Top Ten Books to Avoid

[Carol]

I agree with you it was not a very good book for me. It ruined all the childhood memories of the wicked witch. I didn't want to know why she was bad. I needed someone to be evil in the Wizard of Oz.

[jessi]

What! You people are crazy! Wicked was awesome. It was so dark and twisted, and it had so many things to say on politics and animal rights and just... it was so intricate and inspired!

DO avoid the musical though. It hardly even represents the book. It's a much-too-happy mess of crap.

[Kandice]

I have to seriously disagree, Jessi. I read the novel first. Hated it. Was coerced into going to the musical and LOVED it. Wicked the novel tried too hard to be "important" and "deep", which just didn't work.

[jessi]

Some books I hated...

1. Blue Like Jazz
2. Fahrenheit 451
3. Just Checking
4. The Great Gatsby
5. Choke
6. How To Be Good
7. The Alchemist
8. Lisa, Bright and Dark
9. Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas
10. anything by Thomas Friedman

[Liz]

Kandice wrote: "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 t..."

I think the problem with The Scarlet Letter is that Hawthorne's symbolism is so over the top that it's really easy to be distracted by it and otherwise miss what the book is really about.

[Liz]

Cindy wrote: "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 languag..."
Cindy, I really enjoyed Mrs. Dalloway. In high school I wrote a paper which partly dealt with how everyone in the novel was not dealing with the after effects of the war by repressing their emotions. However, I didn't enjoy it as much as To the Lighthouse, so I completely understand why you feel this way.

[jessi]

Kandice wrote: "I have to seriously disagree, Jessi. I read the novel first. Hated it. Was coerced into going to the musical and LOVED it. Wicked the novel tried too hard to be "important" and "deep", which just d..."

Hmm. Do you see a lot of musicals? Maybe that is part of why I am so critical, too, because I see several a year, and Wicked was just so meh.

[Lindz]

It is funny how novels that inspire strong emotion will always go either way.

I never read Watership down because the movie scared the crap out of me when I was a child.

I very much dislike, Girl With the Pearl Earing, the Alchemist. And will be staying very very very far away from the Lost Symbol which is being released tomorrow.

[Carol]

Lindsay wrote: "It is funny how novels that inspire strong emotion will always go either way.

I never read Watership down because the movie scared the crap out of me when I was a child.

I very much dislike, ..."

I liked The Girl With The Pearl Earring. I think Vemeer is an interesting man. I will probably read The Lost Symbol, Although sometimes I get tired of all the running around the world.hahahaha. I read a short synopsis of The Alchemist, I am double minded about reading it.

[jessi]

carol (akittykat) wrote: "I read a short synopsis of The Alchemist, I am double minded about reading it."

I hated it, but if you are curious enough, it doesn't take long at all to read, so it's not a huge waste.

[Kandice]

Jessi wrote: Hmm. Do you see a lot of musicals? Maybe that is part of why I am so critical, too, because I see several a year, and Wicked was just so meh.

I do. Probably 5 or 6 a year. Sometimes I see musicals I have already seen, but loved, but of course a lot are new.

[jessi]

Kandice wrote: "I do. Probably 5 or 6 a year. Sometimes I see musicals I have already seen, but loved, but of course a lot are new."

Yeah, me too. This year I am seeing things I have not seen before: Chicago, Rent, and Dreamgirls. I may also see Spring Awakening again.

[Becky]

I thought Wicked (the book) was OK. Not great, not terrible. It had potential to be a lot more, but it just seemed like Maguire had something to say about everything, and none of it held as much impact as it could have had he been more focused. But that's just my opinion.

*shrug*

[Kandice]

Jessi, I've seen all three of those, Chicago three times. Dreamgirls was my least favorite, but they are all worth seeing.

[Juniper]

This is an interesting thread. It's tricky, for me, to tell someone to avoid a book, because everyone's tastes are so different. Just because something didn't resonate for me doesn't mean someone else won't love it. Having said that, here are some books that I have personally loathed and would avoid for the rest of my life (in no particular order):

Lost Girls by Andrew Pyper
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
The Glass Castle A Memoir
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
A Little Stranger by Kate Pullinger
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwen
Small Island A Novel by Andre Levy
Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

[Becky]

Jennifer, I have to ask, what did you dislike about the Thirteenth Tale to cause it to make your list? I really enjoyed that book.

