The Next Best Book Club discussion
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Top Ten Books to Avoid
Lyn wrote: "Interesting topic. Here are a few that I would avoid if I could. 1. Anna Karenina - I call this one the book club killer since I have joined two book clubs over the years who both disbanded af..."
The Shining? Ack! :) I love The Shining. I read it when I was 12. But I understand that not everyone loves the blood and gore to fly in their novels. :)
I just finished The Reader by Bernhard Schlink and while I wouldn't actively warn people away from it I didn't find much to like about it. I thought the big secret was pretty stupid and I didn't feel like they were very likeable or even relatable people.
Hi, I just joined this group - looks like fun! My #1 book to avoid at all costs is The Secret!! Here's why: 1)I didn't like the book's emphasis on how to get "things" 2) saying you can lose weight by picturing how you want to look and you can still eat whatever you want is a fantasy
3)not needing reading glasses anymore just by imagining you can see without them or some such crap
4)it has a cultish feel to it; 5) all the emphasis on the Universe; the Universe being a catalog to get things. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!
Lyn wrote: "Interesting topic. Here are a few that I would avoid if I could. 1. Anna Karenina - I call this one the book club killer since I have joined two book clubs over the years who both disbanded af..."
Witty name for Anna Karenina...I can't believe your book clubs disbanded after choosing to read that book! I heard it wasn't THAT bad (it's on my TBR list).
I actually enjoyed Anna Karenina, although it is not one of my favorite books. I read 20,000 Leagues under the Sea recently. It was terrible. If it had been much longer, I would have probably had to bail. The lists of fish after fish after fish along with its classification was painful, especially by the end.
Mod
Ok, yes.. he does like to flaunt his scientific knowledge of things. And sure... he can go on for pages and pages classifying things and describing things... but oh wow can that man WRITE!!!
My books to avoid:-- Atonement - couldn't even finish - hated the characters
-- Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing - yuk!
Lori...It's only 20,000 Leagues that I didn't like. I enjoyed some of his other books, including Around the World in 80 Days. I just got really tired of the fish. I guess it doens't help that I have never been that interesting in marine biology.
Did anyone read "2666". What a terrible set of books. I can not believe all the publicity that book got and how bought into the whole thing. I spent good money on that series and could not finish the first one. Any comments? Maybe I am missing the point.
Jerry wrote: "Did anyone read "2666". What a terrible set of books. I can not believe all the publicity that book got and how bought into the whole thing. I spent good money on that series and could not finish t..."I read 2666 and absolutely loved it. It could have gone even further if Bolano had lived to finish it. I will say that it's definitely not a book for everyone.
Bhumi wrote: "Lyn wrote: "Interesting topic. Here are a few that I would avoid if I could. 1. Anna Karenina - I call this one the book club killer since I have joined two book clubs over the years who both ..."
I read it and liked it. There are a few spots where it drags but for the most part its a good read.
War and PeaceI have tried a few times still can't get past first chapter. I am going to resort to Cliff notes
Cheri wrote: "1. The first book in the Maximum Ride series by James PattersonI wanted to love this series as it was recommended by my book soulmate but, alas, it was not meant to be. I could barely stomach t..."
Well I loved Maximum Ride. I loved books 1, 2 and 3 in the series. I thought the Final Warning was ridiculous and it was even a bit difficult for me to finish. And I thought the plot was great...until that fourth book. =\
I had to read the Great Gatsby for school and although I don't usually enjoy books that I am forced to read, i actually enjoyed this one a bit. I wouldn't say it was my favorite book but I thing it deserves some credit.
I just finished Drowning Ruth and absolutely hated it. I don't want to go into a rant here but if you want the full effect of my disgust check out the review.http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51...
I can't stand anything by Faulkner at least I couldn't in school. One of my professors loved his books and I think we read 5 that semester. IT WAS TORTURE!Maybe one day I will go back and try again, but it has only been 6 years since that semester and I still shudder at his name!
Ethan Frome
Eragon -Could not get into this book. I have tried so many times, I like the storyline and movie, but can't handle the writing style-can't even listen to it.
Top 5 to avoid:1. Scarlet Letter - Hawthorne - should be BANNED - all teachers requiring it should be beaten with it instead
2. Angels and Demons & The Davinci Code - Brown - CRAP - 'nuf said
3. Hannibal - Harris - OMG! This book was as bad as I have suffered through
4. The Last Ship - Brinkley - I started it 4 times, I love post apocalypse, this was BAD
5. Eldest - Paolini - I liked the first one, and tolerated the second, but the third was NOT good
There are so many more, but 5 will do.
