I just finished reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. It's a bestseller and I heard so many glowing reviews about this book, but after reading it, I would never recommend it!! It's true that the book is riveting (except for the first 50 pages which are absolute torture to get through), but boy does it have some AWFUL stuff in it!! I don't know who would want to read detailed descriptions of sex crimes and brutal murders? Gosh, they didn't even tie up the one love story that was somewhat sweet.
So I have decided that I need to find some sort of "rating" system for books. When they are published they should be rated just like movies. I don't want to read half a book before realizing it's full of garbage. By then I am too invested in the story and I need to find out what happens!!
Maybe I'll stick to young adult fiction...or do a little more research before starting a new book!
8 comments:
I totally have the same problem. Every time I try to read adult fiction (usually a "bestseller"), I regret it. Like you said- there's sex, language, violence, crap I don't need in my head. I've found it's much safer to stick with young adult fiction- it tends to be cleaner, though there's not as much variety in subject matter (if you walk through the YA fiction section of B&N, there's TONS of vampire stories).
I had actually tried reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, also, but couldn't get past the first 10 or 15 pages- it was just too boring. Guess I'm glad I didn't finish it, especially since I normally have a really hard time not finishing a book- I usually want to find out what happens.
LDS fiction is safe, but I find that most is very predictable. Not neccessarily a bad thing, unless you actually wanted a mystery. We don't live near a bookstore though, so I've fallen behind on my LDS fiction and am probably due for some catch-up reading :)
I completely agree with you Anita! I must warn you that sticking with Young Adult fiction might not be the best answer, some of the worst, most prolific swearing I have encounterd has been in YA books. Also, they like to push the envelope as far as teen-age sexuality goes(particularly same-sex relationships). Here at good ol' Provo Library the adult/teen department has a lot of great lists of recommendations, including one called "Squeaky Clean". http://www.provolibrary.com/booklists
Good luck!
Ugh. I totally agree! After reading Water For Elephants, I decided I'm not reading anything that isn't either YA or LDS. I hate being limited like that, but I don't like being surprised by something filthy in the middle of a good story (I, too, can't stand not finishing a book once I'm invested in the story!).
Sorry, I couldn't get that link to work in my last entry. But just cut and paste for lots of reading ideas. Also, I just wanted to mention one I just read this weekend. I found it an interesting addition to the teen paranormal romance genre. "Firelight" by Sophie Jordan. Basically it is about a pride of Draki that are like werewolves, only they transform into dragons. Of course, the strong-willed girl gets in some trouble and ultimately falls for the wrong guy, or is he?
I know Jenika also was reading that book and I asked to borrow it and she said no way it was horrible.
Common problem. I am the same way, I will for some reason trudge through all the garbage just to see what happens.
My friend started a blog to help with this so we can give each other a heads up about a book with a rating system-http://backyardbookworms.blogspot.com/
I haven't shared on the blog yet, but it has helped me to see if I want to read a book or not and if it is ok to give to Katie to read or not.
Just an idea...
If you want to be an author let me know :)
I totally agree! I actually started that book because my brother in law was reading it. It was very interesting for about the first 100 pages then I had to completely put it down and leave it. Too bad I now own it and never plan on finishing it or lending it to anyone. Books can leave just as many bad images in your mind as movies.
I could not agree more! I hate starting a book only to realize that it's full of crap! It's time for a rating system for sure!
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