Yay! I haven’t done one of these in months!
Here are 10 popular authors I have not yet read, and yes, some of these I do feel ashamed about, but most of these authors are on my TBR list so that should count for something, right??
Top Ten Popular Authors I’ve Never Read (in no particular order)
Stephen King – I know…he’s “The Master”. I honestly don’t know why I haven’t picked one of his novels up yet, but rest assured that there are plenty that I do want to read, including The Long Walk. One of his novels I don’t fancy myself reading is The Green Mile, because…tears. Although I haven’t read a single King novel, I’ve seen many movie adaptations, and The Green Mile is on my “Top 5 Movies That Make Me Bawl” list.
John Green – Only recently have I gotten into contemporary authors. I’ve always been more of a classics girl, but there are a few John Green novels I’d like to read someday. The Fault in Our Stars is on my TBR list, but I’m saving that for when I’m feeling rock-solid. I can already tell this is the type of novel that will just hang on me for weeks–maybe months–after reading, and though I do love tear jerkers, I don’t think my fragile heart can handle TFIOS at the moment.
Rick Riordan – Okay, I’m cheating a bit here. I have started the Percy Jackson series, but I didn’t even finish the first chapter, and not because I didn’t like it, but because I was trying to read it in French. I only learned this after starting the book, but there is a special tense in the French language called passé simple and it is used only in books or to tell specific types of stories. So it took well over an hour to read as little as I did because I had to keep looking up practically every verb. BUT, I will not be thwarted in my desire to read Percy Jackson. I’m just going to procrastinate a little until I learn passé simple…
Jodi Picoult – I don’t know why I haven’t read one of her novels yet, especially since I think I’d enjoy them. One in particular that I’ve had on my TBR list is The Storyteller. Does anyone recommend it?
Victor Hugo – Arguably the most famous French author, I have been putting Hugo off for multiple reasons, namely being the fact that I’d really like to read him in French, but my level is just not high enough to do that. One of my goals this year is to read Les Miserables in French, or at least attempt to, so hopefully I can cross Monsieur Hugo off my list soon! And then I can finally watch the latest Les Miserables film (yes, I am one of those book-before-movie people).
Leo Tolstoy – Another author on my TBR list for this year. I’m itching to read Anna Karenina and War and Peace, and I haven’t heard any mixed reviews for Tolstoy like I have for Hugo, so hopefully that compels me to dig into his novels sooner rather than later!
Kurt Vonnegut – I think the reason I have yet to tackle a Vonnegut novel is because he intimidates me for some reason. I think it’s the satire. But, one of my friends recently recommended him to me so I will take that as reason enough to read one of his novels…someday.
Oscar Wilde – If any Wilde books had been assigned reading for school I definitely would not have to include him on this list. But no The Picture of Dorian Gray or The Importance of Being Earnest for me. As a graduate of English Literature, however, I feel that Wilde is definitely a must-read. I know I’ve been missing out.
Carl Sagan – I’ve known about this beloved Sci-Fi author since I was a little girl. My dad loves him, and I personally adore the film Contact and can’t wait to read it one day.
J.D. Salinger – I’m not exactly sure why, but I have never been interested in reading Salinger. I will give The Catcher in the Rye a read one day though. It’s been on my TBR list for a while, but only because I’ve constantly seen it on must read book lists. Can anyone talk Salinger up a bit to make me more interested in reading him?
Which popular authors have you personally never read? Do any of yours make my list? (Please say yes!)
Hallo, Maggie! :)
I am putting the finishing touches on my War and Peace Book Club post this week — I never in my life thought I’d tackle this tome of a novel *this!* year, but I was quite convinced that it is not only doable but that I might enjoy the experience overall! :) You might have seen a post about it previously where I discussed doing this, but I decided to make a proper post like I had for Wuthering Heights!
I must say, Stephen King is on my list as well for authors I never thought I’d be keen to read, except for a few exceptions I’ve made in recent years due to a tv series & a motion picture! (i.e. The Dead Zone & Hearts in Atlantis respectively!) I’ve avoided Salinger since I was in grades school — the author never enchanted me to even broach one of his novels. Carl Sagan is DEF on my list to read due to my love of cosmology & astrophysics! Les Mis I’ve known about ever since Mum first told me of the novel — its on my tCC list! :) Cheers!
I am not as keen on Percy Jackson as I am for other Riordan series!!
Great list! :)
I’m thinking of compiling one,…
You should! I’d love to read your own list :) and when are you reading War and Peace??
Hallo Maggie,
I am composing my Top Ten Authors this afternoon and will post lateron today! :) I decided it was too good of an opportunity to pass up! I am actually beginning War and Peace this *week!* I was meant to read it two weeks ago — bad timing with my cold & pollen allergies! :( I’m looking forward to the discussions & monthly check-ins! Stay tuned as I’ll release my post about it tonight as well!
Mentioned War & Peace and other Reads I’ve been talking about it quite a bit lately!
Maggie!
My list is LIVE! Jump! Jorie’s Top Ten Tuesday Authors Yet to Read Others Already Love
I’ve read a few short stories by Stephen King, but he just isn’t my favorite. I don’t love his writing style. And I’m too nervous to pick up an entire novel by him (like The Shining or something) because his short stories were terrifying enough! And I’m with you on John Green. I feel like a MILLION people have recommended The Fault in Our Stars, but I just don’t want to bawl through a novel. I’m shallow…I like happy stories, or stories that at least have the hope of some happiness at the end. But I recently saw a movie preview for the novel (I was at the theater to see Vampire Academy–don’t judge–and all the YA novels-made-into-movies were being advertised), so now I think I might need to read it before the movie comes out and spoils it.
The movie preview is what made me want to read the novel too! I’ve been hesitating about just reading it already, but the thing is that I KNOW I’d be in a “book hangover” slump for a while afterwards. And I am not judging! Hope Vampire Academy was good :)
I haven’t read John Green or Rick Riordan or Kurt Vonnegut or Leo Tolstoy or Carl Sagan. I have Tolstoy on my to-read list, but not the others.
I’ve never read anything by so many popular authors, and honestly, my to-read list is so long already…
Glad we have so many unread authors in common ;) I tend to stay away from current popular authors, but I do love my classics so I really want to open a Vonnegut or Tolstoy novel in the near future.