Happy Tuesday, Bookworms!
We’re back with another Top Ten list this week (yaaaaaaaay!) Sorry for the lapse, but you know how it is. Some topics are easier for me to work with than others. In any case, this week the ladies of The Broke and the Bookish have asked us to list popular authors we’ve never read. I’ll warn you, my list is going to read mostly like a list of super popular thriller writers. You’ve probably noticed that mysteries and thrillers aren’t my genre of choice. Nothing against them, it’s just not what I normally gravitate toward. That said, there’s an embarrassing chunk of NYT Bestseller types I’ve never read. So, let’s get to it…
1. John Grisham- He’s sold like zillions of books and I’ve read zero of them. Thrillers aren’t usually my jam, and courtroom dramas don’t really sweeten the pot for me. So. Yeah. Excuses.
2. Michael Crichton- I’m going to blame this on the fact that the Jurassic Park movie scared the boogers out of me as a child. I know he wrote non terrifying things as well, but again. Excuses.
3. Elizabeth Gilbert- I didn’t read Eat, Pray, Love
4. Dean Koontz- More thrillers I’ve never read. No surprise.
Okay, well the Owl is surprised. Sorry, dude. (Source)
5. Donna Tartt- Could there be any MORE buzz around The Secret History
6. James Patterson- 260 million books sold. Zero books read by me.
7. Agatha Christie- Super famous mysteries. I still haven’t read any of them.
8. Patricia Cornwell- Yeah, there may have been an embarrassing incident at trivia the other night in which I missed a question on Cornwell’s work… Not my proudest moment, though I DID know Mr. Darcy’s first name, so I feel I redeemed myself.
Fitzwilliam, FTW!
9. Chuck Palahniuk- I haven’t read any of his work, but having seen parts of Fight Club, I’m not sure it’s for me… Even if Brad Pitt did look amazing.
10. Jonathan Franzen- It makes it hard for me to WANT to read an author’s work when they come across as kind of a pretentious jerk in the media. I’m sure that’s unfair on my part, but really, the synopsis of his books don’t hold much interest for me, and I kind of suck at highbrow literary fiction anyway. I’m thinking Franzen will likely remain on my pass list permanently.
Tell me, Bookworms. What super famous authors have you never read?
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Tanya
Agatha Christie? Come on. They’re not really thrillers, they length shouldn’t put you off, so why? It will take one afternoon. May i recommend And Then THere Were None?
Yamika
I’m with Tanya on this one.
Brittny
Well- I’ve only read 4 of the 10 authors you’ve listed above (Elizabeth Gilbert, Dean Koontz, Agatha Christie, and James Patterson), so I have quite a few missing as well. I do own a Patricia Cornwell book I keep meaning to read, but I get distracted by all the other books… I do love mysteries though. 🙂 I highly recommend Elizabeth Gilbert. I loved Eat, Pray, Love (both the book and the movie). I’ve actually been thinking about re-reading it lately.
Words For Worms
Good to hear the props for Eat, Pray,Love!
Kerri
Mysteries are not my strong suit either. And I tried like three times to read The Secret History, but kept falling asleep. Not a good sign for me when reading.
Words For Worms
LOL, I hate when that happens!
Shannon @ River City Reading
I haven’t read most of these either, though I did go through a brief Dean Koontz phase as an early high schooler (I didn’t know what to read, okay?). Definitely go for The Signature of All Things and The Goldfinch, though!
Words For Worms
Both on my list, swearsies!
Wayne
Never read anything by E. L. James including his infamous *Fifty Shades of Grey* or any of the sequels. It might be a hoot to read some passages from the book but somehow I think I have better things to do with my time, like match my sox.
Words For Worms
Matched socks are a joy for all.
Darlene
I love John Grisham. He has a few that are not the court room drama/thrillers. I think you might like A Painted House or Skipping Christmas. I loved Bleachers.
I have never read Ken Follet or John Irving, though I plan to read them both,
I’ve never read Toni Morrison either.
