Tuesday 5 May 2015

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!

59 comments:

  1. I loved Shogun. I read it as a teenager and kind of fell in love with it. I was thinking the other day that I want to reread it to see if it is still a book I might love today.

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    1. I tried it repeatedly as I know other people who have loved it, but I've never managed to get all the way through. I think it will be one that I do try again one day though.

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  2. I'm with you on "Knife Edge". I read "Noughts and Crosses" and I really enjoyed it but I just haven't felt the need to read the rest of the series. I'm happy living in my own wee world, pretending it was a stand-alone!
    my TTT

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    1. So good to know it's not just me! I felt terrible that I wasn't as interested in reading the rest of the series, but I was so glad I'd read 'Noughts and Crosses'.

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  3. Aw, I do love War and Peace. I expected it to take me forever, but I actually read it in just five days. But if it feels like a chore, you probably won't enjoy it anyway!

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    1. I will probably give it another go at a later point, but the times I've tried it, it just hasn't been for me. Sad, because I love classics most of the time!

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  4. ME TOO WITH THE BONE SEASON! ERgh that book was so boring for me. I've put The Mime Order on my list because I have no intention of ever touching it...not ever. >_< I have Bomb on my list and I'm kinda nervous now! I read Riot and kind of hated it, so I was already suspicious. :(
    Here's my TTT!

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    1. So glad it's not just me! So many people adored 'The Bone Season' but it just didn't work for me. Yeah, I am most definitely not a Sarah Mussi fan sadly :(

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  5. I read Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but it takes a lot of patience to wade through the first hundred or so pages.

    It was good, but not great.

    The rest of the series...well, it wasn't quite up to snuff.

    You can see my list at www.nashvillebookworm.wordpress.com

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    1. I can't even remember what was said about it that put me off, I just remember a mental note being made that I wasn't fussed on reading it. Contrasted against all the people who have said fantastic things about it and it's left me quite confused! One day I might try it again!

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  6. Totally agree about Death Comes to Pemberley - unless it's Austen herself reviving the characters, I'm just not that interested!

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  7. I watched the girl with the dragon tatto but never really liked it.
    Top Ten Tuesday

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    1. I never even persuaded myself to watch the film. It's a shame because I've had so many people tell me it's good!

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  8. War and Peace is the only book on your list I have actually read.;) It wasn't an easy one to get through!
    I've been wanting to watch Death Comes to Pemberly.....

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    1. You definitely have more perseverance than me! I recommend watching Death Comes to Pemberly - it was good, it just didn't feel like Elizabeth and Darcy, more some new characters and their story. But definitely worth watching!

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  9. omg I wanted to put War and Peace on my list too but I was like, self, you already have too many classics on this!

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    1. Baha! I know what you mean! There are quite a few classics I almost put on and then decided to go with this one instead. There are some amazing classics that I adore, but there are others that really don't do it for me, and sadly the size of this one contributes to its not likely ness :)

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  10. #5 was a really good book and series, but the 1st book is triggering if you have sexual assault in your past - at least it was triggering to me.

    she - www.she-read.blogspot.com

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    1. I remember someone mentioning that in the past and that's mostly why I've avoided it. Thanks for reading!

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  11. I LOVED Shogun! I read it a long time ago, but I'd re-read it. I really want to read The Bone Season (I own it but haven't gotten to it yet). War & Peace...I'm not reading that one either. I have a couple of the same books on my list, actually.

    Michelle @ Michelle's Minions

    My TTT

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    1. I've heard such good things about it and I've tried repeatedly to get into it, but it just hasn't happened for me yet. One day I hope! The Bone Season just didn't click for me, the first part had so much I loved and then it moved away from that into other territories that didn't work for me. Thanks for reading!

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  12. Totally with you on War and Peace. Classics aren't really my thing. I did read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and enjoyed it but it was slow in the beginning. Fun picks!

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    1. I'm very mixed about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. So many people have loved and recommended it that I want to give it a go, but on the other hand I'm very wary of some of the content. Thanks for stopping by!

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  13. I liked the Eternity Cure a lot more than the first book , the plot really picked up in the last two books.
    Paulina @ The Little Book Pixie

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    1. I might give the series another go then, it's good to know that it does pick up - I really struggled with the first book. Thanks for stopping by!

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  14. LOL War and Peace! Yep, I'll probably never pick up that one too. I also watched Death Comes to Pemberley and liked it and thought about reading the book but after I read an excerpt of it, it wasn't for me. Thanks for stopping by my TTT :)

    -michelle @ Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks

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    1. I loved the TV adaptation, but yeah, book really not for me - I'll stick with my actual Austen's!