I seem to be in the minority in that I really liked Lord of the Flies. I also really liked Enders Game which had some similar themes.
Really? Banned? I happened to like The Scarlet Letter. I guess it's a good thing that I can choose my own reading material. By the way, Eldest is the second book in the series. Brisingr is the third.
The most recent books that I have not liked....1. House of Sand and Fog
2. Empire Falls
3. My Lobotomy
I really do not like books that seem to be negative and then get even more negative.
I have to admit I ducked reading as many classics as I could...To message 608 and 609 My Antonia was good-that is one of the few classics that I read and liked.
I read The Da Vinci Code, and then went on to read several other books regarding Mary Magdalene, her relationship to Jesus, and the way she was represented by the church, and while Dan Brown himself may not be 100% believable and ask people to take him on trust, I think there is sufficient arguments out there to satisfy me that Jesus, as a man, could have had a wife and child.If you don't believe that, or if it goes against your faith, I understand that, but I think that is easier for me to believe in a man acting like a man than the "miracles" we're expected to take as truth without batting an eye.
I am not a religious person, but I respect people's right to believe in whatever they like. I just tend to lean toward the more logical side of an issue.
Just my opinion. :)
Becky,I think that you may be right! I am a deeply spiritual person, and knowledge of Christ being married, and a father, would not affect how I feel about Him at all.
I have 2 books that I have read recently that I have absolutely hated & try as I might, cannot understand what all the hype was about these two - Atonement by Ian McEwan & The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society. I thought they were both awful. I understand that everyone has their individual tastes but they were UGH!!!!!!for me. I absolutely love Gone With the Wind - I even had a Professor in College tell me that GWTW was the worse book he had ever tried to read...Thank you for letting me vent my distaste.
Becky, You are of course correct. I had looked at a photo of the Eldest cover just before posting and apparently my brain forwarded that information.
I guess "banned" is a little strong but I hated that book in the strongest terms.
Sallie, I agree with you 1,000 oer cent!!!
Becky wrote: "I read The Da Vinci Code, and then went on to read several other books regarding Mary Magdalene, her relationship to Jesus, and the way she was represented by the church, and while Dan Brown himsel..."I'm with you, Becky. However, as I was listening to TDVC I couldn't help but think "I've heard this story
somewhere else a long, long time ago."
I do not like books that are syrupy sweet and have astory line that is not original. I am guessing most
Harlequin Romances and most of Danielle Steele's books
have predictable beginnings, told-you-so plots and they-lived-happily-everafter endings. I want a book
that challenges my intellect and keeps me turning the
pages one right after another. If the book is fiction, then I want believable characters, actions
and dialogue. The Scarlet Letter has a place of honor
on my bookshelf, because it carries a message that is
still true today in parts of the world. It's called
shunning, and the male never 'fesses his part in the
act.He goes scot free. I can't stand any of these political books so popular nowadays, because they are filled with hatred. That is a negative book. Books with a certain religious message are equally as sweet
as romances yet filled with tons of intolerance.
JUst my 2 cents.
Wow, I read this whole thread yesterday, so I've been mulling around what is on my "avoid" list. 1. Old Man & The Sea, Hemmingway. This book was an assignment in an English (as a foreign language) class when I went to school in Switzerland - I was the native speaker there to help. Which means it's easy enough for English learners to read. It bored everyone to tears, and I frequently had to insist that not all books in English are like this. One review at GR sums it up, "Just throw the f'ing fish back in."
2. The Secret History, Tartt - Really loved the idea of this book, but boy I had an impossible time getting into it in any way. The characters are unlikable. I was curious about things in the book that Tartt never explored in any detail, then went on in excruciating detail about things that I didn't care about (like the road trip.) Finally, the whole book felt pretentious - I kept thinking about the author and wondering if a silver spoon was up her... well, something about the writing constantly took me out of the story.
3. Mrs. Dalloway. Just because individual sentences are gorgeous, doesn't make me care about frivolous, silly characters, on a mostly uneventful day. Really didn't like the shifting POV. I liked other Wolff okay, but this one grated.
Wow, that feels better! This whole thread has been fascinating - I love hearing people's reasons why they didn't like a book. If we all had similar tastes, I don't think there'd be nearly as many books available, so here's a toast to different tastes! Cheers!
Mod
Grace wrote: "Lyn wrote: "Interesting topic. Here are a few that I would avoid if I could. 1. Anna Karenina - I call this one the book club killer since I have joined two book clubs over the years who bot..."
