Book Bout Discussion-Books You Should Love, But Don't

[Emily Spencer]

Have you ever come across a book that you should enjoy, but absolutely cannot stand it? It can be a classic, a popular book, or even a genre ‘must’. For example, I love the fantasy genre, but simply cannot stand The Lord of the Rings. I’ve tried many times to read it, because it is, after all, the fantasy book on which all others are judged. But, after slogging through a few chapters, I end up putting it down due to a lack of interest. The same could be said for Brave New World. As a lover of dystopian fiction, I should really enjoy this book, but it does nothing for me. As far as popular books, I can’t get more than a chapter into Handmaid’s Tale without setting it down in boredom. Blasphemy, I know.

For this discussion, tell us about any books that you should love, but cannot stand. Or perhaps, you have a book that you thought you would like and start to read it, and just can’t get into it. Or a book you may have loved once, but find exceedingly dull now (The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart comes to mind for me.)-- in 80 words or more. You’ll earn 10 beans and 5 team points for the Book Bout competition.

Post your response below by 11:59 PM HOL-time on the 31st of August.

[Emily Spencer]

I know I've listed some books above, but there is one more that readily comes to mind. Movie adaptations based on this book have been won, it has inspired such hit television shows as Downton Abbey, and is universally seen as a very popular classic. Except, of course, by me.

The book I speak of, if you haven't guessed, is Jane Austen's novel, Pride & Prejudice. Sadly, as iconic as this book is, I just don't like it. The writing seems very stilted to me, but to be fair, it is probably more the general subject matter that I shy away from usually.

I love to read many different genres, but romance is not one of them. That isn't to say that I cannot stand romance, but just not when it is the driving plot. Blasphemy, I know, but I just cannot make myself swoon over Mr. Darcy or coo and wax poetic about the budding romance between him and the conflicted Elizabeth Bennett. That is not to say that I think it is even necessarily a bad plot; it just does nothing for me.

You may put away your pitchforks, now!!

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

(No, I'm not officially entered into this activity (yet?) but ....)

Emily! No! (Pitchfork? What pitchfork? )

Yes, I'd shied away from Pride and Prejudice until Sky (almost literally) 'made' me read it.

Now I've read it, reread it, watched about 4 different versions of the book, both in movie and BBC form (I also watched Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) and yes, for me, it's a big thank you to Sky.

Now, for a book I cannot seem to get into and which everyone says is wonderful and 'oh you'll love it' ..... oh, I know.

There is an author, Marissa Meyer, who has a host of loyal fans and who has written many books. One of them, Cinder (of the Lunar Chronicles) was so highly recommended and I tried it. I tried it a few times. It just didn't click for me, nor did it do anything but inspire me to use it as a door stop.

Dearest Emily, as for your comments re: Lord of the Rings .....


gif above shows Gandalf, apparently in a darkened room, but his face is lit by firelight. He is speaking. Words below -- "Don't tempt me, Frodo!"

[River Fenwick]

For me, I absolutely could not get into Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I wanted to give it a try, since it does have a reputation for its great overall message, but I can't get past the first few chapters before I give up. And yes, I've tried to read it a few times, but lost motivation each time. I can't even say for sure what it is about the book that puts me off. Maybe it's simply because of the age of the work that it can't resonate with me as a whole, but I can at least still appreciate the central idea behind it.

[Emily Spencer]

Although I personally love Little Women, I can understand your reasoning, River. I think that’s part of my problem with Pride and Prejudice; the archaic/stilted/formal way of writing detracts me from the story, no matter how good it is. Of course, I love Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, so who knows?!

[Janne Halla]

I really thought I was going to fall head over heels for the Shadowhunters books. They have literally everything I usually love in a series. There's a secret supernatural society or part of our world, big battles, romance, all the supernatural creatures you could ever want, and so many more things. It just sounded like my kind of comfort read. Everyone I know who’s into fantasy was obsessed, so I picked up City of Bones expecting to devour it and then rush out for the rest of the series.

But it just didn’t click. I kept waiting for that moment when I’d fall in love with the characters, or get so wrapped up in the story that I couldn’t put it down, and it never happened. I’d read a few chapters, put it aside, and not really feel like going back. And you know when you want to love something, so you try again later, but the same thing happens? That was me with this series and this challenge.

It feels strange, because I usually eat up big sprawling fantasy series, and this should have been right up my alley. Maybe it’s the pacing? Maybe I just never clicked with the characters? I honestly don’t know. That said, I do kind of admire how much other readers love the whole series and other books in this world.