I did read Agatha Christie’s Evil Under the Sun because it’s on my LOST list and I really liked it. I’ll read And Then There Were None and a couple more from her.
Words For Worms
Good to know about the Grisham. I really loved Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, I recommend Ken Follet. Oh and Toni Morrison- you’ve got to be in the right mood for it, but its pretty fabulous.
Darlene
Good. Definitely consider some non-legal-thriller Grisham. The two I mentioned are great. Skipping Christmas is the book that the movie Christmas with the Cranks is based on. And as much as I loved Bleachers, I wasn’t crazy about Playing for Pizza. But, A Painted House was good, and different.
Jennine G.
I’ve never read half of your list either! Thrillers are not so much my thing. John Grisham’s old stuff I’ve read, but his newer stuff isn’t the same.
Words For Worms
I don’t feel quite so bad now :).
Elena
You have to read Patricia Cornwell, Katie! I know you’ll love her bad-ass detective Kay Scarpetta 😉 I have reviewed her 5 first novels in the series in case you are interested.
Words For Worms
I might have to check those out- I do love bad-ass female characters.
Nish
I am glad to learn that there is at least one other book blogger who has not read Donna Tartt.
Words For Worms
You’re not alone, my friend!
Megan M.
I have read Palahniuk, Patterson, and Koontz. I went through a Palahniuk phase but wouldn’t read any of his books now. Patterson and Koontz I read because my mom likes them and I used to read whatever she had, but I don’t read them anymore.
I haven’t read Stephen King. I enjoy several movies made from his books, but I just can’t get into the books. I haven’t read Agatha Christie either, and I really like mysteries. I haven’t read Jane Austen, but again, love the film versions. I can’t get excited about most “literary fiction” either. I’m a genre gal – mysteries, romances, YA, and ghost stories are my go-to’s.
Words For Worms
I feel you! I often feel like I’m crappy at appreciating literary fiction, but I do find myself enjoying a lot of genre stuff.
Ashley F
I’ve read them all except Agatha Christie. I should probably get on that.
Hmmmm this is a tricky one.
Words For Worms
You never cease to amaze me.
Ashley F
I can think of famous books that I’ve never read but not famous authors. I mean hell I made myself read Ulysses. And that shit was painful.
Rhian
Another non-reader of E L James here. I’ve also never read Stephenie Meyers.
I used to read Grisham, Patterson and Cornwell but stopped because they were same story different title, badly written “collaborations” or depressing (respectively).
My mum has a stack of Christie which I read as a child/teenager. I’ve read a lot of mystery/thrillers since then so I’m not sure how well they would stand the test of time. Having said that, I second the recommendation for And Then There Were None.
I didn’t like Eat, Pray, Love and was quite happy when the copy I lent to a friend never came back.
Words For Worms
Hmmm, good to know to stick to the earlier works when it comes to Grisham, Patterson, and Cornwell. I am cracking up that you were happy to see your book leave. Oooooh Rhian. You’re a treat.
C.J.
Ha ha … you just reminded me I haven’t read most of these authors. Will you ever give any of these authors a try? The only Chuck Palahniuk book I’ve read is Fight Club and it was easy to read, funny and didn’t seem to take itself too seriously. I tried Eat, Pray, Love and it was awful, but for some reason I liked the movie. Probably the most famous author I’ve never read is J.K. Rowling. Yep! 🙂
Words For Worms
Hmmm, some of these authors I will likely read, but they’re not necessarily at the tippy top of my TBR list.
kristinshafel
I’m with you on nearly all of your list! Although I gotta say, I really hated Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love so she’s made my “never read again” list.
Words For Worms
LMAO, it is so funny how polarizing that book is! I’ve been answering comments and it’s either love or hate, it seems.
Rory
Franzen’s on my list for the same reason. Koontz, who I’ve read, always comes across as a less talented Stephen King to me. But, of course, I’m really quite biased. I will say Phantoms by DK is good (and it was made into a truly awful movie).
