Worst Book(s) You Ever Read? - Page 2

bhartman36 · 04-28-2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgaiser

But.. But.. The folks on Stormfront thinks it's great..

I just looked up the Kindle edition reviews a while ago. I only saw two of them there. One was 5 stars, and one was 1 star. I honestly don't think those reviews were there when I bought the book, because I usually do at least glance at reviews before I buy, and 2 reviews aren't a lot to go through. I didn't look at the paperback reviews, apparently. (I suppose I must have bought it while I was on my Kindle.)

Anything that Stormfront likes (aside from maybe ice cream) should be avoided at all costs.

speakingtohe · 04-28-2011, 05:35 PM

Any thing by Chuck Palahniuk is on my do not ead list. I did try to read 3.
Still another pace another time maybe.
I am a big fan of Simon R. Green (Nightside) but on starting the last nightside my reaction was 'Oh no here we go again'
Tried another series and my reaction was much the same. Been there done that.
No doubt I will read thm and enjoy them next year.
Thisz week I am reding books by unknown to me authors, both a blsesing and a curse. Kind of like a sorbet before you eat, either refreshes your palate or is the best part of the meal

Asawi · 04-28-2011, 06:13 PM

Oh, I've read so many bad books. Most of them not even worth mentioning.

The worst "big" book I can think of right now is the second of Jean M Auel books about Ayla. I read it back when it was new and "everyone" were reading the series. Wow, what a load of ****. I had been given the first 3 books as a present. Managed to get through the first two, but never opened the third and swore I'd never touch anything from her again. And now that her new one is out I find I have to bite my tongue many times to not offend friends who have waited and looked forward to the release.

Rumpelteazer · 04-28-2011, 06:35 PM

I had to read Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth for an American Humor lit course. I couldn't find anything remotely funny in it (neither did most of my classmates). It's just one long complaint.

Since secondary school I also hated A Tale of Two Cities and Wuthering Heights thanks to the way we were taught reading skills. We had to read those short books, the easier ones were purpose written but the advanced level ones were basically short summaries (20-30 pages including drawings) of classics. I had to read both of these books and I didn't understand anything of it, especially A Tale of Two Cities was confusing. Which isn't that strange considering both books are 500+ pages in paperback. I only got two fails for literature tests ever and that were for those two book.

I've read Wuthering Heights for a lit course and although I didn't love I did like it. I still haven't read A Tale of Two Cities yet, I want to but I just keep remembering that horribly confusing book and that puts me off starting the actual book.

MorganM · 04-28-2011, 06:44 PM

I was really excited about the new Jean M Auel book Land of the Painted Caves. I have to say it was a total waste of money and it just seemed to stumble around in the dark and it went on and on.

I really enjoyed the first 3 books but after that they just got worse with each book. It was like torture. I didn't even bother finishing it...

carld · 04-28-2011, 06:47 PM

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling I actually picked this book to read for a class in high school and was absolutely bored out of my mind. Granted it was published 250 years ago, but I simply could not drag myself through it. Extremely tedious.

straygator · 04-28-2011, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDK1962

Jude the Obscure (Hardy). Finished it, but it's one of those books that was (to me at least) so damn depressing that you want to lock the firearms away for a few days till you get over it.

As deadly as Jude was, Return of the Native was worse, if only by a hair. I forced myself to finish that one. I'm still wondering why.

edbro · 04-28-2011, 07:12 PM

I'm reading The Mayor of Casterbridge at the moment. It is my first T. Hardy but I'm enjoying it.

SeaBookGuy · 04-28-2011, 07:56 PM

If you think a mother gleefully giving her daughter a packet of cocaine as a "Sweet 16" gift is kewl ... or being a heterosexual who leads a vulnerable lesbian on, knowing there's absolutely no possibility of a relationship, is fine, you might be able to get into Her Last Death.

Me? I thought this memoir was sensationalist dreck.

Fbone · 04-28-2011, 08:59 PM

These may not be the worst I read but they are ones I remember sort of. Disliked books must flee from my brain.

John Ringo ... forgot the title.
Charles Stross ... forgot the title.

ardeegee · 04-28-2011, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fbone

Charles Stross ... forgot the title.

Bet it's Saturn's Children.

Fbone · 04-29-2011, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardeegee

Bet it's Saturn's Children.

Sounds right. The one about the sex droid?

silasgreenback · 04-29-2011, 03:26 AM

One of the worst books that sticks in my memory is Pattern of Behavior by Paul Bishop. This book was trite stinker. They really go too easy on authors with a badge.

The worst of last year was Anyone You Want Me to Be. Again, they go too easy on "writers" with badges. I bet the cop that relayed this story to the ghostwriter has had a lot of innocent people sent to prison. The book was more appalling just thinking of that rather than the subject at hand.

The worst of this year: I Drink for a Reason by David Cross. I tried to venture into some humor reading and this was a huge disappointment. In its place, I can highly recommend Zombie Spaceship Wasteland by Patton Oswalt.

queentess · 04-29-2011, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by covingtoncat73

Have you read The Passage? Best. Post-apocalyptic. Ever.

Since that spot on my list currently goes to Earth Abides, I'm going to have to read this one. By Justin Cronin?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhadin

I have to agree except I would give 1 star rating to the entire Rain Wild Series. When I read the books, my first thought was she must be desperate for money.

That's fair. I gave the first book two stars ("it was ok") and noted, "Long, rambling, boring. The characters were one-dimensional with one-dimensional motivations and it was too easy to see through the flimsy conflict the author tried to set up." Probably deserved one star, but I desperately wanted to read anything about the Elderlings.