I've missed this thread for a long time for some reason, sorry. Anyway - you said it exactly. I don't like my blood and guts to fly.
Bhumi wrote: "Lyn wrote: "Interesting topic. Here are a few that I would avoid if I could. 1. Anna Karenina - I call this one the book club killer since I have joined two book clubs over the years who both ..."
A lot of people really like it, Bhumi, so don't go by my feelings, I tend to have trouble with Russian literature in general. Except I loved
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. Go figure
Jennifer wrote: "I have to agree with the Da Vinci code by Brown. Imo, there's not much worse than an author who tries to pass his fiction off as truth. Even his "historical" references were bogus. http://www.debun..."I didn't get the feeling that he was trying to pass his fiction off as fact at all. I have loved everything Dan Brown has written. Although my favorite is probably Deception point.
I have come to the conclusion to avoid Moby Dick. I am so frustrated with it,I could throw it across the room. I am taking a break from it. Me thinks never to try again. That and Anna Karina. yuk yuk yuk for me.
Becky wrote: "Really? Banned? I happened to like The Scarlet Letter. I guess it's a good thing that I can choose my own reading material. By the way, Eldest is the second book in the series. Brisingr is the th..."
I too, like the Scarlett Letter. It seems that many people dislike it. I thought the story was very moving and the writing was lovely. It is not necessarily his finest work-I like some of his short stories better.
I have tried to get through Anna K. It is hard book. The reason we may have such trouble with these is because of the language usage. The sentences are long-paragraphs.That is hard to sit through.
Lyn wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I have to agree with the Da Vinci code by Brown. Imo, there's not much worse than an author who tries to pass his fiction off as truth. Even his "historical" references were bogus...."I agree. I don't think he has ever tried to pass of his books as historical. They are fiction-even if some of the things are borrowed from cultural myth(which is not fact). I think people tried to read way too much into a work of fiction and became paranoid. yes, fiction resembles reality(or else we wouldn't want to read it) but it should never be read as "truth".
I know it's considered a classic, but Watership Down the most painful book I've ever read. If it hadn't been required reading, I'm pretty sure I would have put it down after the first 50 awful pages.Wicked is another one for me. I finished it, but then I was sad that I'd wasted my time.
Mod
I read Da Vinci becuase I love anything that is written about the church and its conspiracies. I certainly didnt pick it up becuase of what Dan Brown was saying, I just wanted a good fiction novel that I could lose myself in for a couple of days.
Watership Down was read because it was on the Lost Lit List... and Im a huge Lost fan. I dont think I would have ever picked it up on my own. I had no interest in reading a book about bunnies. Having read it, though, I thought it was so cleverly written.
I grew up on that cartoon. Dark, gloomy, yet full of morals. In this day and age, with all the CGI and lifelike computer animiation, It doesnt hold water, but at the time, it thought it was well done.
Jennifer wrote: "Dan Brown said it was fact.(If you look at one of the earlier posts I made, I support that with a link to resources that show where he claimed it). That wasn't my invention. It's not paranoia that ..."No. I didn't know there was a cartoon, but I doubt I'd subject myself to it after suffering through the book. :)
I just didn't get anything more out of it than the fact that it was about rabbits. I know there's more to it that was lost on me and that probably contributed to how much I disliked it.
I also really enjoyed The Da Vinci Code. I read it as purely fiction and that the suspense of it all was far more of a drawing point for me than the actual religious "revelations."
People do read it because of the hype. The same reason they watch reality t.v. Regardless, it not stellar writing. I tried to read the book but I thought it was badly written. I don't think people should read fiction as truth no matter what the author claims. It is not fiction they should sell it as some sort of creative non-fiction.
Mod
The movie actually stuck quite closely to the book and since I liked the movie, I saw it playing in my head as I read. The sea gull (I forget his name for the moment) was probably my most favorite character. He was the authors comic relief... which was much needed from time to time.
Overall, if you liked the movie, you should read the book. It's one of the few times I can say I liked them equally the same.
I couldn't finish Watership Down the first time when I was in junior high/high school. It wasn't required reading but I think the time was just not right for me. I picked it up again last year and absolutely loved it.I must admit I hated almost every book I had to read in school because I was forced to read it (Schindler's List was probably the only exception). I hate being pressured into reading something I have no interest in reading. Especially in high school pretty much all I read for fun was Stephen King and Clive Barker's Books Of Blood. But now I'm pretty much open to read anything, be it fiction or non-fiction.
