by Sharlene

#AMonthofFaves – Books I almost put down

amonthoffaves

A Month of Favorites is hosted by Girlxoxo, Traveling with T, and Andi at Estella’s Revenge! 

I missed some great topics when I was out of town! Today’s issue is an interesting one!

The Woman Upstairs – Claire Messud

The anger that pours out of this one, right from the very first page! I was ready to give up but at the same time was curious about this woman and her rage against the world.

Zahrah the wind seeker – Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu

The Goodreads synopsis didn’t really entice and instead confused me. But I was browsing my library’s Overdrive catalogue for a quick read and was soon absorbed in the book!

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity – Katherine Boo
I hesitated too long over reading this. Why would I want to read a book that seems rather depressing and hopeless (despite the ‘Hope’ in its title)? But I’m glad I did. It was powerful and moving. Sad, yes, undeniably so, but it opened my eyes to an unknown world.

Bitter in the mouth – Monique Truong
I talk about this book a lot, but that’s because it is a truly amazing read. I had heard of it some time ago, probably when it was first published (in 2010), but it was only after two friends, both readers and writers, told me how much they loved it that I knew I had to read it. So it’s not a “almost put down” book but a book that I might never have picked up if not for good friends!

drood

Drood – Dan Simmons

This book has the distinction of being one that I wish I had put down! It was 775 pages too long. And while initially fascinating – it’s narrated by Wilkie Collins and tells the story of Charles Dickens! – and had its moments here and there, it was bogged down by too many details and meanderings. I skimmed through a lot of it when I really I should have just stopped reading it.

What books did you almost put down and ended up loving?

5 Comments

  1. I never really wanted to read Behind the Beautiful Forevers for the same reasons you mentioned…I still haven’t picked it up 🙂 And – I like that you included a book that you wish you had put down…I wish I’d done the same (and maybe included 5)!

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  2. I haven’t read it yet but I could see how Behind the Beautiful Forevers could be tough to read. I always have to remember that, at least for me, the pacing is different in non-fiction. While I feel like it’s taking forever, it’s actually going just fine!

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  3. I don’t like to read heavy, sad, emotionally gut wrenching books either – but when I do, they prove to be the most amazing books. I haven’t picked up The Beautiful Forever yet, but it’s on my reading list.

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