Books you are obsessed with while being somewhat embarrassed/confused by your obsession

[Arilynn]

Kind of specific, right?

But I am obsessed with the Red Rising trilogy. I have read it maybe 7 times and am rereading it again so I can start book 4. And that’s weird for me.

I’m not a huge science fiction/fantasy fan. (Example: I am not sure where the line is between these two categories.) I generally dislike books that fans adore, such as

Spoiler: Don’t open; it will just make you mad

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Whatever, everything by the guy who wrote Player Piano or a book with a really similar title, The Lion Witch Wardrobe books, Ender’s Game, pretty much anything with magic in it, and A Canticle for Somebody

. Most sci fi/fantasy I don’t get far into before I close them out. Also, I can see the flaws in this trilogy. I could make a long list.

It doesn’t matter, however, as I love it so much that I turn to it when I need reading that I can wholly sink into, away from RL for a while.

To broaden out from my thread title, anyone else have a literary confession?

You can tell all here. No one will know. I am pretty sure.

 

[Beebo Brink]

Mary Stewart's The Ivy Tree. I've lost count of how many times I've read this romance novel. I tell myself I'll just take a quick look at my favorites scenes, but no, I end up reading the whole thing again because it's all my favorite scenes.

There's something about the central plot and the tension that surrounds the main character that I just can't resist. It's a first-person narrative that shamelessly tricks the reader, but I forgive Stewart because it's just so delicious.

 

[Kamilah Hauptmann]

I have not read any Pratchett. I am familiar with a lot of Pratchett. Because Pratchett has no fans. Pratchett has a cult of evangelists and when you say you haven't read any Pratchett they will not shut up.

 

[Isabeau]

I enjoyed the first two of the Red Rising Trilogy. I can understand what you mean that it has its flaws but it being still good. I think I'll have to reread it before going ahead with the rest as I've forgotten the details.

Obsession I'm a tad embarrassed about? Pride and Prejudice. Good god, I don't know how many times I've read that one and how many times I've seen the last mini-series and movie.

*me rings the bell*
Shame!
Shame!
Shame!

 

[Ashiri]

I have not read any Pratchett. I am familiar with a lot of Pratchett. Because Pratchett has no fans. Pratchett has a cult of evangelists and when you say you haven't read any Pratchett they will not shut up.

So in other words, they are fanatics?

I do know what you mean and I have seen other authors having their fanatics too.

I always keep in mind the various stages authors can go through from inexperienced, a wordsmith, to rehashing the same plot.
Sometimes the middle is left out.
As for trilogies... sometimes the end should be left out.

 

[Archer]

Well, I cannot lie. It's Harry Potter all day long. I read all seven books over and over. I quote lines at everyone who will listen. I win every trivia game so that no one will play with me. I have a problem.

 

[Maggy Hazelnut]

For me it's "The Terror" by Dan Simmons. When I read that book I became thoroughly immersed in it. I could feel the cold & all the hardships the men faced as well as the supernatural aspects of that book. Since then I've become obsessed with reading more on Arctic expeditions (the Antarctic isn't the same & doesn't do it for me). I've also been reading other Dan Simmons books but no others have come to the level of "The Terror". Yes, I watched the mini-series of it on tv too - twice!

I'm gonna put the Red Rising Trilogy on my Read Soon list.

Oh I tried to read "Snow Crash" bye Neal Stephensen that so many here recommended & I hated it!. I couldn't even finish it tho I tried picking it up again several times. It has all the elements that seem like I'd enjoy it & I can't even pinpoint what I didn't like about it but I found it boring & disjointed. Maybe I'll try again later this year. haha

 

[Beebo Brink]

For me it's "The Terror" by Dan Simmons.

I had never even heard of this title, but your description sounded intriguing so I downloaded an excerpt for my Kindle. I bought before I was even done with the sample. About halfway through it now!

 

[OrinB]

That does sound good

 

[Maggy Hazelnut]

Get it Orin! It's definitely a hefty book (900+ pages) but it's so engrossing that it goes fast. One of my favorite books & no doubt I'll read it again.

 

[Jopsy Pendragon]

Hm. That's difficult because I'm not really -that- obsessed with anything, and I'm not really confused about why I like or dislike stuff.

But I suppose the nearest answer would have to be the "Please Don't Tell My Parents I'm a Super Villian" series by Richard M Roberts.

 

[Zaida Gearbox]

Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series.

 

[ranner]

I have been reading David Foster Wallace's The Pale King; just began this Monday in fact. But it is quite daunting--the book is easy to follow and makes for a rewarding read, but every now and again I just can't stand it when DFW talks about the IRS, finance, and economics. The book is deeply rich; one doesn't need to understand all of this to find it rewarding, but I am not one of those people, unfortunately. I hunted for a glossary-like textbook to keep by my side while reading The Pale King. Ended up with the 8th Ed of Gregory Mankiw's Principles of Economics. I've been chiding myself for not knowing enough and for being obsessed with having to know every last detail at the same time. I've been reading PoE more than I've been reading The Pale King.

Same thing happened when I read Thomas Pynchon's V and Gravity's Rainbow (I didn't finish this one )

 

[Brenda Archer]

I have been reading David Foster Wallace's The Pale King; just began this Monday in fact. But it is quite daunting--the book is easy to follow and makes for a rewarding read, but every now and again I just can't stand it when DFW talks about the IRS, finance, and economics. The book is deeply rich; one doesn't need to understand all of this to find it rewarding, but I am not one of those people, unfortunately. I hunted for a glossary-like textbook to keep by my side while reading The Pale King. Ended up with the 8th Ed of Gregory Mankiw's Principles of Economics. I've been chiding myself for not knowing enough and for being obsessed with having to know every last detail at the same time. I've been reading PoE more than I've been reading The Pale King.

Same thing happened when I read Thomas Pynchon's V and Gravity's Rainbow (I didn't finish this one )

Now I would like to read it, thank you. It sounds interesting!

 

[Eunoli]

I have not read any Pratchett. I am familiar with a lot of Pratchett. Because Pratchett has no fans. Pratchett has a cult of evangelists and when you say you haven't read any Pratchett they will not shut up.

Wotcha, no Pratchett?? You really should read some Pratchett.

We should discuss this.

 

[ranner]

Now I would like to read it, thank you. It sounds interesting!

You're welcome. It really is interesting, much like most of Wallace's work

Happy reading!