The 10 Worst Books

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

So... did they kick you out because you let the Cross touch the floor?


I was raised in the Bysantine faith, kind of like Russian Orthodox. Does it show?

I guarantee you she never let the cross touch the floor.

Her body would have never been found............

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by pshrynk

This isn't the llounge? How did I get here?

Sure ain't the lounge, there's no bar.

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by tompe

Dow you say that they do not realize that terms like magic and witches can have different meaning depending on context? I do not really believe that you can be upset by the actual word and not care about the meaning of the word.

Being I am not a fundamentalist (I am a Catholic), I can't comment on what they believe. That being said, I suspect that they know there is a difference; they are worried that some of their children might not fully understand the difference (And some, like Jack Chick, actually do seem to believe that there is a difference).

In any case, all I am saying here is that all too often, I see people attack groups they disagree with, essentially claiming the people they disagree with are insincere (for example, they are just doing it because they enjoy exercising power); in reality, I think they are sincere. It doesn't mean I agree with them, I just think it is unfair and indeed dangerous not to take their beliefs seriously.

--
Bill

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by tompe

I did not finish Atlas Shrugged. It was bad fiction. I stopped just before John Galt's speech. The setup to the speech was just extremely badly written and not convincing. What I do not get is people thinking this book is good fiction literature.

I think the premise lends itself to not being convincing.

[voidIndigo]

Originally Posted by Taylor514ce

Amazon Search, keywords: Dune Brian Herbert.

WHAT??? Burn the heretic! Burn him!! BURN HIM!!! Trow him to the worms!!!

The pre-sequel books, by Brian Herbert, tough, I couldn't agree more. Who knows? Maybe it is one of those things that leaps a generation...

About Dan Brown: I had a blast when people started commenting that his "new" books (Digital Fortress, Angels and Demons, etc.) were not as good as his "first", The DaVinci Code.

Brazil´s Trojan horse to the world: Paulo Coelho! Sorry about that, folks. I mean it.

And talking about trojan horses, I don't know if you ever heard of Juan José Benitez (J.J. Benitez), a spanish writer that writes an (seemly) unending saga about the REAL life of Jesus Christ called Operation Trojan Horse (I didn't find it in english - could you be that lucky?). The movie The Passion of Jesus Christ is totally based in the first one, but there are 7 more, all gore-free and full of warm-fuzzy-god-love. When I got to the third and found a footnote that lasted 5 pages, quoting almost directly from the previous 2 books, I gave up. He also keeps hinting about what he will write after, so when you got there, it really isn't THAT new. And they are not subtle hints, I think he invented the first auto-spoiler book ever!

Finally (I wish!), here in Brazil there is a thriving market of "espírita" (something like channeling, I think) books. Basically, people die and start writing like crazy through "mediuns"! Ghost writing in reverse. Or the real deal!

Believe me, dying is not good for your prose. Or style. Or plain writing, in my opinion.

Recently, I got one that described an enlighting journey to the Dark Abyss, where wrong-doers (not sinners, that's important!) suffer. In the journey, the author is guided by an Ascended Spirit (not a writer!). They go into the depths of Earth, where is dark (so the Dark Abyss, you see). They encounter a Guardian (not three-headed!), they pass through a series of places (not layers!) where every wrong-doing (not sin!) suffer a specific suffering. I wish I could tell you more, but then I got really busy (). I wonder what they would do if they found Dante... And the language he used!!! What a pompous ass!! Fortunately(!), he didn't dare using poetry.

My mother often told me about a book which would translate as "The pale gold mare". She never passed page 18 before sleeping.

I think that's it.

[]´s

void Indigo

[Seant018]

I think I am guilty of putting too much research into what I am going to read haha. It is close to impossible for me to make a list of the 10 worst books I have read because I research too much, and if a book is not what I expected/wanted, I put it down and forget about it :P

There have been a series or two that I have read that just wouldn't end, to the point where the quality of the books declined greatly (Wheel of Time and Sword of Truth.) Both series had really great moments throughout the books though, which makes it hard for me to consider them "bad" books. Granted, I haven't read the last few books of either series.