Words For Worms
This is my new excuse for not reading Dean Koontz. Why read Koontz when King exists? I love your rationale 😉
Trish
I haven’t read most of these authors either. Or I read them when I was much younger. Thrillers not so much these days. I’ve read a few by Chuck Palahniuk. He’s a tough pill to swallow!
Words For Worms
Palahniuk has never really appealed to me… I’m kind of a wimp when it comes to violence, so I don’t think I would like it.
Elizabeth @ Don't Take My Books Away
I’ve never read Agatha Christie either and I have always liked mysteries. And I feel the same way about Franzen… I only ever began hearing about him when he opened his mouth and said stupid stuff about women writers and yeah, that sort of sealed the deal against him for me.
Words For Worms
Exactly- Franzen makes it awfully hard to want to give him a chance.
Daddio
Haven’t read Andromida Strain by Chrichton? Color me SUPRISED! No Edgar Allan Poe? No Edgar Rice Borroughs? OK, Tarzan May not be your cup of tea but getting buried alive, or tortured by the Spanish Inqusition??? Come on, that’s the fun kind of scary!
Words For Worms
Dude. Don’t go starting rumors, Dad. I’ve totally read Poe.
Rhian
Andromeda Strain! Super book but I’m not sure it would appeal to non-science nerds. 🙂
Loralie
Agatha Christie is one of my favorite authors. I have all of her books, and agree with the other And Then There Were None recomendations. Although that book freaked me out when I read it at 13, inthe dark during a storm. Not smart 🙂 The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is good too. I have read a couple of Chrichton’s books , but they frustrated me because he would have a great 4/5 of the book & then it was like he thought Welp I met my page count requirement & he would just slap an ending on.
Words For Worms
Duly noted on the Christie front!
Isi
Hehe I loved the gifts 😀
Grisham and Christie are very entertaining; you’ll love their books.
But I’m like you with the rest of the authors in the list: they have sold millions of books and none of them is on my shelves!! We have to do something!
Words For Worms
We’re works in progress, Isi. Someday maybe we’ll read all the things…
Charleen
I find that owl incredibly creepy for some reason.
I just read my first Grisham and really enjoyed it, but legal thrillers aren’t usually my cup of tea either. And honestly, despite the fact that I’ve read most of Crichton’s novels, I’d say you’re not missing much. His ideas are really interesting, but his execution is often lacking. Oh, and I’ve never read any Koontz either (and only one Patterson).
Words For Worms
I find it comforting to hear that you don’t think I’m missing much in the Crichton arena… I tend to think of you as the thriller expert, so when I’m in the mood for one, I stalk your blog 😉
Charleen
Ooh, a stalker! If it were anyone else I’d be a little concerned.
Samantha
I’ve missed your blog! My WordPress reader was being SO DUMB and not showing it, and then linking to the wrong posts when it was acting right…ugh. Anyway!
I read James Patterson a bunch when I was younger, and I wouldn’t really read more now. The one that I did like a LOT that is a standalone, different than most of his books is ‘You’ve Been Warned’. That’s one that I’ve actually read more than once.
I have also never read John Grisham, or Michael Crichton. My mom even bought me John Grisham books, but I was just like, meh. Courtroom dramas didn’t seem interesting to me at all. Oh, I also think that I would appreciate Pahlahniuk more now that I’m older and know a little bit more about critical reading. He can sure turn a phrase though. I’ve only read two of his books, but they were about even in the gruesome, even though I felt Fight Club was less descriptive about it, if that helps. It’s actually kind of humorous at times. I also read Invisible Monsters, which needs a reread, because at the time I was kind of like “wtf is going on?” 😛
Long comment is long!
Words For Worms
Nooooo wordpress reader! I’m glad you made it back! I’ve missed your long comments :)!
bookmammal
I’ve read both of Tartt’s previous books and liked them both, but they weren’t quick reads. I have to say that Goldfinch intimidates me!
I used to LOVE Agatha Christie books and I still have a bunch of her paperbacks.
