Thursday, June 21, 2012

Jumping on the Book Bandwagon


I’ve often picked up a book because a friend recommended it. Strangely, I’m sometimes obstinately opposed to reading books that everyone recommends. I think of it as the book bandwagon. OMG you have to read it! It’s the best book ever written in the history of the universe!!! Their over-the-top praise and extra exclamation marks do not move me. Yet occasionally I’ll change my mind and join the bandwagon-book-reading masses. A firm recommendation from a friend usually does it, but then there are those other times when I just have to see what all the fuss is about. This has happened to me twice recently with different outcomes.

The first one of the bandwagon books I tried was – say it with me because you know what’s coming, right? – 50 Shades of Grey. Let’s be clear: I don’t have any problem with erotica. In fact, I used to review erotica novels for RT Book Reviews. But I admit, I didn’t finish it. I found the characters in 50 Shades kind of irritating and the writing only okay…ish… – just my opinion. On the other hand, I know there are plenty of people who swear it is a fabulous book series and love, love, love it. I gotta ask though, is this the first erotica novel they picked up? Try the erotica by Bertrice Small, Sasha White, or the Sleeping Beauty series by Anne Rice instead.

The second time I’ve jumped on the book bandwagon recently has been for Game of Thrones. So many people have recommended this to me, yet I resisted. Huge, sweeping fantasy epics aren’t usually my favorites. I think it was the guy at my eye doc’s office who changed my mind. He was talking about how much he loved the HBO series, and when I made a reference to the book series, he looked surprised. He had no idea it was a book first. That told me one thing – it must be a fabulous story, because here was this guy who thought it was so awesome he was actually now considering picking up the book, even though he admitted he hadn't read a book in years (and isn’t that a sad state of affairs?). So I’m mid-way through book one, and I agree – the story is fantastic. I’m sure I’ll read them all, now that I’m an epic fantasy convert. I have since seen the first episode of the TV series and it looks great too, but I don’t want to get ahead of the books, so I’ll wait on the rest of it for now.

What’s your take on 50 Shades and Thrones? Have any new book recommendations for me?

11 comments:

  1. Hi Jen!

    50 Shades of Grey sounds dull and drab to me, and I too read erotica, and some of the authors you mentioned are favs, adding Beth Kery to your mix. I'm enthralled with Game of Thrones, and I've yet to read one of the books or watch an episode (I've resisted watching sure I'm going to start Book 1, lol...good intentions). When I have time, I keep telling myself.

    Anyway, great article! I have jumped on the book bandwagon before, with trepidation. I'm always cautious with books that hit with almost too big of a splash.

    Dottie :)

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  2. Have you read CassaStar by Alex J Cavanaugh? It's not all that hyped, but it's the first book in years that had me in tears.

    Really want to read the Game of Thrones series, but can't ever seem to get the books when I have money, or get money when I find the books.

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  3. Thanks for stopping by, Dottie and Misha! I'll add Beth Kery and Alex Cavanaugh to my read list too.

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  4. I'm reading 50 Shades right now. The characters are blah and the writing is often clunky.

    I adore the show The Game of Thrones, but I haven't tried the books yet. My TBR list is already sooo long!

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  5. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way about 50 Shades of Grey!

    Pick up Game of Thrones when you get a chance! But I'm with you... my TBR is ridiculous, yet I keep buying new books!

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  6. I was not a fan of 50 either, but Game of Thrones . . . well I LOVE that series (and the TV show).

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  7. I'm really looking forward to watching it on TV because I love to see how they interpret the books. I'm a stickler, though, about waiting until after I read the book. Sigh. Must read faster!

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  8. Heard plenty of opinions about 50 shades of grey and none of them have fired me up! Not read game of thrones yet!

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  9. Haven't started Thornes, and more than likely won't be reading Grey. Less questions that way. :)

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  10. Yep not a fan of 50 shades , skipped most and ending up deleting it .

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  11. I heard that Game of Thrones is not for the faint of heart do to some pretty graphic depictions of rape and violence on the show. I've also heard that it's spectacularly good and that the books are phenomenal. Ashamed to say I forced myself through the 50 Shades trilogy and the only good thing I can say about it is that the third book has a good story line. The writing is still awful, the characters are still fucktards but... There you have it.

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