If I had to absolutely say a book I thought was the worst I have read, it would be Ulysses by James Joyce. I would hate to step on any toes here with my negative comments about the book so I will only say that I hated the stream of conscious writing style. I also hate the fact that it is considered one of the greatest books ever written. I don't consider this book a mark of intelligence at all, and I don't care if you have or have not read it.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by Seant018

I think I am guilty of putting too much research into what I am going to read haha. It is close to impossible for me to make a list of the 10 worst books I have read because I research too much, and if a book is not what I expected/wanted, I put it down and forget about it :P

There have been a series or two that I have read that just wouldn't end, to the point where the quality of the books declined greatly (Wheel of Time and Sword of Truth.) Both series had really great moments throughout the books though, which makes it hard for me to consider them "bad" books. Granted, I haven't read the last few books of either series.

If I had to absolutely say a book I thought was the worst I have read, it would be Ulysses by James Joyce. I would hate to step on any toes here with my negative comments about the book so I will only say that I hated the stream of conscious writing style. I also hate the fact that it is considered one of the greatest books ever written. I don't consider this book a mark of intelligence at all, and I don't care if you have or have not read it.

I think you should voice your opinions, and if you step on toes then so be it. If some reader's toes are that sensitive, then they should wear boots or else avoid this thread.

There's a world of difference in saying what you think (offering your opinions and/or offering supporting evidence for your stated belief) and offering insulting remarks to someone.

I would encourage everyone reading this thread to offer his or her opinion. That's what this thread is about. Just because I think "Ulysses" is a work of genius in NO WAY invalidates your opinion.

Your thoughts are just as important as my thoughts or anyone else's thoughts, for that matter.

Don

[MelC]

I'll leap in with my list.

1. Million Tiny Pieces - I know it was well loved but seriously? The writing style was abominable and amateurish and, in particular don't keep capitalizing terms that don't have any special significance - it's annoying and distracting. And as for the story, didn't like him, wasn't impressed with his rock bottom to rock star rise and still think he's a jerk (and an exaggerater if not an outright liar actually). Yeah, I realize over the top but it is just my personal opinion - he rubbed me the wrong way. I think there are better drug rehab stories out there.

2. The Game - actually pretty much everything I said about Million Tiny Pieces applies here. Don't ask me why I picked it up... Insanity driven by incredulity and the dangerous side of curiousity.

3. The Da Vinci Code - I definitely came out on the "not" side of the "hot or not" poll on this one. Picked it up during its glory days in the uber expensive illustrated edition which gathered dust until I guilted myself into reading it. I found it insulting to everyone's intelligence - from the purported learned academics serving as the main characters, to one of the greatest minds in history and finally to the reader. I like easy reads but something about the fictionalized intellectualism not ringing true in this book really sat badly with me.

4. Tuesday's with Morrie - I am a weeper, I weep at Hallmark commercials, overly adorable pictures of puppies and commercials with starving kids in Africa. It's a cross and I bear it. I didn't weep over Morrie. I also didn't understand why someone needed to write a 200 page book around the idea that people should take time to stop and smell the flowers...well, duh.

5. Emotional/Lifestyle self help books a la Secret - Also, on the well, duh theme. Plus I personally get a little defensive (okay a lot defensive) at anyone trying to tell me that their life and their choices are better than mine. Maybe for them but I'm actually pretty happy about mine. This also prevents me from reading any list that ends with " ... before you die". I'll make up my own mind thanks.

6. Shopaholic books. Seriously? The character is completely unlikeable. Want to smack her in fact.

7. Anything by Nicholas Sparks - Not saying his writing style is bad but, to explain how I feel let me describe a conversation I had with my friend before she dragged me off to see Nights in Rodanthe. Friend: "Wouldn't it be romantic to have someone like Nicholas Sparks for a husband?" Me (always contrary..sorry it's my nature): "Does that mean it would be horrifying to have Stephen King for a husband?...But seriously, Nicholas Sparks would be a horrible husband if his books were anything to go by. The man is sadistic or masochistic or both and loves nothing better than to rip apart a happy couple and kill off one of them in some horrifying manner leaving the other to stumble about forever more grieving for their lost love. Stop it already. No more. (And yes I wept in Nights in Rodanthe but it's a physical condition...I can't control it and I still hate him).

