Books you couldn't bear to finish.

[Leto]

Originally Posted by hodor

The Talisman is also one of my favorite King books.

IMO it's more a Straub book than a King book, but yes it's a great read.

[Estelthea]

I always used to read the whole book, no matter how dreadful it was until I became serious about studying literature and now have shelves full of unread books that I was supposed to study but sometimes never even opened (Charles Dickens usually)! Although I did read some really good stuff at university that I might never have discovered otherwise.

The only fantasy I can think of that I did not finish in the recent past was Stephen Donaldson, I managed the first but I'm still stuck half way through The Illearth War and I doubt I will ever go back and finish it! I have a copy of A Wizard of Earthsea somewhere that I tried to read a few times when I was younger but I want to dig that out and give it another go.

[L'Aile]

Sounds like this entire thread could be a case study for "variance in taste and esthetics in modern literature" .

I, alas, am one of the incompetent and self-abusing individuals that feels compelled to finish any book I start. It gives me an advantage, though--I know what types of books/authors I enjoy, and what turns me off!

I've read myself around the world, and for the life of me...sorry to all you fans...I can't understand the appeal of the "stream-of-consciousness" James Joyce generation. Am I alone?

[dwndrgn]

Originally Posted by L'Aile

I've read myself around the world, and for the life of me...sorry to all you fans...I can't understand the appeal of the "stream-of-consciousness" James Joyce generation. Am I alone?

You are not alone - I'm right there with you.

[a|one]

Elminster in Hell / dont quite remember who wrote this but it just couldnt hold my attention.

Sword of Shanara / This guy should never be allowed to write again, I swear he must have just decided to use every possible cliche he could and pack it all into one book. I remember being very dissapointed because the person who lent it to me thought it was simply amazing.

[Heresy]

I just put down "Mage Lord: The Awakening" By Thomas K. Martin because it was the most boorish pile of crap that I could no longer subject myself to. Was filled with too little description, poor characterizaton (if ANY) and simply carried on as if the author couldn't properly introduce each following scene. I do not know if I can ever pick it up - thank god it was used to begin with.

[Kai]

I couldn't bear to finish Fellowship of the Ring.

I suppose it's weird someone saying that, but i must say it didn't grab me and i didn't like it. I found the hobbit a short but entertaining read .. the Lord of the Rings though hmmm, maybe i'm ill

[Heather]

Wow, I loved the Lord of the Ring's series. People definitely have different tastes. I didn't like "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" while it's one of my husband's favorite series. On the other hand, my husband thought the Pern series was too emotional (therefore hard to enjoy and boring after the first book). I loved the Pern series by McAffrey, and I wish she'd write more.

[tonic]

On The Road By: Jack Kerouac

Well I shouldn't put this here because I'm not done reading it but his style is just so hard to get used to. Plus a friend told me that you think it will get better and it doesn't, so that put me off. Though believe me, I am trying, I'm about halfway and I read like 3 pages a day lol.

[Neon]

I don't know if anyone else said this (I was lazy and didn't read through all the posts), but back in high school we were FORCED to read "Scarlet Letter." While I did end up reading the entire book, it was one I had little love for.