To celebrate World Book Day, I've decided to read a novel by a writer whose popularity I've never understood. Despite never having read any of that person's books, I might add. I've assumed they're simply 'not my cup of tea.' I may be right. But I might not be. I might have to eat my words (see what I did there?).
So, for the purpose of this exercise, I'm going to read a novel by Nora Roberts - one of the most borrowed/requested/eagerly awaited authors at our library. I know that life is too short, and there's a stack of books staggering drunkenly round my bed as it is, waiting to be read, but I'm going to do this, dammit. I'll let you know how it goes.
Is there a ridiculously popular author you just don't 'get?' Or have never read, but feel you should?
Do tell.
18 comments:
Monica Ali. I started reading "Brick Lane" a few years ago when there was loads of hype about it but I just couldn't get into it. It was so BORING. It was one of the first ever books I decided to abandon and leave unfinished (before that I'd ALWAYS finish a book). Life is too short to struggle through a book you're not enjoying.
Good luck with your experiment. Let us know how it goes!
Marian Keyes. I have two of her books, The Other Side of the Story and Anybody Out There? and I can't get into them AT ALL! I've tried to read them a few times, I can't get past the first chapter!
Oops. I think I mean "White Teeth" by Zadie Smith. Haven't read Brick Lane (why do I always get those two authors confused?)
Mine is Zadie Smith too - On Beauty. It's had rave reviews, won awards etc but I just thought it was dull dull dull. I too get her confused with Monica Ali, and with Ali Smith - but Ali Smith is fantastic.
Good luck with your read Karen - you're right, if these books are so popular we need to know why! Looking forward to your report
cal - Me too, with Zadie Smith (I get them mixed up as well) I read half of White Teeth, then gave up. I enjoyed the TV version of it more (blushes).
a.writer - oh, I LOVE Marian Keyes! Different strokes for different folks though :o)
sarah - Ali Smith is very good - I've never tried Brick Lane (Monica Ali) though - it just didn't appeal to me. I just occasionally wonder whether I've missed out by dismissing something - hence this experiment I suppose!
There are many books with covers that put me off which is a shame because you know what they about books and covers blah di blah.
The Time Traveller's Wife lost me completely. It had such rave reviews but I just couln't get into it.
Never read Nora Roberts either:-)
I've never read Nora Roberts either, maybe I should buy one and have a read (any excuse to go book shopping).
I can't think of anyone I didn't get into but also heard that Brick Lane was boring.
Really long list ... but notably JK Rowling - don't get the wizard stuff and Dan Brown - don't get it at all. Oh, and I've never even heard of Nora Roberts - sigh!
I just don't get the whole Bridget Jones diary stuff. Could be because everyone I knew was saying how great they were it made me so not want to read them! The other writer that just has no appeal to me is Dan Brown. What is that all about??
I never 'got' The Time-Traveller's Wife, Dan Brown or JK Rowling either. I did like Bridget Jones though - it seemed radically different at the time! Catherine Alliott was the author who made me want to write 'humourous' female fiction though.
I'm such a lightweight when it comes to reading that if I have to think too hard by the end of page 1, then I tend to give up on a story. I'm too ashamed to list all the authors I've been unable to get into.
Martina Cole. I find her books depressing and hard going.
Harry Potter books - I had no interest at all in them.
Catherine Cookson - I loved them when I was in my twenties and thirties but then went off them. But they do make a good TV drama!
I actually love Nora Roberts, although I prefer her JD Robb books.
I can't understand the appeal of Danielle Steel, Barbara Taylor Bradford or Josephine Cox.
I love Dan Brown. As long as you don't take his books too seriously, his books are a good read.
I too read loads of Catherine Cookson when I was younger! Don't like Martine Cole, either. I have read one of her novels but didn't like the style :o(
Agree about Danielle Steele - tried to read one years ago and didn't get far!
I am with a lot of you on Zadie Smith - I admire her writing and her style but it doesn't grab me emotionally and I got rather exhausted reading White Teeth, like being in the company of a precocious stage school child determined to show what she could do.
But I love Marian and Helen Fielding (especially Cause Celeb). Wasn't too crazy about Memory Keeper's Daughter - amazing story but an oddly distant, hands-off writing style.
Karen, can I also thank you for your lovely note on my blog, thanks for ordering some of my book, hope that is one you get!
Amy x
Joanna Trollope.
Oh, God. I'm asleep already....
amy - I liked most of The Memory Keeper's Daughter, but thought it lost its way towards the end :(
leigh - I used to like Joanna Trollope a lot, but haven't bothered with her last two, for some reason!
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