[Cindy]

I know what you mean Jennifer, everyone's tastes are so different!
I can't really come up with a list unless it would consist of cheesy romance novels; just can't get into those though enjoyed them when I was younger.

[jessi]

I am going to have to add The Notebook to my list.

[Juniper]

Becky wrote: "Jennifer, I have to ask, what did you dislike about the Thirteenth Tale to cause it to make your list? I really enjoyed that book. "

Hi Becky!

Oh, I SO know I am in the minority with my opinion of this book!! My F2F book group did it in 2007 and that was a rough meeting for me! LOL!!

I really didn't connect with the characters at all and I found the story very predictable. To me, Setterfield seemed to be trying too hard and many parts of the book felt contrived or forced. It didn't flow naturally for me ~ both the story itself and the style of the writing..

So many people loved the The Thirteenth Tale and I so wanted to like it too, but it just didn't happen for me. I'm sorry!!

[Viki]

Cynthia wrote: "There are very few books that I absolutely have not had any enjoyment reading and they are...

1. Lord of the Flies
2. Setting Free the Bears by John Irving
3. The Sister by Poppy Adams"

I just finished The Sister and loved it. Maybe I was in a funky mood because it was very dark....

[Becky]

Jennifer, you don't have to apologize! I was just curious. I disagree, in that I didn't think that it felt forced or contrived or predictable, but you're entitled to your opinion. :)

(Don't worry, I'm often in the minority regarding books. :P)

[Juniper]

Becky wrote: "Jennifer, you don't have to apologize!"

Thanks! I am sure there has to be a sociological study, or studies, somewhere that look at why certain books become so beloved by so many yet are total stinkeroo's to others. I am sure there are many psychological reasons that go in to one person's emotional response to a book and the impact upon whether they will love it or hate it.

[Becky]

If not, there should be! LOL

[Vonney]

Becky, I'm with you. I listened to THE THIRTEENTH TALE unabridged audio version narrated by two women with British accents. I loved it. Took me back to when
I read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. Also, I loved
THE GLASS CASTLE, and was so pleased the author didn't
seem to harbor any resentments, which can do more damage to the sufferer than the perpetrators, in this
case, the parents. I am a baby-boomer, and my tastes
have changed often since high school and college.

[Becky]

Two women? One for Margaret and one for Vida? Oh, I bet that was WONDERFUL!

[Kandice]

I listened to the same audio of The Thirteenth Tale, and it was a great idea to have the two voices. I have the novel, and was reading along, but quickly gave that up, in favor of the audio.

[Vonney]

Kandice wrote: "I listened to the same audio of The Thirteenth Tale, and it was a great idea to have the two voices. I have the novel, and was reading along, but quickly gave that up, in favor of the audio."
Oh, so glad to make your acquaintance, Kandice. I download the unabridged audio versions of books from Audible.com and then check out the book from the library so I can follow along. I do it mainly so I can
get the correct spelling of places and people. Then I
Google them to see what these places look like, and
oftentimes to check out the historical facts from
which the story was based such as THE EXPECTED ONE.
I'm still listening and Googling, so can't review yet.

[Vonney]

Becky, and yes the two voices did make it a wonderful
story to listen to.

[KarenLee]

Becky wrote: "Jennifer, you don't have to apologize! I was just curious. I disagree, in that I didn't think that it felt forced or contrived or predictable, but you're entitled to your opinion. :)

(Don't worry,..."

Jennifer, I know what you mean about being in the minority. I thoroughly disliked The Da Vinci Code, ad have avoided all Dan Brown books since then. I found it poorly written and very predictable. But, I was definitely in the minority!

[KarenLee]

Brielle wrote: "I agree with everyone who said LOTF. I can't stand that book. I just thought it was dumb that Golding was trying to a make the point that humans are instinctively savage in nature through showing t..."

My husband and I read this in college, oh so many years ago, and loved it. To be honest, I think what we liked was the controversy and all the heated discussions in the dorms and cafeteria, etc. When we read it, everyone our age was reading it and it seemed very daring and exciting.

[[deleted user]]

Ugh...I also didn't like The Da Vinci Code. I guess that makes two of us (in the entire world, haha).

[Becky]

Harry Potter fits into a completely different "by the numbers" mold than the DVC.

