Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND sign Mister Linky at the bottom to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Don't worry if you can't come up with ten every time...just post what you can!
I am slightly scared for this topic. I (Jamie) don't want to offend anybody. Please understand I am not bashing anybody's books. I'm sorry if I put one of your favorite books on here. Chances are you probably hate some of my very favorite books. And I'm not trying to make anybody feel bad for what they read...at all. I'm not a book snob. I read what I want, you read what you want. :)
Top Ten Books I'll Never Read:
1. The DaVinci Code
-- I know so many people have loved this book! I just don't think it is my cup of tea. And not to mention the fact that it is so hyped and talked about that I've practically heard every spoiler you could ever hear. Doesn't seem worth it to me. 2. Eragon
-- This one is more personal reasons for why I'll never read it. Let's just say that somebody I used to like was obsessed with this book (before I ever got into read ANY sort of fantasy at all) and wanted to take me on a first date to see this movie. Luckily, my friend stepped in and said that this movie would not be anything I'd want to see. Sorry, Eragon. Just can't do it.3. Men Are From Mars, And Women Are From Venus
-- Pointless to read this considering that I already know this fact...and I've been reconciled to the fact we'll never understand each other. 4. The Notebook
-- Or probably anything else by him. I know SOO many people that love Nicholas Sparks. Like really good friends. I just don't think I'd really enjoy these books and most of them end up being movies anyways. I think these are books that I'm ok with not reading before I see the movie. With The Notebook in particular, I've seen the movie so many darn times (and that was after many years of hating chick flicks--which I do happen to LOVE now) that I just would never read the book. I'm sure it's wonderful. 5. The Stephanie Plum
series -- My best friend loves these. I read one page of one and just knew I would rather be reading something else.6. The Historian
-- Here's the thing about this one. I think I'd like it. However, I've heard so many negative things (and some positives) that I just don't know that I'm ready to commit to a book such as this for a letdown. I just don't think I can. Please tell me if you think I should.7. Miles to Go
-- Sorry Miley. I just don't think I'll ever read about "you just being Miley." And you can also add whatever Snooki from Jersey Shore is writing to this list, too.8. Your Best Life Now
-- Joel Osteen, your cheesy smile is enough to make me not want to read this. Now understand this, I'm a Christian, but I just find these books to be hokey. Really hokey. And not to mention that a theology professor that I really admire may or may not use these books as examples of all that is hokey. :) That's just my opinion though. I'm sure lots of people have gotten alot out of his books..or else they wouldn't be selling. They just don't connect with me.9. Heart of Darkness
-- Ok, I tried to read this for college. I just COULD NOT even get through a page of it. Yeah, that's right. I used Sparknotes and the Internet to write an A paper without reading it.10. Anything by Danielle Steel -- This is kind of cheating but I couldn't find just one of her books that I won't read. I just really don't LOVE the romance genre. There are many people that I respect (my mom did!) that do read from that genre but I just could never get into it. Also, you could lump in any sort of Harlequin romance novel. I've tried but I just can't get into them. I know I should..I mean what's not to like about ripped, oily men but I just can't. Sorry.
NEXT WEEK'S TOPIC: Jen takes on Top Ten Fictional Crushes...a topic that we in the Goodreads College Students group giggled and squeed about for the past 2 years.
Fairly certain we are like twins.
ReplyDeleteHeart of Darkness is the BANE of my existence. Plus we share other books on this list. Cracks me up -- working on my list right now! Will be posting it soon enough.
Love this question, and next week's looks amazing too.
I've read two of the books on your list - one was just ok, the other was a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great topic -- the lists I've seen so far have a lot of common elements....
That's right! Stay far far away from Heart of Darkness. It's lack of length makes it appear all innocent and angelic, but it is a horrid horrid book!
ReplyDeleteI actually agree with most of your list. Funny enough I don't have any of them on my own list lol.
ReplyDeleteThe DaVinci code is numero uno on my list too! The Miley Cyrus book too....ewww
ReplyDeleteHaha, I agree with MOST of your list, but there are a couple that I have shamelessly read and enjoyed -- the Stephanie Plum series is a light romp that I have indulged in, as well as Harlequins. However, I can totally understand your reasoning behind not getting into them. I think it's funny how people's tastes can be extremely similar, yet completely different at the same time!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Hi Jamie. It looks like we're pretty much on the same page here, I don't think I would most of these either. But I must confess, I've read 3, 4, and 9. DON'T ask me what I was thinking when I read Nicholas Sparks.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy the Da Vinci Code is your number one. It's just terrible.
ReplyDeleteSome good choices there. I read The Historian and found my right hand itching to grab a red marker and edit out whole paragraphs. It's basically a good 300 page thriller packed into a mediocre 700+ pages. I gave up on The Da Vinci Code, and thought Men Are From Mars, And Women Are From Venus was crap.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy The Heart of Darkness, however. (Actually, "enjoy" is not the right word, it's too gloomy for that, but I found it a worthwhile read.)
I considered putting Angels and Demons on my list, but I decided to go way more controversial. I hope I don't offend anyone.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree about the Joel Osteen. Someone gave me that book for Christmas, and I threw it out after reading the first 5 pages. What a load of crap!!
ReplyDeleteI read The Da Vinci Code before I'd even heard there would be a movie and really loved it, but I don't think I would have bothered if I'd already seen the movie.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm one of those who thinks you should read the Historian, mostly because I really enjoyed it and I think you would as well.
