BlogJunta editor’s choice pick for 30th Jan 2011.
Review at BlogJunta:
AVADA KEDAVRA’S blog has always been a personal favourite. Visit her blog to know why. We will let you sample a post to assess her caliber. Here she writes about five books she loves to hate and you will enjoy reading this post for sure.
Recently I had lot of bad experiences picking the wrong kind of books to read. Having read reviews and after some friends suggested me to read, I picked these books and hated them 🙂 Well they were okay but I could have skipped reading these books nevertheless. People always write reviews of good books, so here I am talking about some books that I did not like reading along with the reason for that. You can consider this as a warning to all those people who were thinking of reading these books.
1. The girl with the dragon tattoo
Each and every person has been raving about this book for quite a long time now. My close friend loved this book and she made me read this. This is the first book in the Millennium series, which have been translated from Swedish. The starting was very boring and I expected it to pickup after some chapters. The only thing that was good was the investigation part and how they try to find a murderer. But then again the book got really boring towards the end. My first impression while reading was that the writer was a pervert. I mean, how else can you explain someone describing rapes over and over again, throughout the book. Most part of the book has sex and rapes. It was so gross and after finishing it, I wondered how women liked the book?! I could not connect to the main characters in the novel. The girl with the dragon tattoo did not get an iota of sympathy from me even till the last page. Mikeal who plays a main character in the book is so cheap. He is ready to sleep with any woman, any time. And it is filled with some journalism rivalry blah blah.. not of my interest. I am not going to read the rest of the books in the series and I regret reading this part too.
2. The White Tiger
I picked this book up thinking it will have some nice humor and after seeing it win the Man Booker prize. Many people liked this book, but I simply hated it. I did not even finish reading the book and now I am thinking of selling the book (I feel it is unnecessarily occupying space in my cupboard). The tone of the author is what I did not like. Firstly, it was boring and then the author tries to make fun of India and expects Indians to like it. I love India the way it is. I would not enjoy if someone wrote a letter about corruption or population in our country to Chinese PM.
3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians
I picked this book up when a friend said this is one of the best books she has ever read. I gifted this book to a friend and he just hated the book. Even after him warning me, I read the book. I like Greek mythology so would not say I hated the book. But it sounded little silly for Greek gods to make NY their headquarters. This was an okay read but would not come anywhere close to Harry Potter for sure! But I did not feel like reading rest of the series.
4. Eragon
I read this book because some colleagues of mine commented that this book was better than Harry Potter. I was curious to know if it really was that great. As I started the book, I realized that all the plots and settings were like in Lord of the rings. Having read LOTR book, I could relate all the forests, mountains described here to those in LOTR. And the story? It looked more like Star Wars story. There was nothing new storywise or plotwise so discontinued reading the series.
5. Artemis Fowl
This was supposedly for children but after hearing lot of good reviews, I picked it up thinking it is another fantasy book. I did not like the boy Artemius Fowl himself. I mean, he is a crook and criminal and all that. Then why is he a hero? Are children supposed to learn that being a criminal is cool? The story looked really silly to me and I did not like it one bit. But it was humorous at places, no doubt. I discontinued reading this series too!
Can anyone direct me to some good books? Every other book that I pick up have been bad. And I dont read Indian authors, since I had very bad experiences with few in the past 🙂
Bookish Muggle 
Gross!! I was planning to pick up The girl with the dragon tattoo from one of my friend who said he loved the book! and now that i know the plot, i am 100% sure that i am not going to another moron reading it.
i dont know why but i am never interested in reading books by Indian Authors. I had picked up one last year and am yet to even read the book, to the fact that i forgot the title.. some “coffee table love” by Siva —forgot the surname too..
Eragon didnt excite me much to even pick up and read and hence didnt bother to.
Other books, havent heard of them.
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Dont know why people liked but I really did not like the dragon tattoo girl.. Oh same here.. I dont usually like books written by Indian authors.. I dont quite like the topics on which they write.. most of them will not be of my interest..