Okay, I don't know if I can come up with a lot, but here are a few books I didn't really care for.1. Inkheart, I couldn't even finish this book, just couldn't imagine any of what I was reading, and I have always thought I have a pretty vivid imagination. Just didn't like the story I guess.
2. Empire Falls. Just finished this book, I had to force myself to finish this book. I endured 400 pages before it even became interesting, and it really wasn't even all that interesting. I did like his writting style so I'll maybe pick up another one of his books. Everyone in this book was just too miserable for me.
3. The Shopaholic series. Okay, these are fun books, but just not all that interesting, not enough for a whole series.
4. Salem Falls. I love Jodi Picoult, but not this story, I found it boring.
That's all I can think of right off hand.
Sometimes Jodi Picoult books are too sad for me. I generally like her but haven't read anything recently by her.
What a FANTASTIC thread!!carol (akittykat) wrote: "I have come to the conclusion to avoid Moby Dick. I am so frustrated with it,I could throw it across the room. I am taking a break from it. Me thinks never to try again. That and Anna Karina. yuk y..."
Moby Dick was one of the few books that actually made me very angry I disliked it so much. My heart rate is creeping up just writing this. There is actually a chapter dedicated to describing the physiological (i think that's the correct term) make up of a whale's brain!! I actually made it almost 3/4 way through before stopping for health reasons (aforementioned heart rate!)
Besides that, a couple others I couldn't even finish (which is a pet peeve of mine so these are still on my night table for future attempts) is:
One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel Garcia Marquez - I have NO idea what is going on and so far I just want to slap the main guy for being such a knob.
An Army of Angels A Novel of Joan of Arc Pamela Marcantel - eh, couldn't get in to it.
Couldn't Finish & will NEVER try again:
We Need to Talk About Kevin A Novel Lionel Shriver - this book also made me angry - it was just so frustrating to read so i gave up.
Did read and only rated it a 1 Star because I had to rate it SOMETHING and fractions are not an option:
Wideacre - I really like Philippa Gregory's Tudor series but this was just gross and I truly disliked the characters even aside from their interests.
Overall, not bad considering how much I read.
I was surprised to see posts about Water for Elephants Sara Gruen (i LOVED this book), as well as She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb. Albeit his books are not the most uplifting, they are engrossing.
Oh yeah - Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. I found this book frustrating. At parts I was bumping along, enjoying it, then suddenly something would happen and I would hate it! The whole book was like that for me, flip-flop. I'm still undecided as to whether I actually liked it or not.
That's my two cents worth!
Ick... Jennifer, if you're not sure about Watership Down, then I'd have to say to avoid it. I know it's supposed to be a classic, but I just could NOT get into it. I tried and tried. I eventually did finish it, but I really disliked it. Not because it was bad, but because it was boring. =\I didn't really care for Water For Elephants either, but I wouldn't say that it should be avoided. I just expected much, much more from it.
She's Come Undone was ok, but not nearly as good as I Know This Much is True. I love that book. It's one of my favorites.
Yuck. I didn't think it was great. I didn't even think it was good. =\ *snore* LOL
Erm... I started to watch it on YouTube.... and got bored.... 5 minutes in. =\
I'm sure you've rec'd a book I've liked... I think.
I enjoyed going back over and reading this. Susanna, I am with you. I hate having to read a book that was chosen for me without any input!! That is why I did try really hard to slide out of a bunch of books in school.
I loved Watership Down and have actually read it a few times. I never felt it was slow, but two of my children started it and then HATED it too much to continue...oh well, like someone said, good thing we get to choose our own books. And finish them...or not!I loved Scarlet Letter too. It's a sad story told in a lovely voice.
Absolutely must avoid Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West!! I had to force myself to read this and only did it because a good friend of mine had loved it so much and kept asking me "Have you read it yet?? Have you??" I disliked it so much that I have refused several invitations to see the musical production even though I know it couldn't possibly be as tedious as the book. And to think the author wrote more books!! It boggles the mind.
The Next Best Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Lays of Beleriand (other topics)The Catcher in the Rye (other topics)
The Martian Chronicles (other topics)
The Old Man and the Sea (other topics)
The Things They Carried (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
V.C. Andrews (other topics)Charles Dickens (other topics)
Steve Berry (other topics)
John Steinbeck (other topics)
Dan Brown (other topics)
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I don't know what it is with me and Hemingway, I just can't get into him. I love writers like Steinbeck, Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austen, Mark Twain, but for some reason can't seem to finish a Hemingway.