This is a topic I can definitely relate to since I find myself debating books often. The majority of the reason I debate not reading books I am interested in is the fear that I won't understand it.
1. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand: Can you imagine reading a large book like this and then not getting it?
2. Fight Club by Chuck Palahnuik: As a once-Portland resident, I feel like I HAVE to like Palahniuk, since he's a local celebrity. But what if I read it and don't like it?
3. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace: Yet another book I am afraid I won't understand.
4. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas: I read and ADORED The Count of Monte Cristo, but that book was a labor of love. It took me almost a year to finish it. Not only was it really really long, but the language was advanced and occasionally in a different language.
5. World War Z by Max Brooks: I have yet to read a zombie book and I am worried that I won't like the genre on this particular medium. Maybe zombies are just for movies?
6. The Princess Bride By William Goldman: I LOVE this movie! It's hilarious! But what if I don't like the book?
7. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo: I have been to see this musical about seven times. I love it! But, again, what if I don't like the book?
8. Wicked by Gregory Maguire: Like with Les Miserables, I love this musical. What if I don't like the book?
9. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell: This is another one that I am afraid I won't understand.
10. We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shiver: I really want to like this book. It seems fascinating. But I am afraid I won't.
I can completely understand about The Princess Bride. The movie was amazing and the thought of the book not being as so would make me really really sad. But I think I have to take the risk anyway.
ReplyDeleteI am with you. It's a risk, but it's a risk I think I am going to take.
DeleteThe only one of these I've read is We Need To Talk About Kevin--it's a very powerful yet very disturbing book.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that. I think that's part of the reason I am hesitant.
Deletei've had the princess bride on my shelf for years and really just need to suck it up and read it!
ReplyDeleteI am glad I am not the only one!
DeletePersonally, I would say skip Wicked. I loved the musical, but found the book to be very weird. I did read it quite a long time ago, so there is a chance I would understand it better now, but I didn't continue on with the series past an attempt at the second book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice! I may take it and skip the book.
DeletePrincess Bride, to me at least, adds so much to the movie. Like why is Florin and Guilder at war. It's also very hilarious.
ReplyDeleteFor Les Mis, I've read the book, I've read an abridged as well. I'd recommend the abridgement that removes Hugo's own political leanings and only tells the STORY.
Thanks for the advice!
DeleteI thought Wicked was boring. I read it years before the musical came out, and I almost didn't see the musical because I thought the book was so boring.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dawn about reading an abridgment of Les Mis, but don't read the little 350-page abridgment. Something between 350 pages and 1500 pages is good! I loved The Princess Bride--it's different from the movie but doesn't ruin it. And I want you to read We Need To Talk About Kevin because I want to talk to you about it. Maybe we should do it for our intercontinental book club!