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Thank you ladies, Eat, Pray, Love had been on the edge of making it on to my TBR pile. Now I can toss it aside.

Love the Margaret & David commentary.:D

Dune by Frank Herbert. Horrific :)

Rosalind wrote: "Dune by Frank Herbert. Horrific :)"

LOL! You're going to stir up a bit of trouble with those fightin' words Rosalind.;D

Well we all have different tastes thankfully. :) I loved Dune but couldn't face the second book for some reason.

I think Mandy wanted to play the bad guy for a while. :)

Yes, I gave up on LP. I wanted to like it, and bits were funny, but no more mean stuff for me thank you. And tx from me too for the dis-rec. of Eat... so I'm not tempted by the hype.

Carmel wrote: "Laurel wrote: "Do try books..."

I certainly will Laurel, thanks.
In regards to the movies, I made sure I saw them at the cinema and they were epic, must say I fell madly in love with Viggo Mort..."

Oh, dear, Carmel, writing about the 'Ring' books makes me want to read them again. Maybe after Xmas. Laurel

As much as I luved the Lord of the Rings movies I found the books so hard to get into. I forced myself to read The Hobbit. But because it was small I managed to get through it. But The Fellowship of the Ring, I'm sorry but they hadn't even got to the inn before I put it down. He puts so much description into everything it's no wonder they had no problems making the movies.
Plus he told the story through his eyes. I like to live the stories through the characters view. Made it very hard.

A couple of years before The Lord of the Rings got big again, I bought a boxed set of the books for my eldest and tried - oh did I try! - to read the series. I got to the 3rd book, I think it was, before finally giving up. The story wasn't the problem so much as the length. Really, did it need to be that long?

Jenny wrote: "A couple of years before The Lord of the Rings got big again, I bought a boxed set of the books for my eldest and tried - oh did I try! - to read the series. I got to the 3rd book, I think it was, ..."

Wow, you got further than me. LOL. The descriptions were a bit long winded hey? Oh well, watching the movie was better anyway. LOL

I have to confess that I skipped the songs in LOTR.

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "I have to confess that I skipped the songs in LOTR."

Yes I think The Hobbit had a few too. I probably skipped them. Not really anything you need to read hey.

Angela wrote: "Yes I think The Hobbit had a few too. I probably skipped them. Not really anything you need to read hey."

I am not sure. It always nagged at the back of my mind that I might be missing something vital to the story, but I just couldn't bring myself to read more than the first verse and after a while, nothing. :)

I loved LOTR but it took me several goes over many years before I could finally get in to them. And I confess I skipped the songs also ... I mean, really! What was Tolkein thinking!

I currently have Path of Daggers - Book 8 of The Wheel of Time - rebuking me silently from my bedside bookshelf. I brought it up from the main bookshelf 2 weeks ago and still have not been brave enough to open it. Ha. It has moved house with us twice, as has Book 9, and I have never done more than crack open the first page ... It's been so long now that I doubt I will be able to recall who the minor characters are!

I have The Wheel of Time novels in my cupboard. I got up to book 10. But like you it was so long ago I read them I can't remember who the minor characters are and what their roles are. It will be a while before I break down and re-read them. But I know some day I will because I really want to know what happens to Rand, etc. It irked me back then to have to wait. LOL. I have the same problem with Katherine Kerrs Deverry Series. There are about 4 books in that one I haven't read, but again need to re-read to remember everything.

Jacinta wrote: "I struggle with anything written by Peter Carey I am sorry to say."

Peter Carey turned me off novels 25 years ago. It wasn't just what he wrote, but that he got so many acolates for them.

It took my teenage daughter insisting that I read some of what she was reading to get me back to novels.

I generally read fantasy, paranormal, urban and mostly YA. I usually try to finish books, but recently I put down 'Halo' ( boring boring boring, pathetic characters, insipid plot), and one I won't mention the name of. It was just so badly written that I couldn't bear it.

I skip long battle scenes and if there's too many then I drop it. Like Lord of the Rings book 2 and 3. Nah, couldn't go for it.

Also anything too miserable or painful - I want escape in a book, not more of the doom and gloom that fills our world.

I write what I want to read. Ch 1 is here

Tahlia wrote: "Jacinta wrote: "I struggle with anything written by Peter Carey I am sorry to say."

Peter Carey turned me off novels 25 years ago. It wasn't just what he wrote, but that he got so many acolates ..."

Which ones did she recommend. I read Bliss then Oscar and Lucinda about 20 years ago. The characters Oscar & Lucinda really got up my nose so I haven't read any Peter Cary since. I have purchased Parrot and Olivier in America but I am sort of dreading reading it. Maybe 20 years is enough time for my tastes to have changed enough to enjoy them now. My tastes have changed a lot in that time.

