Nici Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Self-Help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icecream Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Normally I would agree, however since mum passed away I am finding a lot of comfort in reading a variety of different books on grief and bereavement. Normally I would agree too, but the long healing process I very much needed started after reading such a book. Andy I think you are right, that, sadly there are too many books on the subject that are probably just money makers and gimmicks to fit our quick fix society, but there are some very good ones and some people really need them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I agree with Ruth especially the books that include child abuse. They are just too distressing and yet I know alot of people like this type of fiction. Aren't misery memoirs non-fiction? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tiresias Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 (edited) Normally I would agree, however since mum passed away I am finding a lot of comfort in reading a variety of different books on grief and bereavement. Really, we need to define what we mean by "self-help". I was thinking of the very worst that that genre has to offer: How to Make Your First Million; 12 Easy Steps to a Better You; How to Get the Perfect Body in 32 Days, etc. But I am also sure that, as you say, there are helpful books out there for dealing with grief and bereavement, on better parenting, living with diabetes, etc., etc., though I don't really think these books deserve the title "Self-Help" with all that it entails. I'd class them "educational non-fiction", or something like that. And there is also some truth in the statement: there is no book so bad that there is not some good in it. Edited July 30, 2008 by Tiresias Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spooncat Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Anything by Maeve Binchy, Ben Elton or any of the Harry Potter books! dont agree Ben Elton but def agree Harry Potter books - cant stand them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pint6x Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 I must say I have enjoyed Ben Elton's books - deliciously dark comedies. But it's a big no to: Lord of the Rings (tried once - BORING) Harry Potter Terry Pratchett Sci/fi & fantasy Western On the Biography/Autobiography front, I do read some: John Peel's "Margrave of the Marshes" is very good. I am also currently enjoying Martin Johson's autobiography - ex captain of England's rugby team. Well written, no self pity, factual & entertaining. Other biogs in the TBR pile include Eric Clapton's. I refuse to read biographies by people who are clearly about a quarter of the way into their careers, or by Z-list nonentities from Big Brother or Britain's got Talent (sic) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbain Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 I also wouldn't read Mills and Boon or Catherine Cookson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruth Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 I also wouldn't read Mills and Boon or Catherine Cookson. Me neither, and definitely not interested in Lord of the Rings either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nellie Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 I must say I have enjoyed Ben Elton's books - deliciously dark comedies. But it's a big no to: Lord of the Rings (tried once - BORING) Harry Potter Terry Pratchett Sci/fi & fantasy Western Why not Terry Pratchett? I'm interested to know what puts you off. As for me, no to Mills and Boon and true life crime, it seems a bit voyeuristic to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tiresias Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 I am reluctant to read Thomas Pynchon, due to all the pretentious noise surrounding his work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisman Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Anything so-called celebrity written, as for one thing, most of them are not celebrity written, and for another, they have enough money already, and I don't see why I should subsidise their plastic surgery and egos ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Jacobs Posted August 2, 2008 Share Posted August 2, 2008 Any Tabitha King. much to violent and much too violent sex etc not my type of book at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Autobiographies. I cannot stand them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bev Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 I pretty much read anything and everything, if it's got words my eyes are upon it !! I don't enjoy all that I read, but then that's the pleasure of reading. For me going by genre or whatever is popular/bestsellers has never been an issue. Just like losing the contents paper of a box of chocs, you don't know what the flavour is gonna be but you dive in anyway. That way sometimes you find something great that you wouldn't have picked if you had read the wrapper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 The Da Vinci Code. I've tried reading it twice now, and each time Dan Brown's appalling writing has caused my will to live to wither like an ice cube under a blowtorch. Very bad stuff indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookwormmum Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Mills & Boon or Catherine Cookson like reads... I'll probably enjoy them if I read them, but I can't get out of my head that they are old ladies books. My Nan reads them all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charm Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Mills & Boon or Catherine Cookson like reads... I'll probably enjoy them if I read them, but I can't get out of my head that they are old ladies books. My Nan reads them all the time. Have to agree with you there Also anything by Danielle Steel. No thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie2008 Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Have to agree with you there Also anything by Danielle Steel. No thanks I totally agree Charm. I don't want anything to do with Catherine Cookson or Danielle Steel. I don't know why but I really don't want to read anything like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supergran71 Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Stephanie and Charm you are actually missing some good reads by avoiding Catherine Cookson books, they are well written and very gritty in places, not just romantic fiction and certainly nothing like Barbara Cartland!!! Its quite a long time since I read any Cookson books, but I would always recommend them. Give her a try!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyD Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Great question. Those 'misery memoirs'... no, no, no. I just don't get the appeal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo-Bridge Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I always avoid "funny" books so I wont read anything by Ben Elton. Also Celeb autobiographies in the Charlotte Church/Chris Moyles/ Coleen mould. I dont mind biographies from a famous person who has actually got some stories to tell/interseting things to say/ is not in their early twenties! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie2008 Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 I always avoid "funny" books so I wont read anything by Ben Elton. Also Celeb autobiographies in the Charlotte Church/Chris Moyles/ Coleen mould. I dont mind biographies from a famous person who has actually got some stories to tell/interseting things to say/ is not in their early twenties! I agree. I heard that the girl playing Hannah Montana is bringing out an autobiography and she's only 15. I'm not saying she hasn't had a good life, but it's just so she can release another in a few years, like Katie Price has done, and make even more money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonders disciple Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 I always turn away from Jeffrey Archer. Too much perjury and missing millions in charity donations for my liking. Also anything by Jordan, Kerry, etc,etc. Why people would want to make these people, of very limited talent, richer and more famous is beyond me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimera Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 I stay as far away as possible from horror/ ghost/ vampire stories (and films). The simple idea gives me the creeps, never saw the appeal of them! And I never managed to read Lord of the rings, eventhough I tried several times, loved the films, and my whole family are big fans of it... I dont know why, I just cant get into it for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ii Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 I stay as far away as possible from horror/ ghost/ vampire stories (and films). The simple idea gives me the creeps, never saw the appeal of them! I couldn't agree more! Not my cup of tea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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