Has anyone avoided a book/s that everyone is raving about? I am totally resistant to the Harry Potter books. I just explain why
Has anyone avoided a book/s that everyone is raving about? I am totally resistant to the Harry Potter books. I just explain why
I never read Harry Potter either, Fantasy and magic and stuff is not my thing.
I am the same way with Harry Potter. Not into the storyline. Didn’t watch the movies either.
I am not usually into the whole magic thing, but THEN… I thought I would just check out the first couple chapters. I was HOOKED after that!
Me too
Tha makes sense I enjoy crime and psychological thrillers
I avoided HP for years! Just wasn’t interested. I read them for the first time last months. Some of the best books I have ever read. I was never into magic or fantasy either, but I loved them because they were just very good stories in general.
Harry Potter is just not something that I would be able to get into. I don’t go for the magical, sorcery type books. Now, my son on the other hand, loves those books and has read them all more than once.
I am obsessed with harry potter. But I know that genre isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Lately I’ve been branching out and reading genres I never thought I would get into and I was surprised and how much I liked them. Just do what you love and maybe one day you may find yourself wanting to try something new.
Almost always! I loved Harry Potter for a long time but could never get into A Man Called Ove, A Song of Ice and Fire, Divergent, or any work by Brandon Sanderson.
OMG…..I love Brandon Sanderson. 2 months ago, I would have never picked up one of his books. Now, because of HP, I am on my 4 Sanderson book.
Haha, different strokes I guess!
Have you read Warbreaker??
@Catherine not yet. Just the first 3 of the Mistborn series and Way of Kings.
At least give it a try, when ya get bored or whatever ?, and if you hate that one – you should probably indeed move on hahah.
The only Brian Sanderson I’ve read is Elantris, and I really liked it.
I always give an effort to try one, even if it’s not my typical genre. Never know!
I’m the same way, to an extent. I saw the HP movies first and absolutely loved it. I enjoyed the movie so much, I want to watch the all the movies without knowing what to expect from the books. Same with GOT.
After all the movies came out, I read 1-4 of HP and just wasn’t into it.
Wouldn’t read the Da Vinci Code because I knew half the story from the hype.
But I’m reading 11.22.63 now which is hyped because I want to watch the mini-series.
I have and never will be into the sci fi or yea HP lord of the rings and all that. Im good lol. I will stick w the murder mysteries and suspense and stuff I normally like
You weren’t missing much with the Da Vinci code
I’ve been avoiding the game of thrones books and show, finally gave in to watching the show over the summer but haven’t started the books yet. I started the Harry potter books last year but only got through book 3.
haha too many to name
I love HP but I have always been a big fan of fantasy since I was in Elementary school in the early 90s.
My brother followed me around reading parts of the books before the first movie came out- I finally said I’d read them to get some peace.
They are some of my favourite books and movies now!!! Best series I’ve read in a long time..
I also refused to read Flowers in the Attic- because everyone was doing it…
When they were such a big deal…Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey. Ugh to both.
Big fat ditto to both! I don’t waste my time on poorly written books!
I am not interested in Harry Potter at all. To be fair, most books I read are nonfiction, but I do read some fiction. Don’t know whyI am not interested. Weird huh?
If you’re avoiding something just because it is popular, it is a bit silly to me, and you could be missing out on something great. But if you’re avoiding it because you know it’s not a genre you like, then it’s understandable.
Never read Harry Potter and I refuse to do so lol I just don’t think I’ll like it. I read the first few pages of the first book and it’s a nope for me.
I’ve never read any of the 50 Shades trilogy, nor have I seen the movies. I always try to be open minded, but this series is a No Go for me.
Agreed … LAME
I avoid Terry prachett books … only because a colleague no matter what I’m reading and enjoying continually says I should read them, in a dismissive way about my current choice of book … petty but I refuse to give her the satisfaction ?
Prachett was a freaking amazing author and person. Don’t let an annoying colleague ruin him for you.