Jacinta wrote: "I struggle with anything written by Peter Carey I am sorry to say."
I agree, just cant get through his stuff. I did actually finish one of his books and wondered why I bothered.

Two books which come immediately to mind are The God of Small Things, and A Suitable Boy. I'm sure I've been disowned by anyone with a brain for not immediately appreciating these novels, but honestly I just cant do it, and I've tried.

I was interested to read your comments re: Halo, Tahlia. I read her first book, the one everyone raved about, and found it very ordinary. I'm very skeptical about this girl's talent given that she had 'help' with her first novel from her teacher mother / aunt. I'm willing to bet that if she'd been 41 instead of 14 the book would never have been picked up.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. I gave the novel three goes but it could not hold my concentration past the first chapter. I found it to be in the style of poorly written YA fiction. I do not understand the popularity of it at all. =/

Mandy wrote: "I wonder if it has something to do with when you're introduced to LOTR?"

You could be right, Mandy. I only started reading the Hobbit after I'd read a number of Terry Pratchett's books and the Hobbit was torture. I then got about 10 pages into LOTR before throwing it across the room. I might have enjoyed it if I hadn't already experienced the joy of reading good fantasy (contentious statement intended).

Murray wrote: "Mandy wrote: "I wonder if it has something to do with when you're introduced to LOTR?"
You could be right, Mandy. I only started reading the Hobbit after I'd read a number of [author:Terry Pratch..."

You are obviously a fan of Terry Pratchett's Murray. I just posted info in the Specfic thread and I'll repost it here. Terry Pratchett is coming out to Australia for a convention in 2011. Here are the details:

NULLUS ANXIETUS 3 � THE THIRD AUSTRALIAN DISCWORLD CONVENTION - featuring Terry Pratchett. 8�10 April, 2011. Venue: Panthers World of Entertainment, Mulgoa Road, Penrith, NSW. An excellent long weekend filled with fun, entertaining performances, fun, interesting discussions and wonderful people (and more fun). (Warning: May contain Terry Pratchett.)

Mandy wrote: "You are obviously a fan of Terry Pratchett's Murray. I just posted info in the Specfic thread and I'll repost it here. Terry Pratchett is coming out to Australia for a convention in 2011. Here are the details: "

Thanks Mandy!

Regan - a reader after me own heart! I found Twilight incredibly slow and sloppily written. I still can't see why it earned the success it did, though, of course, it's all about story rather than writing, isn't it, and the story is a classic one of forbidden love.

I'm pleased to report that Host is much more tightly written and shows that Meyer does actually have some literary talent.

My husband, 14 yo son, and I all enjoyed The Host. It's a quicker read than the size of the book would lead you to believe. Not pushing, just saying. :)

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "I have heard that Angels & Demons is a much better book. I just have sooooo many other books I would like to read, I couldn't be bothered going back. :)"

I read three chapters of it before I decided to give up. I just can't seem to stick to reading any of Dan Brown's books, however I really like the movies.

I read the whole of Angels & Demons on my father's recommendation (he thought I'd appreciate the take on religion) and would advise against it. I never read the first one, but it's hard to imagine it could be worse.

I have tried and failed twice with Vanity Fair and don't think I can bring myself to read another Peter Carey after True History of the Kelly Gangwhich I did finish but only because it was a bookgroup read. Couldn't get into The Bonfire of the Vanities either. I did finish The Catcher in the Rye but I really didn't get why it is so esteemed!

I also failed in my efforts to read some Turkish literature before I visited the country - I readMy Name Is Red with much difficulty and then tried Snow which I couldn't force myself through.

Sophie wrote: "another one i just cant seem to get through is Eat, Pray, Love.... had this book for over a year and still stuck on page 82... the author is so annoying and self-centered... it's reall..."

You didn't miss anything - she doesn't get any better!

Cathy wrote: "Sophie wrote: "another one i just cant seem to get through is Eat, Pray, Love.... had this book for over a year and still stuck on page 82... the author is so annoying and self-centere..."

Oh good to know ;) still on the shelf and still stuck on the same page ;)

Sophie wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Sophie wrote: "another one i just cant seem to get through is Eat, Pray, Love.... had this book for over a year and still stuck on page 82... the author is so annoying an..."
I did actually persevere with this book and wished I hadn't. The first part was the best part of the book - it deteriorated after that, so if you can't tolerate the beginning just leave it alone! By the end I'd had more than enough of the author.

That reminds me, thanks girls, I haven't taken Eat,Pray,Love off my TBR yet. :)

Give Host a go, Carmel. YOu'll be surprised. It's not only much better written than Twilight, but the story - essentially a love story with a huge twist - is far more involved.

Thanks Lynley. I do have another friend who loved and highly recommended it, maybe I'll give it a go...The TBR is so enormous at the moment. It might be a good summer read. :)

Anything by Leo Tolstoy!