Pablo · 04-29-2011, 05:02 PM

Worst books I ever read.... let me see
(In no particular order)
Atlas Shrugged & The fountainhead by Ayn Rand
Next and State of Fear by Michael Crichton
A time to kill by John Grisham
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers
Diary of a Bad Year by J. M. Coetzee
A Time to Die by Wilbur Smith (This is a special one - convinced me of never reading anything by him again)
Op-Center: Acts of War by Tom Clancy

OMG - It seems I've read so much rubbish.... I will better stop here before I am seriously depressed.

04-29-2011, 05:02 PM	#30
Pablo Guru Posts: 970 Karma: 4999999 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rosario, Argentina Device: SONY PRS-505, PRS-T2	Worst books I ever read.... let me see (In no particular order) Atlas Shrugged & The fountainhead by Ayn Rand Next and State of Fear by Michael Crichton A time to kill by John Grisham American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers Diary of a Bad Year by J. M. Coetzee A Time to Die by Wilbur Smith (This is a special one - convinced me of never reading anything by him again) Op-Center: Acts of War by Tom Clancy OMG - It seems I've read so much rubbish.... I will better stop here before I am seriously depressed. Last edited by Pablo; 04-29-2011 at 05:47 PM.

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04-28-2011, 05:35 PM	#17
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	Any thing by Chuck Palahniuk is on my do not ead list. I did try to read 3. Still another pace another time maybe. I am a big fan of Simon R. Green (Nightside) but on starting the last nightside my reaction was 'Oh no here we go again' Tried another series and my reaction was much the same. Been there done that. No doubt I will read thm and enjoy them next year. Thisz week I am reding books by unknown to me authors, both a blsesing and a curse. Kind of like a sorbet before you eat, either refreshes your palate or is the best part of the meal

04-28-2011, 06:13 PM	#18
Asawi Gadgetoholic Posts: 1,462 Karma: 2731820 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sweden Device: Kobo Libra2, Tolino Vision 6	Oh, I've read so many bad books. Most of them not even worth mentioning. The worst "big" book I can think of right now is the second of Jean M Auel books about Ayla. I read it back when it was new and "everyone" were reading the series. Wow, what a load of ****. I had been given the first 3 books as a present. Managed to get through the first two, but never opened the third and swore I'd never touch anything from her again. And now that her new one is out I find I have to bite my tongue many times to not offend friends who have waited and looked forward to the release.

04-28-2011, 06:35 PM	#19
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,100 Karma: 24047426 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	I had to read Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth for an American Humor lit course. I couldn't find anything remotely funny in it (neither did most of my classmates). It's just one long complaint. Since secondary school I also hated A Tale of Two Cities and Wuthering Heights thanks to the way we were taught reading skills. We had to read those short books, the easier ones were purpose written but the advanced level ones were basically short summaries (20-30 pages including drawings) of classics. I had to read both of these books and I didn't understand anything of it, especially A Tale of Two Cities was confusing. Which isn't that strange considering both books are 500+ pages in paperback. I only got two fails for literature tests ever and that were for those two book. I've read Wuthering Heights for a lit course and although I didn't love I did like it. I still haven't read A Tale of Two Cities yet, I want to but I just keep remembering that horribly confusing book and that puts me off starting the actual book.

04-28-2011, 06:44 PM	#20
MorganM Fanatic Posts: 563 Karma: 1089963 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra H2o	I was really excited about the new Jean M Auel book Land of the Painted Caves. I have to say it was a total waste of money and it just seemed to stumble around in the dark and it went on and on. I really enjoyed the first 3 books but after that they just got worse with each book. It was like torture. I didn't even bother finishing it...

04-28-2011, 06:47 PM	#21
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling I actually picked this book to read for a class in high school and was absolutely bored out of my mind. Granted it was published 250 years ago, but I simply could not drag myself through it. Extremely tedious.

04-28-2011, 07:12 PM	#23
edbro Banned Posts: 640 Karma: 4911 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Grapevine, TX Device: iPad4	I'm reading The Mayor of Casterbridge at the moment. It is my first T. Hardy but I'm enjoying it.

04-28-2011, 07:56 PM	#24
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,015 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	If you think a mother gleefully giving her daughter a packet of cocaine as a "Sweet 16" gift is kewl ... or being a heterosexual who leads a vulnerable lesbian on, knowing there's absolutely no possibility of a relationship, is fine, you might be able to get into Her Last Death. Me? I thought this memoir was sensationalist dreck.

04-28-2011, 08:59 PM	#25
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,189 Karma: 100500000 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	These may not be the worst I read but they are ones I remember sort of. Disliked books must flee from my brain. John Ringo ... forgot the title. Charles Stross ... forgot the title.

04-29-2011, 03:26 AM	#28
silasgreenback New Leaf Turner Posts: 260 Karma: 1026664 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hadestown Device: Kobo Glo	One of the worst books that sticks in my memory is Pattern of Behavior by Paul Bishop. This book was trite stinker. They really go too easy on authors with a badge. The worst of last year was Anyone You Want Me to Be. Again, they go too easy on "writers" with badges. I bet the cop that relayed this story to the ghostwriter has had a lot of innocent people sent to prison. The book was more appalling just thinking of that rather than the subject at hand. The worst of this year: I Drink for a Reason by David Cross. I tried to venture into some humor reading and this was a huge disappointment. In its place, I can highly recommend Zombie Spaceship Wasteland by Patton Oswalt.

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