Thursday 27 October 2011

Booking Through Thursday (8)


What’s the hardest/most challenging book you’ve ever read? Was it worth the effort? Did you read it by choice or was it an assignment/obligation?

I honestly don't know. I've spent a good part of the day trying to think of the most challenging book I've ever read and it's been tricky to come up with an answer. I think it must be Firmin by Sam Savage. My stepmother loaned it to me and the whole book was just so disturbing I ended up reading it desperately hoping it got better. It was purchased as part of a Borders haul (sorry Dad, your credit card must still be wincing!) and we both thought it sounded really good. It wasn't :(

I've also read quite a few classics which are more challenging than modern books purely for the language but I still enjoyed them and felt they were worth the effort. There have also been modern books with scenes I found difficult to read emotionally (like the end of Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs) but again I still liked the book.

I think my problem is that if I find a book too challenging to read then I won't keep reading it. There are very few books I've given up on but if I find I'm really forcing myself to keep reading I'll stop. I've mentioned it here before, but The Time Machine is one of these. I just couldn't get into it so I gave up.

7 comments:

  1. I haven't read Firmin, but I've heard people saying the same thing you said.

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  2. Thanks for commenting :) I really don't recommend Firmin. It's just weird, very very weird.

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  3. Haven't heard of this title.
    I agree--if a book is too challenging to read, why force ourselves to continue? There have been times when I've forced myself to continue reading, but never have I ever ended up liking a work I had to force myself to read!

    :D Great answer!

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  4. I've not read Firmin either but agree that you should stop if you're actually forcing yourself to read. Once outside of school you should be allowed to read for enjoyment. :)

    Here's my BTT - House Millar series

    Aine

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  5. I'm with you ... if a book is way too challenging, or way to boring, I don't finish it. There are too many good books out there I'd rather read!

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  6. The only caveat to all this is that sometimes if you stick with a "challenging" book you find the going gets easier. Reading Shakespeare is a great example. At first it's a struggle, but after awhile you start to get used to the language and you can just "read" instead of having to concentrate, look things up etc. And it becomes a pleasure . . .

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  7. I had a hard time thinking of an answer too, so I didn't post a BTT post this week. I know I'm lame.... :(

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