Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish that asks bloggers to create Top Ten lists on a variety of bookish topics. This week’s topic is…
Top Ten Books I’m Not Sure I Want to Read
The rest of the Harry Potter series (J. K. Rowling) – I know, I know…I’ve probably offended 90% of my readers. But, it is what it is. I read the first installment and thought it was fine, but it didn’t make me want to read the six remaining books in the series.
The Lord of the Rings series (J. R. R. Tolkien) – Ditto everything from the Harry Potter series entry. I’m just not into fantasy and this series never sparked my interest.
Little Mercies (Heather Gudenkauf) – I’ve seen this book all over the blog world lately and most people love it. Ever since I had children, I don’t like reading about horrifying things happening to children. So, I just can’t bring myself to jump on this bandwagon.
Moby Dick (Herman Melville) – How could anyone want to read Moby Dick after reading this passage from The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry?!
“Do you like Moby Dick?”, he asks. “I hate it,” she says. “And I don’t say that about many things. Teachers assign it, and parents are happy because their kids are reading something of ‘quality.’ But it’s forcing kids to read books like that that make them think they hate reading.”
Guns, Germs, and Steel (Jared Diamond) – I’ve had this book on my shelves for almost 10 years and have heard it’s a fascinating take on the dynamics of human society. I’m just scared it will feel like reading a textbook…
Big Little Lies (Liane Moriarty) – Another book that is getting raves from other bloggers right now. I didn’t like The Husband’s Secret or What Alice Forgot, so I swore off this author. However, I can feel the raves Big Little Lies is getting starting to suck me back in…
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd – I didn’t really love The Secret Life of Bees or The Mermaid Chair, two of Kidd’s previous books that the rest of the world thought were amazing. They struck me as books that people tend to call “beautiful”, but that end up being somewhat boring. So, I didn’t pay much attention to The Invention of Wings when it came out. That being said, the premise of this one sounds far more interesting than the other two, so I could possibly be convinced…
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman – Sounds like another one of those “beautiful, but boring” books to me…
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – I generally love historical fiction, so I would have thought this one would appeal to me. For some reason, it just hasn’t. Maybe it’s because the synopsis reminded me a bit of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, another WWII book about a young girl that lots of people said was “the best book they’d ever read”, but that I didn’t think lived up to the hype.
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg – I’m not actually on the fence about this one…I know I don’t want to read it. When I had my son, I conscientiously “leaned out” because it was the best thing for our family. I think the decision to lean in or out is a highly personal one that is different for everyone depending on their situation and beliefs. And, I don’t really feel like trying to be convinced to make a specific personal decision by someone who lives a life that is not remotely representative of most people’s situations.
Every Tuesday, fellow blogger Bibliophile By the Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where bloggers share the first paragraph of the book they are currently reading or thinking about reading soon.
I loved Murakami’s 1Q84 (even though it was incredibly long!) and was excited to hear that he had another novel coming out this summer. Colorless Tsukuri Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage goes on sale today!
Plot Summary from Goodreads
Tsukuru Tazaki had four best friends at school. By chance all of their names contained a colour. The two boys were called Akamatsu, meaning ‘red pine’, and Oumi, ‘blue sea’, while the girls’ names were Shirane, ‘white root’, and Kurono, ‘black field’. Tazaki was the only last name with no colour in it.
One day Tsukuru Tazaki’s friends announced that they didn’t want to see him, or talk to him, ever again.
Since that day Tsukuru has been floating through life, unable to form intimate connections with anyone. But then he meets Sara, who tells him that the time has come to find out what happened all those years ago.
Here’s the first paragraph:
From July of his sophomore year in college until the following January, all Tsukuri Tazaki could think about was dying. He turned twenty during this time, but this special watershed – becoming an adult – meant nothing. Taking his own life seemed the most natural solution, and even now he couldn’t say why he hadn’t taken this final step. Crossing that threshold between life and death would have been easier than swallowing down a slick, raw egg.
What do you think? Would you keep reading? Stay tuned for my full review…
this is EXACTLY how I feel about the Harry Potter books! Thought I was the only one!!!!!