I probably should have put Elizabeth Gilbert on my list–I’ve just never even been tempted to read any of her books.
Words For Worms
Knowing Tartt isn’t an easy breezy read makes it tougher for me to commit to The Goldfinch. It’s so big!
Psychobabble
You’ve seen……*parts* of Fight Club?!
Dude. Watch it. It’s good.
And I totally recommend Eat Pray Love. She’s funny and has a very honest, genuine, non-dramatic way of writing that memoir. I mostly love how she has the guts to travel on her own, so I live vicariously through her. Plus, you get to read about the best pizza in the world.
Words For Worms
I know! I’m ashamed. I do loooove pizza. Mmmmm…. Maybe I should give Eat Pray Love a shot!
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
I have yet to read Elizabeth Gilbert. I have Eat, Pray, Love on my TBR, but ya know how that goes!
Words For Worms
Yes ma’am I DO know how that goes!
April @ The Steadfast Reader
Guuurrlll… ‘Sphere’ is an excellent non-dinosaur, slightly deep and important Crichton novel. Dean Kootz is a poor man’s Stephen King – skip him and go straight to the King. Agatha Christie is low hanging fruit, they’re all pretty straightforward and easy. I’m also with Psychobabble, get thee to a DVD player (and a $5 DVD from WalMart) and watch you the whole of Fight Club! The novel is a completely different beast, but I love them both.
I should have included Tartt on my list, but Ann Coulter took precedence there. I too haven’t read any Jonathan Franzen, but I confuse him with James Franco, who I also have not read (nor could I pick him out of a line-up of famous men with dark? hair).
Words For Worms
Bwahahahahaha. Everything about this comment is making me laugh. I’ll keep Sphere in mind for when I quit giggling.
Jenny @ Reading the End
The Goldfinch is long, but The Secret History is of a much more moderate length. Read that one! I crazy love that book.
Franzen — UGH, yes. He’s such a grump, and there are so many other nice things out there that I can read instead.
Stephanie
I second the grouchy winter! All I feel like reading are super engaging escapist reads that might be rotting my brain but are still making me happy. Also, regarding Palahniuk – he’s not an author I would normally pick out as my style but I read Fight Club and really really liked it, so I think he’s worth a go.
Words For Worms
Good to know!
Leah @ Books Speak Volumes
I read a John Grisham novel in high school (The Pelican Brief), and it was excruciating. You are not missing anything there. But you must read Donna Tartt! And Palahnuik…. I had a major literary crush on him in college, but I think he’s one of those authors whose magic fades as you age/become less angsty. Fight Club really is brilliant, though, even if nihilism makes you feel eye-rolly.
Leah @ Books Speak Volumes
Also, Eat, Pray, Love is whiny self-indulgent crap, but Gilbert can write really pretty sentences. I would give The Signature of All Things a shot.
Lillian
I think if you read just one John Grisham book, you have read them all. I tried to read “Jurassic Park” a few times because my mom and sister loved it. Anytime they both love something I can’t read it. So weird, right? They are always bugging me to read “Lonesome Dove” and I can never get past the first few chapters.
I never read the last chapter of Eat Pray Love. I have no idea why not. I don’t think it was my favorite book. I never even watched the movie.
I think I am saying that you aren’t missing a whole lot.
Tiffany
I love Grisham but he has AMAZING character development and I am a huge fan of character development. Franzen comes off very pretentious in his books too. They aren’t bad, but I rolled my eyes a few times.
Heather @ Capricious Reader
I loved The Secret History. AND I loved Eat, Pray, Love. Yet, they are on the only books by those authors I’ve read so far. Isn’t it weird how that happens? I’ve read a couple by Agatha Christie. She’s fun.
Jill
In my opinion the best John Grisham was his first, A Time to Kill. I’ve read some others, but they’re like he was writing screenplays
Melinda
So many people recommended John Grisham and James Patterson to me… for years… still haven’t read any, so you’re not alone 🙂