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  15. Interesting picks, and many of them books I'm not likely to read, either. In some cases, I'm not actively opposed, just not interested enough to pick it up. But 50 Shades - that one I agree with you entirely on. Like you, I read a lot about it, and I just can't read a book that presents an abusive relationship as OK, and perpetuates the myth that if you just love the guy enough, he'll stop abusing you and love you back. Not gonna happen.

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    1. 50 Shades was the only one that was a big fat no never, not going to happen for me, the rest I may change my mind on at some point. Nothing that dresses up an abusive relationship as twu wuv is ever going to get me on board.

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  16. I like your picks this week. I agree about books and timing, I too have a few that the timing wasn't right so I read something else. I hope I'll get around to them eventually.

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    1. I've had a few books that I hated the first time around and then read them at another point and they're now favourite books - it's really strange how timing comes into it. Thanks so much for reading!

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  17. I am not a fan of The Bone Season. I expected a lot more from this book and it fell short. I never going to read War and Peace either. Great list!

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    1. I was really disappointed with The Bone Season. Thanks so much for reading!

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  18. I was curious about Fifty Shades too, then I found out what they're about and I got over it real quick! Happy reading! :)

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    1. Yeah that one is never getting read by me! It was interesting to see it on so many lists today!

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  19. War and Peace is on my list too, along with Fifty Shades of Gray. I can appreciate the success of some authors, but that doesn't mean I have to read or enjoy their books (or even agree with them).

    Here's my TTT!.

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    1. That's the great thing about there being so many books in the world, they're not going to be right for everyone. I know that the books on my list will be other people's favourites (as evidenced by the love in the comments for Shogun) but sadly they're just not for me. Thanks for reading!

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  20. I have to say, I wasn't that impressed with The Bone Season. I think I had hyped it up so much that it ended up being a let down. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.

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    1. Yes! I saw so much praise for it which was what prompted me to pick it up in the first place. Plus a lot of emphasis on the first part of the story which really interested me, so when we moved away from that it just didn't grab me in the same way.

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  21. I've read a few off here and quite liked them - but, 50 Shades - I read the first one and really disliked it - quite intensely.
    Lynn :D

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    1. I think 50 Shades has ended up on a lot of lists today, and in some peoples burn piles too! It's interesting to see what books that each of us love have ended up on other people's never read lists. I've seen some of my all time favourites on other top tens this week! It's a good thing there are so many book in the world! :)

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  22. Fifty Shades of Grey was on my list and I doubt I'll read War and Peace either. I understand where you're coming from with Knife Edge, I didn't like it either, although it's a shame you couldn't get through it because Checkmate is really good.
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/05/top-ten-tuesday-3/

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    1. Yeah, the Malorie Blackman series has always been one that I've felt incredible guilt for not going further than the first book. I might skip and try Checkmate though, thanks!

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  23. I won't read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo either.
    I plan to read The Bone Season one day though - hopefully I enjoy it more than you!

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    1. I really hope you love it! I know so many people who have, I'm definitely an odd one for not having loved it! :)

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  24. Seeing Death Comes to Pemberley on this list made me snort. Tried it, couldn't do it. It is the worst.
    I've read Longbourn and enjoyed it a lot, but I do think it is one of the books you really have to be in the mood for due to it's languid pace. I hope you give it a try again one of these days!

    Cam @ cammminbookland

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    1. I shall give Longbourn a long break and try it again on a lazy sunny day! :) I loved the tv show for DCtP, but really couldn't deal with the actual book. Thanks for reading!

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  25. I've read one on your list but the rest I'd most likely pass on too.

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    1. Always good to know it's not just me being strange about the books I doubt I'll read! Thanks for stopping by!

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  26. Haha,good old Fifty Shades of Grey!I had the fortune-or should I say unfortune-to read it when I was younger and was absolutely disgusted by it.I DNF-ed it the moment Christian turned into Mr.Creepy and it amuses me a lot that quite a lot of teenage girls idolize the book and Christian Grey.

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    1. I find it absolutely terrifying that so many consider their story to be an epic romance. Uh, no, just no.

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  27. I feel like 50 shades is on everyone's list! I have The Bone Season and my sister said it was really good!

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    1. Yes it definitely was doing the rounds today! I really hope you enjoy The Bone Season, sadly it just wasn't my cup of tea.

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  28. I was always pretty hesitant to pick up The Bone Season because there are mixed reviews about it :1
    Same thing with the Millennium series by Stieg Larsson, I'm always so intimidated by it. Great list!

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    1. The Bone Season seems to be a marmite book - people either love it or hate it! Thank you so much for reading and commenting!

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  29. I don't think I could read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo either. I tried to watch the movie but didn't understand any of it and didn't really like it.

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    1. That's fair enough, some books just aren't right for some people :)

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  30. A lot of these books I probably won't pick up either. I have read 50 Shades and likes them but books some books aren't for everyone. :)

    Megan @ http://readingawaythedays.blogspot.co.uk

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