Sarah, I’m featuring the same book – LOL (yes, I’d keep reading). I think this will be a good one.
I’ll stand up for Harry Potter as someone who didn’t read it until I was 27, so I kind of know where you’re coming from. I also didn’t like the first two books, because they’re really childish and I kept thinking “This is exactly why I HAVEN’T read these things.” BUT there is a big shift in the third book and they get progressively darker and more complex. Even though I love some of your other picks, I’m pushing you toward finishing Harry.
You and my future sister in law are both pushing me towards finishing that series!! She’s obsessed!
I agree with most if the books on your list but, for the record I did not love either Secret Lie of Bees or The Mermaid Chair…they were good, but not all that memorable. The Invention of Wings was much, much better. I listened to that one though and the amazing audio production may have influenced my opinion!
I really need to read Murakami…
Now you have me considering Invention of Wings! Helps to hear that someone who hasn’t loved her earlier work did love this one.
Good choice, Sarah. This book is on my wish list. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Interesting first paragraph….the same as Diane’s, so I’m guessing there is a buzz around this one.
As for the books you don’t want to read…I definitely agree on the Harry Potter books, but I LOVED Little Mercies and Big Little Lies. LOL
Thanks for sharing…and here’s mine: “THE FURIES”
I might end up listening to Big Little Lies on audio…everyone seems to love it and I like listening to faster paced books that are less dependent on gorgeous writing.
I think the subject a little heavy in your opening paragraph so I’d probably pass. Our book club is reading The Invention of Wings next month. And I loved your quote about Moby Dick. I did read it once and I confess to feeling the way described. Just because it is a classic doesn’t mean it’s good reading 🙂
kelley—the road goes ever ever on
I am really curious about Colorless Tsukuri Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage, and so I would definitely keep reading.
I enjoyed reading your list of books you are not sure you want to read. Several are ones I have read and enjoyed, others I want to read, and then you have a couple I have no interest in: Moby Dick and Lean In. If I made a list, Little Women and The Outlander series would be on it, for sure.
Sometimes I feel like I’m the only person who hasn’t read any Harry Potter. I agree with you about Little Mercies I have it but debating if/when I want to read.
I agree with you on some of these choices. I read the first 2 Harry Potters when my son and I were taking turns reading them aloud when I homeschooled him. I didn’t feel that I had to finish the series, though I saw a few of the movies. I didn’t finish Moby Dick many years ago and don’t ever want to 🙂 I really liked What Alice Forgot, so I will respectfully disagree with you on that and want to read Big Little Lies.
Thanks for interesting choices and thought-provoking conversation.
I loved the Harry Potter series, so I’m not with you on that one. I also love Big Little Lies. I’ve read and enjoyed the others you mentioned, but this one is her best yet! I’ve reviewed it on my blog if you care to read yet another rave review. LOL!
http://mytime2read.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-big-little-lies.html
A lot of the others you mention are on my list to read, but just haven’t been motivated yet.
Today I’m featuring Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld
http://mytime2read.blogspot.com/2014/08/tuesday-memes-sisterland.html
Sarah, this is a great list! I am definitely not going to read Lean In, and I’m with you on Little Mercies and The Invention of Wings. I’m glad you made the statement you did about All the Light We Cannot See because, if it’s not going to be captivating, I’m not going to waste my reading time on it! 🙂 Thanks so much for your reviews; great post!
I have not read any of the HP either (nor watched the movies- but that’s another story). They came out (or got really hot) during a weird time for me- I felt I was too old, I was in college and just didn’t have the time or energy.
Sometimes, I feel like I’ve missed out. Mostly, tho, I’m ok.
I’m so cold, so “meh” over the Neil Gaiman book- it’s not even funny. It’s been getting so many rave reviews and I’m just “meh”. I may be missing out on a gem; but I’m having a severe feeling of “meh”.
“Meh” is exactly how I feel every time I read the synopsis of the Gaiman book…and I read it over and over because I keep thinking I should read it every time I see a great review or hear someone mention it (which is often!).
