Today's Tuesday Thingers question is:
What's the most popular book in your library? Have you read it? What did you think? How many users have it? What's the most popular book you don't have? How does a book's popularity figure into your decisions about what to read?
My answer:
I am going to cheat a bit and skip all the classics that a lot of people have in their libraries. The most popular non-classic in my LT library is "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" by Mark Haddon (13,958 users). I borrowed it from my friend Andrea and liked it fine.
The most popular non-classic in my physical home library is "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel (13,281 users). When I originally read this, I checked it out from the public library, but I loved it so much, I ended up buying a copy. I have also bought this for about 5 friends of mine and have loaned it out a lot as well. I always tell people that have trouble getting into it to skip ahead to the part where the shipwreck actually occurs (about halfway through) because this is the best part. The whole beginning is a set up so that you can understand the end better, but it is not totally necessary to enjoying the story.
The most popular books that I don't have are all the books in the Harry Potter series. I read the first page of the first book, but wasn't hooked and that was that. I do think its overwhelming popularity sets off a rebellious streak in me now - I want to be in the minority that hasn't read it. But maybe I will read it someday. The latest movie was on in the main cabin the last time I flew. I didn't watch it, but I couldn't avoid seeing it, and I noticed that the characters were running through the whole movie. I asked my seatmate why this was. He said, if they had walked everywhere, the movie would've been too long! Should have been a stand up comic, that guy.
Of the top 100 books, which J Kaye conveniently lists here, I have read or own 63 of them. So I guess I can't say I avoid popular books.
EDIT: Well, I have to admit I have read Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code (23,266 users) though I never added it to my LT library. And I do own The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (14,566 users) but I haven't added it because I haven't read it yet.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
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12 comments:
I'm encouraged that you liked Life of Pi. I have it somewhere towards the base of Mt. TBR because I've heard a lot of people say they couldn't get into it.
When you were talking about th Harry Potter books, and how everyone's got them, it occurred to me they are never anything that will end up on a "you must read" list. However, The Kite Runner, which you said you've also not read, IS definately a must-read.
Thanks Lenore! :-D
It's funny; the two you mentioned (Life of Pi and Curious Incident) are ones I'm on the fence about reading. I've heard really mixed reviews about both and haven't picked up either. I should just pick them both up from the library and settle down. I know Life of Pi in particular is short. I just don't know if I'll appreciate them at all, but I guess I never will until I try them.
I want to read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" by Mark Haddon!
Hmmm...See I loved the Harry Potters and was underwhelmed with Life of Pi, so I'm now wondering how I'm going to feel about the Night-Time doggie. I'm curious what you thought of Da Vinci Code since you didn't add it to your library. Is it because you didn't like it?
I've never read Life of Pi and keep thinking I should. Enough folks have said they liked it that I will probably too.
I liked The Da Vinci Code while I was reading it, though I liked Angels and Demons better. I guess I should add them to my library at some point.
I loved Life of Pi. It's definitely unconventional but I thought it was wonderful.
The Kite Runner, in my opinion, was a really good book. I've never read the Life of Pi, but everyone talks about it and just about every english teacher I've had in the HS has had at least one copy of it in their classroom library and I've seen a good # of my classmates reading it...I guess I better check it out sometime soon!
btw, thanks for letting me know about the kitty kitty contest--finals have taken over my life and I would've realized it too late! Thanks so much!! :)
To summarize: I loved Life of Pi, hated Curious Incident, loved The Kite Runner and did not understand all the fuss over Da Vinci Code.
I think that everyone should read at least one of the Harry Potter books. I think they're fun books and I think it's a great lesson in how a decent kids book becomes a global phenom. I'd think that would have to make any reader curious.
I havent read Life of Pi, but its on my TBR.
I loved the HP books. Read them twice.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Hi Lenore,
One of my co-workers read Life of Pi and loved it - said something about it being wonderful if you love animals. I read a few pages and just could not get into it, so I am glad to have your advice. Maybe I will try again from the beginning.
I really enjoyed The Kite Runner as well. I think I would move it closer to the top of the TBR list.
LibrarysCat
I've never even heard of "The Curious Incident...." I'll have to check it out :)
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