Top Ten Books I will Probably Never Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful people over at The Broke and The Bookish

There are always books that each of us steer clear of, whether it's because the content doesn't appeal, they cause a negative reaction whenever we even try to pick them up, or sheer cussedness. Or sometimes it's just that they don't appeal quite enough to make the time to read in among all the other books on your to read pile. Below are my top ten, a mix of books that I know the chances of me picking up are slim to none. To start with I found this list incredibly hard to write, but by the end the titles were coming thick and fast. Definitely one of the harder top ten's I've done though!

1. Longbourn by Jo Baker
I was crazily excited to read this one, but I've tried starting it several times and just ended up putting it down and not picking it up again. One day maybe the stars will align and I will get all the way through it, but so far with this many false starts it isn't looking likely.

2. The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
I've tried to read this one several times and got nearly half way through before I just couldn't carry on. The idea really caught me but the elements that I loved were quickly discarded and the story focussed on other elements that just didn't interest of intrigue me in the same way. I kept on thinking I'd come back to is at some point, but I think it's time to admit defeat and realise I'm really not going to get through this one.

3. The Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy by E. L. James
This one isn't even a probably, this is a no way not ever. I've read extracts, quotes and reviews from trusted reviewers and all of that adds up to me never touching this one with a barge pole. I was curious when it first came out, but exploring all of the above has led to me to the conclusion that this book will never be one for me. Any book that glorifies an abusive relationship is going to be problematic for me, and as a result this is a book that I will never choose to read.

4. Knife Edge by Malorie Blackman
I read 'Noughts and Crosses' and whilst it was a very good book, it really wasn't one that I was desperate to read the rest of the series. I've loved several other books by Blackman, but this series just didn't seem to click for me so it's unlikely I'll ever go back and finish reading the rest of the series.

5. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson
This is one that I feel really bad about, but every time I've tried to persuade myself to read it I end up picking up something else instead. I've heard some really fantastic things about it, and I'm hoping that one day I'll get beyond whatever block it is and actually read this book, but currently the odds aren't looking great.

6. Shogun by James Clavell
I want to read this one so badly, but again, another one I've tried and failed to read so many times. It was sat on my shelves for so long without managing to be read all the way through that I eventually set it to the library. And I felt so much lighter without the guilt and expectation staring at me from the shelf.

7. Bomb by Sarah Mussi
I read Mussi's debut novel 'Angel Dust' and absolutely hated it, it really didn't work for me at all and was the first book I'd had such a frustrating time trying to finish. I did finish it, but I regretted it. As a result I really don't feel like trying out any more of Mussi's writing. Why waste my time reading bad writing when there are so many fantastic books out there?

8. The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
Another one where I just didn't connect with the first book to want to carry on with the rest of the series. It was a fantastic book, and I know a lot of people adore this series, but it just didn't quite click for me and meant that the rest of the series has been pushed down my to read pile again and again. It's time I should face facts though, this one is unlikely to ever be read.

9. Death Comes to Pemberley by P. D. James
I watched the TV adaptation when that was on a couple of years ago and enjoyed it immensely, but as something in its own right, not as a continuation of Elizabeth and Darcy's story. I am a purist for Austen. Whilst I would love another insight into the character's lives I'm not particularly interested in reading one by someone other than the original author. Maybe a book will come along one of these days and tempt me to read it, but for now I am unlikely to pick up anything that claims to follow on from Pride & Prejudice and continue the story. Unless there are zombies involved...

10. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
I am all for classics, but this one is just so unbelievably huge and dense as to be almost ridiculous. There are so many incredible books out there, too many for me to ever be able to read them all in my lifetime, so the idea of trying to plough through this one instead makes me want to weep. This one is definitely for people with more time and patience than I!

So there you have it, my top ten books that I'm never likely to read. Are there any you feel I've judged harshly and should give a try? Let me know in the comments and link me to your top tens!