Book Bitten discussion

This is for those books you really hated or just could not read.

Since we're all about the books that get us excited, maybe we should take a moment to reflect on books we did not like or just could not read.

There are a few books That I've read that I really did not enjoy at all. For the most part they have been books that I was required to read for school. When you are forced to read something that in part takes the fun out of reading. Than on top of that being forced to read a book that even if you had chosen you would not like makes it horrible.

Some of my least favourite that I've read would have to be; Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I have to say that Brave New World was particularly painful to read. I already have a bit of an issue liking science fiction novels and that one was by far the worst.

There was another novel that we had to read for school called Life of Pi by Yann Martel. This one was a group read for class and we got to pick out of a short list of books to read. I picked this one because I had heard good things about it, but it was a mistake. This is the only book that I could not actually finish because I was so bored with it. I tried as hard as I could to get into it and read it all the way through, especially because it was for school, but I couldn't. It was painful to read, the plot was so dull that there was nothing keeping me reading. The best part of the book was the irony at the end, but I didn't even make it there.

I have two hates.

The Crucible by Arthur Miller. I wouldn't ever read anything by Arthur Miller again!

and

Confessions of a Shopaholic which I just couldn't read. It was too sickly and annoying.

Olivia wrote: "I have two hates.

The Crucible by Arthur Miller. I wouldn't ever read anything by Arthur Miller again!

and

Confessions of a Shopaholic which I just couldn't read. It wa..."

I'm glad it's not just me that doesn't like his novels

And I think he paints women in the most terrible way. In 'The Crucible' not ONE single women has a redeeming quality and they're all persecuted!

The man John Proctor is the hero and he's forgiven for his adultery because he's a man! Well, that's my view.

It has been years since I have had a book I could not finish.
All those Amazon and Audible reviews usually help me avoid books that may not suit my tastes.

I did hate Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien. A combination of characters who were both boring and annoying, and a plot that moved at a snails pace. And who could forget the singing?.

One benefit of being completely useless at English was that I was never asked to read too much for school. The only book I can ever recall reading for school was Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice which I rather enjoyed. The required analysis of the book did manage to suck some of the fun from it, but not it all.

Sad to hear Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a book you abhorred Heather. I've just recently bought it!.

Olivia wrote: "And I think he paints women in the most terrible way. In 'The Crucible' not ONE single women has a redeeming quality and they're all persecuted!

The man John Proctor is the hero and he's forgiven..."

No, his books are degrading for sure.

Gavin wrote: "It has been years since I have had a book I could not finish.
All those Amazon and Audible reviews usually help me avoid books that may not suit my tastes.

I did hate Lord of the Rings by J.R...."

That's just me though. I had to read it in grade nine, and it was just a little dry for me. A lot of people like it though and it's a book that comes up on the top of lists often. I may like it more now, than I did than. I just don't really have the inclination to pick it up again when there are so many other books I want to read. Maybe one day I will read it again.

I definitely do want to read Interview with a Vampire though. I've heard really great things about Anne Rice. I just have trouble figuring out the order her books go in. They all for the most part seem linked but I don't see the order. I'm kind of pick and like to read things in the proper sequence.

Heather wrote: "I definitely do want to read Interview with a Vampire though. I've heard really great things about Anne Rice. I just have trouble figuring out the order her books go in. They all for the most part seem linked but I don't see the order. I'm kind of pick and like to read things in the proper sequence.
"

I have to read books in the proper order as well. I've had Fantastic Fiction bookmarked for years.
It's a great website for finding out how many books an author has wrote, when the books were published, and listing books from series in there correct reading order.

I gather grade nine is a school year?. As a Brit it's one of the few North American references that I never get. I just guess what age people are meant to be.

I always knew that I was taking a big chance by buying Fahrenheit 451.
I only bought it because it was the number two book on one of those lists you mentioned and I did not like the look of book number one!.

Gavin wrote: "Heather wrote: "I definitely do want to read Interview with a Vampire though. I've heard really great things about Anne Rice. I just have trouble figuring out the order her books go in. They all fo..."

Oh great! I'll have to check that site out than. This one is usually pretty good from the order of series but sometimes not so much.

And yes grade nine as in school. What would you guys call that?

And I've looked at a few of those list of top books and most of them don't look appealing to me much at all.

Heather wrote: "Gavin wrote: "Heather wrote: "I definitely do want to read Interview with a Vampire though. I've heard really great things about Anne Rice. I just have trouble figuring out the order her books go i..."

Being new to Goodreads, I only discovered this place last month, I had no idea it showed series of books.
I've figured it out now though. I still find Fantastic Fiction a little easier to navigate, but maybe that's just because I am more familiar with it.

We have seven years at primary school followed by another four or six years at high school. I assume it's the same for my English neighbors.

Speaking of those lists of top 100 books, I often find I can count the number of books on said list I have read using the fingers from one hand. Does this happen to anybody else, or should I be worried!.

I enjoyed the first four or five books from Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles then lost interest. I do still recommend trying the series.

I use fantastic fiction and it's bookmarked at the top of my internet explorer. I find it much easier than Goodreads because Goodreads can be a little slow and then I'm less inclined to not read a book if they're are low ratings or really high ones, it allows me to make my own decision.

Can I ask if this list if the top 100 books on goodreads as in Top 100 literary novels of all time? Since I don't believe I've read ANY of there. haha.

