What's the worst book you've ever read?

[clarabelle]

Sorry, I didn't mean to come across as insulting. I just mean that people from the south would hear stories about the KKK more than I would, having grown up in the north. Sure, I've heard news reports, etc., but I never knew of anyone who was on either side of the situation, or who knew someone who marched or was the victim of the senseless violence.

A lot of coal mining went on around here. I bet I know more than a lot of people from different areas of the country about that, just because I knew miners and my grandfather was one.... for a day. But, I am certainly no coal mining expert.

I hope this clears this up. Wasn't meaning anything by my comments. I know the history of MLK, but having never known anyone who went personally to one of his rallies, I can't know the whole story... the part that would truly humanize the story.

I am sorry if I sounded like I was jumping on you. I just wanted to make it clear that the KKK is not some big part of southern life. I don't think it ever was. Even in stories! I don't even know anyone who has KKK stories.
But I understand what you are saying.

 

[pjtjm]

pjtjm - how could you hate wicked?!?!? lol I <3 it.

Sorry... I know lots of people loved it, but it was not for me.

The Poisonwood Bible - HATED this book. Thought it was long, boring, and the whole time kept thinking "why does his family put up with this?"

Now, here's the funny thing... I LOVED the poisonwood bible.... LOVED it!!

Oh well.... That's what makes the world go 'round...

It goes to show you that you can't always listen to reviews... You never know - someone else might love something you hated, and visa-versa...

Interesting choices everyone!!

 

[Louise-Montreal]

Favourite book of all time is Prayer for Owen Meany, and I really enjoyed Poisonwood Bible. Absolutely hated She's Come Undone- worst book ever!!!!!

Funny how everyone's taste can be so different

 

[Missy1961]

When I saw the title of this thread, the first book I thought of was "Bridges of Madison County". Then I thought of "Hannibal" & "A time to Kill". So none of mine are original! So then I thought of "She's Come Undone" & I see that someone else didn't like it either.

 

[lunchmomd]

Another vote for Bridges of Madison County. Worst book I ever read, and I read ALOT.

 

[dbarker]

"The Sound and the Fury". I had to read it in college. It did not make any sense and was confusing at best. After reading the book, I bought the Cliff Notes. The only time I ever bought Cliff Notes.

 

[Mandabella]

A lot of you are mentioning the Bridges of Madison County. I know I bought it and read it, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was about it! It must of been pretty forgettable.

And I'm so glad two others in this thread hated Tess of the d'Ubervilles as much as I! I swear I think English teachers are required to love that book and thrust it upon unsuspecting students.

 

[astarr]

But I'd have to say it's a tie between "Foucault's Pendulum" by Umberto Eco - pretentious cr*p by an author whose other work I generally like,

I hadn't thought of "Foucault's Pendulum in ages. I tried to read that but I only made it through a few chapters and I gave up........You're right it was way too prententious and I felt unworthy of reading it

I read a lot of books too and another one that I struggled to finish was "Isle of Dogs" by Patricia Cornwell. It was supposed to be some kind of tongue in cheek thing or an attempt at black humor and I just didn't care for it. Maybe because I just wasn't used to reading this style from this author but *wow* what an effort it was to finally complete it so I could put it away for good.

 

[Mandabella]

OH!!! I thought of another one!

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad....another book I had to read in school.

 

[Daxx]

Angela's Ashes. Why? In two words ... och, aye!

That's all the mother kept on saying throughout the book "och, aye!" I threw this book across the room so many times!!!!!

 

[CanBeGrumpy]

I am probably alone in my thinking, but I could NOT get into "The Hobbit"! I tried once when I was in my 20's--got through maybe 3 chapters before I decided it was dumb. Then, in my mid-30's, I joined a book club that chose to read this book. I tried again and still thought it was very dumb!! I do not see the attraction of this book at all! I still have it on my bookshelf thinking maybe when I reach 40 I'll give it another shot!

 

[OceanAnnie]

"A Thousand Acres". I tried several times to read it. Just couldn't get into it. The plot didn't move. Maybe it did later, but after several tries it was enough for me.

 

[jonestavern]

both DH & I loathed Patriot Games by Tom Clancy.
We had read the Hunt for Red October & Red Storm Rising & found them wonderfully interesting & fast paced light reading-
PG was just embarrassing I mean cringing! A solid 10 on the Squirm Scale!
Jack Ryan not only pulls off every trite, predictable situation but gives the British royals a lesson on what is really important in life.
the plot & plot devices truly sounded like one of DS' little adventure stories he would type up & illustrate for us--no kidding! Great effort for a 12 year old boy, but for a mature, highly educated & acclaimed author???
DH & I would read aloud to one another passages we found particularly excruciating--
well, everyone else seemed to like it..
I need to get DS' old 'novels' out of storage, perhaps!

Jean

 

[pjtjm]

I am probably alone in my thinking, but I could NOT get into "The Hobbit"! I tried once when I was in my 20's--got through maybe 3 chapters before I decided it was dumb. Then, in my mid-30's, I joined a book club that chose to read this book. I tried again and still thought it was very dumb!! I do not see the attraction of this book at all! I still have it on my bookshelf thinking maybe when I reach 40 I'll give it another shot!

You are not alone!! I've tried several times myself over the years to understand why oh why so many enjoy this series, but the singing passages just drove me crazy.... I'm thinking that you should donate the book, because I doubt it will ever be worth it !

I work in the Information Tech. group at my office which consists of mainly of nerdy guys who love this, Star Trek, Star Wars.... but I guess I always thought it was just them?? Did the book club like the book?

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

American Psycho. The absolute most vile, sickening trash I've ever had the misfortune of reading. Well, I actually read only parts of it, because it repulsed me so much I threw it out. I would not have that trash in my house.

 

[shamrock30]

"Sons and Lovers", "Suffer the Children" and "Flowers in the Attic". I read all of them years ago, but they are still embedded in my mind. Blech!!!!!

 

[PoohBearLovinMama]

I'd have to say the worst hands down for me was "The Electric Acid Kool-aid test" or something like that. Ugh, just plain awful. My Dh said it was a great book and he totally loved it. That book was so bad that I won't read anything else Dh recommends anymore.

 

[Planogirl]

Jonathan Livingston Seagull. English teachers adored this book when I was growing up and I hated it with a passion.

The House of Seven Gables. Interesting premise but who can fight their way through that book?

Moby Dick.

 

[2BigKIdz]

"Hannibal", the sequel to "The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris.

I'd waited for months for that book to come out, as I was a huge fan of "Silence" and Harris's other work. Preordered it from Amazon, and stayed up the entire night finishing it. What'd I get? (Possible spoilers):
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Killer mutant pigs, a sickening child predator with no lips and Clarice & Lechter as a couple!!!

Worst $$$ I've ever spent on a book.

I'll agree with this

 

[Sparx]

You are not alone!! I've tried several times myself over the years to understand why oh why so many enjoy this series, but the singing passages just drove me crazy.... I'm thinking that you should donate the book, because I doubt it will ever be worth it !

I LOVE that book. not much for the otehrs, but I knwo The Hobbit from cover to cover. I love the singing parts!