| Author | |
stefoodie
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 17 2005
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8457
|
| Posted: March 25 2006 at 8:14pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Dawn, you and me both. I collected Stephen King books in high school, mostly influenced by my best friend -- same person who influenced me to read Mills and Boon (?) and Silhouette Romances -- ugh, the horror!!! Big mistake. I also read "The Godfather" books and the "Noble House" series -- unfortunately it was my Papa who bought these books and never really monitored my reading. But the one book that was really dangerous to my faith was The Celestine Prophecy. I read it when it first came out and it was at a time in my life when I was a little confused -- thank God I had a very faithful husband by that time and he was able to lead me away from that.
__________________
stef
mom to five
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Helen
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 03 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2826
|
| Posted: March 25 2006 at 9:19pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
This might be a surprising entry to the list of worst books read:
Return to Modesty: Discovering the Lost Virtue
In the beginning the author made some very good points. For example, she explained the reason a man would "tip his hat" to a lady. It gave a man a polite way of greeting a woman and helped him to avoid... how did she put it?... avoid ... well "too much looking."
I couldn't finish the book, because she began to explain the immoral things that happen to women on college campuses.
That is not the reason I picked up that book, believe me.
__________________
Ave Maria!
Mom to 5 girls and 3 boys
Mary Vitamin & Castle of the Immaculate
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Sarah
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1624
|
| Posted: March 26 2006 at 8:28am | IP Logged
|
|
|
The worst book I read within the last few years was. . .
Gone With the Wind
I was thinking it would be kind of historical. And while the historical parts were interesting and its very engaging, Scarlet is a HORRID person, and not worth reading about. Its basically a trash novel of the 30's.
__________________
Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
abcmommy
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 09 2006
Location: Indiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 129
|
| Posted: March 26 2006 at 11:00am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I love Gone with the Wind. LOL But she is horrible, isnt she?
I am adding Fascinating Womanhood to this list bc it makes me want to retch when it talks about not educating girls too much and no college for women.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: March 26 2006 at 11:56am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sarah wrote:
The worst book I read within the last few years was. . .
Gone With the Wind
I was thinking it would be kind of historical. And while the historical parts were interesting and its very engaging, Scarlet is a HORRID person, and not worth reading about. Its basically a trash novel of the 30's.
|
|
|
I personally disagree, as I enjoyed Gone with the Wind. But I read the book first before I saw the movie. Yes, Scarlet is a horrid, sinful woman, but it isn't hidden. I didn't come away loving her...she's not a true heroine. You can plainly see the contrast with virtuos and charitable Melanie.
Scarlet is not a truly historical figure or even typical Southern woman. My biggest objection is that she is an Irish Catholic...rare for the South of that time to be Irish, Catholic, and a plantation owner! The background settings of what the Southern women and other folks had to endure is a good portrayal.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: March 26 2006 at 12:01pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
abcmommy wrote:
| I am adding Fascinating Womanhood to this list bc it makes me want to retch when it talks about not educating girls too much and no college for women. |
|
|
Fascination Womanhood is still high on my list, but I don't accept all her premises. I use it as a reminder on how to be "upbuilding" (a phrase our family uses) instead of downbuilding my husband. I don't buy into all the Protestant character of the book, but for a woman who tends to be critical and proud, it has been helpful for me over the years.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary G
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5790
|
| Posted: March 26 2006 at 5:56pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sarah wrote:
The worst book I read within the last few years was. . .
Gone With the Wind
I was thinking it would be kind of historical. And while the historical parts were interesting and its very engaging, Scarlet is a HORRID person, and not worth reading about. Its basically a trash novel of the 30's.
|
|
|
The funny thing is -- non-Southerners think Scarlett is so Southern. But, actually it's Melanie who is the true Southern Belle -- she gets what she wants in her quiet, unassuming way. Yet, she always beats Scarlett!
I loved the book when I was younger, but now I find it too "pat".....
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Karen T
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 16 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 927
|
| Posted: March 26 2006 at 9:53pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I've just found this thread and read the comments on The Red Tent with interest. I haven't read it, but it's been recommended by lots of people. Even the head of adult education at my old parish highly recommended it. Our Catholic moms book club was looking for suggestions and almost picked it, but the church where we were meeting (not ours b/c one of our group needed childcare and her parish had evening nursery and graciously allowed us to meet there) vetoed that book, along with several others that were not strictly Catholic. My neighbor also has the book and I had meant to borrow it, so I'm glad to read these comments and avoid it.
Karen T
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
|
| Posted: March 26 2006 at 10:32pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sarah wrote:
The worst book I read within the last few years was. . .
Gone With the Wind
I was thinking it would be kind of historical. |
|
|
Not in defense of Scarlett, but in defense of the book, GWTW is a classic. I read it as a teenager after my parents discussed the story with me.
Luckily, I read it before seeing the movie. The movie is terribly disappointing. 
I'm also very defensive about the book being read for historical purposes. Personally, I learned a great deal about the Civil War through the book but only because the book made me interested in exploring other books and other rabbit trails. But if someone reads it thinking they'll get a history lesson, they'll be terribly disappointed. 
Anyone interested in GWTW, please read the book; DON'T watch the movie. And take notes on dear Melanie and Scarlett's Catholic mother, Ellen. The author did a fabulous job in putting these two "ladies" opposite of Scarlett. Compare and contrast these women and take pity on poor Scarlett.
Mammy did her best to curb the poor girl. Really she did.
