Thursday, September 25, 2008

Well, That was different!


What was the most unusual (for you) book you ever read? Either because the book itself was completely from out in left field somewhere, or was a genre you never read, or was the only book available on a long flight… whatever? What (not counting school textbooks, though literature read for classes counts) was furthest outside your usual comfort zone/familiar territory?
And, did you like it? Did it stretch your boundaries? Did you shut it with a shudder the instant you were done? Did it make you think? Have nightmares? Kick off a new obsession?
I think one of the most unusual books that I have ever read was "The Grapes of Wrath". Ok, so this book is not unusual, but for some reason I really enjoyed this book and it has become one of my favorites over the years. It was not something I would have normally read, but then it was one of Oprah's choices and I just picked it up one day. I am glad I read it since I am not normally a classics reader, but it really opened me up to the classics and most of them I enjoy. I enjoy reading most classics and I love historical fiction!

On that note, one book that I read that was unusual for me was "Sense and Sensabiltiy". I hated this book. Sorry all you Austen fans out there, but I just could not read it. It put me to sleep, I would shudder every time I went to pick it up. Unfortunately, it was for a book club, and while I finished it, I will never read it again!
PS: Almost to 100 posts! Keep an eye out for a giveaway!

12 comments:

Paula said...

I love the classics and decided I REALLY should read Ben Hur. I loved the movie....who wouldn't? Charlton Heston-sigh.

Anyway, I couldn't get through the first chapter. Very strange, because I've always devoured books and LOVE classics. Oh well, maybe I'll just watch the movie again!!! LOL

SmilingSally said...

I agree; Grapes of Wrath is an excellent read.

Congratulations on climbing to #100. Come visit to see my answer. Happy BTT!

The DO said...

I have to admit that I didn't care for Jane Eyre. I know, it's suppose to be great and all... But Jane is such a weak main character, always standing there, letting life happen to her. As I was told that she was a "strong female character" I expected something entirely different!

I don't have near as much time to read as I use to so I tend to stick with my old favorites when I have a spare moment. My collection tends to be sci-fi/fantasy so I think there are a lot of people that would think my books are strange!

jlshall said...

I hated Pride and Prejudice the first time I read it, in high school. But years later I gave it another try and it became one of my favorite books. So maybe someday you'll revisit Jane Austen's works and feel differently about them.

Congrats on getting to 100! Seemed like it took me forever to get there.

Stephanie said...

I loved The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger even though it was a mandatory read in High School.

I HATED The Sphere by Michael Crichton, ugh so painful even to remember.

Anna M. said...

I really love to read, and I'm racking my brain to think of a book that I didn't enjoy, but I can't think of one...I can think of several movies, though! =)

Anonymous said...

I love classics! But, I too must admit to finding it a bit hard to stay awake when reading Jane Austen :-)

The most boring classic I ever tried to read, however, was Crime and Punishment. I've tried to read it on several occasions, but can't seem to get past the first 150 pages or so... Just not my cup of tea, I suppose.

Anonymous said...

I'd have to say The Republic was the one book that I made myself read that I never really got into. Other than that all the unusual reads were from school assignments. There is one from a college course that I regret ever reading. It was a poem and I disliked it so much that I wont even bother looking up the title.

Granny Lyn said...

Moby Dick was the one that put me to sleep! I still have never gotten through that book, and I am ashamed!

Also, anything by Virginia Woolf, she writes backwords and it soooo confuses me!

Carol in Sweden said...

You won't believe this...but I JUST FINISHED READING The Grapes of Wrath today!!!! It was the book my bookclub read last month but I hadn't finished reading it because I got a late start due to another book I was reading over the summer!...anyway..I told my hubby today that I wasn't getting up off the couch until I finished my book! I LOVED IT....embarrassed to say that I had never read it before although I remember my HS English teacher reading Chp. 3 about the turtle to us back in 1978, I think! Anyway...it is such a POWERFUL STORY! It will certainly make me consider the way I treat people of all backgrounds..the "human-ness" of us all! It's now one of my favorites and I want to read some more Steinbeck!

PERFUME was a book that went out of my comfort zone...but I really enjoyed it!

SPICE enticed me with anticipation of a "good book" but failed me miserably...I couldn't barely get through the first chapter! Too much like a text book...although the topic is fascinating!

jacquie said...

my son has turned me on to christopher moore's books, fluke, the sequined love nun, and my favorites, bloodsucking fiends and you suck. can you believe those titles? he pushed me to read the first one and i was hooked. a totally off the wall quirky sense of humor, but a fun read.

Lynn said...

I am ashamed to say I could not read Cold Mountain - I tried twice and I just couldn't get into it. Like 32point5 I read Catcher in the Rye when I was young and hated it. One of my kids had it for highschool recently and I reread it. What a difference 25 years makes - cause I loved it. To read it from a parent's perspective was so different. Poor Holden so sad because his brother died.