I am definitely a fan of Harry Potter and LOtR, but if fantasy isn’t really your thing, I can certainly understand your lack of enthusiasm. 🙂 I also understand your reluctance to read about horrible things happening to children. I read a lot of crime novels, and I always feel conflicted about that.
Yes! So there with you on not liking when bad things happening to kids in stories since you became a mom. Me too!
Hi Sarah! On your Top Ten Tuesday list, I’m with you on the Harry Potter books and Moby Dick. For Colorless Tsukuri Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage, I would keep reading. There is something poignant and compelling about that first paragraph. I’ll be interested to know what happens when Tsukuri meets Sara and learns about his past and how this affects him. I’m looking forward to your review! Thanks for your comment on my blog!
The first paragraph doesn’t grab me right off, but, I trust you and Diane to pick some good books. We’ll see.
So I have Liane Moriarty’s book on hold at the library…I did like The Husband’s Secret, so I may give it a try. I read The Invention of Wings, which I really liked, but will admit that it was LOOOONNNGGG… I also read The Ocean at the End of the Lane. No thanks…not a fan of monster stories. All The Light We Cannot See is on my to read list….
I had no idea Ocean at the End of the Lane was a monster story….now I want to read it even less!!
Ha ha, I’m with you on HP. There are beautifully written books and I did like them for what they are, but they are IMHO children books. I was told that the rest of the books (I read 1 and 2) get more darker/adulty and yes, I have seen all the movies, but I’m still not sure if I would want to read them all.
Peggy @ The Pegster Reads
Well, I agree with some choices and not with others. I enjoyed Liane Moriarty’s books so I will read that one. Harry Potter series is amazing in the details. How could she have known to weave all of those things in there from the very first book. Moby Dick, not so painful when a teacher isn’t forcing you to read it.
I’ve heard that once you get past HP 2, things start to get really interested. I might read them at some point…maybe to my kids when they get older!
Yeah I admit to reading only the first Harry Potter book, but don’t tell my sister. And I felt that the Secret Life of Bees was like drinking a bit of syrup so I’m with you there. I haven’t read Big Little Lies or that author yet but I was hoping it might be a bit trashy good?
I hear Big Little Lies is definitely trashy good. My problem with her two earlier books was that they’re told in the first person and I hated the main character/narrator. Being inside their heads was painful for me. The stories themselves were good.
The further you get into the HP series, the better they get. I did not start reading them until last year and I have just the final 2 to go. It gets increasingly complex, like Shannon said, and you will have never flown through 700 pages like you do with these books. You just cannot stop reading.
That’s what I’ve been hearing…it’s been so long since I read the first one that I think I’d have to start again. Maybe I’ll read them to my children when they’re a little older and get them done that way! Thanks for stopping by!
I read 3 or 4 of the HP series and liked them ok (any book series where the books double in size each release I’m going to like somewhat!) but just never felt motivated to finish them. Never wanted to read the Lord of The Rings – I’m not a huge fantasy reader, though depends on what you consider some of the Anne McCaffrey books. I went through phases with those and more classical SF. In recent years, I binged on urban fantasy but have lost my taste for those. I never wanted to read Moby Dick. Not all that interested in the other books you mention either.
I’m finding I even have a hard time lately with series that I’ve loved for years and my tastes have changed. Sharon McCone/Marcia Muller for one – I loved them, dropped them, liked a couple recent then just couldn’t get into the latest. The Evanovich Stephanie Plums for another – they were fun, then formulaic, now disappointing (do like her series with Lee Goldberg though).
I mostly read lighter mystery and nonfiction/memoir, with a few novels if there’s one that really speaks to me. I’ve gotten faster at giving up on books if they’re not working for me at the time as there are so many others to read! (and there’s always the library or used books if I change my mind)
Enjoyed this approach and post!
Like you, I didn’t care for Sue Monk Kidd’s first two books. My book club read “The Invention of Wings” and I LOVED it! It’s based on real people and is a great story…definitely give it a try!
I’ll put in a word for All the Light We Cannot See. It’s one of the best WW2 books I read this year.