quote attributed to Rich Gold
I bought the newest Diana Gabaldon (An Echo in the Bone) right before my trip to New York. I was delighted to grab it, and even more delighted that I had saved a gift certificate and had a return credit and that, coupled with the discount my mother allows me with her membership - I was able to buy the book with no money out of pocket.If I hadn't had that, I'd have skipped paying just about any bill in order to buy the book - I love this series so, so much.I've passed it on to several people and, with only a few exceptions, everyone loves the series as much as I do.
It puzzles me, though, those people who don't like the series. I can't understand how people don't like it - it grabs me and hooks me like no other. But there have been books that I don't like that other people have loved. The Shack, for one. I read it, and reread it, each time feeling as if I was missing something. There was one segment where I "got it", understood what was being said - but the next segment was a deeply theological piece and I lost it again.
A Prayer for Owen Meany has been recommended to me again and again. I was never able to get into it. Never understood the hype.
What books have been recommended to you that you didn't get into? What books have you never understood the hype?
I do so love to read! :)
Posted by: Erica | September 28, 2009 at 11:56 AM
I'm not a love-struck 15-year-old either, but I loved, loved, loved the Twilight saga, and read all 4 (kindly lent by my sister) in the same number of days. Then I bought them! They also inspire me to find out more about the Pacific north-west.
The book I haven't been able to get into is "Captain Corelli's Mandolin". I've tried twice, the second time really hard, but I find the characters totally unbelievable and just get stuck about a quarter of the way through, even though I have friends who adore the book.
Posted by: UKCraftySal | September 28, 2009 at 12:07 PM
I am such a brat that if too many people say, you have to read this, you will love it, that I never read it on general principal.
Posted by: Issa | September 28, 2009 at 01:37 PM
ok, you've talked about this Outlander crap for YEARS. I had no desire to read it, none. BUT, this summer, I ran out of decent reading material, plus the paperbacks were on the buy 2 get 1 free promo at BAM, so I got the first 3. Then, I had to go get some more. Somewhere along the way, I missed one. So I had to go buy it, plus the next to last one again because the other copy went missing. I just started Breath of Snow and Ashes so I can read this new one. I almost NEVER reread books. I reread a Patricia Cornwell book once, by accident. I've reread C.S Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia at least 4 times. That's it. I plan on rereading these again next summer. They are well written, with a little history, a little smarmy, a little war, a little worry, but always a wonderful plot.
So, I am sorry I doubted you. I aplogize from the depths of my being. And THANK YOU for talking about these books AGAIN so I would finally read and truly enjoy them!
Posted by: Hayes | September 28, 2009 at 07:11 PM
So many books I love, it's hard to decide what to list. I just finished Markus Zusak's I am the Messenger. The writing was amazing!
Didn't care much for Wicked, enjoyed it at first and then it went wonky at the end. Really enjoyed the play though! Also not a big of the Lord of the Ring series. LOVED The Pillars of the Earth, disappointed by World without End.
Love the first 3 Outlanders. Can't read them during the school year because I don't get anything else done: )
Posted by: Gina | September 28, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I just has this convo with some girlfriends about "The Shack"...they all LOOOOOOVED it...I'm like "meh". Like you, I got the theological part...and I enjoyed the first couple of chapters...but when I got into the second chapter of him meeting God.... YAWN. Seriously, how many times do you have to beat me over the head with the same message??? And worst yet, I could see the ending from about 1/3 the way thru the book...which never happens (I usually don't think about it!).
I'm also #56 on the hold list at the Library for "An Echo in the Bone". I'm too cheap to buy it for myself LOL And besides I"ve got at least 15 other books to read before then!
Do you use Goodreads.com? It's a great way to keep track of the books you are reading and books you want to read. And you can see what other people think of the book, or what they are reading, too.
Posted by: sheree | September 28, 2009 at 11:27 PM
LOVE Outlander! I'm in the midst of the Sookie Stackhouse books, and thinking of giving it up after Book 4 to start my rereading of Outlander series before I can get my hands on the new one. I love Harry Potter and reread those constantly. Don't care for anything Oprah recommends. Always dark, depressing and heavy. When I recommend Outlander to someone and they don't love it, I just can't wrap my head around that!
Posted by: Kris | September 29, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Oh my goodness! Didn't even realize that the book was out. Wonder if there is a long wait for it at the library? Must be strong and not break down and buy the book....
Posted by: Deborah | September 29, 2009 at 01:12 PM
When we were newly dating (~8 years ago), my husband (then friend) gave me the Lord of the Rings series. I've never been able to finish them. Also, Me Talk Pretty One Day and Reading Lolita in Tehran sat on my night stand for weeks before I gave up on them.
Posted by: Katie R | September 29, 2009 at 11:30 PM
Great Expectations by Dickens is one that I have tried to read a few times and never could get farther than the first chapter.
I reread Jane Eyre as an adult and loved it. I slogged through it as a teen and don't remember much about it.
I never finished Prayer for Owen Meeney, and I'm having a hard time finishing "The Brief and Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao", which I'm supposed to have read by 10/6.
Posted by: Jennifer | September 30, 2009 at 12:59 PM