Nice list! I agree with you on the Miley book, that would be a definite no-go for me.
Great list! DaVinci Code sucked, and so did The Notebook (though I really like the movie). I feel the SAME way about the Stephanie Plum books too.
ReplyDeleteAs for romance, there really are some good ones that are a good story, good writing, and light on the sex-ish stuff. Seriously; Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie is one of my ALL-TIME FAVORITE books and it's a romance. Get it from the library and try it, it's fantastic!
What a blast, found this linked over at ReaderBuzz and am now wishing I had not already written a post today! Can't wait to play next week! Count me in.
ReplyDeleteYou cracked me up with your disclaimer -- but I know where your fear comes from! (I discovered a friend of mine and I have very diametrically opposed opinions of a book -- her fav/my least fav -- and we had to stop talking for about ten minutes).
ReplyDeleteI'm so not a Nicholas Sparks fan, among the many other overlaps we have in book tastes. I don't get why everyone loves him!
You SHOULD stay far away from THE HISTORIAN. But I love HEART OF DARKNESS. LOVE LOVE LOVE!
ReplyDeleteI'm SO with you on Heart of Darkness (required reading in uni - I read the first chapter and realised it just wasn't going to happen) and Danielle Steele (just... no thanks). Stephanie Plum used to be good, but no so much anymore, and I quite liked The Historian.
ReplyDeleteI really doubt I will ever read Heart of Darkness either.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you on Stephanie Plum. For one thing, I always feel like I need sunglasses just to look at the covers. I read and enjoyed The Historian--although I will agree that it could have been much shorter and been an even better book. I still like it alot.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed The Historian, though it's not an "easy" read. For me, it was worth the time and I found it interesting.
ReplyDeleteI powered through Heart of Darkness, my husband made me read it because it's supposed to be such a great book. I think it's the only time we didn't agree.
I enjoyed The Historian, though it's not an "easy" read. For me, it was worth the time and I found it interesting.
ReplyDeleteI powered through Heart of Darkness, my husband made me read it because it's supposed to be such a great book. I think it's the only time we didn't agree.
Gee - I missed Danielle Steel for my list.. ;")
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed The DaVinci Code but I read it right when it came out so I didn't suffer through the over hype of it. Though I much enjoyed the book to the movie.
ReplyDeleteHeart of Darkness was the only book in high school that I didn't actually read! I told my teacher I 'didn't get it' and he gave me just enough info to write a great paper! :) He told me it was one of the best in the class... Bwa ha ha! Although, I did go back and actually read it a few weeks ago, and it wasn't as bad as I remember thinking it was, but I also can't say that I liked it too much either!
ReplyDeleteThe Da Vinci Code made my list, too. I tried to read it... but got very bored.
ReplyDeleteGreat list of books! I've read about half of them and would agree with you. I'm currently reading one I would add to the list called, "Rain Dance" by Joy DeKok. So far it's very well written and is an interesting christian fiction book about two women that become friends in highly unlikely circumstances...one's ending fertility treatments and the other is having an abortion. I can't seem to put it down.
ReplyDeleteHow could I have forgotten The DaVinci Code on my Never Read List?!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with Heart of Darkness. It made my list, too. I haven't read Nicholas Sparks yet, but I might just try The Notebook so I've read just one of his. Thanks for hosting this great meme :o)
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteLOL. Somehow I accidentally linked up to the wrong Top Ten post. I even posted to that one too! Woopsies. Ah, I'm too lazy to repost what I said earlier. Oh, well. *shrugs*
But, I do remember saying that this is an awesome meme! I look forward to participating in it!
~Asher
I don't need to participate this week. You just wrote my post for me. Thank you for your efforts.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could un-read The DaVinci Code. I really really do. But I can't and must live with this.
ReplyDeleteI used to agree with you on Heart of Darkness. I often called it the worst book ever. That was the first time I had to read it for an essay in university. The second time I had to read it for university, I still hated it. The third time someone made me read Heart of Darkness for essay (and class discussion purposes), I realized I loved it and it was amazing. But it took three reads.
I can NOT believe some of the books you've got listed on here!!! Lol. I am actually in shock and my mouth dropped open and a few different ones. First of all, you can NOT judge Nicholas Sparks' books based on the movies. They are so much MORE than that. While his movies may touch you, the book will touch you even more. Plus, 9 times out of 10, the movies aren't anywhere near as good, or even close to the actual story. You must give it a chance! And I am VERY shocked you've got Stephanie Plum on here!!! WHY!? Those books are AMAZING! They're hilarious, and interesting, and they literally make you laugh out loud. How can you not enjoy a book that makes you laugh!? Lol. Sorry, your opinion is obviously your opinion, but I am just so shocked!
ReplyDeleteGood call on Heart of Darkness! I read that for a high school literature class and was miserable. Plus, I'm with you on Miley Cyrus and Nicholas Sparks.
ReplyDeletei'm late to the party, but i had to join in the fun!
ReplyDeleteseveral of yours are on my list, though i have read Heart of Darkness and can say that i'm glad i read it. it isn't the best book out there, but it is culturally and historically significant...
Haha! I tried to read Heart of Darkness in high school and got 3 pages into it! I ended up writing a paper that was more or less a paraphrase of a Chinua Achebe essay that I used as a "secondary source"! (I didn't mean to, of course, but what else could I have done, not having read the book?)
ReplyDelete