Have you ever been 'beaten' by a book? - Page 4

StewieH · 12-29-2009, 05:35 AM

For me the only book so far that has beaten me is James Herbert's ' Sepulchre' , great author ( much better than King imho),
one of my favourites but that book has me beaten , tho ill probably go back to it and try again shortly

kennyc · 12-29-2009, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiona

I've also been defeated by Ulysses. I'm thinking of trying again in the new year, but this time I'll be having a few drinks before I start...

Good plan you might even want to keep it up as you read.

FlorenceArt · 12-29-2009, 07:02 AM

You know, I have also read that first sentence in Ulysses several times... but my problem is not the book, it's that I have read or heard so often that it's unreadable, I am convinced from the start that I won't manage it and I give up after a few sentences. That's not being beaten by a book, just by a book's reputation

I really must try harder

dzcowart · 12-29-2009, 07:52 AM

"That Hideous Strength" by C. S. Lewis, It is the third book in his "Out of the Silent Planet" Series. I always found it difficult to get through the first half of the book. I did eventually finish it though, but it was the first book to ever thwart my attempts at reading. (and I've read the DOS 5.0 Manual cover to cover... I may have issues.)

pshrynk · 12-29-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzcowart

"That Hideous Strength" by C. S. Lewis, It is the third book in his "Out of the Silent Planet" Series. I always found it difficult to get through the first half of the book. I did eventually finish it though, but it was the first book to ever thwart my attempts at reading. (and I've read the DOS 5.0 Manual cover to cover... I may have issues.)

I pencil you into my schedule. How's last Tuesday for you?

jaxx6166 · 12-30-2009, 07:53 PM

Most 18th - 19th century literature. Especially the "classics" by Jane Austen et al. I always just kind of go into a catatonic state. Mainly the reason why I'm probably one of the few people to get excited for PD books.

I've also been thoroughly beaten by Acacia and just about every Dean Koontz release over the past 3 years. And lately, it's been other books that I loved in my childhood but just couldn't go through any more as an adult. :/

Acacia beat me within the first ten pages. Infodump = bad karma.

JSWolf · 12-30-2009, 08:39 PM

I did read King Solomon's Mines and was put off by some of the attitudes of the time. Enough so that I have not read the second book in the series.

jaxx6166 · 12-30-2009, 08:51 PM

OT/ but it looks like several books beat your avatar.

JSWolf · 12-30-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxx6166

OT/ but it looks like several books beat your avatar.

I think my avatar may have eaten several books.

WT Sharpe · 12-31-2009, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camino real

I can't tell you how many times I've started Joyce's Ulysses. ...

That's the one. Hard to read a kazillion page stream of consciousness epic that sounds like it was written by a English Literature Professor on acid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by camino real

I've read the first volume of Proust's epic but didn't go any further. I must try harder with great literature!

I read the first volume also. The following volumes are hard to find in e-book form, last time I checked.

WT Sharpe · 12-31-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobile Mason

War and Peace...I get through the first five pages before moving on to something else.

War and Peace is a long journey, but well-worth the trip.

montsnmags · 12-31-2009, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

That's the one. Hard to read a kazillion page stream of consciousness epic that sounds like it was written by a English Literature Professor on acid.
I read the first volume also. The following volumes are hard to find in e-book form, last time I checked.

I bought all volumes of In Search Of Lost Time, Modern Library mobipocket versions (Kilmartin/Enright translations) from Mobipocket direct for about AUS$30. Yet to start them, but if I have any resolution for 2010 it's that.

I'm unsure about the availability of the more recent Penguin translations.

Cheers,
Marc

nikkie · 12-31-2009, 03:06 AM

The Silmarillion. Had no trouble getting through Lord of the Rings, but...The Silmarillion was a wreck.

FlorenceArt · 12-31-2009, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxx6166

Acacia beat me within the first ten pages. Infodump = bad karma.

That doesn't count. Infodump = badly written book. It can't beat you, just bore you and waste your time

khalleron · 12-31-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshrynk

Godel, Escher, Bach, an Eternal Golden Braid by eric Hofstadter. I resolve to read it once a year and get so far and then stop. Maybe if it were in e-book... Yeah, that's it, I'll wait for the e-book!

I actually read that one!

Quite a while ago, so I don't remember much about it except the concept that you can't prove everything within a system by what's in the system.

I do recall it being quite a brain-twister, but I enjoy that kind of thing.

The book that keeps 'beating' me is Moby Dick. I really, really, really do not like the characters. Maybe someday I'll make another run at it.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
US Kindle free book: Outta the bag [SHORT STORY ONLY - NOT ENTIRE BOOK]	greencat	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	1	08-22-2010 09:42 AM
Free book - Smashwords - The Book of Adam: Autobiography of the First Human Clone	Purple Lady	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	13	08-20-2010 04:35 AM
Google Book Settlement Site Is Up; Paying Authors $60 Per Scanned Book	yagiz	News	8	04-26-2009 01:43 AM
FREE BOOK: Nate: Devils on Horseback Book 1 by Beth Williamson (Kindle)	daffy4u	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	5	07-16-2008 06:15 PM
Font Size of Sony 505 Proprietary Books Vary From Book to Book!	crusader666	Sony Reader	14	01-13-2008 07:47 PM

12-29-2009, 05:35 AM	#46
StewieH Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Falkirk, Central Scotland Device: sony prs-300 silver	For me the only book so far that has beaten me is James Herbert's ' Sepulchre' , great author ( much better than King imho), one of my favourites but that book has me beaten , tho ill probably go back to it and try again shortly

12-29-2009, 07:02 AM	#48
FlorenceArt High Priestess Posts: 5,761 Karma: 5042529 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreuil sous bois, France Device: iPad Pro 9.7, iPhone 6 Plus	You know, I have also read that first sentence in Ulysses several times... but my problem is not the book, it's that I have read or heard so often that it's unreadable, I am convinced from the start that I won't manage it and I give up after a few sentences. That's not being beaten by a book, just by a book's reputation I really must try harder

12-29-2009, 07:52 AM	#49
dzcowart Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: PRS600	"That Hideous Strength" by C. S. Lewis, It is the third book in his "Out of the Silent Planet" Series. I always found it difficult to get through the first half of the book. I did eventually finish it though, but it was the first book to ever thwart my attempts at reading. (and I've read the DOS 5.0 Manual cover to cover... I may have issues.)

12-30-2009, 07:53 PM	#51
jaxx6166 Wizard Posts: 1,222 Karma: 769316 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eternal summer Device: 350, iPad, PW	Most 18th - 19th century literature. Especially the "classics" by Jane Austen et al. I always just kind of go into a catatonic state. Mainly the reason why I'm probably one of the few people to get excited for PD books. I've also been thoroughly beaten by Acacia and just about every Dean Koontz release over the past 3 years. And lately, it's been other books that I loved in my childhood but just couldn't go through any more as an adult. :/ Acacia beat me within the first ten pages. Infodump = bad karma.

12-30-2009, 08:39 PM	#52
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,796 Karma: 146391129 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I did read King Solomon's Mines and was put off by some of the attitudes of the time. Enough so that I have not read the second book in the series.

12-30-2009, 08:51 PM	#53
jaxx6166 Wizard Posts: 1,222 Karma: 769316 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eternal summer Device: 350, iPad, PW	OT/ but it looks like several books beat your avatar.

12-31-2009, 03:06 AM	#58
nikkie Guru Posts: 614 Karma: 73700 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: WA, USA Device: Android, Kindle Paperwhite, lots of ancient readers	The Silmarillion. Had no trouble getting through Lord of the Rings, but...The Silmarillion was a wreck.