Thread: What books have you 'snobbed'?

Hmmm... I enjoy fantasy novels but usually you have to sift through an enormous amount of fluff to find anything of substance. I find myself unable to read some of the more poorly written ones --- I didn't think this was unusual until one of my friends called me a 'book snob'.

Am I the only one out there that's like this? If I don't like the author's writing style, I can't take the story seriously, and unless it's some hugely acclaimed need-to-read book, I just can't force myself through it.

Just recently I attempted to read "The Snow Queen" (maybe it was "The Ice Princess"... I don't remember) by Mercedes Lackey (who is supposed to be one of the most prominent female fantasy authors out there) and I just could *not* do it --- the plot was so generic, the writing so cliched, etc. etc. etc.

I forced myself through the DaVinci Code (though because of it's interesting plot, it did manage to carry itself most of the time).

Anyone Else?

I avoid entire subgenres because of that syndrome. Most of them are fantasy-oriented. Because my kids-in-law liked them, I had to read a slew of YA urban fantasy/paranormal romance books. I don't think I'll ever read another. They were uniformly awful in all respects and ruined vampires for me forever.
"High fantasy" is so cliche-ridden in general that I don't go anywhere near it. One can only take so many castles, dragons, elves, etc., before one is driven sane by the exposure. Blame Terry Brooks
I've never read an out-and-out romance novel, and don't think I ever will. Just seeing the covers and reading the blurbs makes me suspect that may be the worst genre for quality of writing, ever.

oh oh oh! I totally agree with you --- 95% of romance novels are horrendous (even those written by people who are supposed to be 'masters of the craft', like Danielle Steele).

But, don't write off romance until you've read 'Outlander' by Diana Ga-something or other. Really good (if long and slightly "mary-sue"ish at times). It's like the romance book that could just be a normal book... lol.

A Farewell to Arms and Rebecca were both excellent; I consider them romance novels. Maybe it's just me.

Anyway, if a novel is offering me little, I will quit reading it regardless of the accolades. I remember enjoying Catch-22 for the first hundred-something pages, until it occured to me that Heller was re-writing the same manner of joke over and over. I stopped laughing, I lost interest, the characters bored me and I put the novel down.

I can't imagine trying fantasy, though. I've skimmed through a few, and the skim was enough.

Outlander is Diana Gabaldon. My girlfriend has the entire series. I tried to read some of it and it doesn't hold my interest. It's a "historical romance" with some faux sci-fi/fantasy elements thrown in, somewhat inferior to similar period pieces like DeCamp and Pratt's Compleat Enchanter or Dickson's Dragon books.
It does seem to have a good deal of historically accurate detail though, especially concerning the early Scots and Picts. She really likes it. Not for me though.
Seven, part of the idea behind Catch-22 is that repetitive nature of things. I understand what you're saying, but there are subtle differences each time around. Not the best book in the universe, but a good one. Something Happened also has some moments, but Good as Gold was awful.
Fwiw, I liked the DaVinci Code the first time around.

Off Topic:

I would be rather suspicious about the overall thought processes, the general mental condition, of people who write phantasy

DaVinci was no more than some clever cashing-in on the non-fiction The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail.

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

DaVinci was no more than some clever cashing-in on the non-fiction The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail.

Fooled me. I thought it was cleverly cashing in on the too-sophisticated-not-to-read-but-too-retarded-to-read-anything-with-actual-substance crowd. Dan Brown may have ruined history forever. People actually use that book as a historical source for their retarded conspiracy babbling. Then again, I've met people who think that the film 10 Commandments is biblicaly sound (apparently Charlton Heston gunned down Pharaoh's armies with an AR-15), and that Enemy at the Gates is proof that the Soviets forced their men to charge by the thousands into enemy tanks and machine guns without being armed. So I guess Browns book was simply operating in reverse.

Originally Posted by Edgewise

I've met people who think that the film 10 Commandments is biblicaly sound (apparently Charlton Heston gunned down Pharaoh's armies with an AR-15), and that Enemy at the Gates is proof that the Soviets forced their men to charge by the thousands into enemy tanks and machine guns without being armed.

This is possibly just the tip of a large mass of ice that has broken away from a glacier and floats in the sea with the greater part of its bulk under the water.

In my own family (((shudder))) there are two people who, respectively, have read a work of fiction and believed it to be true, and have watched a short TV mini-series featuring a well-known native Australian and believed it to be a documentary on his life.

There's definitely plenty of historical fact in Enemy At The Gates (loosely interpreted). It's based on the real guy who racked up all those kills, and there was a woman in his team who did quite well, although I don't think they really include her in the movie. Been along time since I watched it. I'll take your word abuot the charging soldiers.

I "snob" most books. DaVinci code is an obvious one. I couldn't even read it the first time I tried, but after reading Angels and Demons (still poorly written and executed, but fun to read) I came back to it and finished it. Yeah, it sucks, but it's a good book to read on a plane or something I guess. And everyone knows he stole it from those three other guys' book, Bruce.

I'm trying to think of others. Harry Potter, obviously. I read the first book a couple years ago because I heard so much praise for it, expecting something wonderful, and it was just a mediocre children's book. There's a trilogy about scientists cloning Jesus from DNA discovered on the shroud or turin that alot of my fraternity friends raved about, but I couldn't get through more than twenty pages. Horrible, horrible writing. Makes Dan Brown look like Hemingway. I ended up reading the the first two books of the trilogy later anyway, but couldn't get any farther. Any fantasy book besides Wheel of Time I snob. I snobbed Lord of the Rings the first time I read it. Sci-fi I also snob. And those dime novels with pictures of Fabio shirtless on the cover.

There was a government-sponsored project to drain the Red Sea (can't remember which government) and find all the gold and treasures left down there by Pharaoh's army. They spent tens of millions on it.

Oh, so I guess I snob the Bible too. Poorly written tripe.

EDIT: And, yes, I've actually read most of the Bible. My grandfather has read it like four times or something ridiculous like that. No idea how he can stand it.

I am reading Twilight because my sister really enjoyed it, and she wants to watch the movie with me when it comes out on video. (She's 28 btw. Goes to show you this book has captured readers of all ages.) I am almost finished, and thought the plot is keeping my attention, I really grit my teeth at some of the poor, cliche writing. But then I remind myself, hey, Stephanie Meyer (is that her name?) is published, and I'm not really, so maybe I can learn something from her.

I half-snob Atlas Shrugged. Too long, preachy, repetitive of Fountainhead, stupid at parts, and over-rated. Fountainhead is one of my favorites, though.

Don't understand why you snob sci-fi, Doc. The bulk of it is better-written than any other genre and has more ideas per square page. Perhaps it is that you tend to take things literally.
Couldn't get through Wheel of Time. Overhyped.

I have the Dune books, just never read them. Maybe they'll change my mind about Sci-Fi. Someone gave me Wheel of Time when I was in highschool, and I'd never heard of it, thought it would suck, and was incredibly surprised.