Finally! I’m finally home after lots of traveling and vacation which means I’m actually able to sit down and post this Top Ten Tuesday post on Tuesday. This week’s meme topic is “Books I’m Not Sure I Want to Read,” but I’ve also included books I do want to read, but have put off for months/years, and also books that I know I never want to read.
Top Ten Books That Have Me Asking Myself, “To Read or Not to Read?“
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – This book has been all over the place this year (even though it’s from 2011), but that is not the reason I don’t want to read it, neither is the fact that I already know multiple big spoilers. I don’t want to read it because I don’t feel like being wrecked by a book that I know is going to wreck me in advance…if that makes sense. I may watch the movie one day, and who knows? Maybe I’ll even read the book, but for now it’s on my “Do Not Read” shelf, as much as that has shocked some of my friends.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson – I’ve heard that this series is great, and despite mixed reviews of the film version, I think I may like the story. But I haven’t had enough interest to check the book out. Not yet, anyways.
Eragon by Christopher Paolini – I own hardback copies of the first three books in this series, and my husband really loves these books. BUT, the reason I haven’t read the books yet is because I saw the movie and. It. Was. Awful. Even though I know the books aren’t awful, I just haven’t wanted to read them yet.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett – Another book/movie that I’ve heard so many good things about. I received this book from a Secret Santa this past Christmas, and I’d really like to read it this year, but, like most of the other books on this list, I haven’t had the desire to read it yet (I think I’m dreading crying).
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan – Ok, the reason I haven’t read this series yet is because two years ago I bought the first three books in French, hoping it would help me work on my French, but I gave up after the first chapter took me hours to read. I’m currently trying to read another novel in French and, although my level has improved enough to get me halfway through the novel in a week, I’ve been procrastinating on finishing it as well because reading in French is tiring… I am determined though!
A Feast For Crows (and the remainder of A Song of Ice and Fire series) by George R. R. Martin – I bought a bundle of the first 5 books in this series with an entire Amazon giftcard that I had received for my birthday 2 years ago and I am still regretting it. I read A Game of Thrones, freaked out and read A Clash of Kings, gradually feeling more and more turned off by the vulgarity and graphic nature of the writing, and by nearly all of the characters. But I kept on reading up until halfway through A Storm of Swords, and right after the “Red Wedding,” I had enough. I skimmed the synopsis for the rest of the series (so far), just to find out the fate of some specific characters. I have no intention on finishing this series, or watching the TV show. It’s just not for me.
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde – This is a play that I’ve been told multiple I would enjoy, and it’s on my Classics Club List, so I know I’ll get to it eventually. I am really looking forward to finally reading it one day!
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger – The movie version of this book is one of my favorite movies. I love sad movies (which may sound contradictory to my reasons for not reading The Fault in Our Stars…), and this movie had me crying for literally 15 minutes after I walked out of the theater. But I LOVED it, and my mom or my brother bought me this book for the following Christmas and I’ve just never gotten around to reading it. I definitely want to, though!
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell – I’ve read two of Rainbow Rowell’s novels, Attachments and Fangirl. Attachments, an adult fiction novel, is one of the best novels I’ve read this year. Rowell’s young adult novel, Fangirl, however…I really wasn’t into. So since Eleanor & Park is also a YA novel, I’ve been putting off reading it. Maybe one day?
All’s Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare – This is probably the most random entry on this list, but it was a play I wanted to read while I was doing a mini-Shakespeare thing on my blog back in April, but I kept putting it off. I am such a procrastinator! It will get read this year, though. I just don’t know when ;)
What are some books you are on the fence about reading?
macarons & paperbacks 
I have read and loved many of your books on the list. I also remember the buzz when Earagon was published( self publushed?)…that he was so young…how could he write like that…yada yada. I read the first Martin book, that was enough. I liked The Help movie much more than the book ( same btw with How to Make an American Quilt). Sometimes, movies help solify concepts.
I was part of a HuffPost read along for Fault in our Stars. That is one absolutly dynamic read! Not sure if I will see the film yet….like Harry Potter, and Tolkein and CS Lewis, these live in my mind alone. Percy Jackso? Read the first one..not too long and fun if you love mythology. Oscar Wilde? Could take him or leave him. Time Traveler’s Wife? I’ve read this a few times and find more each time. She also wrote a story/ novella about a lending library onvwheels that far outran TTW. Haven’t read any Rainbow Rowell yet. Steig Larson would not have gotten the press if he hadn’t died during publushing ( the books are horrendous). And…you’ve got to be OLD to be patient enough to read and understand Shakespere.
Have you ever read any Lois Lowry? The Giver opens this week. I’d never even heard of her prior to working in a bookstore. Follow the Stars Home by the same authir is even better, and I loved The Giver, although I’ve never read the other three in the series. How about The Phantom Tollboth by Norman Juster? The movie sucked, but the book is a standard gift for tweens and up.
In some ways, I ALMOST like the YA genre more than Adult…..
I LOVE The Giver! One of my all-time favorite books. Had to read that and Number the Stars back in elementary school and junior high. I recently read the second book in The Giver quartet. I still need to read the last two, but I am excited for the movie!!
