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No matter how many books you’ve read, there are always thousands that you haven’t. This week’s list is all about books that it seems everyone but you has read.
1. Mansfield Park (Jane Austen) – It seems like a lot of people I know have read this, or have at least seen one of the film adaptations. I’m working my way slowly through Austen, and this is one that I just haven’t gotten to yet.
2. Stephen King – I read a couple of King’s short stories for a high school English class, and there’s no doubt that he’s a great writer; I just don’t like being terrified by books. If his novels are as creepy and gory as the short stories I read, I think I’ll pass.
3. Bill Bryson – I have several of his books, including At Home. I’ve heard only good things about Bryson, but the book is such a chunkster that I haven’t been able to work up the courage to crack the spine. Someday…
4. Water for Elephants (Sara Gruen) – I’ve heard lots of good things about this book, and it seems like everyone I know has read it. But I just can’t force myself to rush into a book that (I’m told) deals with animal cruelty and abusive spouses. Not really my cup of tea.
5. The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) – I see this book everywhere. Thankfully I know that no matter the plot, I’m probably not going to like a dystopian novel, so I’m spared any guilt I might have felt for not reading the series.
6. Game of Thrones (George R.R. Martin) – I love high fantasy, but I just don’t have the time to get totally entrenched in a deep, long series like this right now. It’s on my list of possibilities for the future, though.
7. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Rebecca Skloot) – It sounds good, but my mother’s recent battle with cancer (she kicked its ass, boo-yah!) has put me off reading much about cancer.
8. Room (Emma Donaghue) – Sounds like an interesting idea for a story, but not something I’m likely to pick up.
9. Nicholas Sparks – I made the horrible mistake of watching the film adaptations of The Notebook and A Walk to Remember. I just don’t see the point of bawling one’s eyes out for the entire duration of a film/book, but lots of people are in love with Sparks’ writing. It’s just not my thing.
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Bill Bryson? I would start with The Life and Times of The Thunderbolt Kid. It’s fantastic and hilarious.
Hm, never heard of that. I thought he only wrote non-fiction. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the tip, Trish!
If it makes you feel better, I haven’t read anything on this list but the Hunger Games.
I remember you mentioning that at some point, Jessica. Did you like it? Did you know they’re making a movie? Glad to know I’m not alone in my not-having-read-ness.
I read King’s Under the Dome and that’s it. Haven’t read any others on your list, but there are a few that I’d like to. One of my daughters had really good things to say about the Henrietta Lacks book. Like you I have some Bill Bryson books on my shelf that I’m sure I’ll get to one day.
Lee
Tossing It Out
I’ve seen cover images of Under the Dome, but have no idea what it’s about. Did you like it? I might read Henrietta Lacks someday, but not just yet. As for Bryson…I’ve got at least one of his books, now I just have to pick it up!
Under the Dome requires a lot of suspension of disbelief, it might be offensive to some in places, and goes to a somewhat silly place in the end, but overall it’s a fun ride and I enjoyed it.
Lee
Tossing It Out
What would the world be like without a little silly?
Room and Hunger Games are the must reads here for me! Loved them both. With Stephen King, maybe Misery would be a good choice? It’s suspenseful and creepy, but because there’s nothing paranormal at play, it feels a bit safer. I read Misery in middle school and slept fine at night.
I just can’t get myself to like dystopian. I think it all stems back to high school, when I decided to read Nineteen Eighty Four for funsies (because we read Animal Farm for class, and I’m sick like that). It scared me so bad — talk about not being able to sleep at night. Since then I can’t enjoy the genre.
Hm…Misery. That sounds familiar. Didn’t they do a film adaption of that starring Kathy Bates? I had to read “Rainy Season” in high school (not sure what made them pick that particular gem), and was again horrified. …thinking back, a lot of my issues stem from high school required reading. Paging Dr. Freud! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. I have heard a love/hate thing going on with Room. I have a friend that insists that I read it, but just haven’t gotten to it yet. Mansfield Park is a good read like all Jane Austen in my opinion, but it is not my favorite by her.
I don’t personally know anyone who’s read Room (and it doesn’t seem like one that most of my friends would enjoy), but I’ve seen it all over the blogosphere in the last several months. I might pick it up someday, but it’s not at the top of my list by any means.
I need to bite the bullet and read all of Austen’s works. I’ve read Pride and Prejudice a zillion times, and recently read and loved Northanger Abbey. I seem to have hit a wall with Emma, though. I’ll give it another try soon. What’s your favorite Austen?
I began Mansfield Park last summer and got about half way through it. Knocked out another 50 this summer. The heroine is just…weird. I don’t understand her at all. I’ll finish it some day!
I do like the movie of The Notebook a lot. A Walk to Remember I thought was just terrible (again, the movie). Haven’t read any Sparks’ novels yet. His themes/settings aren’t what I usually look for in a book.
I’m in a similar situation as you, but with Emma. I’ve started it several times, but just can’t get into it. I like the Paltrow film adaptation, but the book seems kind of “meh.” I’m rooting for you to finish Mansfield Park!
Yea, I know a lot of people who just love Sparks, but I can’t stand anything of his. I don’t want to weep hysterically all the way through a book.
I know so many people that re really into Game of Thrones, but i don’t think I’ll be reading it any time soon…..
I kind of want to read it, but I’ve got too much going on right now to become obsessed with a long series. 🙂 Maybe over the winter?
Urgh, I’ll never read anything by Nicholas Sparks!
My reaction as well, Jenny. :p Too much drama, even for me.
I haven’t read a lot of these books … and likely won’t.
ROOM surprised me – I wasn’t sure I could handle the subject and the protagonist’s perspective, but it was very well done.
I won’t read all of these either. I’m too wimpy to read Stephen King, Hunger Games is dystopian so I’m pretty sure I’d hate it, and Room probably isn’t something that I’d enjoy reading. Reading a story from a 5 year-old’s perspective is rarely easy, but if it’s well done, that can be overcome. It’s the subject matter that I don’t think I could handle.