__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Rachel May
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 24 2005
Location: Kansas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2057
|
| Posted: March 27 2006 at 9:16pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Ugh! I hated GWTW. To me it was just a romance novel that somehow got an inflated reputation. I like the movie because you get to see the dresses.
A really bad read lately was the The Jane Austen Book Club. There were all the obligatory elements for a modern novel: lesbians, rape, divorcing couple, younger man/older woman love affair, working woman with no kids and iffy relationship were her husband, and Miss Austen. Poor Miss Austen would be embarrassed to be in such a book. Fortunately for her (but not for those who love her), she wasn't in there much.
__________________
Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Sarah
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1624
|
| Posted: March 28 2006 at 8:54am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Cay Gibson wrote:
But if someone reads it thinking they'll get a history lesson, they'll be terribly disappointed.
|
|
|
And you know. . . that's what I thought before the book, that it was a history lesson.  I'm glad you said that.
Also, I somehow assumed that there must be something good about Scarlet because you see Scarlet dolls, flowers named after her, etc. Why?
In my ignorance about her character prior to the book, I expected more of her. That's a lesson about reading a book--not to let expectations guide you.
Great discussion! 
__________________
Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
|
| Posted: March 28 2006 at 9:13am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Rachel May wrote:
A really bad read lately was the The Jane Austen Book Club. |
|
|
Oh, Rachel May, thank you for mentioning this book. I hadn't included my "bad" read because I knew there was a "bad read" I had begun fairly recently and threw it away in discuss. It was so bad I couldn't read past the first chapter. I have never thrown a book away. I am one of those rare worms who can find something good in almost every book I read (yes, even GWTW  ).
But this book was AWFUL! Terribly disgusting and disappointing. To think that I paid money for it is simply mortifying.
GWTW is tame stuff compared to JABC.
I was informed that the back section of the book contained some author notes that were gems. Having never torn pages from a book in my life, I tore these pages out for reading later, tossed the book, and promptly forgot about it until your mention.
Have I said how AWFUL it was?! 
Sarah wrote:
Also, I somehow assumed that there must be something good about Scarlet...
In my ignorance about her character prior to the book, I expected more of her.
Great discussion!
|
|
|
Yes, great discussion. I agree. 
I must say, though, that Scarlett was terribly creative.  Who else would think of putting the soldier's wallet and heriloom earbobs inside a baby's diaper (while in use) and making a dress out of a curtain. Oh, that's right...the author did, not Scarlett.
To me, Scarlett is the typical sterotype of a person who thinks the world revolves around her...literally. She really did want to be a great Southern lady, like her mother. She just didn't know how to go about it. But Melanie did, and she showed Scarlett what greatness was without hardly saying a word.
__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JSchaaf
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 22 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 753
|
| Posted: March 28 2006 at 10:18am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Well, my worst read ever is The Exorcist. I can't even bring myself to go to amazon and look up the author. I read it in junior high-are you ready for this? I wanted to see the movie but my mother said I needed to read the book first!! I'm convinced my mother never said "no" to me. But I digress. I still can't think about that book without being scared.
Jennifer
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Sarah
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1624
|
| Posted: March 28 2006 at 2:06pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
At least you know how to spell "Scarlett" I couldn't remember. I was thinking "Scarlotte" like Charlotte. . .then  my brain overloaded. . .
__________________
Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MicheleQ
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2193
|
| Posted: March 28 2006 at 7:00pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Kathryn UK wrote:
| The Lord of the Flies by William Golding. |
|
|
Ugh!  I had to read this too.
__________________
Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
folklaur
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2816
|
| Posted: March 28 2006 at 8:10pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
MicheleQ wrote:
Kathryn UK wrote:
| The Lord of the Flies by William Golding. |
|
|
Ugh! I had to read this too. |
|
|
I was going to say that one too.
And, I know it is supposed to be a classic and all that, but I hated Of Mice and Men.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
teachingmom
Forum All-Star
Virginia Bluebells
Joined: Feb 16 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2120
|
| Posted: March 28 2006 at 10:55pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
And Lissa's blog brought to mind my "worst read" from high school/college (I can't remember which it was):
Billy Budd
__________________
~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary K
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 14 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 945
|
| Posted: March 29 2006 at 6:15am | IP Logged
|
|
|
a picture of dorian gray
the fall of the housen of usher
mary-ny
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
guitarnan
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Maryland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10883
|
| Posted: March 29 2006 at 6:37am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Billy Budd! Definitely .
Actually we need an emoticon that shows someone stupefied by boredom.
I didn't include The Last of the Mohicans on my list because my high school American Lit class went on strike from this book. We all thought it was just so, so dull. Our teacher actually let us stop reading it. Ironically, I enjoyed the movie when I finally watched it on TV.
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Elizabeth
Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
|
| Posted: March 29 2006 at 6:58am | IP Logged
|
|
|
JennGM wrote:
abcmommy wrote:
| I am adding Fascinating Womanhood to this list bc it makes me want to retch when it talks about not educating girls too much and no college for women. |
|
|
Fascination Womanhood is still high on my list, but I don't accept all her premises. I use it as a reminder on how to be "upbuilding" (a phrase our family uses) instead of downbuilding my husband. I don't buy into all the Protestant character of the book, but for a woman who tends to be critical and proud, it has been helpful for me over the years. |
|
|
The author of Fascinating Womanhood is MOrmon, not Protestant.
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Book Club
Topic: Worst read, ever
