I am trying to participate more in the book community as I read more books. Top Ten Tuesday is run by the Broke and the Bookish. Each week, these lovely people post a prompt where we list our top ten list for a given topic. This week has been a hiatus for the link up, so I am coming up with my own freebie: Top ten books I regret DNFing.
This is an embarrassing list, but I am glad that I have copies of these books. So, in a way, this is also a glimpse of my to-be-read pile as well.
10. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
I liked Karou well enough, but my anxiety spiked through this first book because I was overwhelmed. I didn’t finish the first book. The writing style was very ornate and beautiful. It was rather difficult for me to keep going. The one thing that’s changed is that I have been reading a little more, so I don’t feel like I’ll panic as much when I give this a go.
9. Soulless by Gail Carriger
Steampunk was very new to me. It still is, but I didn’t know what it was back then. I was just in shock that there was Victorian times but with technology. Now, though, I am in awe of the genre and want to write some stories within it.
Also, have you seen Gail Carriger? The most adorable creature, she really is. I love the interviews with her so much. Look her up on YouTube.
8. Uprooted by Naomi Novik
So. I won this book in a giveaway, then I was like, “Nope. Not reading that.”
And, then, I started reading snippets and quotes of Novik’s work on Goodreads. Then, it dawned on me that not all books are the same. There’s different approaches to telling a story.
I picked it up, loved it, then stopped reading again. My mental illnesses kicked my butt at the time. Definitely will pick it up again, for sure.
7. Doll Bones by Holly Black
Hi. I am easily frightened. This cover seems somewhat creepy. For some reason, I keep thinking it will be like the movies with scary dolls.
But, I enjoy Holly Black’s work, so…I am going to give it a try. I am not sleeping anyway.
6. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman
My friend Kelli got me this book and I was like, “Pft. Who is this dude anyway?” And, I read a little bit of it, then dismissed it.
Then I heard the man speak in YouTube videos and I am a huge fan of him already now. I think I have a better attitude now. Perhaps his writing will teach me a thing or two.
Probably way more than that, to be honest.
5. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
The only werewolves I knew were the ones in Twilight, and I was like, “No. I don’t care.” But, then I heard the woman speak in a YouTube video. I’ll link it here. She just inspires me a lot, to pursue passions.
But, then, I read the first two Raven Cycle books, and I was like, “Yep. She’s a genius.”
I need to read these books after I am done with the Raven Cycle.
Truth.
4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Cyborgs aren’t normally the characters I would gravitate towards. So, I was like. *Awkward laugh* “What is this? I don’t like it. Where’s the love triangle? Why isn’t she 17?”
Yeah. My tolerance for new things was kind of low.
3. Fallen Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
I have been slowly buying the books used, but I was kind of intimidated when I started reading the first one. Multiple POV, and I was overwhelmed by the world in the book. My hope is that I can try to be more patient and establish relationships with the characters. Plus, Pinterest and Tumblr have awesome mood boards for characters.
*Thumbs up*
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Read this one in high school and I was somewhat put off by the tone of it. Charlie sounded so…vulnerable and honest. I wasn’t in that same mentality at the time. I have read and loved this book since I started therapy back in 2012. But, before then, I was very uncertain about it.
And finally!!
Dun dun dun
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
It was a clear case of judging a book by its cover. You have to understand where I was at mentally when this book was introduced to me. I had skipped two grades, from middle school to high school, and I didn’t want anyone to dismiss me. As a young woman, it’s hard to establish credibility. The last thing I wanted was for people to think I was juvenile.
I ended up reading it when I moved to a new school. Everyone thought I was weird anyway at that point.
Oh I do love so many of these so I’m glad you’ll be giving them another go! Although I kind of admire you for even bothering to re-try DNF’d books.? I never do haha. Although, wait, I WOULD like to retry Wicked by Gregory Maguire, because I just was too bored for it at the time, but I do still kind of want to know how it ends.?But Shiver is aaamazing and Harry Potter is so good that it can appeal to so many ages! I read it at 20 and still loved it. ?
Thanks, Cait. I am going to give Shiver a chance. Maybe werewolves can be awesome. It’s Stiefvater after all. She can do it, I don’t doubt this fact. Harry Potter is fantastic. I love it. Started reading it at 15 (the first four books were out at the time). Then, read each one at release time afterward.
Totally saving this topic next time there is a freebie! I always hate DNFing books but sometimes you just need to. What’s the point in reading something you’re not into? I also get that overwhelming feeling when reading sometimes and just have to put the book down and walk away. Most of the time it takes me almost a year to pick them back up again.
Happy Tuesday!
Danica @ Shelves of Spines
My Top 10
Hi Danica,
Yeah, it takes a while for me to recognize that I am not enjoying something, because I keep trying to power through it. And, sometimes, that’s not such a good idea. It’s not a fun time. But, I am realizing that it’s mostly about timing and the book itself. It’s lovely to meet you!
Great post! Harry Potter is great, but I really need to try some of the books on your list! I kind of regret DNF’ing KETCHUP CLOUDS by Annabel Pitcher as people seem to love it, and I also want to pick up the final MORTAL INSTRUMENTS book (City of Heavenly Fire, I think?) because I keep getting spoilers! It is, however, a case of wailing, “BUT I DON’T WANT TOOOOOOOOOO!” xD
Hannah,
You should finish the Mortal Instruments, so you can read Lady Midnight. Do it for Simon and Isabelle. No spoilers here (I’ll try. I am really trying). I hope you check out the books on the list, too! I cannot wait to read them myself. With the exception of Harry Potter and Perks of Being a Wallflower, I haven’t tried the rest of the books again.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower got really good at the end. It really is worth finishing, although I wasn’t sure about it at points.
I agree, Marie (I rhymed. Sorry.<--even more rhymes). The movie is pretty good, too!
WOW! You NEED to read Harry POTTER! YOU WILL LOVE IT SO MUCH YOU WILL DIE! It’s written beautifully, and I adore it! READ IT!
(Sorry for the obsessive use of caps lock)
-Jared
Hi Jared,
I HAVE READ THE WHOLE SERIES, DON’T WORRY. Loved it, obviously!
I’ve tried numerous steampunk books but am just not really a fan. But isn’t it interesting how sometimes our taste in genres can completely change? Or how reading a book at a different point in our life can make such a huge difference?
Oh, yes, I agree. It’s so interesting to see how we change as readers over time. I used to hate so many books and now I love them. I wasn’t too keen on steampunk, so I understand where you’re coming from. I find it fascinating now, though.