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What popular books did you really not enjoy?

Anyone else here stumbled across a popular book they just couldn't get into or enjoy?

I recently struggled with The Martian by Andy Weir. I just could not connect or grow to like the protagonist, or care about him, which in turn sucked all the suspense out of the book and thus the enjoyment. Disappointing because I could see what a great idea for a book it was - I just couldn't get into it. Glad so many other people enjoyed it though!

What about you?

8 years ago by TiffanyAching with 22 comments

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  • Twnpnews
    +5

    I couldn't get into Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson, was too slow of a read for me.

    • smokedhuman
      +1

      I too tried reading Snow Crash and couldn't get past the first few pages. The audio book however was great.

  • Ralid
    +3

    Again, and again I try reading "Fahrenheit 451" but each time the story just soon becomes boring and sour. Maybe I just need to wait a bit and see.

  • theykilledkenni
    +3

    The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkings. I had a hard time liking the main character and the ending felt rushed.

    • nsp
      +3

      I just finished this and I agree. I had the same response to Gone Girl as well. I didn't like any of the characters in either book but was intrigued enough to finish it.

      • theykilledkenni
        +2

        I really enjoyed Gone Girl actually. The story was pretty captivating for me.

  • merz
    +3

    Brave New World and 1984 just didn't do it for me.

    • spoderman
      +2

      I agree on Brave New World. I think the entire setting of the book is very exaggerated and I couldn't relate to any of the characters.

    • TiffanyAching
      +2

      Ditto on Brave New World. I didn't hate 1984 but I don't have any lingering attachment to it either. Interesting concepts but didn't quite hit the spot otherwise.

  • Bubbles
    +3

    The Old Man and the Sea felt like an acceptable alternative to a prison sentence. The writing was of course superb, but I felt bored to tears and was rooting for the sharks by the end.

  • nsp
    +2

    Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I just couldn't get into it and abandoned it a few times before giving the book away.

    • spoderman
      +2

      I have never read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but I read both sequels an really liked them. I think Stieg Larsson writes in a way that kin of forces you to either like the story or dislike the entire book, the actual characters are, in my opinion, not very deep.

  • spoderman
    +2

    Twilight. I just couldn't make sense of why some people like this series so much, I gave up after 20 pages or so.

  • Muffintop
    +2

    I just finished reading the Silkworm by JK Rowling and I must say that I was somewhat disappointed. For me, it lacked elegance, the characters seemed somewhat underdeveloped (Pippa, for example) and plain. I know she can do much better, for example, I loved the characters of The Casual Vacancy (even though she struggled ending the book).

  • phiguru
    +2

    I feel like a traitor for writing this but.... The Hobbit.

    I liked LoTR, I like lots of other epic fantasy, but I just get exhausted by The Hobbit every time I try to read it.

  • cmagnificent
    +2

    The Harry Potter series never really resonated with me the same way it seems to have resonated with others. I can't stand The Grapes of Wrath but like a lot of other Steinbeck. Never really enjoyed Jane Austen. I just kind of feel that all her themes were done better in Vanity Fair. I dislike a lot of Kerouac. I used to have an infatuation with the beats, but that's waned significantly in the intervening years.

    I suppose I'm a bit of curmudgeon.

  • dancesaway
    +2

    The Sound and the Fury just couldn't get passed how difficult it is to read. It was more or less a challenge from someone close to me. Another which I do enjoy reading but haven't been in the right mind to read is Crime and Punishment.

  • Gozzin
    +1

    Red Mars..I could not get through the first book. Dune. I also could not finish it. I watched the movie,hoping it would be better,but it was not. .Sad to say,I prefer sf,but I'm picky. I have the same approach to protagonists in books. If I don't care about the protagonist, I cannot enjoy the book. Also,if protagonists get offed ,that stops me pretty fast as well.