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?