I’ve avoided HP too. Did read the first couple chapters of my daughters and thought no way do I want to read a series of this
Same – my kids were at the perfect age when HP first came out and I just couldn’t do it.
Harry Potter is literally one of the best series I’ve ever read. Ever !
People saying “I refuse to read Harry Potter” is just ridiculous. I will give ANY book a few chapters, ESPECIALLY one loved by so many people. If you don’t like it after the first 3/4 chapters then put it down and at least you know. Some of my favourite books have been out of my comfort zone genre-wise and I’m so glad I decided to try them.
I mean, a word of warning: I decided to read the first Harry Potter book in 6th grade because I figured I should give it a chance before making fun of it, and then proceeded to read it like I was addicted to it for the entire day through school and well into the night.
I grew up reading Harry Potter when they were first published, I remember being so excited waiting for the next book and the next book to be released. And then I fell in love with the movies. And now both my children love the books (my eldest read them all within a month) and my 6 year old has just started Philosophers Stone. We’re massive fans in this house and I just think everyone should give them a go, even if they think they’re not for them!!
I love HP…BUT I have definitely had certain books that I did not like or couldn’t get into. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is one of them!
I enjoyed the Harry Potter movies but wouldn’t say they really grabbed me. Not like Lord of the Rings for instance which I am obsessed with. I have been questioning whether to read the HP books but because I wasn’t hooked by the films I don’t have much interest. Maybe a little curiosity but my tbr list is long and curiosity doesn’t make it high on my list.
The books are better than the movies in my opinion, but I always think that about any book/movie combo
@Danielle I agree that like most books made into movies, the books are much better than the movies. So is with the HP books.
I was resistant to both Harry Potter and Twilight. With Harry Potter my nephew put it in my lap and said “Aunt Chrissy read to me!” (My sister was reading them to him). I read him a couple chapters until he fell asleep, only thing while watching him sleep I kept reading! Lol Hooked. As for Twilight, I avoided it like the plague thinking these people were crazy! But just like a cat curiosity got the best of me and I am a proud Twilight fan as well. ??♀️??♀️?
I loved the twilight books too! Read them 3 times!!
Meee too!! Or more lol I have lost count!
I read twilight out of order. I saw #2  in the store brought them home and started reading only to find out after I read the second did I realize it was the second. ?♀️
lol I made the mistake of picking up just Twilight at first, only to realize I would read through it very quickly and had to wait a couple weeks before finding a copy of new moon.
I read The first twilight book and saw the movie, mostly because they were nearly shoved down my throat. I won’t go into the many reasons I hated them.
Draco is the only reason I like Harry Potter. He is such a deep character and I would have loved to see a story told from his eyes. How he found and fell in love with Astoria. How he coped with Potter and his father and being forced into the death eaters. How he coped with Astoria’s curse and how he dealt with being a single father. Idk less of that stuck up Potter, I want to see DRACO!
Strange as it may seem to one as old as me, but I did enjoy HP at least the 1st 3 or 4 books. Not too crazy about the last 2 or so after Dumbledore died. Nevertheless I still kept my collection. Maybe someday my great, great grandkids will enjoy them. hahaha
A Man Called Ove and Eleanor Ophiliant is Completely Fine.
My two avoidances too!
Sadly I just finished A Man Called Ove, avoided it also because too much talk how wonderful it was, but found it in a used book store while on vac. Sadly I just finished it tonight and am crying, wish it would just continue…my top favorite books now….so why avoid a book just because, could be missing a beautiful experience.
And will be starting Eleanore tomorrow morning on way to work, choice of my book club this month, got it on my audible….let you know
I don’t like sad books. So I’d rather not read sad books and or storylines.
@Dorian A Man Called Ove wasn’t really sad..very heart warming and funny, yes, has sad in it, it is life…
I actually had to read this my freshman year of college, I was like WTF. I read it and it all made sense…great book that I would have never picked up otherwise!
Which book was that?
@Jennifer the first Harry Potter. It was in 2001!
