Top Ten Tuesday

July 2, 2013

It's Top Ten Tuesday time! Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week is a different book related questions, and this weeks topic focuses on:

Books that intimidate

These are books that have caught your eye, but for some reason either stay at the bookstore, or on your own bookshelf.

I foresee a lot of classics in this post.  

1. Emma by Jane Austen
I've seen the movie and loved it, however, I tried to read the first couple of pages and my mind starts comparing the two. I'm afraid it is going to be too slow and it will be confusing and I won't like the movie after I read it.

2. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
I don't know why, but I just can't bring myself to read this. The negative reviews seem to lead me away. I look for excuses not to read it.

3. 1984 by George Orwell
I've grown up hearing about this book and it is being mentioned a lot now, but even with the draw, I can't seem to go and pick it up. I keep thinking, I'll read it after I get through this stack of books...well, the stack of books keeps growing.

4. The Scarlett Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne
I remember the hate for this book my friends had for it in school.

5. The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
The reason I've avoided this book is from the first hand accounts of the misery this book brought to my brother during his class.

Yes, I know. I'm seeing a trend too. I seem to let the hatred that other people have for the book guide me more than the positives that I have read.

6. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
I have tried to read this, I have heard wonderful things about this book, but I can't bring myself to get past the first chapter or two. I know things have to get better, but I can't bring myself to get past them.

7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Now this one, so many people love it, I'm afraid I will be one of the few who don't. I'm afraid it won't live up to expectations.

8. The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
I know I've read bigger books than this one, but this books size just throws me off.

9. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
It's not just Anna Karenina, but all of Tolstoy's work that intimidates me.

10. I can't think of one...so it's top 9 tuesday for me.

As you can see, there is no Shakespeare on my list. I picked his work over a couple of these books. Don't ask me why, but I picked Old English (King James Bible) speak over some of the "newer" works. Hamlet, Macbeth, and Romeo & Juliet seemed liked easier stories to handle then these.

And, I will say, that by the end of the year, I'm going to read To Kill a Mockingbird. That is a goal I'm setting for myself. If y'all would like to keep me accountable to that, I would appreciate it!

So, what are the books that intimidate you? Is it size of the book? The author? The negative reviews of others? Or even the glowing praises that has put you off? I would love to hear!

10 comments

  1. I think the same too with The Tale of Two Cities and To Kill a Mockingbird. Like, I don't want after I read it they'll be like "GASP IN DISBELIEVE"

    Here's my Top 10

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is just something about classics for me. I'm glad I'm not alone with some of these books. :-)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. This list has a lot of great books on it. I particularly like To Kill A Mockingbird. Hopefully, when you read this you enjoy it, despite your apprehensions. :D

    My TTT
    Alex @ The Book Banner

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I need to get over the hesitancy. I'll get there.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  3. Numbers 3, 4, and 5 I have read and can safely say: AVOID THEM. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorites! I say dive right in to that one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the info! :-) I do appreciate it. I will pick up To Kill a Mockingbird at my next bookstore stop.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  4. Anna Karenina made my list too! 1984 kind of intimidates me a bit...not sure why. Great list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad I'm not alone! There are just some books out there that push instead of pull.

      Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
  5. I am also intimidated by Anna Karenina! It's so huge! I forgot to add it to my list, but it should definitely be on there!

    Thanks for stopping by my TTT!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know what to expect from it at all and the size has me leery. I kind of want to see the new movie they just made based on it first and go from there. :-)

      Thanks for visiting!

      Delete

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