DVC is like a puzzle mystery, where you get clues that lead to a controversial shocker of an ending. I happened to like it, and while I don't think it's the greatest book on earth, it was entertaining, and so I have no problem with admitting that I liked it. It also got me thinking about the possibilities surrounding ancient Christianity, so there is SOMETHING to say for it. But again, it's not great literature, it's not all that well written, and I can see why people may have a problem with the way it's presented.

But HP is a new take on the ancient "Hero Journey" which has been told times without number for just about as long as there has been communication. Hero loses his family to evil, is contacted by a mentor, makes new friends, realizes he is "the one", rejects being the one, ends up on his own and does the duty of the one anyway.

That's an insanely pared down summary, but its the format of almost all hero stories. It's as old as storytelling itself. But Rowling did even more than just retell the hero journey, she wound in ancient myths and legends, made everything mean much, much more than what it is on the surface, and made the story so much fun to read that it got people (not just kids) reading again.

THAT is an accomplishment in my opinion.

[Paul]

1. The Bridges of Madison County--I read this when it came out(92?93?) it was the first book I really hated! I wanted to throw it the window at the time. My mom read it after I did and said the same thing! the Librarian hated too..and this book was a bestseller for 2 years?!?!
2. Monster by frank perretti----ugh, some kind of Christian horror story with the worst writing
3.Miracle- hi i'm Danielle steel and i have been writing the same book for 20 years
4. The Dangerous day of Daniel x-Patterson's attempt to start a new YA series-probably his worst book and that's saying alot.

[Michelle♥]

Hahaha Paul! "Hi, I'm Danielle Steele and I've been writing the same book for 20 years"

Omgosh, I read that and literally chuckled! That was awesome.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

Paul - I laughed out loud when I read the "I'm Danielle Steele and I have been writing the same book for 20 years." I loved The Promise by her when she wrote it 20 years ago, and probably the next few. But I soon came to the same conclusion!

[Becky]

I've never read any Danielle Steele books... and I can't say I plan to start anytime soon. O_o

[Lisa]

I loved the Road...but agree it is one to avoid--I get depressed just thinking about it. Can't imagine watching the movie...will need Prozac...lots of it.

[Liz]

Fiona wrote: "I didn't like The Da Vinci Code either! I think the main reason is that it is so hyped up as if it IS great fiction, which it is not.

It's just a book, it isn't well written and it isn't even mind..."
People are so drawn to stuff that reads quickly. When I was home for Thanksgiving break I was dying to find a quick read that wasn't necessarily intellectual or well-written. I just wanted something mindless that wasn't for school. I could've worked on Eclipse but spent the whole break doing homework.
I have a feeling that as soon as I'm done for the semester I'm going to just bury my face in Eclipse and that it's going to feel awesome to read something super un-academic. Then I'll have to do homework.
So...sorry about the long post. But I bet that's why other people besides me enjoy mediocre books.
Jessica, I've read The Great Gatsby and Tender Is The Night...I really like TGG but for me TITN is almost a bit too depressing, which I think has something to do with how much I've been working with it academically this semester and been reminded of how sad it is.

[Kimberly]

I just have to say that I absolutely LOATHED Eat, Pray, Love One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia. It should have been titled, "Me, Myself, and I" the woman is sooooo self-centered!

[Alice]

Ok here goes:

Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren WEisberger - How on earth did someone come up with the BIGGEST stereotype of the American nation and put that into the three main characters for this book?! By the end of chapter one I hated everyone in the book for being shallow, selfish, rich bitches. I had no sympathy for any of them and got sooooo fed up with them all whining that poor them they didn't have a boyfriend etc etc.

American Tabloid by James Ellroy - I'm sure this is actually a very good book for it's genre but I just didn't get it. I didn't have a clue who was who or what the hell was going on. Maybe American Politics is something I'll stay away from in the future!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - I really couldn't finish this book. Don't really get the whole zombie phenomenon and in fact I couldnt' finish this book at all which is a rare thing for me.

.......(fill this in with one of many many many titles) by Jodie Piccoult How can someone write sooooo many books in such a short period of time?! I get very suspicious when an author has a new hardback book published every month because where was the time they spent writing it?! I have read several Jodie Piccoult books and after each one wondered why as it was exactly the same as her previous one. How to make money the Jodie Piccoult way...Write one manuscript, print up many times just changing names of places and people and Change the title.

