Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Top Ten Books to Read... Or Not to Read?

A Feature of The Broke and the Bookish
I've been in a bit of a reading funk lately. There's been a lot going on and I find myself totally spaced out during my bus ride, or so sunk in reality I can't get caught up in fiction. I've started several books and let them fall by the wayside due to lack of interest. Below are some of the books that are on my to-read list... but I can't find the motivation to pick up. HELP!

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
I know it's being made into a miniseries and a bunch of people are pumped for this novel, but I'm not sure i'm in the mood for a 870 page commitment. Maybe this will be my next indulgent read.

Haruki Murakami
I think I should read this author to sound sophisiticated and cultured, but honestly the plot descriptions do not sound like my usual reading material.


Great Houses by Nicole Krauss
I ADORED A History of Love and tried picking up Great Houses three times without success. I'm starting to wonder if fourth time is the charm of if I should let this one pass by unread.

Panic by Lauren Oliver
Delirium (just the 1st one, not the entire series) is one of my favorite summer novels ever.  Something about the writing moved me in ways that most books can't.  I'm a little afraid to try anything else by Oliver for fear it won't live up to my expectations.

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
Movie = adorable, but when I tried picking up the book, I gagged over all the brain-eating. I'm not sure if it gets any better as R transforms back into human, or if I need to admit I can't stomach zombie life.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Another book I know is very popular and has been recommended to me many times, but the plot just doesn't grab me; I need someone to convince me why it's a must-read.

Libba Bray
I know that Megan loves this author, and it definitely sounds like something I would like, but I've attempted three of her novels and just couldn't get swept up in her characters.  

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
A futuristic retelling of classic fairytales? YES! And yet... each time I go to pick it up I get distracted by something shinier.

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
I'm 350 pages into this novel and NOTHING IS HAPPENING. Why is this one of the greatest works of literature? But 350 pages in... how can I quit now?

Anything in the New Adult genre
It always looks so promising, and quickly dissolves into women bashing other women, identical one-dimensional, wounded heroes and simpering, conquered females. Is there anything that goes beyond these tropes? I'm open to suggestions.

What do you think? Are these worth the time to read? Will I regret passing any of these titles by?

-Kate

3 comments:

  1. I'm reading Panic at the moment and I'm not overly impressed so far. It started off good but it's lost its way a little at the moment. Hopefully it will pick up again soon.

    PLEASE read some Haruki Murakami. 1Q84 is beautifully written and one of the most amazing books I have ever read.

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  2. I hear you about Outlander! It's sooooo long. Someday, maybe, when George R.R. Martin wraps up his epic series, I will start Outlander. I say give Cinder a chance! It picks up and each subsequent book in the series is better than the last. I really love Libba Bray, but some of her books have only worked on audio for me-Going Bovine, I'm lookin' at you! I am hooked on Diviners. Good luck deciding whether or not to read them or ditch them! ~Megan http://wp.me/pzUn5-26o

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  3. Lol, a lot of people have selected Outlander for this week's TTT. Yes, it is a loooonnnngggg read, but a good and is well written if you like historical fiction and time travel theme.... Plus, the leading male character is hot and sexy!!

    I had a difficult time getting into The Poisonwood Bible when I 1st started reading it. In fact, I almost gave up reading it the 1st 50-75 pages.... But with that said I'm glad I finished ready it because it is one of my all time favorite books ever written.

    Here's my TTT for the week: http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2014/08/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-books-im-not.html

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