This week over at the Broke and Bookish the topic for TTT is:

‘Top Ten Books That Were Hard For Me To Read’

This was a tricky one and I’m not sure as I write this that I will actually come up with 10.  I tend to not finish a book these days if I’m not enjoying it as life is simply too short.  I’ve decided to think of different reasons that made even picking up the book difficult:

Reading the book of a film that I already love (what if I don’t like the book or am put off the film):

1. The Shining by Stephen King – I actually have seen the film more than once and love it so was worried about reading the book as I read that the author was never totally in love with the film.  The book was excellent to be honest and whilst the film wasn’t totally true to the story I still really like the film as well so win win!

2. Similarly, The Princess Bride – I have seen the film many times but not read the book (inconceivable, right?)  As it happens reading the book was just brilliant and it didn’t put me off the film – I love both equally and was picturing many of the scenes as I read along.  Very amusing book and film and highly recommended.

Rereads (was that book really as good as you thought or is it coming off its pedestal?)

3. Lord of the Rings by JRTolkien – read this first when I was a teenager and it’s just one of those books that stays with you (let’s face it – I romantacised it!).  When it came to a reread a few years ago I wondered if I might be wearing rose tinted glasses.  Very happy to report that this book stood the test of time and I love it still.

4. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  I read this book, quite a few times when I was younger.  Always in December – due to some sort of teenage whimsy!  I read it again a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it.  I suppose that’s why it’s a classic!

Didn’t live up to expectations (makes me feel guilty even saying that but sometimes a book just doesn’t work for you!)

5. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.  My fault really but this book just didn’t work for me.  I felt disappointed not to find out more about all the places visited.  As I said, my problem really was I went in with the wrong expectations

6. Shadow Master by Craig Cormick.  I think that I simply wasn’t in the right place when reading this.  The humour didn’t work for me and the storyline felt a bit too scattered.

Difficulty of Subject

7. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

8. Before I Die by Jennie Downham

Both the above books deal with cancer and death and are sad reads.  They’re also very good reads but probably not ones to tackle in a certain frame of mind.

Will the Ending be Awesome?  Scared to finish a series or simply don’t want the series to end

9. The Broken Empire by Mark Lawrence.  I simply can’t say enough good things about this series as I really did love it.  The first book just grabs you, the second book is absolutely compelling and then the third brings the series to an amazing conclusion.  No disappointment awaits here.  Difficult to believe how an author can keep upping the ante with each successive book but Lawrence definitely does so.

10. The Gentlemen Bastard series by Scott Lynch – this series isn’t concluded but, let’s just say I’m so personally invested in the characters that I’m always a bit scared to pick up the next book in case something bad happens to one of them (particular Jean Tannen – there, I admit it!!)

I guess I could have actually chosen a few more as it happens – like War and Peace or Les Miserables – which would fall under the ‘difficult to pick up because they weigh so much and I might pull a muscle!’ theme)  I will read both one day – it’s a personal challenge and I won’t be beaten.