Thursday, October 25, 2007

MEME: Booking Through Thursday


Today’s suggestion is from Cereal Box Reader
I would enjoy reading a meme about people’s abandoned books. The books that you start but don’t finish say as much about you as the ones you actually read, sometimes because of the books themselves or because of the circumstances that prevent you from finishing. So . . . what books have you abandoned and why?
Like most readers, I seldom give up on a book. There have been a few I've considered giving up on, but as long as it's not a big, long book, I'll get through it. (I'm looking at you Picture of Dorian Gray) There have been a couple exceptions however, so horrendous and boring, that they make this list.
First, On the Road by Jack Kerouac. I tried, and kept hoping I would get what makes this book a classic. Nope. Just some slacker guys looking to score women and drugs and a free ride across the country. I couldn't even see a plot developing, just most stories of these loser guys. I looked at the last page as I was considering giving up, and it was more of the same. I tired the sparks notes, to read what all the hubbub was about. Didn't help. Terrible book.
I also remember reading The Fencing Master by Arturo Perez-Riverte. I think I had read another book by this author and liked it, but this one put me to sleep. I couldn't understand anything that was going on, and returned it to the library. I can't even remember what I didn't like about it, but, as the kids today say, it sucked.
I started The Hobbit twice when I was younger and couldn't get past the first page! The first page? It is loved by so many, so I may try again, the wisdom of age and all that, but I don't hold much hope.
I started Emma by Jane Austen earlier this year, and put it down, but I do attempt to try it again, when I have a month to read it, because Jane Austen is not very readable to me, and I want to give her another try. But she might make the DNF list as well.

8 comments:

  1. I think we must have similar tastes in books. I enjoyed Dorian Gray somewhat but like a lot of old British classics I found it a little dry (and I second your thoughts on Jane Austen). On The Road was a waste of time too- just trying to prove how hip he was. The Hobbit I haven't tried yet but I totally felt the Lord of The Rings trilogy was too long and the songs drove me nuts. Based on all this, I won't even bother trying the Fencing Master as I'm sure you're right.

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  2. I am yet to pick up Lord Of the Rings triology again. I couldn't read past page 3. I thought it was just me. I have somewhat similar experience about The Hobbit too..

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  3. I tried really hard with On The Road because my husband said it was his favourite book. I hate it. Funny how you can actually live with someone who loves books you hate...

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  4. john - yes, and P and P didn't do much for me either

    gautami - I haven't even tacked LoTR, people suggest The Hobbit as a way to get started, and that didn't work at all. Maybe I'll try the movies.

    geraniumcat - People either love it or hate it. That is weird about your husband!

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  5. I had mixed feelings about On the Road, no it doesn't go anywhere but I did like the way he wrote and the things he observed.

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  6. You've already seen my thoughts on Dorian Gray. Ugh. As for The Hobbit, out of the four books (The Hobbit and the Trilogy) The Hobbit was my favorite. I had tried reading it in high school and didn't get out of the first chapter. I re-read it before any of the movies came out and really enjoyed it. As for the other three, they were a challenge to say the least. I read them though, and I'm glad to say that I did because they far outshine the movies, imo. As for the other books you mentioned, I've never read any of them yet.

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  7. Boring being the key word in what makes us stop reading. :-) I got a good chuckle about your mention of The Picture of Dorian Gray. My thoughts exactly.

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  8. I'm looking at Hobbit and Dorian Gray, too! Right on, sister! I do hope you'll try Emma again, though, but I know sometimes one needs to be in the right mindset for Austen and, as you say, have enough time.

    And like Gautami I couldn't do LTR - I don't even know if I got as far as page 3!

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