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Books you struggle/just can't make it through
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Nov 30, 2010 02:02AM
Laura Eat Pray Love is getting plenty of bad press here, but everyone is different. I know a couple of people who loved it. I am dithering on Dragon Tattoo, not sure whether to give it a go or not.
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@Gail- Ooh, I've somehow ignored all the press info when it comes to the book..I might have been swayed otherwise. I just started it since it's the 1st and on my list..I'm enjoyed it so far.On the Dragon Tattoo, I think that is a book you'll either LOVE every second of it..Or will really dislike it. I came midway between love/hate. I'd pick it up from a friend or the lib to see what you think.
It was also too long of a book for me..I kinda found it easy to work stuff out too which spoiled the reading :(
@Gail, I myself personally loved the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo & the other two in the series. But I do agree with Laura, you'll either love it or hate it.
My take on Eat, Pray, Love ...I really disliked the Italian section -- between moaning over her failed relationship (as though she were the first and only sufferer), and lots of talk of the hot guys ... yawn. Moreover, she fawned over the place a bit much.
India, with Richard-from-Texas, redeemed all that. He had her number, calling her out repeatedly. A plus on audio was hearing her do his accent.
Indonesia was okay, but not great. I wanted to shake her, yelling, 'That woman is using you, how can you not see that?' at one point. Otherwise, that part coasted to the conclusion well enough.
Like Jenny I had trouble with Da Vinci Code. I did finish it eventually. Didn't mind his style, but it was the story and the statements of 'facts' that annoyed me - particularly about the Prime Meridian, which was mentioned near the beginning. After that it soured the rest of the story for me.On the other hand it could be me being too picky, as I have some knowledge of the Prime Meridian.
Most of the books we have for Book Club reading fit into this category. The worst was Perfume - I could not read that book, it was awful in my opinion.I am struggling through "The People's Train" at the moment - it has parts in it that are okay and parts that I skip over. I am not one for reading about politics and strikes etc, but I am only half way through it.
I just remembered another book I've always wanted to read but never made it through, Sophie's World.Gail "cyborg" wrote: "I am dithering on Dragon Tattoo, not sure whether to give it a go or not."
haha go read my review for that one... My advice would be stay away, stay away! But then I'm not sure what your taste in books is - so many people loved it! It was the first book chosen for a new book club I joined and I was so worried that they were all going to come to the meeting raving about how good it was but everyone hated it!
Emma wrote: "I just remembered another book I've always wanted to read but never made it through, Sophie's World.Gail "cyborg" wrote: "I am dithering on Dragon Tattoo, not sure whether to give it..."
I'm glad to read I wasn't the only one who really disliked Dragon Tattoo...So many people I talked to about the book all squeeled with delight. It felt like there was no-one who disliked it at all..lol
Emma wrote: " My advice would be stay away, stay away! But then I'm not sure what your taste in books is - so many people loved it! It was the first book chosen for a new book club I joined and I was so worried that they were all going to come to the meeting raving about how good it was but everyone hated it!"
There is an easy way to check. I did a quick book comparison we have 41 books in common with a compatibility of 83%. Pretty compatible I would have to say. :)
There is an easy way to check. I did a quick book comparison we have 41 books in common with a compatibility of 83%. Pretty compatible I would have to say. :)
Emma wrote: "I just remembered another book I've always wanted to read but never made it through, Sophie's World.Gail "cyborg" wrote: "I am dithering on Dragon Tattoo, not sure whether to give it..."
I agree on Sophie's World. My brother recommended it to me - I'm not sure I'll trust his rec's again.
"Emma wrote: "I just remembered another book I've always wanted to read but never made it through, Sophie's World."Yes I am struggling with this book too. My friend bought me a copy and I have only made a small dent in it ... I love the cover however ... maybe over Xmas hols I will conquer it.
Sophie's World is a book I've wondered if I should pick up or not. A while ago I heard good things but once I found it was over 400+ pages I was suddenly put off.But interestingly it is in the 'The Most Begun "Read but Unfinished" (Initiated) book ever' list on Good Reads.
Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Laura Eat Pray Love is getting plenty of bad press here, but everyone is different. I know a couple of people who loved it. I am dithering on Dragon Tattoo, not sure whether to give it a go or not."@ Gail - just hang in there for the first 40 pages or so - it's worth being patient! Great series but it suffers from a lack of editing. The journalism comes through too often.
Sophie's World was one I could never finish either...
I am looking forward to reading American Gods, I love love love Neil Gaimain, although so far all I've read are two of his books for younger people. At the moment I'm reading through the Harry Potter series for the umpteenth time, though, so it'll have to wait.I own, and am planning on reading, Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, but it almost looks intimidating, so I've been putting it off for a little while, but hopefully I'll get around to it soon too, I've never heard of Sophie's World, and I guess from what you've all said, I shouldn't try it, but who knows.
Someone mentioned The Da Vinci Code, and I do enjoy the Robert Langdon books, but I started the Lost Symbol over a year ago, and haven't been back to it, it's on my pile of books that I own, but haven't read, so I'm sure I'll get back to it.
At the moment I'm struggling with The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch. I hate not finishing books, but I just find it incredibly boring and the main character is annoying. I'll try it again one day I guess...Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh is another one. That Scottish accent is hard to get around.
And I totally agree with Sophie's World. Words can't describe how much I hate that book. I did finish it, and I always get angry when I see a copy in a bookstore. I like reading philosophy, but this was just terrible.
The Dice Man by Luke Rhinehart is another one. I threw this in the bin, this is the only book that I have ever thrown away.
Leanne wrote: "At the moment I'm struggling with The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch. I hate not finishing books, but I just find it incredibly boring and the main character is annoying. I'll try it a..."Like you Leanne, I did persevere with Sophie's World and have come to dislike the book intensely. I did finish The Dice Man but that was years ago and I think I read it to impress other people. Wouldnt bother with it now. Life's too short to read books you dont enjoy.
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. I read it in year 7, and put it down half way through due to boredom. And picked it up again a few months ago, and though i tired hard not to, I put it down again. I jut cant do it. I can NOT finish that book.
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★ Jessica ★ wrote: "Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. I read it in year 7, and put it down half way through due to boredom.
And picked it up again a few months ago, and though i tired hard not to, I..."
I have never finished it either. Maybe one day I'll try again.
And picked it up again a few months ago, and though i tired hard not to, I..."
I have never finished it either. Maybe one day I'll try again.
I think I am struggling on The Potato Factory :/ It's around the same place I gave up last time. Buut I will keep going!
★ Jessica ★ wrote: "Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. I read it in year 7, and put it down half way through due to boredom. And picked it up again a few months ago, and though i tired hard not to, I..."
I read Anne Frank when I was 15 (a Very Long Time Ago) and loved it. Though I haven't read it since, but then there are few books I can read more than once. There are so many others...
Monya (aka Mary)
I am reading "The Shipping News" at the moment and I am having trouble getting through that - I can't really tell what is slowing me down - maybe it's the writers style.
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I had to read 'the shipping news' for our book club...didn't like it much at all. It seemed to be very boring IMO. I did a lot of skimming! :)
I too have picked up The Shipping News a couple of times. I've struggled to 'get into' it but I think I'll keep that one on my TBR list for a while longer. Don't want to give up on it just yet.I read Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl when I was in High School and I think it's the only book I truly loved during my teen years. I was not a keen reader back then. I wonder if it because we studied it in depth that made me love and understand it? Not sure because it is sooooo long ago now. LOL! I really must read this one again.
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On Anne Frank - did anyone see the amazing photographic exhibition that was travelling aro..."
No Carmel, I didn't see it, but I would have loved to. My daughter went to Anne Frank's house when she was travelling o/s, and I know she would have loved to see it too...
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Welcome Zachary! :) Ditch the book I say or have a break from it..ehehe!-
Ugh..I actually ditched The Potato Factory after it failing to hold my attention for a 2nd time. I can see the story would be good but just the writen style didn't hold me enough..Maybe 3rd time lucky years down the track,hey? ;)
Everyone tells me 'the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is brilliant. Can't get past the second chapter.
