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

[bntlyclg89]

The worst book I ever read was Great Expectations.

However I have a list of book where I made it up to the 3rd chapter or so and thought, I am not wasting any more of my time on this stuff! In no order of importance:

Beowulf-- I see I'm not alone there
The Niebenlungenlied---I got a 47 on the test and that was a miracle
The Oldest Living Confederate Widow tells All--My BF and I agree it was a marketing ploy and no one ever really read it!

As a side note the BEST book I was ever forced to read (thanks SHHS) was All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren

 

[LindsayDunn228]

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!!!!!

This is hysterical. This was one of the first movies I got through Netflix. It literally took me all day to watch because I kept having to take breaks. Whew, the movie wore me out!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

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.

Tee hee, have you seen the movie? It's pretty bad!! BUUUUUT, Christian Bale plays the main role. Yummy!

 

[lemondog]

She's Come Undone - Everyone raved about this book and how this male author wrote women so well. ***? Worst book EVER!

OMG, I ADORE that book! It was my all-time favorite until I read Memoirs of a Geisha recently, which has become my new favorite. Still, I loved this book. I thought Wally Lamb did a great job!

We Were the Mulvaney's - the last Oprah book I tried to read. AWFUL, truly awful. So depressing it made you want to slit your wrist.

I totally agree with this one. I could not even finish the book. Oprah really does like depressing books. Remember Book of Ruth? TOTALLY depressing!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Leondog, I loved She's Come Undone too. I thought I was the only one

 

[ericamanda01]

Now I know it's a classic but I hated 1984. I think it had to do with the fact that it was trying to be realistic, but I had a hard time buying into the fact that everyone would give up their freedom. And then there was the ending, come on! I had to read it for an english lit class last term, after I was done I wrote the paper and saved it just in case I have another teacher who assigns it. But I threw the book away.

 

[suzannen]

I positively hated Ian McEwan's "Atonement." When I finished, it was the first book in my life that I actually threw away in the garbage.

 

[WDWMom]

Lord of the Flies

 

[Jennasis]

In no particluar order (because they were all equally terrible)

"Dragon Riders of Pern" Anne McCaffrey. Possibly the worst author ever. Her writing style is truly un readable. The very first paragraph actually made me laugh out loud...and it ain't a comedy.

"Beloved" Toni Morrison. Sorry Oprah. Nothing I like more than a book about non stop oppression and creepiness. Blech....

"Great Expectation" Dickens. Now that title is about as misleading as it gets!

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

I hated "The Things They Carried."

 

[Galahad]

Carl Sagan's The Dragons of Eden.

And I'm probably going to be majorly flamed for this - but The Purpose Driven Life. I thought it was horrible crap - and not just horrible crap, but horrible self promoting, buy my stuff crap.

I'll join you in getting flamed. I was very disappointed in The Purpose Driven Life. Most denominations have rejected the doctrine of predestination. This book was a strange mix of predestination and Dr. Phil. Ug.

I also agree about Sagan's books - other than "Cosmos" they were pretty weak.

 

[FergieTCat]

"Find Me" by Rosie O'Donnell.

Also, most of Danielle Steele's books from the past 5 years. I like her earlier books, her later ones are either strange or too formulaic.

 

[debaudrn]

Bridges of Madison County. I'm so glad others didn't like this book. I thaought I was the only one. All my friends loved it. YUCK!!!

Wicked. I slugged through this because I was going to NYC to see the musical. Loved the musical, hated the book.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I'll join you in getting flamed. I was very disappointed in The Purpose Driven Life. Most denominations have rejected the doctrine of predestination. This book was a strange mix of predestination and Dr. Phil. Ug.

Ohhhhhhhh you read my mind. This was an awful book. Not to mention all the things I dislike about the author. *shudder*

 

[jennobrn01]

I have been a great fan of Patricia Cornwell (and her character Dr. Kay Scarpetta)

BUT

Her last several Scarpetta books have been terrible. The last one I read (I've forgotten the name...it had a green cover) was a trial. I was furious at the author and the character.

I agree too that "Isle of Dogs" by Cornwell was awful.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Tee hee, have you seen the movie? It's pretty bad!! BUUUUUT, Christian Bale plays the main role. Yummy!

I couldn't, I just couldn't! LOL, which made for an interesting argument because DH wanted to. So when I was out with friends one night he rented it despite my warnings that it was sure to be bad simply because what it was based on.

I came home and asked him what he thought. He grumbled, "You were right." HA!

 

[mom2rb]

The book of Shadows by James Reese. This had to be the worst book ever.

 

[CanBeGrumpy]

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?

I'm not sure if the other members of the book club liked the book---I didn't go to that discussion because I was so embarrassed that I didn't read the book!!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't like that book, and you're right, I probably should just donate the book to the library or something!!

 

[OceanAnnie]

Leondog, I loved She's Come Undone too. I thought I was the only one

I really liked that book too.

 

[themepark]

I'll join you in getting flamed. I was very disappointed in The Purpose Driven Life. Most denominations have rejected the doctrine of predestination. This book was a strange mix of predestination and Dr. Phil. Ug.
[/QUOTE]

I am glad to see I am not the only one. I read it and was even involved in a discussion group where everyone loved the book and claimed to have benefitted from it. I tried and tried but hated every minute of it. I think I rolled my eyes every other page or so.