Mandy wrote: "Anything by Leo Tolstoy!"
Hi Mandy!!

Anything like Tolstoy is hard enough with total concentration and lots of time for that.

I have been trying to read
The 900 Days: The Siege of Leningrad and brought the book along when I came to babysit my 11 week old granddaughter!! LOLOLOL What's worse, it is checked out of the library. Nothing like timeline pressure. I am very interested, but am going to have to return it and perhaps have a go at it some other time. My new grand baby is already spoiled rotten!! I am spending my entire day playing with her, so by time I lie down in the evening, I'm too exhausted to read. Not that I'm complaining!!!

It's funny the way people were talking about Dan Brown because about 6 years ago I was at a used bookstore in Holbrook looking for books by him, and the owner accidently gave me books by Dale Brown instead. Turns out I loved the Dale Brown ones and did't really like the Dan Brown ones.
I can't read the classics like Pride and Prejudice because I find them incredibly boring. Same with LOTR and The Hobbit. Loved Narnia though :)

Pam wrote: "Mandy wrote: "Anything by Leo Tolstoy!"
Hi Mandy!!
Anything like Tolstoy is hard enough with total concentration and lots of time for that. I have been trying to read [book:The 900 D..."

Thanks for the advice Pam. I might try them again when I'm retired. Sounds like your little granddaughter is keeping you on your toes.:)

The book I struggled to make it through was Wild Swans. I would start and stop and not read for a while..Then it started to bug me that I hadn't finished it. So I properly sat down and read but my mind often wondered while I was reading.

The Golden Bowl -- not only did I not care about the characters, after a while I began actively disliking several!

Wishful wrote: "I know I'm probably in a class of my own, but is there anyone else who absolutely hated the Harry Potter series?"

I've not read any of the books, nor seen any of the films, nor do I plan on doing either.

I actually have a rule now that if I start book, I finish it.

I made this rule because I half-read Pride and Prejudice twice, which I realised is the same amount of reading as reading it once. So the third time I made myself read the whole thing and aboslutely loved it.

So now I finish each book. This has been a struggle with some. In response to the actual topic of this thread, these are the ones I've been to stupid or to stubborn to keep reading when I wanted to throw them across the room:

Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse (yes, I went back for more, twice)
All three The Lord of the Rings before each movie came out. I had attempted The Hobbit during high school and gave up fairly quickly.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (will NOT be reading the others in this series!!)

I'm glad others have confirmed my fears of starting Eat, Pray, Love. This is one I have definitely decided not to start!

I also recently read Jane Eyre which I did struggle with at times. But I didn't dislike it or anything, it just took some effort!

I had thought sometimes it's the actual size of the book that can make you struggle... Just looking at it, or lifting it up, can cause some concern... But then it seems a lot have given up on Wuthering Heights and that's quite a short book. What do you think?

Carmel wrote: "Emma wrote: "I made this rule because I half-read Pride and Prejudice twice, which I realised is the same amount of reading as reading it once...."

That is hilarious Emma!"

Hilarious indeed!!

I have done the same thing with The Great Gatsby

Emma wrote: "I actually have a rule now that if I start book, I finish it.

I made this rule because I half-read Pride and Prejudice twice, which I realised is the same amount of reading as reading..."

LOL Girl With The Dragon Tatoo had the same effect on me. I REALLY wanted to throw the stupid book across the room. I thought it was going to be a series enjoyed buuuut I was horribly wrong.

I've read little bits of eat,pray, love and it's on my Summer challenge list. She does seem to drone on about 'how her life is terrible' and doesn't seem to look at the bigger picture. But I WILL get through that book..lol

Any books on my summer reading list that present too much of a challenge will get immediately tossed aside. :P

Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Any books on my summer reading list that present too much of a challenge will get immediately tossed aside. :P"

Hi Gail!! Is that because summer is nearly over in Australia???:~)

Ha no Pam. Summer is only just beginning. I am just not sure how I am going to get through the 10 books needed to meet the summer reading challenge. Especially if I get stuck on one. :)

Laura, did you persist with Dragon Tattoo? Because it really is a very slow to take off book - but worth it once you get through the first 200 or so pages :)

I enjoyed the Italy and India sections of Eat, Pray Love but Bali drove me nuts. It was a nice untaxing read - good for a flight or a beach read.

@Bluesky- Sadly not..I still didn't enjoy it after the 200 pages. I just have a hard time stop reading a book that I paid money for, call that crazy..lol Plus I thought 'it will get better' but for me it didn't, not until the end..lol Is the rest of the series any better? :o

Overal Eat,Pray, Love looks like it will be a light read? But I could be wrong.

I did a lot of 'skimming' with Eat, Pray, Love...:)