I’ve watched the newest version of Dune a couple of times now and, so far, I’m enjoying it. I contemplated going back and finishing the book but, considering it has been years since I started reading it, it would make the most sense to start again from the beginning.
If you have to talk yourself into reading something just to convince yourself “but this time, it will be worth it,” then maybe this book isn’t for you.
Along with Dune, I’ve listed a few other books that I just couldn’t get through because they were tedious, uninteresting, or even insulting.
Warning: Minor spoilers for The Atrocity Archives.
Dune by Frank Herbert
- Why did I read this? It’s a classic that is well known and well-respected
- The good: Fantastic world-building. Compared to other stories which hinge on the trope of “the one”, I love the idea that the savior is just some guy named Paul.
- The bad: I made it 50% of the way through and just couldn’t continue. Maybe I missed out on the most interesting parts that make all of the build-up worth it.
Surface Detail by Iain M Banks
- Why did I read this? It came highly recommended.
- Summary: I don’t even know how to describe the premise of this book, but it deals with resurrection for revenge, the meaning of hell, sentient ships, and the search for justice.
- The good: I’ve read two other of Banks’ books – Player of Games (loved it) and Excession (not my cup of tea but definitely stuck with me over the years)
- The bad: I started this book twice. I just could not get into it. The parts about artificial hells were the most interesting. I could not stay interested in the revenge plot and the sentient ship.
The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger
- Why did I read this? I have read nothing but good things about The Dark Tower.
- The good: Honestly nothing. I have no idea what this book is about. I got about 20% through it and put it down.
- The bad: I bought this book at least four years ago and have attempted to read it twice. The second time I read it, I was on a long plane flight and it was the only thing I had on my kindle app that I hadn’t read. It is just too strange and disgusting for me.
The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross
- Why did I read this? Recommended to me by a friend.
- The good: Interesting characters, interesting setup. I loved the world building.
- The bad: The Nazi stuff was pretty boring. Immediately got annoyed when the male protagonist was both the rescuer and got to bang the main female character. Based on what we know about him, this just seemed like some odd writer fantasy insertion. This is such a pet peeve of mine! Can’t we have a lead character care about a woman because she’s a human being? It doesn’t have to be a love interest! And this is coming from someone who enjoys romance, non-conventional romance stories, etc…
