What books did you avoid reading for the longest time?
By megamatt
@megamatt (14292)
United States
December 2, 2010 12:57pm CST
For about a year, maybe a year and a half, everyone was telling me that I had to read Harry Potter. But I avoided it, thinking that everyone was just making a little bit deal out of it. I decided to give in during my seventh grade year. I enjoyed the first book, so I went to the second book, the third book, and then the fourth book. I was quite displeased when I had to wait about two years for the fifth book but such is life. Still is there a book that everyone hype to you but you avoided it for whatever reason. Then when you read it, you loved it.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
3 Dec 10
Hi Megamatt, I think the Bible is a book that many people avoid, even though they know that it is the bestseller for years.
The thickness of the Bible, plus the historical background, is a barrier to reading. I have started many times, and managed to finish only twice.
I do not think I have the time nor motivation to start and finish reading it again, no matter how uplifting and encouraging the message in the Bible is.
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
3 Dec 10
I think that people avoid reading large books in general. The Bible does have an interesting message, no matter how you look at it, but the deep meaning can be overwhelming for many people. Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated and it contributed to the topic well.
1 person likes this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
4 Dec 10
That's funny, because I think I was the exact opposite regarding Harry Potter. I read the first four as they came out with the rest of the crowd, but then I quit because I didn't like it. I kept on insisting I didn't like Harry Potter and all my silly friends (the majority of whom don't do nearly as much reading as I do) told me that I couldn't judge it yet, that I should finish the series, that it gets better, and that I'd like it. So I finally gave in after the seventh book came out. Finished the series. Still didn't like it. Case closed. 
The series that I DID avoid because of the hype and DID end up enjoying was Twilight. Another one of my silly friends (same group but this one DOES read as much as I do) told me I had to read it and snuck the first book in my to-read stack. I was a bit miffed because I don't really often like books that are A) really hyped-up (as evidenced by my aversion to Harry Potter), B) involve vampires (I HATE vampires. Talk about a hostile take-over of the mythical creature category) and, C) have love triangles. But I read the book... and yeah. Wonder of wonders, I actually throughly enjoyed it. So I read the rest of the series and I enjoyed those too. Not my typical type of book, I tend to call it my "mutant love" but one that I did enjoy.
Other than that I can only think of books that I put off reading for school. And for good reason cause most of them were like grinding sandpaper on my eyes. English teachers can praise Dickens and Hemmingway to high heaven, but I'll always throughly hate them. lol
The series that I DID avoid because of the hype and DID end up enjoying was Twilight. Another one of my silly friends (same group but this one DOES read as much as I do) told me I had to read it and snuck the first book in my to-read stack. I was a bit miffed because I don't really often like books that are A) really hyped-up (as evidenced by my aversion to Harry Potter), B) involve vampires (I HATE vampires. Talk about a hostile take-over of the mythical creature category) and, C) have love triangles. But I read the book... and yeah. Wonder of wonders, I actually throughly enjoyed it. So I read the rest of the series and I enjoyed those too. Not my typical type of book, I tend to call it my "mutant love" but one that I did enjoy.
Other than that I can only think of books that I put off reading for school. And for good reason cause most of them were like grinding sandpaper on my eyes. English teachers can praise Dickens and Hemmingway to high heaven, but I'll always throughly hate them. lol