I hate hype too and didn’t read them for a long time. Then I finally broke down and loved them all. A truly amazing series.
agree sometimes but that is not one to avoid
Nope to HP !
Yes. A Little Life. No thank you.
I have not read the Twilight or Divergent series’. I love the genres but I just never read them. I don’t even know why.
I call them bandwagon books. The nightingale, ove, & Eleanor esp. But i admit i am kind of wanting to read the Eleanor one. Also i bought the 2nd hocus pocus sequel on amazon. But i did that bc hocus pocus is my #1 fav of all time. Regardless if other ppl like it lol
I’m listening to Eleanor Oliphant on Audible. And I am absolutely enjoying it a hundred percent. I am also a hundred percent positive I don’t think I would have liked it if I was reading a physical book.
@Lisa hm….Thats def interesting. Im like #12 at my library lol. I didn’t think about on audio tho! Im making thurs library day bc my 2 days off as reg. So i def take a look!!!
@Trisha , for me it definitely depends on the book. I think with Eleanor, the dry humor and the sadness comes to life with the narrator. I’m a relative audio book newbie ?
Yes I know just what you mean by bandwagon books! Girl on the train was a big bandwagon book that was mediocre at best. I did love Ove though. ?
50 Shades; Harry Potter; hunger games. I’m sure this puts me in a very rare box.
And nothing with vampires. ?
I’m with you except for Harry Potter. I loved the Harry Potter books
@Lisa I should probably try them.
@Mary I read them all in my 30’s and breaks my heart that my son isn’t interested ? I would totally read them again. I don’t often laugh out loud or actually cry when reading but they had me doing both!
@Lisa well that’s intriguing. Guess I should check it out. I see the movies repeated on cable and haven’t even watched them. What’s better – books or movies? (I think i know the answer).
Books ? but the movies were awesome too! As if they literally brought the books to life
It seems reeeeeeaaallly silly to me to avoid something simply because it’s popular….
@Catherine I take it as, it’s a popular book but you are not interested.
I’m actually rereading this for the thousandth time in my life. I love HP
I won’t read 50 Shades. I don’t get into that kind of book. Not a big fan of mushy love stories at all.
It’s not even mushy. It’s exploitative and disturbing, being passed off as romantic.
I won’t read the Girl With The Dragon tattoo series. Started the first one and hated it. Don’t want to read Outlander either…way too romancey
I didn’t make it past the first few chapters of girl with a dragon tattoo. I was so bored reading it
I stopped caring about Girl with the Dragon Tattoo literally 20 pages from the end. What a waste of my life
In the dragon tattoo, 2 & 3 are better than 1, but they are all dark so I can understand they would not appeal to many.
I don’t mind dark….it just didn’t grab me. Maybe because it was a translation from Swedish?? Wasn’t it? It seemed a chore to read.
Agreed, Lisa, it was so dry and lifeless
50 shades….i avoid like the plauge
I love that we all have different tastes and ideas. I am a 75 year young grandmother in love with Harry Potter and Outlander. Fantasy and history, my favorite subjects❣️
@Carol I am 60. Love the Harry Potter books and the movies. Love all of Tolkien’s books. Big fan of fantasy.
I love HP and LOTR too but my club ladies are not into them. 🙂
If you like fantasy you should try the the three dark crowns series. It’s young adult but my mom and I have been flying through them. Seriously great fantasy books ❤️
Fantasy was my genre for years, loved Tolkien and Terry Brookes. For a while was massively into Westerns, then tried Catherine Cookson and loved most of hers. Always been into horror at the moment my absolute favourite is anything zombie or apocalypse. Never really thought about trying Harry Potter but maybe one day. It seems ok.
Ohhhh yes. I don’t like mainstream. If it’s a “top seller,” it’s likely not for me.
I usually feel the same way. If I wasn’t reading an author before they became nyt bestsellers, I probably won’t read them after. I can’t think of a book from the list that I read and liked
A friend of mine gave me Water for Elephants. Hated it
What niche are you looking for?
