This week’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt is Books On My TBR I’m Avoiding Reading and Why. I don’t always avoid reading books because of specific reasons. Usually, it’s because new books release and I make those or any library books a priority. But there are a few books I’ve been putting off for various reasons. Here are ten.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas: I can’t decide if I should even bother reading these books anymore. I don’t know if I care enough, but I also want to understand the hype. I’m mainly avoiding them out of apathy and the fact they are long and there are many of them.
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton: I’m avoiding this because it’s long. But my plan is to read it before the end of the year, so I better hop to it.
Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch: Okay, I should have read this last year but for some reason I thought it was the last book out and I didn’t want to wait forever for book three, but it’s actually book FOUR I’ll have to wait forever for. So I should read it and then avoid reading book three.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman: I’m avoiding this one because I’m worried I won’t like it and I don’t want to not like it.
The Oath by Frank Peretti: It’s been a while since I read a Peretti book and I’m more wary of Christian fiction these days, but I’ve been told it’s so good and there may or may not be dragons in it?
The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness: These books are so long. I devoured The Knife of Never Letting Go, but looking at The Ask and the Answer AND Of Monsters and Men… yikes! I want to read them all before the movie releases next year, so I should… soon.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne: I don’t know if I can handle this book. I know it’s going to be sad, but I should just read it already.
Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card: I love Ender’s Game, but I’m worried I won’t like the sequels or side series or whatever else is connected, so instead of reading and finding out, I just avoid them.
The Library Book by Susan Orlean: So many people have told me to read this and so many people I know have read it, but there are so many holds on it at the library and I want to take my time with non-fiction, so I’m avoiding it until it’s just sitting on the shelf collecting dust like other library books.
All the books I own: I own quite a few books I haven’t read, but I keep putting them off for other books. New books, favorite authors, something that sounds more interesting. I need to read these so I can have more space for other books, though.
What books have you been avoiding lately? Don’t forget to join the link-up!
Keeper of the Wood Between Worlds 
Great list! I’ve heard so many good things about The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, but like you I think I’d find it far too sad to read. I watched the film and that was heartbreaking enough!
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I’ve seen the movie as well and it was devastating. I’m always curious how faithful movie adaptations are to books, though, so I should probably just read it!
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I have the same concerns about Stardust.
My TTT.
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I haven’t read a book by Neil Gaiman that I liked. (Good Omens was okay but I felt like I missed the humor.) And I’ve been told Stardust is one of his best!
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Many people feel that Stardust is one of Gaiman’s best books. Then again, in my experience if you watch the Stardust movie first and love it, you are very likely to NOT like the book. So there’s that. I love Stardust-the-movie. I hated Stardust-the-book. Your mileage may vary, of course, but I don’t blame you for avoiding this one.
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I watched the movie a long time ago (when it first came out) but I don’t remember much of it. So I might try reading the book then watching it again and seeing which I like better.
Thanks for the advice! 🙂
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You might be okay then! But if you want your best shot at liking the book, don’t re-watch the movie until after you’ve read it. 🙂
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Great list! I’ve read The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and yeah, it is very sad indeed.
Aoife | https://prettypurplepolkadots.wordpress.com/2019/09/10/books-on-my-tbr-im-avoiding/
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I’ve only seen the movie, but that’s still devastating. So the book worries me!
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I think you’ve just summed up my feeling on Throne of Glass perfectly. xD They’re so hyped, and I want to know why, but at the same time …. ehhhh. I haven’t read any Patrick Ness books yet. *hangs head in shame* They’ve come so highly recommended, and I’m sure I’ll love them, but I also know that my only chance to read them is to basically buy them because my library doesn’t carry them, and I just haven’t yet. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas was sooo sad. But also really frustrating? Or maybe that was just me. Because the main character is supposed to be 12, but he’s so ridiculously naive that I just got annoyed with him.
Here’s my TTT post.
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That’s so crazy that your library doesn’t have ANYTHING by Patrick Ness. I would have thought they’d have something since he’s a well-known author. I enjoyed The Knife of Never Letting Go, but I wasn’t a fan of A Monster Calls.
🙂
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Right? Isn’t that crazy. I was so surprised. It’s a tiny library, though, so it’s really hit or miss what it has.
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As someone who had to read the Throne of Glass series many, many times in the last year (long story), I honestly don’t recommend them. There are better, more diverse, more original fantasy series out there!
My TTT: https://bookworm716.blogspot.com/2019/09/top-ten-tuesday-books-im-avoiding.html
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I’m intrigued by this! You’re also one of the few people who have read the books and don’t recommend them. Most people tend to gush about them. Glad to know you think there are better books out there. Thanks! 🙂
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Intriguing list! The Oath has been one of my favorite books for years! I’ve thought about reading The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, but it hasn’t made it onto my TBR list.
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I’m glad to know you like The Oath!Thank you! 🙂
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I almost wish I hadn’t read Scott Lynch’s books so fast because the wait has been torture!
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Ahhh! Even though I’ve only read book one, I understand. Exactly why I haven’t read the rest of the books out yet.
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I have been avoiding Throne of Glass for the exact same reasons 😂 The only reason I haven’t written it off completely is that I promised my friend I would read it 😂
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Oh, wow! I’m glad I’m not the only one. I feel like I should read them to know why they are so loved/hyped, but I keep dragging my feet.
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I’ve heard so many amazing things about The Knife of Letting Go—one of these days I’ll read it. And I feel the same about ToG as you do. People either seem to love it or hate it and I’m not sure which side I’ll fall on … and there are so MANY of them.
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So. Many. And they are all super long. Who has time for that?
And The Knife of Never Letting Go was so crazy and intense. I’m worried the sequels won’t be as good.
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Don’t read Throne of Glass. Don’t do it. As a friend who loves you, I don’t want you to experience that. 😂 Also, Stardust was…okay. I’m putting off American Gods and The Graveyard Book for the same reason. I’ve never loved a Gaiman book. (Except Good Omens, but I think that was Pratchett’s doing.)
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I know, I know. You’ve told me many times not to read Throne of Glass, but I feel like I should read ONE of her books just so I can say I did and it’s terrible. XD
I didn’t like The Graveyard Book and I don’t know if I’d like American Gods. So I want to read either Stardust or Neverwhere. Also, if I wanted to read something else by Pratchett, what do you recommend for me?
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That’s very fair. Though I’d suggest A Court of Thorns and Roses over Throne of Glass if you’re just going for Maas. I actually enjoyed those, despite how bad they were. Celaena is just the absolute worst and I hate her. 😂
Mort is my go-to rec for Pratchett. I haven’t read enough of his books to be able to recommend a specific part of the series. It’s similar humor to Good Omens, so I don’t know if you’ll like it, but I adore him.
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Yeah, maybe I should try A Court of Thorns and Roses instead. I might end up listening to the audiobook of one of them and deciding if I want to listen to all of them or not.
I’d like to try something else to see if I like it.
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I’m all for people trying books. I frequently read books just so I can intelligently and fairly hate them. 😂 I honestly can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Maas.
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That’s most of the reason I want to read at least one of her books. To say I did and then I can say how terrible it is. XD
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