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Of this lot, i’ve only read The White Tiger…and i’ve still not got over the regret i’m in for picking it up!
And thank god i havent read th others, esp the girl with the tattoo.
Have you read The Wind-up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami? I did, and i liked it, in spite of it being crazy at places 😀
And well,
– Time Travelller’s Wife
– Life of Pi
– To Kill a Mocking Bird
am sure you may have read all these…
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Oh great! There is someone else who did not like White Tiger 🙂
I havent read Haruki Murakami’s books.. have heard a lot about them.. will pick it up for sure..
Havent read Life of Pi too, read some mixed reviews.. some liked and some did not, so was scared to pick it up.. will definitely read the ones you suggested.. thanks Scorpria 🙂
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Wow, I was thinking of picking up a couple of the books that you mentioned, specially the girl with the dragon tattoo. Now, am thinking more 🙂
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Yeah some people actually liked the dragon tattoo girl, so not sure.. I found it really gross 🙂
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Phew! God bless u for cmg up with this list! This is the reason I review every book that I read!
The first one sounds just too much! I am never gonna go close to it even!
Thankfully, I have nt picked up even one of these nor am I gng to 😉
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🙂 yeah reviewing bad books is more important than reviewing good ones right? I like the way you review both kinds!
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I am reading the girl with the dragon tattoo (as you know) and I think its okay… not bad but not as good as people said it was. Let me complete and see. Eragon is bad? I was planning to pick it up. I heard White Tiger is terrible from many people.
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In the dragon tattoo girl..starting was pretty okay but later on it got really gross 🙂 Some people actually liked it, so cant say.. But it really is overrated for sure.. I did not like Eragon because it was too similar to LOTR.
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I liked the book 😛
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🙂
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Good that you warned beforehand about The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Was planning to pick it up after hearing so much about it. White Tiger is just terrible. How did it get the Booker award? I would suggest two books that I liked recently –
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
The Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
You may like to check out my own little review of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle here 🙂
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I feel the dragon tattoo girl book was overhyped..
Usually the ones which get an award are pretty bad..Thanks for the link Ajay.. I guess I will pick up Haruki’s book next after reading your review.. looks like a nice read 🙂
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Artemis Fowl :
Read only the 1st book. Discontinued it cause I didn’t find it complex enough for me. Besides the kid isn’t really endearing is he? 😛
Eragon :
Hmm I will disagree with you on this. True the writer is inspired by LOTR. But nothing wrong in that. There is a dearth of complex rich stories like LOTR. The story is good (yes a little like Star Wars too 😛 ) but like in LOTR, the characters connect with you & the story gets better as the series progresses.
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Yeah Artemius Fowl is not at all endearing..
About Eragon, probably you are right 🙂 I should read the rest of the series and then judge the book.. but I somehow lost interest after reading 50% of the book.. somehow did not like it..will read the next part of the series..
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I read White tiger and didnt like for the reason you mentioned plus he makes the hero of a person who is a murderer and who abandons his own family.
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Yeah it was one of the worst books I have ever read 🙂
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white tiger was torture 😛
just finish the Hitchhiker’s guide to galaxy trilogy 😀 totally in loved with it … i guess u might have read it… if not give it a try…
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Oh yes I have read Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy.. just loooove the series.. it is so amazingly funny right?
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Currently am reading :Life of Pi: will write a review on it once i finish it. White tiger was a big let down. About girl with a dragon tatoo , one of GC author had reviewed it positively and even some comments were positive about it. Will read it and find how it fares upon me.
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Life of Pi.. havent read it but have read mixed reviews.. some people liked it and some did not. will wait for your review..
Dragon tattoo girl.. I dont know.. I read the review on GC and also in many blogs and everyone seemed to have liked the book.. I am probably one of those few people who did not like it.. read it and tell me if you like it 🙂
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Really, books like ‘White Tiger’ should be on the verge of extinction, just like the real ones..
