This was originally created by Lindsey Rey (whose channel is no longer available). I originally posted this tag on my old blog, and I thought it would be fun to revisit my answers and provide some new ones. I think I originally posted in 2014 or 2015.
1) What book have you been unable to finish?
My original answer: Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts.
I have finished Shantaram, which was my original July Book (a fun project I started a few years ago, where I took an intimidating book’s total page count and divided it by 31 and then read that number of pages each day in July. Shantaram takes place in India and the heat of India made this a perfect July read.
Today I would choose A Little Life for this challenge. I’ve started this book twice and, on one occasion, read about 300 pages. I think I’m hesitant because I know that it will tear my heart out but those are my favourite types of books to read. It’s on my list of 22 books to read in 2022, so hopefully I can finish it this year!
What book have you yet to read because…
2) …you just haven’t had the time?
My original answer: Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson.
I have read not only Mistborn but the entire trilogy! I loved them all and it was my love for this series that pushed me into starting to collect some of Brandon Sanderson’s other series, only to discover this summer that The Way of Kings was not my cup of tea. So we’ll see if I can find another of his books to enjoy as much as this series — I have quite a few to choose from now.
Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak was on my list of 21 books to read in 2021 but I didn’t read it last year. I started listening to the audiobook early in the year but I got lost and realized that I need to spend some quality time getting into the story before I can switch over to the audiobook. So it’ll still happen one day – especially if I’ve got a few days where I’m driving to and from the office, as this book is a chunker.
3) …it’s a sequel?
My original answer: A Dance of Dragons by George R.R. Martin.
Three for three so far! I listened to this one as another July Book and it was a SLOG. As much I as enjoyed the TV show, I won’t be reading any more of these books — if/when the series is ever finished.
The Labyrinth of Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I think this might be the longest of the books in the series and as much as I adored The Shadow of the Wind, I was on a beach on my honeymoon with nothing to do but lay in the sun and get lost in this story. I know that I’ll love it … but I also still have The Prisoner of Heaven to read first (another of my 21 books to read in 2021 that I didn’t get to!). It takes place in December so I think it’s a perfect winter read.
4) …it’s brand new?
My original answer: A Court of Mist and Fury.
Another one that’s read! It’s hard for me to leave a Sarah J. Maas on my shelf unread for long.
Rule of Wolves is probably my newest intimidating book and that’s only because I haven’t read King of Scars yet. I wanted to finish the TV show first – better get on that!
5) …you read a book by the same author and didn’t enjoy it?
My original answer: Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta.
Wow, I’m rocking this list – another one read! I buddy read this one with a friend and didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped, but I also read it while moving and I know that being busy can often dampen a reading experience.
Rooms by Lauren Oliver is my new pick for this category, and another one that I will hopefully check off this year. Before I Fall and Delirium are probably two of my favourite books of all time, but others of hers have not worked for me at all. I think Rooms is her only adult book, so I’m intrigued but also keeping my expectations super low.
6) …you’re just not in the mood for it?
My original answer: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.
I’m never in the mood for this book. I did start it as a buddy read with a friend and I just couldn’t get into it. I recently decided to unhaul it and figured I can borrow it from the library if I’m ever in the mood to try again.
The Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield. This book is probably the opposite of my reading tastes, but I love that my mother-in-law saw that it was a signed copy and bought it for me. We’ve been watching a lot of space TV and moves (Lost in Space, The Martian, and Interstellar and, of course, the Star Wars universe) and I feel like I might possibly be in the mood for this book?
7) …it’s humongous?
My original answer: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.
Another July Book that was a SUCCESS! This one is one of my husband’s favourite books and he has yet to recommend a book that I didn’t like. It was perfect reading a western in the summer too.
Whitethorn by Bryce Courtenay. I loved The Power of One (and Tandia) so my mom bought me this book … in hardcover and it’s over 600 pages and it’s HEAVY.
8) …because it was a cover buy that turned out to have poor reviews?
My original answer: Halo by Alexandra Adornetto.
I did try reading this one (on audio) and I couldn’t get into it so I donated it.
Although it doesn’t have super poor reviews (3.73 on Goodreads ain’t bad), Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano was definitely a cover buy and I got worried when I didn’t enjoy The Glass Spare. Yet, I wasn’t so worried that it stopped me from buying books two and three in the trilogy without reading book one.
9) What is the most intimidating book in your TBR pile?
My original answer: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.
Last book on the list is the only one I haven’t read yet, and I would have to say that this remains the most intimidating book on my TBR pile. One of these days, I’ll tackle it.
What about you? Is there a book on your TBR pile that scares you silly?
Writer Grrl Reads 