There are so many books out there waiting to be read. SO MANY. And they all have devoted fans, many of whom share that fandom in public forums – like book blogs and BookTube. And the problem with that is that if I hear one person enthuse about a book that just isn’t really my thing, I can reason with myself and convince myself that just because they love it doesn’t mean I will, and that I really don’t need to try every book someone makes sound amazing, and my TBR is longer than I could finish in ten lifetimes anyway so I really don’t need to make it any longer. But if I hear another person rave about it, and then another, and another, my defenses get worn down. I start thinking well, I mean, part of the point of reading is to challenge our comfort zones, right? To expose ourselves to new ways of seeing the world, new forms of writing? So shouldn’t I try, just once in a while, to broaden my horizons?
Next thing I know, I’ve added another ten books to my TBR list, knowing full well that about 9 of those I’ll never read. So instead of doing this week’s actual topic (Books I’ve Decided I’m No Longer Interested In Reading) I’m going to share some of the books I never should have added to my TBR in the first place, and I blame all of you, book people of the internet. It’s all your fault.
Most of these books are on here because they are either dealing with topics and content that isn’t typically successful reading material for me (Gilead, The Butcher’s Hook, Judas, Arcadia, A Line Made By Walking), or the writing style didn’t appeal to me (Death With Interruptions) or I’ve heard there are problematic representations (4 3 2 1) or because I’ve since heard they are particularly daunting or challenging (Compass, The Unseen, The House Between Tides), or just because they intimidate me with their length (The Bright Edge of the World, The Invention of Angela Carter). There are a couple I’ve tried to read and, sure enough, didn’t stick with. Others I just know I’m unlikely to ever find myself reaching for them. All of them I’ve heard praised highly by people whose opinions on books I have the utmost respect for, some I’ve also heard criticism of due to the writing or a problematic element. So I’m in no way saying these books aren’t good, or aren’t worth your while to read should they appeal to you. But I just don’t think they’re my books.
I’d be really interested to hear from any of you who have read these – are they easier or more engaging than I expect? Did you love them, and if so, what did you love? Which books would you put on a similar list, or have you (as the original topic asked) gone off that you once wanted to read?
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week TTT has a different topic, and everyone who links up has to create a link of ten items that fit that topic. To see past and upcoming topics, go here.
I haven’t read any of these. But yes, I wanted to read 4321 at some point. I am not sure though when that time will come 😛 The length of that book intimidate me.
My TTT: http://flippingthruthepages.com/2018/02/ten-books-want-read-beautiful-covers-featuring-black-women/
I own The House Between Tides, but haven’t read it yet. Sometimes I think that’s pasted on my forehead ‘I own it, but haven’t read it yet’. LOL
I’m going to try reading To the Bright Edge of the World soon because it is a book group selection for March. We’ll see how it goes.
Gilead was like listening to my Dad’s Uncles drone on over dinner about who did what on the back 40 in the 1920s–yawn. Bright Edge wasn’t anywhere near as good as the Snow Child. So, no loss on those two! Hope that helps!
The only one I know, Laurel, is THE HOUSE BETWEEN TIDES.
I actually really liked that book. I didn’t like her second book…can’t recall the title.
Thanks for sharing your list.
I don’t really know much about these titles – oh dear, now I’m interested!
I took the TTT in a different direction this week: https://mwgerard.com/top-ten-tuesday-book-festival-wrap-up/
I’m sorry, but I haven’t read any of these so I will be of no help in deciding if you should give them a try or not. If you do decide to read them, I hope you enjoy them! Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
I just devoted last week to reading 4321 (Auster came to Houston) and I’ll tell you frankly to cut this one loose. It’s a fascinating idea but it’s 866 pages of very long sentences. Read the synopsis instead.
Wisely put, by the way. Yes, I need to carefully take a look at a book (as I tell my students in the library to do) before I decide to read it.
Here’s my list: https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/02/books-ill-never-read-plus-couple-of.html