I read a couple HP books but they went from interesting to ridiculous, IMO. I’ll read popular books. I’ll just assume they won’t live up to the hype… avoids disappointment.
I feel like they just got a whole lot darker and deeper. But I’m madly in love with the series, so I’m biased ?
Catherine Kerr they lost me with the spiders in the wall and then the invisible cloak… and that thing in the woods? And the car scene. Guess it’s just not my thing. Lol
It’s called magic lol.
I am looking for the same
Lord of the Rings ?
@Kerri not only do I adore the movies but I am listening to the audio book and it is spool good.
In my collection! Thanks.
50 shades of gray.
Me too
And me
Most books I couldn’t tell you if they’re on a best sellers list or not, I just buy books that I like the look of.
I love Harry Potter though, but then I did first start reading them almost 20yrs ago
50 shades of grey. Danielle Steele and Sophie Kinsella
I love Harry Potter. Everyone is different and has different tastes which makes life interesting. But sometimes I get curious why people rave about something and I try it. I read Harry Potter when my son was reading it and we had something on common to discuss. Try the Philosophers Stone. It might surprise you x
I read the 1st Harry Potter because of all the hype. I didn’t like it, but I thought it was a great book and story for younger audiences.
the first three books are more targeted at children. After the third book is where it gets more intense and action packed.
Yeah, people give up waaaay too early on the series.
@Catherine if it doesn’t grab my attention with the first book I usually don’t go further. I admit it. Too many books to read!
I like fantasy but have avoided Harry Potter books as don’t think they’re for me. Also avoided The Girl on the Train….
Girl in the train was overhyped and just meh but one day you should give HP a shot ❤️
I have some genres that I generally avoid, but I often pick up a book if it’s very popular/get good reviews. A genre like this is Sci-fi. Sometimes I really like the book (ready player one) and sometimes I don’t (The martian). But I like to read diversely and try be open to anything, so I would never say never. I also love to have opinions about things, and I can’t have an opinion if I havn’t read it!
Lots of people here are spouting opinions about Harry Potter before even reading it ?
Harry Potter is good. But to avoid a book because of it being popular is silly, you never know if your gonna like Harry Potter or in that genre if you don’t try. But if it’s cuz you tried that genre & didn’t like it is different
I don’t understand how or why people avoid books because they are popular. First I think it’s dumb. Second, what do you read then because that’s all that the stores are selling. Third, they are “best sellers” for a reason
Just because they are popular doesn’t necessarily mean they are particularly good books.
Um. If you are suggesting Harry Potter is a bad series, I’m gonna maybe lose it a bit ?. Anyways, I agree Carolyn. Very dumb reasoning.
I hated The Hobbit, but loved Lord of the Rings trilogy, go figure ?
Y’all are missing out with Harry Potter. Seriously enjoyed reading them in my adult years (especially the later books in the series) more then I did in my childhood.
Yes gone girl and Eleanor oliphant
I agree with you Carolyn Schugel
I have been avoiding the nightingale. I have been going through some stuff and I don’t want another reason to cry
That’s something I always avoid. If someone says a book is sad or they had a good cry over it – NO lol.
I hope things look up for you soon.
thank you Catherine ❤️ you’re very sweet
50 shades of Rubbish…oh sorry I’m mean grey ??
I avoided Harry Potter because of the hype for years. Eventually read it on holiday and kicked myself for being so stubborn. Now I read it if I’m interested and don’t read it if I’m not. Sorted.
But you never know what you may be missing!
I avoided Harry Potter books (just didn’t appeal) and the Shades of Grey books – I’d rather eat nails ! Stupid I know but there you are.
Any romance book
I loved the books of Harry Potter and have them now on Audio so nights I have trouble sleeping I go off to Stephen Fry reading it to me….I didn’t resist The secret life of bees and enjoyed it, didn’t enjoy Olifant at all and am resting A man called Ove, don’t think it will be my cupatea .
50 shades of grey.