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I second that 🙂
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Re Girl with the Dragon tattoo, it was a bit slow to start but I enjoyed the book. I couldn’t empathise with Mikael too much but I like Salander’s character…probably because she reminds me of some of my clients 😛 In terms of the rapes, given than it was the crux of the murders/investigations, it didn’t put me off…especially because the perpetrator pays the price. It would have put me off if the perpetrator got away with it all. The thing is, it’s a lot more common than we think…the little stats at the start of each part tell you that. It’s a shame, but it’s true.
HAve read the White Tiger too ages ago and didn’t mind it too much. Not Booker prize material by any means though.
Rohinton Mistry is an Indian author I would highly recommend…especially his book A Fine Balance.
Haven’t read any of the other books…
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Yeah many of my friends too liked the dragon tattoo girl book.. but I somehow could not relate to it and felt he concentrated more on the rapes, instead of the thrilling part.. oh yeah you must have met many disturbed people like Salander in your career.. agree that such things really do happen, just that we are not much aware of them..
Have heard about A fine balance.. will definitely get hold of the book.. thanks PB 🙂
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I hated Arvind Adiga’s White Tiger. He wrote such nonsense honestly.. I felt sorry for myself after reading it, for having wasted so much time !! 😀 Rest in your list I haven’t read..
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🙂 cool.. another person who did not like the book.. I wonder how critics liked it..
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Hmm the girl with the golden tatoo, apparantly the movie has done very good its a trilogy, I have not seen or read the book but I have heard its great movie, though i know not to pick the book now 🙂
Eragon the movie was ok it was for the kids 🙂 but i am one of those adults who has not grown yet so i watch all the kiddy movies too 🙂
havenot read anyof the other books 🙂 and Now i know NOT to think about reading toooo 🙂
thanks
Bikram’s
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Yeah I heard a lot about the dragon tattoo girl and that’s why picked it up.. but somehow did not like it much.. dont think will watch the movie..
Eragon was okay but also too similar to Lord of the rings.. because of its similarity I did not like it much..
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So sad..
Try Rebecca, The Phantom of the Opera, Into the wild (Read the novel then watch the movie!!)
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Thanks for the suggestions Prasad 🙂 will pick these books!
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I absolutely hated “White Tiger”. Another book I did not like was “The lost flamingos of Bombay”. The author tried cram everything he knew in one book.
You are so right about it. Writers find it fashionable to write about poverty, corruption, and lost values in India. I think it is time to rise above all this and write about something positive for a change…or even have a fantasy series originating in India…something like Chandrakanta (unlike the tele-series, the books I hear are wonderful)
Some of the books that I have read and loved recently:
Before I die – by Jenny Downham
My name is Mina – by David Almond
Keeper – by Mal Peet
I would like to mention that these are all for ‘Young Adults’ (from 12-17 years of age). I read them during a short course that I am currently doing on Writing for Young adults. These are unusual books and I hope you would enjoy them…
-V
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Thanks Vibha and welcome to my blog! 🙂 Nice to meet someone who hated White Tiger just like I did 🙂 Havent read the other book you mentioned and probably will not.. thanks for the warning 🙂
So true! I wonder why Indian authors dont write many fantasy books!
Thanks for the recommendations 🙂 Will definitely get hold of these books.. I like books for young adults so am sure I will like them..
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oh u saved me from reading the Millennium series…It was on my list after all the reviews about it. I havent read the Percy Jackson book but I saw the movie and it was bad!! Right now I m in love with Sophie Kinsella 😀
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Many people like the Millennium series so cant say much.. you might like it 🙂 I havent read Sophie’s books yet.. must get hold of them..
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I bought this White Tiger, but never read it. Recently I was searching for it, and didn’t get it (fortunately, I guess!). So, thanks for the frank review. I have not heard of the other four books, good for me 🙂
Destination Infinity
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I really really feel White tiger is not worth reading 🙂
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Ouch! I loved all those books on your hate list – except for the Artemis Fowl….boring!
