Top Ten Tuesdays is hosted weekly by The Broke and Bookish and anyone is free to participate! This week’s category is related to books that you had a hard time with. I’m choosing books I didn’t finish. Unfinished, Dropped, DNF’d it’s all the same! Here’s some books I just couldn’t get through. I will warn you many of these had to do with writing.
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
For some reason I just didn’t like the writing style of this book. It was a combination of the character (which I didn’t love to begin with) and the fact that I had a hard time picturing everything and orienting myself in the world. - Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalo
Too much gore. That’s all I have to say. I’ve particularly sensitive when it comes to violence and the autopsies were way too much. - First & Then by Emma Mills
I found nothing endearing or exciting about the characters of this book. I found the main character hypocritical and frustrating; she didn’t seem to value anyone except her one (boy) friend who treated her like crap. This is supposed to be a Pride and Prejudice retelling? - Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
This book was ever perplexing. It was supposed to be a book largely driven by characters but it was infuriating how irrational Finnikin is. He practically spends the whole time whining. Plus then there’s the plot. I didn’t even know what was happening half the time. - The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
I just felt like starting out this book was a cold mess. Like what the heck is going on? I also didn’t like the writing style, no one’s surprised. - The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
I didn’t dig her writing style for her adult books. It was completely different than Harry Potter in a bad way. - Every Day by David Leviathan
I’m not sure what it was, but I just wasn’t interested in this book. I think if I tried it again, I would like it. I think it was mostly because there were books I was more interested in reading and the writing style didn’t totally jive with me. - All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doer
Idk just like nothing was happening? Like we’re a while into the plot and I do NOT dig extensive descriptions. I kind of felt like he was trying too hard for his writing style. - Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Talk all you want, I still maintain this play is dull as doornails. Yes it’s timeless, I’d be happy to read a good retelling of it, but I didn’t like William Shakespeare’s writing; I fell asleep while reading it.
Spoilers May Apply 
I felt the same way about Ari & Dante!
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I’ve heard great things about it, so I’m so sad. But I’ve also heard similar things regarding writing etc. so oh well. Maybe another time!
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I’m not the biggest fan of Shakespeare eithef. The only one his plays I’ve truly enjoyed is Macbeth, everything else just didn’t do anything special for me.
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I think I’ve read Othello? But I hardly remember it so I don’t count it. Most retellings of Shakespeare I’ve enjoyed so I guess I’ll just have to settle with them instead of the real thing.
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I’m completely with you on The Casual Vacancy. I was so disappointed!
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SO disappointing. Like where is J.K. Rowling? Who wrote this???
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I have to agree with you on the last one – there are lot of severely overrated Shakespeare plays (although I would put something like Comedy of Errors over R&J in that regard). I also wasn’t terribly in love with Every Day’s style either, but I pushed on and appreciated how it’s one of the few books in YA fantasy (as of late, anyway) that functions best /with/ the love story. It can be so frustrating sometimes to try to find a book with a good writing style, can’t it?
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YES! I felt bad because it seems like all my disappointments had to do with writing. But I’ve recognized that in myself. I also want to try Every Day again because it’s one of the only mainstream non-binary books. We’ll see.
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Yeah, sometimes I feel like I’ve been in editorial mode for so long that I can’t even do some casual reading without wanting to take a red pen to every line. But most people don’t believe me when I do like a book, so I guess it balances out. 😛
If you are interested in that kinda thing, I’d definitely give Every Day another try. I mean, sure, standards aren’t exactly high —
ED is honestly the only non-binary book I can name off the top of my head, but still, it sets a pretty good standard.
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Yeah, I’ve been out of it long enough I don’t see everything, but I am particularly sensitive to tone. I’ve never gotten rid of that.
Oh I would LOVE some non-binary recommendations. I really need to expand my horizon in that sense.
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Well, upon consideration, there *is* Laura Lam’s Micah Grey trilogy, which features an intersex protagonist. Without spoiling, it may be close to what you’re looking for, although I haven’t touched the series since it started back in 2013.
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Oh nice. Have you lost interest in the series, or did you find it to be problematic?
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I don’t remember anything problematic, but back then I had no idea when the next book was coming out, so I just never got around to picking it up once it was finally released (which is kinda funny, considering how the gap between books 2 and 3 was far longer). I also don’t recall ever seeing the series in stores after my initial purchase. But from what I do remember, it was a fun read, although the fantasy elements seemed a bit out of place (I don’t remember much happening with them other than obvious set-up for future books), so there’s probably no harm in checking it out.
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Nice! Thanks for the great recommendation! I look forward to it.
