I have to admit, this Top Ten List has me flummoxed. How can I vow not to read a book? Won't I be like all those book-banning hypocrites and wanna-be censors, deciding to hate something I've never read? I can't think of too many books that I would never read--but I can come up with some categories....
1. I will not read any mid-life-crisis-wish-fulfillment romance novels that combine middle-aged photographers and bridges.
2. I will not read any sequels to Jane Austen novels written by 21st century writers. It isn't quite blasphemy, but almost.
3. I will not re-read Naked Lunch, a book I had to read in graduate school--I found it just plain revolting. Ugh.
4. I will not read any angry political diatribes that blame the demise of all of civilization on a) the government b) liberals c) adherents of any faith d) the adherents of no faith.
5. I will not read hateful rhetoric. Okay, I'll read the first paragraph, just to make sure.
6. I will not read treacle.
7. I won't say never to the entire category of self-help books, but I'm going to have to say almost never.
8. Okay, I worked for a major chain bookstore for a couple of years, and I saw towers of diet books go out the door. And I saw the customers leaving with the books and coming back looking exactly the same. I will not read the latest diet book, or any diet book. I will not eat by blood type or body type or horoscope.
9. No horoscope books.
10. So many books, so little time. I sometimes think that I should read nothing but classics. Or even spend most of my time rereading. I am a big believer in rereading. Any book important enough to read once deserves a second read. Really--and I will just have to give up my dream of reading 70 bazillion books in a lifetime or a year or a decade. Sometimes I feel like being really ornery and just reading VERY SLOWLY. Like one book a month (only it's War and Peace, and it's so good I read it again the next month).
Well that was fun! Top Ten Tuesdays continues to be my favorite meme. Thanks Broke and Bookish!
How would you respond to this idea--are there any books you would never read?
25 comments:
I agree that most modern Jane Austen sequels are poorly done. I do like the Pamela Aiken trilogy though.
Alison Can Read
This is an absolutely fabulous list. Now you've really got me thinking...Don't think I'm going to get anything posted until it's actually Tuesday where I am though...
That is a great list -- I totally am with you on these.
My slightly more specific top ten list is here:http://bibliosue.blogspot.com/2010/10/top-ten-tuesday-books-ill-never-read.html
Wonderful list! I agree with every point on here.
I managed to get mine together before heading off to bed. Here's mine: http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2010/10/top-ten-tuesday-books-ill-never-read.html
a interesting list ,there is always a struggle what to read and what to pass ,all the best stu
I agree with a lot of your points, I probably won't ever read a self-help book or a book about the latest diet.
Your opening made me smile -- spoken like a real reader! ;)
I love the categories you offered, although I do rather like Austen (and other) spin offs (at times, if well done).
Oh LOL. What a great list then. Very enigmatic of you! Totally agree on the sequels to Austen, though in all fairness, I must admit I've read a couple. A couple meaning now I know I don't want to read anymore.
My list is here: http://www.sarahreck.com/blog/?p=281
I feel about the same way about modern-day Austen sequels. Instinctively it feels like blasphemy, but I've heard there are good ones, so I'm torn lol.
Amen to #8!
@Alison-see, never say never!
@Bev-I saw your list and it is great!
@Suzanne-don't you love this meme?
@Red-thanks!
@stu-thanks--good to hear from you!
@Daisy-wouldn't it be great if self-help and diet books actually worked!
@Audra-I guess an Austen spin-off might do in an emergency!
@Sarah-I will check your list out!
2. I will not read any sequels to Jane Austen novels written by 21st century writers. It isn't quite blasphemy, but almost.
--Agreed! Such nonsense.
3. I will not re-read Naked Lunch, a book I had to read in graduate school--I found it just plain revolting. Ugh.
--Disagree!!! I love Naked Lunch, and almost every Burroughs book. I've read Naked Lunch a couple-few times. *sad face*
What is a treacle? I thought it was a type of pudding.
I would agree with you, apart from Naked Lunch as I haven't read it. I would add in child development/psychology books. I know I'm really harsh, but don't have kids if you're so clueless!
Love Love Love your list!!
Flummoxed is such a GREAT word...thanks for using it!
I love your list, and #1 and #2 made me laugh out loud. And I, too, refuse to read diatribes or hateful rhetoric. Why encourage people like that by actually reading their books? :-)
Great list! I only disagree with one thing you said....writing sequels to Jane Austen's books isn't almost blasphemy, it is blasphemy. I can't imagine how anyone would even dare!
WHAT that's insane! You would never read a HOROSCOPE BOOK! Mortally wounded Scorpian chic on the floor... say it isn't so ;P
@PK-I knew this list was going to offend someone;) No disclaimers, though. I bravely declared my no-horoscope, no treacle (overly sweet desert-pudding books) attitude. As soon as I posted my list I was down one follower! Still trying to figure out if it was a horoscope afficionado or lover of hateful rhetoric;)
Lisa, am belatedly catching up on some bloggy reading, and just wanted to say HEAR HEAR to everything on your list. I heart it entirely! Lyndsey x
Hey girl,
read your reply and laughed myself into the ground... hmmm the one follower less would have to be them having a chaotic time with their mouse. They probably made a mistake and are logging back on multiple times. hence 10 followers for the price of 1! Sounds like a deal to me :)
And did we not talk about this Follower issue before?? Stop looking at that! It's going to drive you insane. I tend to be obsessed by comments personally.
So that would be why I leave you with this never ending monologue... and back to the original topic.... HOROSCOPE!
Hee hee hee smile and know that's I'm giggling (I know you giggle) with you ;P
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