Thursday, September 25, 2008

Booking Through Thursday


What was the most unusual (for you) book you ever read? Either because the book itself was completely from out in left field somewhere, or was a genre you never read, or was the only book available on a long flight… whatever? What (not counting school textbooks, though literature read for classes counts) was furthest outside your usual comfort zone/familiar territory?

And, did you like it? Did it stretch your boundaries? Did you shut it with a shudder the instant you were done? Did it make you think? Have nightmares? Kick off a new obsession?

When left to my own devices, I'm a pretty committed reader of literary fiction. The most unusual-for-me book I've read is probably Frenemies, by Megan Crane. (I even reviewed it here.)
I have absolutely no interest in chick lit and actively avoid any book with shopping bags or shoes on the cover. But I liked Frenemies. I picked up the galley at a library conference, and while it wasn't a classic it was okay. Good character development, engaging plot. I would read more of Crane's books but I probably wouldn't trouble myself with much else in the genre.

18 comments:

Chrisbookarama said...

I've never read any Patterson either. For the same reason.

Chrisbookarama said...

I came back just to see what you changed! I haven't read this one either.

SmilingSally said...

I don't read Chick lits as a regular habit, but I do enjoy one after reading a dark tale. I call it sugar candy for the brain. Happy BTT!

Anonymous said...

Marie: Here is my answer and just in time for Banned Books Week.

Alea said...

Ahh your Frenemies is a different one from the one I talked about last week. I'll have to compare the two and see which deserves the name more ;P

Amy said...

Ha, I like chick lit and Megan is one of my favorite authors. I think her latest, Names My Sisters Call Me is even better than Frenemies. :)

S. Krishna said...

I'm a big chick lit fan, but I haven't read any Megan Crane, though I have Frenemies on my TBR shelf.

Meghan said...

Oh, I forgot that I don't really read chick lit when writing my post. Well, I read historical romances, maybe that counts, but I generally dislike everything with either a shopping bag or shoes on the cover. LOL.

- medieval bookworm

Kathleen said...

I too stay away from chick-lit, especially books with shopping bags or shoes on the cover too! My BTT is up.

Traci said...

I'm sort of ambivalent towards chick lit. I'll read it occasionally, but it's certainly not my favorite.

Amy said...

I read chick-lit occasionally and enjoy it. However, I like it only in small doses.

Anonymous said...

Just wanted you to know I nominated you for an award here.

Confuzzled Shannon said...

I don't usually read Chick Lit either but I do have some on my TBR pile try. We will see how it goes.

Yvonne said...

Frenemies sounds like a book I'd enjoy.

Anonymous said...

I haven't read that book but it sounds like something I might enjoy.

Anonymous said...

I throw the occasional piece of chick lit into the mix. I haven't read this one now. Plus, I am on an indefinite chick lit vacation since I fried my brain on it this summer.

Tina K said...

The candy comment is so true. I love my romance writers, but too many in a row makes brain cavities.

Erin said...

Yep, JPod is by Coupland. I've looked at Frenemies before and share your feelings toward chick lit, so maybe I'll actually pick it up one of these times!