What do you stubbornly refuse to read, and why?

[madcow]

I used to like Danielle Steele (when i was younger) but i got fed up when they were all basically the same!

[muggle not]

I have no desire to read books by politicians or autobiographies by the "famous". There are too many other books that I would rather read and time does not permit them all.

And now pontalba has me reading an autobiography. :oops:

[JohnT]

I have no desire to read War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, mainly because war is a lousy subject of no interest to me, and secondly to go on by volumes seems rather redundant reading.

[pontalba]

I have no desire to read books by politicians or autobiographies by the "famous". There are too many other books that I would rather read and time does not permit them all.

And now pontalba has me reading an autobiography. :oops:

 

Ah, but what an autobiography! LOL No politician our Vladimir!

[KAY]

I won't read Barbara Taylor bradford or josephine cox, mills n boon etc... but i have been known to read a Catherine Coookson and they never disappoint they are excellent. My favourite is " the cultured Handmaid". Very powerful! will stay with you for ever.

[Purple Poppy]

I joined this forum to have my hozirons broadened / expanded. So, although there are books that I shy away from, if pressed I would read them or attempt them. I would never in a million years have picked up Kelley Armstrong before meeting Kell. Werewolves! No way! But I've read two now and love them. Likewise, something like Cold Granite, Stuart MacBride, would have been a no-no, but again, I loved it. And I don't think you can say for certain, until you've opened a book and at least read the first chapter, or two.

 

But thats me...I have alot of catching up to do, whereas some of you are much better read and better able to comment.

 

 

PP:006:

[Weave]

I avoid Catherine Cookson books and books that are Catherine Cookson type of books.

[Louiseog]

I avoid Catherine Cookson books and books that are Catherine Cookson type of books.

and Mary Taylor Bradford and Jeffrey Archer

[madcow]

Mills and Boon....yuk

[Liz]

Mills and Boon....yuk

 

Ha Ha . My nan used to adore Mills & Boon. She used to like the Doctors & Nurses type.

She always liked a bit of a saucy story, did our nan.

[~V~]

lord of the rings

 

why? because it's poo of course

[Acesare*]

Ha Ha . My nan used to adore Mills & Boon. She used to like the Doctors & Nurses type.

She always liked a bit of a saucy story, did our nan.

 

I always wondered who actually read the Mills and Boon books.

[Maureen]

I remember finding a stash of them at my Auntie's and reading them behind her back when I was about 11 or so...and I felt I was being naughty. Poor me!!

[Weave]

I always wondered who actually read the Mills and Boon books.

 

Liz's Nan and my mum read 'Mills and Boons', my mum particular favourites were the hospital based ones, where the doctor discovers he is in love with the nurse whilst treating some bunions...

[Maureen]

They do sound silly and predictable.....but in some strange fashion, they have to be predictable, or else they would not be M&B.

[Maureen]

Another twist was that the good looking tall & handsome male always had a gorgeous hourglass blond girl , and then the mousy other girl would fall in love with him, .......then after an internal struggle he used to realise how he loves Ms Mousy not Ms Perfect.

[Purple Poppy]

I think its the predictability that people like. I have to admit to reading a few about twenty years ago, when I was very depressed. I just wanted something that was light, (couldn't be much fluffier) and that had a positive end. It stopped me lying on my bed crying, for nothing in particular as is the wont of depression. I have always felt grateful to M&B for that, but I have to say I have never felt I wanted to read another one!!!

 

And at the end of the day, if it gets a teenage girl who normally doesn't read, reading a book, who knows what she might advance to later??

 

Well, you can hope...

 

PP:006:

[Esiotrot]

I am trying to broaden my reading horizons but there are a few books I know I will never read ~

 

Lord of the Rings - too much hype, too much fantasy

 

James Patterson - it just bugs me he has 14 books out each year, he doesnt write them so why is his name on the cover?

 

Ghost Written Celeb 'novels' - as above.

 

Biographies and Autobiographies on Z list 18 year old 'celebs'

 

Torey Hayden - or any other stories of my tortured childhood type books, been there read that and got the snotty hanky to prove it

 

Catherine Cookson, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Danielle Steele and the like - ad infinitum

 

Mills & Boon

 

Westerns

 

Sci Fi

 

There that feels better! Have I left anything to read?

 

Kx

[poppy]

I think its the predictability that people like. I have to admit to reading a few about twenty years ago, when I was very depressed. I just wanted something that was light, (couldn't be much fluffier) and that had a positive end. It stopped me lying on my bed crying, for nothing in particular as is the wont of depression. I have always felt grateful to M&B for that, but I have to say I have never felt I wanted to read another one!!!

 

And at the end of the day, if it gets a teenage girl who normally doesn't read, reading a book, who knows what she might advance to later??

 

Well, you can hope...

 

PP:006:

 

Susie, I understand exactly what you mean. When I was depressed I read the likes of Miss Read, books that were very safe and nice, I think it gives you a sense of security.

[Echo]

There's not a lot I won't read, but generally I try to stay away from romance, westerns, and post-modernism. Mostly it's just a taste thing. I have no interest in the Old West, so westerns are definitely not my thing. Romances just don't appeal to me at all, and I feel like a voyeur reading those explicit sex scenes. And I had a really bad experience with Demonology by po-mo writer Rick Moody. I got the feeling he was trying too hard to be different, and that because I just didn't get it, I was meant to feel stupid. Whatever. Just not my thing.

[happyanddandy]

I'm with Prospero and Esiotrot on the Torey Hayden thing.

 

Jeffrey Archer - I don't want to add to his millions.

[Gelfling]

Nothing, I'm very open minded and always willing to try something - it's the only way you can discover great new reads. Having said that, if I have tried a particular author a few times and hated every book, I won't keep on reading that person's work. John Irving is getting one more chance from me. Let's hope "Cider House Rules," is better than oweny meany and the world according to garp.

[Echo]

John Irving is getting one more chance from me. Let's hope "Cider House Rules," is better than oweny meany and the world according to garp.

 

It is. A lot better.

[supergran71]

Jilly Cooper is my bete noir!!! I wont touch any of hers now.

 

I have nibbled at horror. I once read a James Herbert one about a cottage in a wood and it scared me to death, so I avoid him. I have always avoided Stephen King, but seen some of the films made from his books, so I do intend to try him at some time in the future.

[nicnic]

There is nothing I stubbornly refuse to read. I choose, for example not to read much womens' fiction, celeb biographies or novels, the 'my daddy beat me with spoons then I got a rare disease' type books and the majority of crime thrillers. However, if someone recommends or buys me one of those books, chances are I will give it a try. If I find it so utterly awful that I don't get past the first chapter, it goes on the sell/give away pile. If I feel like trying it again, I put it on a shelf for later.