Eat Pray Love (or is it Eat Love Pray) was that great. I mean, it was okay, but...

The most recent book I couldn't force myself to finish, despite having read 200 pages, was Three Cups of Tea. I thought it was pretty good in the beginning, but then it got boring, boring, boring. Feel like I wasted my time. But then again I should have used the 50-page rule, so...my fault.

[Emily]

My mother said the exact same thing about three cups of tea - great in the beginning and then it was boring. While the man's works were impressive his storytelling was, i guess, sub par.

[Lynne]

Adebisirocks wrote: "My mother said the exact same thing about three cups of tea - great in the beginning and then it was boring. While the man's works were impressive his storytelling was, i guess, sub par."

Exactly! I felt inspired at first, but then it just dragged on. And it was weird because I heard great things about the book - how much people loved it - and I thought, "Okay, what the heck is wrong with me..." :)

[Tammy AZ]

Lynne wrote: "Adebisirocks wrote: "My mother said the exact same thing about three cups of tea - great in the beginning and then it was boring. While the man's works were impressive his storytelling was, i gues..."

I'll second (or third or fourth) that. The story is great, the storytelling, not so much!

[Lisa]

I loved Lord of the Flies when I read it one my own one summer in HS. Then, we read it for class...it wasn't as good then. It was the same with A Wrinkle in Time. I guess I just am one of those people that can't like a book when forced to read it. There weren't any books from school that I liked when forced to.

[GracieKat]

I'm starting on Jane Eyre. It's proving very hard for me to be interested in. I loved Wuthering Heights and while it's overly dramatic and overwrought with melodrama at least it had things happen in it. Jane Eyre is so far not doing much.

[Becky]

Adebisi, I'm with you on LOTF - I think that people should definitely read it and give it a try. I liked it, and I think that it's one of those books that speaks to different life stages in readers. Very interesting. :)

By the way, I LOVE Oz. :)