What's This All About?Let's face it, some books are just a bit more challenging than others. Some subjects are hard to read about. Other books are structurally or linguistically challenging. There are so many great books to read and a limited amount of time to do so, therefore we like to choose our books well. I know that I've struggled through many books in the hopes that in the end they would be worth it and have been really frustrated when they weren't. In my book group I've noticed how much it helps when there are other readers who highly recommend a book -- especially when they acknowledge that it starts slow or is a little difficult -- and promise that it's worth it to stick with it. So, this is my attempt to do the same for you. Here are a few great books that you might have avoided without the encouragement. Please feel free to e-mail me your own favorites!
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Difficult Subjects:I have to admit that years of studying German literature have increased my tolerance for the depressing quite a bit. Still, I recall reading a book a year ago that was really depressing and I just kept on at it in the faith that it had to get better. Well, it didn't. The books below are all ones that I didn't really have any problems reading, in spite of their potentially depressing subject matter. However, I recognize that many people have extremely low tolerences unappetizing subjects (like child abuse) , or very sad stories. I've made this list especially for you. If you make it through the hard parts, I guarantee that it'll be worth it. I'll give away the endings to the extent that the books end on a positive note of some sort. Martin Andersen-Nexo, Pelle The Conqueror Jennifer Lash, Blood Ties Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes Herbjorg Wassmo, House with the Blindglass Windows Niall Williams, Four Letters of Love
Complicated:Unlike the previous catagory, the following are books which I did find to be somewhat of a challenge to read, but to me the challenge was a good thing in the long run. That's not always the case. I remember reading Faulkner's The Sound and The Fury while we were in Germany. I was incredibly frustrated the whole time I was reading it and announced on more than one occasion during that time that it was the worst thing I'd ever read. After finishing, I had to admit that I could see why English teachers may love to recommend the book because it offered all sorts of great topics of discussion. So, it may not have been the worst thing I'd ever read after all....but it's still up there with the least enjoyable. It's one thing to have to read something difficult for school or work, but when I'm reading for pleasure, I want there to be a reward for all that effort. I think the following selections fit that bill. I hope you'll think so, too. Lars Gustafsson, Bernard Foy's Third Castling Lars Gustafsson, Sigismund Ian Pears, An Instance of the Fingerpost |