Well, I suppose different things suit different people 🙂
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🙂 🙂 I guess then different people have different opinions about the books 🙂
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hey…. i heard ur name many time but never get a chance to go thru ur blog but finally i made it….i too love the india as it is but still like the adiga’s novel….. awesome title
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Thanks and welcome to my blog 🙂
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The book I love to hate #1 >> Twilight
The book I love to hate #2 >> New Moon
The book I love to hate #3 >> Eclipse
The book I love to hate #4 >> Breaking Dwan …….
Yuccckkkkkkkkkk ….. x-( ….
P.S. No offense … 😛 😛
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hahaha 🙂 🙂 .. But looks like girls are crazy about it.. I am not a fan but I dont mind it.. “true love” concept was kind of nice you know..
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I loved reading the Millennium series..It is so fun to read how the tattoo girl pays back all that…I haven’t read any other books on your list.. saved so much time 🙂
For some good suggestions:
-Cutting For Stone by Abraham Varghese (award winning but truly deserves) I know you don’t like Indian Authors, but I recommend you to make an exception in this regard.
– The Time Traveler’s wife
– The Help
– The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
– To Kill a Mocking bird (if you haven’t read it already)
– Atonement by Ian McEwan ( not sure if you will like the theme, but give it a try or watch the movie )
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Thanks Elizabeth for the list 🙂 I already had a few in my to-read list.. Now I will add few more to it and increase their number in the list..
I somehow did not like the tattoo girl book 😦
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You are probably the second person I came across who said she did not like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the first being Karthik.
What I liked about the three books is that they were good thrillers, with a good plot and a totally different story setting. It was nice to read about Sweden and not US/UK. The topic was a chilling one and I totally loved both the main characters. But I agree that the first book (and the other two) becomes dragging at some point of time. But many books do and I can’t really complain about it. But to each his own, and you need not explain so many times why you didn’t like it 🙂
I totally agree with you on The White Tiger. You won’t believe how horrible I felt to know that this book won the Booker defeating Sea of Poppies! It didnot deserve the Booker!
Strange that you do not like Indian authors – I totally adore some of them! Rohinton Mistry, Vikram Seth, Amitava Ghosh etc etc..
Books that I love to hate –
1. Thousand Years of Solitude (simply couldn’t go beyond the first 100 pages, at both attempts)
2. Catch 22 (that sort of humour is not me)
3. All the recent campus novels/office romance/lad & chick lit
4. All Twilight books (too sugary for me)
I did a post on books here http://debosmita.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/the-best-tag-a-bibliophile-can-ask-for/
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Oops! that would be ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude”.. I added extra 900 years to the title 😉
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Hehe… you added 900 years eh? 🙂 Havent read that book though..
I liked the middle part of the dragon tattoo book though.. that is what kept me reading.. otherwise I would have left that book half read..I completed the book but then somehow it left me dissatisfied..
Yep wonder what made “White tiger” win the prize.. I am still wondering !!
I havent read many Indian authors but I like more of mystery and sci-fi stuff so not many Indians write about such topics.. the topics that they write on dont interest me much.. but I want to read some in future..
I did not quite like Twilight books but did not hate them.. they were kinda okay..
Yep have read that post of yours. Actually I want to take up that tag too.. very interesting tag!
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I agree with the first one. How could anyone read such gross stuff? Girls even went ahead to see the movie.. and ended up feeling disturbed for days. Naturally.
I don’t like Indian authors too. One Indian author I really really like is Chitra Bannerjee Divakaruni. I fell in love with her writing after reading Palace of Illusions.. Try her books, if you haven’t already..
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Oh glad to know that atleast one person hated this Dragon tattoo book. Everyone I have met so far seems to like it.
I am yet to try Chitra Bannerjee. I have heard people say good things about her books.
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