Popular Books I Will Never [Ever] Read

Everyone has a list of un-readable books… right? I can be picky about my reading selection at times, and over the years, I’ve amassed a bunch of titles that I have absolutely ZERO intention of ever reading. 

Why? Well, the simplest answer is lack of interest. On the other hand, some books are on my “do not read, ever” list for more specific reasons, which I will enumerate as I go along. Short disclaimer, if you like the following books, then, good for you, I really don’t mind. Everyone is allowed to read and like whatever they want, it just so happens that for me, these books have zero appeal and don’t interest me at all.

Let’s start this list with an obvious no-no that I think most book lovers will agree are never to be read:

Fifty Shade of Grey series by E.L. James

Listen, I think this is fairly obvious why I wouldn’t want to read this. For one, I’m not interested in erotica, like, at all. Beyond the obvious, the writing style is ridiculous (you know, the whole “my inner goddess is dancing in the rain” bullshit) and the subject matter has zero appeal. Also, I don’t advocate physical/psychological abuse which, as everyone on the planet knows, is basically glorified in this series. This is just a huge NOPE for me.

Game of Thrones series by George R. Martin

This one is tricky, due to its MASSIVE popularity and its legion of rabid fans. I have never had an ounce of interest in this series, books nor TV. I’m not a fan of (senseless) violence, which this series seems to be a huge source of. Also, the series is super lengthy and, in my eyes, it’s a never-ending saga that I just don’t have the will to tackle. Here’s an anecdote just to prove my complete disinterestedness in this series: once, I was shopping at a thrift store and found a copy of the first book for 2$. I thought for a whole minute whether I should buy it or not, just to give it a shot. Even though it was dirt cheap, I just nope right out of there and left it behind. That’s how much I don’t care. Sorry GoT fans, I just can’t get in on the hype.

The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

Ok, here’s another crazy popular series that will never grace my shelves. Look, I read Battle Royale by Japanese writer Koushun Takami, which is basically the same thing as this series, AND it came way before it too. BR was the original novel of this type of plot and honestly, I don’t feel the need to read an Americanised copy of it. Even the original was a bit much to digest but seriously, who takes pleasure in reading about a bunch of kids killing each other in brutal ways, to entertain the adults? Yes, maybe HG isn’t half as brutal as BR but still, I just can’t take it, this type of plot actually makes me sick.

IT by Stephen King

I. Hate. Clowns. Need I say more? No, but seriously, I have an actual fear of clowns ever since I was little. Also, I’m just generally not a fan of the horror genre, unless it’s Gothic novels/novellas of the 19th century. I’m sure that IT is a really good spookfest for those who like that kind of narrative but for me, I’d rather be able to sleep for the rest of my life so, I’ll pass. Thx.

 

 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Greene

 

I don’t like the premise. I just don’t. I have no desire to read about a dying person’s emotional turmoil and distress, no matter how beautiful “the message” is. This kind of story hits too close to home, and I have no wish to torture myself reading it and crying from page 1. I just don’t want to read sad, heartbreaking books.

 

 

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

 

Again, I just have no desire to cry through a book. Suicide is a touchy and sensitive subject for a lot of people and, even though I’m lucky to say that it has never touched anyone close to me, it’s still a subject that I’d like to steer clear from.

 

 

 

That’s all I’ve got for now, though I’m sure I’ll hit the publish button and think of 10 other books I’ll never read… I’ll probably end up writing a part 2 to this list when I have enough material to cover.

Thanks for reading!