"Popular" Books You Did NOT Enjoy!
Find a Conversation
"Popular" Books You Did NOT Enjoy!
| Fri, 03-11-2005 - 10:58am |
Sue Roon brings up an interesting topic..."popular" and/or "classic" books that YOU just did NOT enjoy!
Let's talk about your list of "those" books!
And how do you feel about disliking "beloved" or "popular" books?

Pages
Let's talk about your list of "those" books we dislike.
#1 "Catcher in the Rye, hated it!
I remember quite a few on the school reading lists that I thought were icky, but can't recall the titles.
There have been quite a few classic books I 'had' to read in school I did not enjoy - I remember Thomas Hardy's 'Return of the Native' I just about got thru
& I remember when Jonathan Franzen's 'The Corrections' came out & all the buzz.
I always felt guilty about some of the books or authors I didn't like. For example, I'm not a big Shakespeare fan. Sad part of that it- I've got a Secondary Education degree in English. I had a friend in college that simply adored Shakespeare- I can appreciate his work but I can't understand the hype.
I've also found that some of the books that held no interest for me when I was in school have perked my interest. So much of the literature that I read had no real impact on my world at the time. As an adult I can appreciate more some of the themes and topics.
I'm not entirely embarassed about what I dislike and will discuss that with almost anyone. I used to be more embarassed to admit that I loved to read romance novels. i don't read them as much as I used to but sometimes I still feel sort of guilty for reading a quick romance novel when those around me are reading better quality books:)
Love this question! Didn't know I wanted to discuss this topic so much! I have absolutely no trouble talking about books I don't/didn't like. I'm nice about it, but I still express my opinion.
Also as I read the posts, I was amazed by how many of us agree on certain books. For example, I can include with others of you a dislike for Jane Austin, (since Junior High),Alice in Wonderland (why the fuss, dumb book!), And the Corrections. Why that won a Pulitzer (I think)I can't imagine. I couldn't get past the first 10 pages! Also, I'm not a fan of Stephen King....Carrie was disgusting, & Joyce Carol Oates! What is the big deal about her as an author. I could never figure it out. I have slugged thru a couple of her books (I was much younger)& could find no redeeming value. Especially the one about "We Were the Mc(somethings). I could have yelled at those parents for an hour. I don't think they behaved at all like the parents I know!! Finally, my all time disappointment...."The DaVinci Code." Also I was amazed at the almost harsh comments directed my way about my not liking the book. Just a money maker with one dimensional characters.
Someone did comment about Anita Shreve. I didn't like the Pilot's Wife either. But "The Weight of Water" I thought was pretty good. I tried a few others, but didn't care for them. That said, I confess I came here tonite to tell you about this great book I just finished....by Anita Shreve! I think she has redeemed herself. I felt that eventually she would get better & IMHO, she has. I just finished "Light on Snow, " & recommend it as a wonderful book. I read it in 2 days...it isn't long & the writing is just one stroke short of elegant. Hope you like it. dee
>How do you feel about disliking "beloved" or "popular" books?
Most recently, I read The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason...started out ok, but by the end, I kept thinking "What a waste of my time!". I've read a few that people on this board and others here at ivillage have highly recommended and just could not get into them...particularly Toni Morrison books.
I feel guilty about not liking the "beloved" books, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? To each her own I guess. Besides, there are too many books out there to obsess about the ones I don't like...I just move on to the next! lol
>Is it easy for you to speak up and give your true opinion? Do you have guilty or conflicted feelings about not enjoying certain books, or certain authors?
I'll give my opinion if I like I book, but I hesitate when I don't like one...I don't like to prejudice others about a particular book because it may have been just me, or the mood I was in when I read it.
>Where are you on the "I'll give my true opinion without guilt" scale?
5...I'll give my true opinion when I love a book, but I tend to go easy on those I don't like...I guess I'm too forgiving, especially if it's the first book I've read by a particular author. That said, maybe I should give Toni Morrison another chance...LOL
Jenn
Jenn
Well, as I mentioned in an earlier thread I seem to have trouble with any books by Hemingway. I have read three (for classes) and hated all of them. There were also several books I had to read for my Russian Studies major that bored me to tears. As far as "popular" books go, I have to admit that I just can't ever seem to get into John Grisham books. I know he is a very popular writter but with the exception of "A Time to Kill" I haven't enjoyed his books. I also tried to read "The Alienist" when it was all the buzz several years ago but could never get into it. I keep meaning to try it again but. . .
Sheri
I agree with the Grisham comments. It seems like A Time To Kill, which wasn't even popular until it was re-released after his bestsellers, was the only I liked, too. All his other novels seem repetitive.
I think Sindey Sheldon, Jackie Collins, Danielle Steele, Judith Krantz, Dean Koontz and many others fall into a similar category for me. I just don't read them. I have read 3-5 of each and can't seem to find anything new in any of their stories. They find a formula that sells, change the names, places and details of the plot and voila, they have a "new" novel.
ninipanini
Hi All,
I really enjoyed reading the messages in this thread. I also do not like Danielle Steel (shocks me when I see how well her books sell). I enjoyed early Stephen King but his writing became more and more bizarre as time went on. Also hated "Alice in Wonderland", it gave me the creeps!!
As far as Anita Shreve goes she wrote a great book "Strange Fits of Passion". I read that last summer at the shore and could not put it down.
I love Jodi Picoult and Elizabeth Berg. I will read anything they write!
Normally the best seller lists don't contain much that I enjoy reading. I will say though that I've read almost every book that Oprah has recommended. I really enjoyed many of her picks.
As far as guilt, you can tell I have it by my reaction to putting down "Mansfield Park". I feel committed when it comes to our book club picks. But this time I just could not read the book. At least I read enough to offer my opinion as to why I did not care for it.
Have a great weekend girls. Let's think of some more author that we can discuss our likes and dislikes for. Sue
Pages