Ann Massey wrote: "Everyone tells me 'the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is brilliant. Can't get past the second chapter."I've heard both Ann. I know people in 'real life' who've both loved and hated it. I have put it high on my TBR list. I think it might be the first one I read on my Kindle..... if it ever arrives.
Ann Massey wrote: "Everyone tells me 'the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is brilliant. Can't get past the second chapter."it's just one of those books that I think you'll either love or hate it. I'm on the hate side when it comes towards that book, I think my problem was I held my expectations of the book far to high since people were raving about it. Kind of odd considering I try to ignore that type of thing.
So, really don't feel that bad if you can't read anymore. Maybe shelf it and try it again later on :)
Ann Massey wrote: "Everyone tells me 'the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is brilliant. Can't get past the second chapter."It is a truly fantastic series this one - but the first few chapters of the first book are pretty tough to get through. Once u get past all the financial history etc it's brilliant! :D
Great to hear Sophie. I friend has just loaned me a copy of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I need to get through the Summer Reading challenge before I can start it though.
I have to change my comment on "The Shipping News", I did find it hard going to start with but by the time I got to page 75 it was okay and it went from there to better. So now I would have to recommend this book. I have just hired the movie so that I can watch that now.
Bronwyn wrote: "I have to change my comment on "The Shipping News", I did find it hard going to start with but by the time I got to page 75 it was okay and it went from there to better. So now I would have to rec..."
I'm glad you stuck with it. I really enjoyed it. I struggled initially too, I had thought it was because I'd been reading some Jane Austen and Charles Dickens just before I read it. The language change was like a culture shock.
I'm glad you stuck with it. I really enjoyed it. I struggled initially too, I had thought it was because I'd been reading some Jane Austen and Charles Dickens just before I read it. The language change was like a culture shock.
Isn't it wonderful to have a group like this that will make suggestions to stick with a slow starting book? Imagine all the great books we might abandon if others did not suggest that we stick with it just a bit longer?
Ann Massey wrote: "Everyone tells me 'the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is brilliant. Can't get past the second chapter."For me it didnt really grab my interest until chapter 5.. The earlier chapters are very much just setting up the scene/backstory. It is worth pursuing as you may end up loving it like so many. For me I enjoyed it but probably not to the heights of all the hype, but glad I gave it a go. If you can make it to Chapter 5 you may find that you get sucked into the story very quickly after that.
"...Ugh..I actually ditched The Potato Factory after it failing to hold my attention for a 2nd time..."I agree Laura, just cant get into Bryce Courtney's work. And, as I often say, life is too short to read crap books (life is also too short to not use delicious soaps). You can trust my 'life is too short' stuff cos it comes from many years working in palliative care, haematology and oncology. So ditch the books people and find something better.
Harper wrote: "Ann Massey wrote: "Everyone tells me 'the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is brilliant. Can't get past the second chapter."For me it didnt really grab my interest until chapter 5.. The earlier chap..."
I agree, well worth sticking worth through those early chapters.
Maggie wrote: (life is also too short to not use delicious soaps)"
Yes...:D
Yes...:D
Maggie wrote: ""...Ugh..I actually ditched The Potato Factory after it failing to hold my attention for a 2nd time..."I agree Laura, just cant get into Bryce Courtney's work. And, as I often say, life is too sh..."
Mmm..I went into LUSH two days ago..Talk about amazing soaps!! *faints with happiness*
But yes, I agree with the ditching of the books that are hard to get through :D
Aussie Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
Middlesex (other topics)The Potato Factory (other topics)
The Diary of a Young Girl (other topics)
The Shipping News (other topics)
The Diary of a Young Girl (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Leo Tolstoy (other topics)Leo Tolstoy (other topics)
Leo Tolstoy (other topics)
Terry Pratchett (other topics)
J.R.R. Tolkien (other topics)
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