8. Not Wanted on the Voyage - read this for school and it just left a bad taste in my mouth. Something about it made me feel icky and not in a "Wow. That author really opened my eyes up to something" way.

JMO

Mel

[escapetacoma]

Originally Posted by bookwormfjl

Here are some of the worst that I have read!

Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
read it for a book club and no one liked it!

The Magic Circle by Katherine Neville
The Eight was good but she fell flat on her face with this one.

Harry Potter past #4

Wheel of Time Series

Sword of Truth Series
maybe I'm not as big a fantasy fan as I thought I was..........

Ten-Four on The Gor!

Anything Shannara

I haven't read The Magic Circle and given my agreement with you on the others you list I probably won't

Additional:
Anything I've tried by Faulkner. I understand he's important but I detest his prose. Maybe if I'd read it in high school instead of when I was in my 30's?

Ditto Hemingway. Out of curiousity, I wonder if it's possible for someone to enjoy both Hemingway and Tom Robbins?

[kwjones]

Let's see...my worst...

L.E. Modesitt Spellsong Cycle.

David Eddings Elenium & Tamuli series. Kind of a rehash of the Belgariad, which I loved, but predictable. I'll also lump in The Riven Codex as I can't even get 20 pages into it.

Tad Williams Otherland series. Read all the books twice, they still didn't get any better the 2nd time around.

Weis & Hickman Deathgate Cycle.

Dean Koontz is kind of hit and miss. The Key To Midnight wasn't that great in my opinion. There's a few others, but I can't remember them off the top of my head.

Christopher Paolini Inheritance series. Yeah, he was a young kid, and you could tell who some of his favorite fantasy authors were based on the names of characters and places. The movie was dreadful compared to the book, yet my wife and brother in law liked the movie.

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by escapetacoma

...
Ditto Hemingway. Out of curiousity, I wonder if it's possible for someone to enjoy both Hemingway and Tom Robbins?

I've not read any Hemingway, though I've enjoyed a lot of Tom Robbins. Do you mean to suggest that someone who likes Tom Robbins' prose probably will not like Hemingway's? (This is purely a curiosity question - although I've not read any Hemingway, he's on my list)

Cheers,
Marc

[Dragoro]

How can anyone not like Hemingway....

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by escapetacoma

... Anything I've tried by Faulkner. I understand he's important but I detest his prose. Maybe if I'd read it in high school instead of when I was in my 30's?

Ditto Hemingway....

Wow! Wow! Wow!

Tell me what your worst 10 are, I'll read them all. I think I'll like them....

[escapetacoma]

Originally Posted by montsnmags

I've not read any Hemingway, though I've enjoyed a lot of Tom Robbins. Do you mean to suggest that someone who likes Tom Robbins' prose probably will not like Hemingway's? (This is purely a curiosity question - although I've not read any Hemingway, he's on my list)

To my eye their prose styles are almost completely opposite. Robbins seems to put down words just because they'll sound good together - wonderfully florid in a slightly over the top fashion. Hemingway you'll have to try for yourself but I find the prose dry and almost abrupt - no wasted words.

If you like Tom Robbins you might also find you like John Crowley.

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by escapetacoma

To my eye their prose styles are almost completely opposite. Robbins seems to put down words just because they'll sound good together - wonderfully florid in a slightly over the top fashion. Hemingway you'll have to try for yourself but I find the prose dry and almost abrupt - no wasted words.

Thanks for that. I appreciate the elaboration. I look forward to getting to Hemingway and seeing for myself and deciding how I feel about it. Your description of Robbins made me smile and nod ("slightly over the top" might not just apply to the prose style either, yes? ). I do like the chap for it. I wonder if the "no wasted words" of Hemingway might appeal to me too though, as I do sometimes intentionally alternate the style of books I read. Perhaps I need to go at Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates just before For Whom The Bell Tolls, or vice versa.

If you like Tom Robbins you might also find you like John Crowley.

It's funny you should mention...I've just discovered I've Little, Big sitting in my TBR pile. Someone else must have once suggested it to me.

Cheers,
Marc