Books on the Nightstand discussion

I'm thinking about books you were really excited to read, based on the idea behind them, but that didn't quite deliver. I'm guessing we all have some of these on the bookshelf.

Mine is American Gods by Neil Gaiman. It had some great nuggets in there, like the exploration of what happens to the old world gods that got imported to America, but somehow the whole was just less than the parts.

I feel the same way about the TV show Heroes, btw.

Anyone else have one of these?

Yes, one of the books currently abandoned on my nightstand (but I'm sure I'll finish it at some point) fits that category: The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud. It was named as a NYTBR Best Book of the Year and the concept of thirty-somethings trying to find their way in intellectual lines of work sounded like something I'd like.

Messud is a marvelous writer and I know that in some works of literature you should not expect to identify closely with a main character. . . but it's difficult for me to love a book when that is the case. These characters are just a bit younger than my siblings but so very immature and entitled. I'm sure that will turn out to be part of the point of the novel. I'll come back and repost if/when I finish it, if my opinion changes. :)

Oh NO! Emperor's Children has been on my TBR list for a LONG time! I just bought it and have heard many people didn't think it was that great. Ugh!

Funny, the two books that came to mind have already been mentioned :)
I felt very much like Laura about The Emperor's Children. It's brilliantly written, but I put it down halfway through and never picked it up again.

But Heather, I know many many many people who adored The Emperor's Children. I think it's one of those books that need to read at just the right time and in just the right circumstances. I can't wait to see what you think.

And Harry Potter ... yes, I confess. I loved the first book, but couldn't make it through the 2nd. I need to try again, I guess.

I read all the Harry Potter books because I'm a music teacher in an elementary school and wanted to be in the "know" as far as what they kids are obsessed about. I liked them, but they weren't my favorites. As far as The Emperor's Children goes, I have just changed my perception before I read it-I'm not going to expect it to be the best book like the NYT Book Review said, but I hope to still at least enjoy the story. I'll be sure to let you know my thoughts!

My brothers both read the Harry Potter books to their kids, who loved them, so I think that's part of their charm with adults.

But I never did get into them, having made the decision to get hooked on Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan 18 years ago. One of the best fantasy series ever, despite - or maybe due to - having dragged on for almost 20 years. But that's another discussion.

The Harry Potter books are best listened to in audiobook production, read by Jim Dale. I'm sure I wouldn't have read them in book form, but Dale does a remarkable job and I listened to them all.