This round was started by Shaun. He asked:
What are three books you would tell people that they need to keep
reading even if they aren't immediately sucked in by the first page?
This one was hard for me to answer. Before I started writing, I rarely put a book down because it didn't grab me right away. Now, I'm not so patient. There are just so many books I want to read, and my time is so limited, that if it doesn't hook me right away, I'm probably going to put it down and move on to the next one.
And this is why I've rewritten my opening 7,483 times. <That might be a slight exaggeration. ;)
Okay, here are my three. Please don't throw rocks at me for the first one. *ducks*
1. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Even though this is one of the best books I've ever read, it took me a really long time to get into it. But everyone kept telling me I had to read it, so I persevered. And of course, once I was in, I was in. Excellent story, characters, pacing. If you haven't read it... Wait, are there still people who haven't read this book? ;)
2. The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. She uses a lot of description, which made it difficult for me to get going on the first one. And some of the dialogue is kind of cheesy and over the top. But there's something so compelling about her stories and her characters, that even with a slow start, I'll keep reading, because I know it'll suck me in eventually and ultimately be a fun read.
3. The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. It's been almost twenty years (that number can't be right o.O) since I first read this book and I can still remember slogging through the prologue and wondering what was happening and if the whole book was going to be that confusing. But my dad insisted it was good and that I'd like it, especially after flying through the Lord of the Rings trilogy in a month. And he was right. I love the whole Wheel of Time series and I've read Eye of the World at least four times and the rest at least twice. Well, up to book 10. At this point, I'm waiting until all the books have been released so I can start over from the beginning and read straight through. :)
What about you? Any books you recommend that might not hook you right away but are worth it in the end?
Be sure to check out Christine's picks from yesterday and Amparo's picks tomorrow. :)
I'm surprised by your selection of The Hunger Games. That book had me by the seat of the pants from page zero, but that's the best part about this blog chain. You get to see other people's perspectives.
ReplyDeleteGreat choices, Abby!
Whoa! Great list. I know what you mean about TMI. That book was a little stuffed in the beginning. But I fell in love with The Eye of the World from page one. Like you, I gave up around book 10 and am waiting for the cycle to be completed so that I can start from the beginning and read them all.
ReplyDeleteYou know I totally agree that The Hunger Games begins a little slowly - I actually thought all three books in the trilogy had slower beginnings. I think though a lot of that was the anticipation of what would happen, and being impatient to get there.
ReplyDeleteI had a hard time with #2 as well and I think it did take me a chapter or so to fall in love with Hunger Games. Glad I stuck with them!
ReplyDeleteThe Hunger Games was slow for me too in the beginning but I think it was just me really. I'd never read a futuristic book before, so the whole concept was new. TMI, though I loved from page one. I've read everything of Clare's so far and am waiting for the rest. I'm a sucker for description though. I'm such a geek.
ReplyDeleteI started reading The Hunger Games while standing in the check-out line at Walmart at 4 am on black friday. It was like a war zone in there--dim lights, merchandise strewn all around, people yelling, a catacomb of extra aisles... and it took me an hour to just get through the line to pay for my one item. (The item was an electronic for my kids, which they were buying with their own money, and could only afford because of black Friday pricing.)
ReplyDeleteI had never done black friday before, and felt like an observer from a distant planet. I think the atmosphere definitely added to my experience of the first chapter of Hunger Games. LOL.
Abby, I almost picked The Mortal Instruments!! Book 1 was heavy on the description and the dialogue was so cheesy, I couldn't get a grasp for Simon. Was he really that uptight or just being sarcastic? Of course, I fell in love with the world and characters and read three books in three days after that. But I totally agree about the beginning. Mmm, Jace.
ReplyDeleteThe Hunger Games had me at about page 3 when she makes a joke about drowning the cat. I'm aware this reveals disturbing things about me, but so it was. Interesting beginning for such a riveting, terrifying book/series.
As for the third, I need to read more fantasy. But this is exactly why I don't. Most of it takes so long to get a handle on the world. It's really kind of work. Man, I'm lazy.
Great recommendations!! Thanks.
Heather - loved your story about Black Friday!
Nice recommendations!
ReplyDeleteFor whatever reason, The Hunger Games had me from the first line. I was hooked like a trout!
ReplyDeleteI understand though. Some books that others herald can't keep me awake.
Oh my goodness! I'm so so glad you put Hunger Games on this list! I know I SHOULD read it, but I read the first 3 pages and just can't get into it. OK. Will plow. A book so many people love HAS to be worth it.
ReplyDelete