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I couldn’t get into The Casual Vacancy either. I always said I would try to go back to it… but TBH I probably never will. Aristotle and Dante didn’t grab me either. It was okay, but I wasn’t enthralled. But Stalking Jack was a fun book. I can see someone who doesn’t like gore not being able to do it though. It was rather gory.
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Same! I’m the exact same with so many books. I say I’ll try it again, but then never do! That’s because there’s so many other good books to read out there!!!
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Lovely book photo!! Bummer that you didn’t like Ari & Dante. Have you tried the audio book? Listening to Lin Manuel Miranda narrate it is a total treat! 🙂
My TTT.
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Wow NO WAY! If the audio book is a win maybe I’ll like it better! Thank you ever so much for the photo compliment, I do work hard on them. I post others like that on my Instagram!
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I have tried to read The Casual Vacancy twice and have sent it back to the library both times. Maybe later, I don’t know. And I hear you on not being able to get into one book because something else is calling your name! As far as Shakespeare goes – it’s SO much better to see it performed. It’s a little boring and dry to read as far as I’m concerned.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thanks!
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Yeah, I just think maybe reading his stuff isn’t my forte! I’ve never been to a Shakespeare festival, but I have friends who are DEVOTED and go every year!
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I agree! I’ve always wanted to go to the festival myself since it’s only a couple hours from where I am, but I’m not driving to Utah alone! Go rent Kenneth Brannaugh’s Much Ado About Nothing. If you enjoy that you’d probably enjoy seeing one of the plays. 😀
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Ugh, I hate driving alone!! DANGIT! Maybe there’s another Shakespeare festival near you.
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Sadly, the one in Cedar City is the only one I know about. On the bright side, it’s supposed to be an amazing experience. One of these days maybe!
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Oh well if you’re in the Salt Lake area that’s not too far!
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I hope to read Stalking Jack the Ripper. I don’t mind gore, if it’s pertinent to the story. However, I understanding your sensitivity.
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Yeah it just wasn’t for me, but I know so many people have really adored the book and the hype for Stalking Prince Dracula was REAL.
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I couldn’t get into The Knife of Never Letting Go and dropped it after about ten pages, but I think I should give it another chance, since I didn’t get far through!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/05/top-ten-tuesday-123/
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I have mixed feelings about giving books second chances, but for some I definitely do!
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Ah I only thought I would because I barely gave it a chance in the first place!
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I can TOTALLY get behind that then!! Lol. I feel like I’ll have to try most of the books I’m reading again because I’m in a slump, haha
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Oh no, I hope you break out of it soon!
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Thank you! I think it’s the book. It’s OK but the characters are highly irrational so that makes me frustrated.
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Well hopefully you find a better book soon!
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I have! I moved onto WANT by Cindy Pon and am enjoying it so far.
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That’s great! I’ve heard really good things about that one 🙂
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I can totally sympathize with Finnikin of the Rock – because I pushed through it and so wish I hadn’t. (And if I’d read it these days, I would drop it super-quick. At least I’ve learnt DNFing can be a good thing.) I am interested in Stalking Jack the Ripper (how could I not be with the cover?) but… Well, I’m not the biggest fan of gore in my books so I might have to do a little more research on it before I commit.
https://athousandworldssite.wordpress.com/2017/09/05/top-ten-books-i-most-recently-nearly-dnfd/
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Ugh, I heard good things about it and some people were doing a public readalong so I thought I’d give it a try. NEVER AGAIN. SJYR has a BEAUTIFUL cover. So I totally understand wanting to read it. It has all these great feminist tones to it too… and a girl in STEM!! I wish I could do it…
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That’s the main reason I’m not picking up Stalking Jack the Ripper – I HATE gore in books! I’m a super sensitive reader haha!
Aw, I’m sorry you didn’t like The Knife of Never Letting Go. I almost DNFed it but I pushed through and it ended up being an all-time favourite!
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No way!! I tried TKONLG so long ago, maybe I’ll finally have to give Patrick Ness a try. He has so many books these days!
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I’ve picked up Finnickin of the rock like three times and DNFed it. I have a feeling I’d like it if I read the whole thing but for some reason I just don’t have the motivation to do that. Stalking jack the ripper was hard for me to get through; I loved the gore tbh 😂 but I found the characters so boring. Finished it though and rated it 3 stars. I had difficulties with Aristotle and Dante myself (didn’t like the writing either) but I tried again and it ended up being one of my favorites! I hope you give it another chance!
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YES! Another person who feels the same way. I doubt I’ll ever go back to it.
I might give Aristotle and Dante another chance, but I don’t think Stalking Jack the Ripper. I hope Prince Dracula will be better plot wise if you decide to read it!
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