Olivia wrote: "I use fantastic fiction and it's bookmarked at the top of my internet explorer. I find it much easier than Goodreads because Goodreads can be a little slow and then I'm less inclined to not read a ..."

I have no will power, I usually follow all the links on Fantastic Fiction and end up at Amazon. From there I'm usually lucky enougth to have key plot points spoiled while reading the reviews. Will I ever learn?. Probably not I'm afraid!.

The list I used to buy Fahrenheit 451 was The Guardian's top 100 sci-fi and fantasy books.
List can be found here for those interested.

I've just noticed Fahrenheit 451 is number 18 on the list. I did also buy Non-Stop by Brian Aldiss which is number two.

I'm probably very similar, but I tend to just add things into my basket at Amazon and never buy because I debate over whether I can really afford to buy more books.

I don't think any of us will ever learn.

Ahhh, well I've read 2, I think on that list, and I have about 6 to-reads on that list.

Olivia wrote: "I'm probably very similar, but I tend to just add things into my basket at Amazon and never buy because I debate over whether I can really afford to buy more books.

I don't think any of us will e..."

I always buy. Every time I read a book I feel the need to buy another two. I have a strange irrational fear I will run out of stuff to read one day. Since this has never happened at any point in my life I don't know why I keep expecting it too.

Gavin wrote: "Olivia wrote: "I'm probably very similar, but I tend to just add things into my basket at Amazon and never buy because I debate over whether I can really afford to buy more books.

I don't think a..."

haha! I must have the same problem. I have around 200 books to read, but I still buy more. I tend to go bulk buy, so I'll get 6 or 7 and then not buy any for a month, then buy more again. What a strange problem!

Olivia wrote: "Gavin wrote: "Olivia wrote: "I'm probably very similar, but I tend to just add things into my basket at Amazon and never buy because I debate over whether I can really afford to buy more books.

I..."

I'm a little better than I used to be. There was a time when I would buy a full series without even having read the first book. A few absolute disasters have put a stop to that.
I'm sure the library always liked me donating a batch of unread, brand new books though!.

I could not get into A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty: A Novel I heard it was a good book, but just held no interest for me at all.

After reading Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever which I LOVED I wanted another great history so I tried America's Hidden History: Untold Tales of the First Pilgrims, Fighting Women, and Forgotten Founders Who Shaped a Nation but it was dull, repetive and boring.

Another couple of books I hated are:

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever I just could not get over the fact that the lead character was an unrepentant rapist. Every time he met someone I was hoping they would just kill him!. I only made it through a couple of hundred pages.

Titus Groan What to say about this book?.
It was dull, it was boring, the atmosphere was continually oppressive, and every single character was unsympathetic.

Gavin wrote: "Heather wrote: "Gavin wrote: "Heather wrote: "I definitely do want to read Interview with a Vampire though. I've heard really great things about Anne Rice. I just have trouble figuring out the orde..."

Ya that's different from the grades we have over here. That's kind of cool though.

And I'm the same. I haven't read very many of the books from those lists. A lot just don't appeal to me much at all.

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
Tithe by Holly Black

I couldn't finish either of them and hate them with a passion.

Lisbeth ~{Domus Libri}~ wrote: "Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
Tithe by Holly Black

I couldn't finish either of them and hats them with a passion."

You hated Tithe by Holly Black....now I'm a little worried. I bought White Cat a few months back, but have not got round to reading it yet. The reviews made it sound good!.

Did you ever see the Pretty Little Liars TV show, it's meant to be a lot better than the books?.

Gavin wrote: "Lisbeth ~{Domus Libri}~ wrote: "Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
Tithe by Holly Black

I couldn't finish either of them and hats them with a passion."

You hated Tithe by Holly Black....now I'm ..."

White Cat is very good! I hated Tithe though. I haven't seen the show and have no intention to since I couldn't get past the book.

Lisbeth ~{Domus Libri}~ wrote: "Gavin wrote: "Lisbeth ~{Domus Libri}~ wrote: "Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
Tithe by Holly Black

I couldn't finish either of them and hats them with a passion."

You hated Tithe by Holly Bla..."


I couldn't get into Tithe either, it was just a book that really didn't appeal to me. I couldn't get into it at all. I'm glad I'm not the only one because so many people raved about it and I thought "is it just me or does this really suck?" haha.

My most recent major hate is Beauty Queens by Libba Bray... I had to finish it for my peace of mind but it just wasn't enjoyable.

Samantha wrote: "My most recent major hate is Beauty Queens by Libba Bray... I had to finish it for my peace of mind but it just wasn't enjoyable."

Really? I haven't read that one by her yet but I read the one series she wrote and I loved it. What was it about this book that you didn't like?

I've always hated The Lord of the Rings, but cant seem to get away from it because of the new Hobbit movie! I another book that I hated was the Twilight series, thank God that franchise is done with! Surprisingly though I liked the author's other book, The Host.

Beza wrote: "I've always hated The Lord of the Rings, but cant seem to get away from it because of the new Hobbit movie! I another book that I hated was the Twilight series, thank God that franchise is done wit..."

They say that The Hobbit is supposed to be a far more accessible read than The Lord of the Rings. Not that I can confirm this myself. I just could not take any more after my own attempts at reading The Lord of the Rings.

Give the movie a chance it may be OK:P.

Livvy wrote: "I have two hates.

The Crucible by Arthur Miller. I wouldn't ever read anything by Arthur Miller again!

~~~~~~~~~
I just had to join to say I also dislike this book and so glad to read I am not alone on this.