Thanks for all your recommendations :) About the Phantom Tollbooth…I never liked that movie, it freaked me out, but if the book is way better than I should check it out.
There’s a Phantom Tollbooth movie? What? Why? That book bored me. Greatly.
We had to watch the Phantom Tollbooth movie all the time at the library in my elementary school. It freaked me out!
Oh the Steig Larsson books are SO good! The Dragon Tattoo is so hard to get though at first but so worth it. I literally started the 3rd immediately after finishing bc I read it so quickly I knew I had to have missed things. When you’re in the mood to start go for them! Eleanor & Park surprised me-I thought it was going to be overhyped and it was just lovely. And the 80s references are amazing.
I’ve only read the first GoT and I honestly don’t know if I can finish the series. i just don’t think I care
Thanks for your comments about The Dragon Tattoo and Eleanor & Park! Definitely helping me wanting to read them sooner :)
And yeah, GoT isn’t for everyone…
Every single book you’ve listed here would be on my list too! I loved Attachments and liked Fangirl, but I feel like I’d testing my luck with Eleanor & Park. It’s gotten rave reviews, which actually makes me uncomfortable because I often end up feeling like a “party pooper” when I’m the only person who didn’t like it (which is how I feel about Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circuis, a well-loved book that I just hated!). I liked Fangirl, but I tend to read more novels for adults than for young adults, and so I think I might have better luck with Landline than Eleanor & Park.
Me too! I want to read Landline for sure. I feel bad saying this since I’ve only read two of her novels, but I prefer Rowell’s adult writing over her young adult writing.
I like young adult fiction, but I can see what you’re saying. I enjoyed Fangirl because of the characters and Rowell’s knack for describing the awkwardness of young love, but I think readers interested in fanfiction probably enjoyed the novel more than I did. I’m looking forward to reading Landline.
You’re probably right. I’m not that familiar with fanfiction to really enjoy that aspect of Fangirl.
I was hesitant to read TFIOS because I thought it was just make me cry, but a friend convinced me to give it a try. It was a good book, I wouldn’t say the greatest, and I didn’t cry! I’ve been hesitant to read the GOT series because it’s massive and I’m already watching the TV show, so maybe that’s enough. I do wonder about the violence and sexual stuff, so not sure if I will try to read the books. But I highly recommend The Time Traveller’s Wife because it’s so beautiful and magical. If you liked the movie, I think you will get so much more from the book.
Thank you for your comment! I may read TFIOS one day…just not yet :) and I KNOW I’ll like The Time Traveler’s Wife! I honestly don’t know why I haven’t read it yet, but I am excited to do so.
I hope you get to read it some day and then we can exchange thoughts on book vs. movie. :)
Yes! Let’s! :)
I’m on the fence about The Hunger Games. I have many friends, even a sister-in-law, who love them and gush about them and insist I should read them. But nothing I have read or heard about them has made me go, “Oh, that sounds interesting! I’d like to read that.” And I have a mulish tendency to refuse to read books only because everyone else is reading them, so I’ve been feeling pushed-and-pulled about that series a long time.
I’m also on the fence about the Game of Thrones books. I know people who are in love with them, but they’re so massive, and such a commitment, and full of death and disorder. I may read them some day, when I have more time, but I’m in no hurry.
I’ve decided I don’t want to read The Fault in our Stars either. I’m not a huge fan of books that revolve solely around romance as it is, and a book that practically comes with a certificate of weepiness-inducing? Not like this is Anna Karenina or something — nothing I’ve heard about it sounds like it’s edifying or educational or anything other than “soooooooooooo good.”
Of the books on your list, I’ve read the whole Eragon series, and the first one is a little, well, amateurish. The second is better, the third is fantastic (IMHO) because it flips a bunch of expectations and cliches on their ears, and the fourth is quite satisfying. I’m considering re-reading them in a few years. The movie… lacked. I didn’t hate it, but I also only watched it once, on TV, with the sound off and closed-captioning on for half of it because my toddler was napping. I did think Jeremy Irons as Brom was the best thing about it.
I’ve read The Help, and it was enjoyable, but not “oh my goodness, I have to tell all my friends about this book!”
The Importance of Being Earnest is funny. I love clever wordplay and witty repartee, and that’s what it is. That’s about all it is, but it’s a good ride. I’ve probably read it three times. The Colin Firth movie was acceptable.
I know exactly what you mean about refusing to read popular books. I have the same tendency to avoid overly popular books, tv shows, movies, and even music. But what usually happens is that I give in after the rave has died down a bit and I end up liking whatever it is I have been avoiding. Not to say that you’d love the Hunger Games or The Fault in Our Stars if you ever do end up reading them, but I completely understand your hesitancy.
The Hunger Games, just like Game of Thrones, is not for everyone, and it’s the type of series that will really stick with you after reading it, so keep that in mind if you ever do give it a chance (same for GoT).
Thanks for your comments about Eragon and The Importance of Being Earnest! I am very eager to read them both now :) And I’ll watch anything with Colin Firth in it; he’s a marvelous actor.
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