[Alisha Marie]

I think one that I have to add to my list of books to avoid is Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. I had assumed I would love this book, but I disliked each and every one of those characters. The husband was too bitter and smug, the wife was whiny and annoying, and the neighbors, uggh! Okay, so they don't want to celebrate Christmas, that's there prerogative! It doesn't give you permission to harass them. I didn't think it was cute at all and it didn't have that many humorous parts or at least that's what I thought.

As for Eat, Pray, Love, I saw that in the thrift store last week for like two bucks, but I remember almost everyone saying that the author is so self-centered that I had no desire to pick it up. I despise self-centered people in books and especially in real life.

[El]

Lisa wrote: "I loved the Road...but agree it is one to avoid--I get depressed just thinking about it. Can't imagine watching the movie...will need Prozac...lots of it.

"


I did just see the movie yesterday, after reading it a few months back. I enjoyed both and agree that while they might be depressing, they both end with the feeling of "hope", and that's really something to hold onto. The rest of the story is important in order to get that, so I recommend to those who are interested to trudge through it, just as the characters are trudging.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Michelle♥ wrote: "Hahaha Paul! "Hi, I'm Danielle Steele and I've been writing the same book for 20 years"

Omgosh, I read that and literally chuckled! That was awesome."

Fabulous. Just fabulous. And closer to 30 years!

[Suzanne]

LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YEAYEAYEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michelle and Susanna.......
"You are fabulous,darlings, just fabulous!!!!"

[Lisa]

LOVE the Danielle Steel Comment! She has a few gems...the Promise, the Ring..and one or 2 others...but I stopped reading her long ago

[Liz]

Alice wrote: "Ok here goes:

Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren WEisberger - How on earth did someone come up with the BIGGEST stereotype of the American nation and put that into the three main characters for thi..."
Her books are so formulaic and the subject matter doesn't vary that much. I'll pick up one every once in a while, but I've never totally been in love with any of her books.

[Alisha Marie]

I've only read The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger and it was just so 'meh' that I have no desire to pick up any of her other books. I love THe Devil Wears Prada movie, though. I think it's hilarious.

[Catamorandi]

I agree with Jennifer on both The Thirteenth Tale and The Glass Castle: A Memoir.

[Lisa]

Alice wrote: "Ok here goes:

Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren WEisberger - How on earth did someone come up with the BIGGEST stereotype of the American nation and put that into the three main characters for thi..."

I definitely agree with you on Piccoult! Well I've only read one book by her so I guess I'm not positive on them all being the same, but after readingVanishing Acts and then the descriptions of others they seem to follow the same outline. The one I did get through I found to be predictable with horribly flat characters that I cared nothing for.

I think I'd also have to add The Time Traveler's Wife to the list. I know so many people loved it and I just don't understand why. I thought the characters were flat and she didn't sell the storyline very well (and I have read realistic fantasy/sci-fi that I've blindly followed until the end of the book). I wasn't sad ***** SPOILER *****
when Henry died and I really didn't care that she never saw him again. I preferred young Clare with old Henry much more than I liked thema actually married. And the whole thing with Gomez felt extremely unnnecessary and the only connection I felt with the characters was a repulsion for Clare when she slept with Gomez and acted like it was no big deal. She was supposed to be friends with his wife, but apparently not a good enough friend to stop Gomez from cheating on her. Good idea, but imo, lack of follow through and writing talent.

Part of me also wants to add Twilight, but I did enjoy reading as pure fluff beach read. However, the storyline and characters become flat after the first book and there was the whole fall apart when your boyfriend dumps you and let him treat you horribly (but that really just means he loves you more) undertones of the whole thing that bothered me. I think Meyer's talent was limited to her first book and she really didn't have much from there, but it made money so she cranked out some more.

[LemonLinda]

Kandice wrote: "I have to seriously disagree, Jessi. I read the novel first. Hated it. Was coerced into going to the musical and LOVED it. Wicked the novel tried too hard to be "important" and "deep", which just d..."

I will jump on board for this post. Saw the "Wicked", the musical and loved it so much. I love musical theater in general and it ranks in my all time top time. Since I loved it so I decided to read the book and hated it. Yes, the musical was very loosely based but in my opinion they took the good parts of the book and enhanced them into a beautiful story, whereas the book went off in wierd tangents that I simply did not enjoy.

The other book for me in this category would be "Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man". Finished it but felt it was sort of like doing hard labor. I was simply relieved when it was over.