Books you both Loved & Hated all at once

[SiValleySteph]

Surely I am not the only one out there who has both loved and hated a book all at the same time.

The Shopaholic series is a perfect example of this. I loved reading them - light, fun, quick - but the main character drove me crazy. I spent at least 20 minutes complaining to DH about how annoying Becky Bloomwood was and he was totally stumped as to why I was reading those books then. :o

Any others out there?

[alootikki]

I know exactly what you mean about the Shopaholic series! I couldn't stand the main character, couldn't relate to her at all, she drove me crazy - and yet somehow all four books ended up on my bookshelf. :rolleyes:

[bookworm]

I didn't have a problem with the Shopaholic series (until the last one, when I wondered why I was reading the same book for the 4th time, which is not to say I won't read the next one if/when it's out...).

My recent love/hate book was The Davinci Code. I enjoyed the plot, but it was so poorly written.

I read plenty of badly-written brain candy, so I have no idea why this one stood out so much.

[LeslieandPaul]

I have to agree a little bit on Shopaholic series-becky bloomwood drove me crazy, but I LOVE the books and am eagerly awaiting the next.

Lord of the Flies-I liked this book, but it was required reading so I kinda resented reading it. I also got really frustrated b.c of the way some of the kids treated the others.

[jimmysgirl424]

I loved The Scarlet Letter but was forced to read it in English class...all I wanted to do was read the book straight through, but the teacher insisted we stop after every chapter for 'translation' sessions from Old English to new English. Very annoying.

[nordey]

Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness - absolutely horrid but sadly realistic.

[hockeybrat]

My recent love/hate book was The Davinci Code. I enjoyed the plot, but it was so poorly written.



I loved the history and the whole idea of The DaVinci Code. But I agree about the writing style. It isn't so bad if you read fast, like me. I end up missing a lot of stuff though. hehe

[udsweetpea]

I wholeheartedly agree about the Shopaholic books. I'm only on the second one, but Becky Bloomwood annoys the crap out me! Who actually acts like that!?! But I absolutely adore the books!

[oceaneast]

Truman Capote "In Cold Blood" - I loved it but it scared me so much I hated it.

[wendalah]

Agree on Shopaholic. They were fun to read, but I wanted to literally slap Becky Bloomwood. The part in the first book where she goes to Harrods and buys a bunch of shit and her card is rejected...I wanted to scream, HALLELUJAH!

[udsweetpea]

Agree on Shopaholic. They were fun to read, but I wanted to literally slap Becky Bloomwood. The part in the first book where she goes to Harrods and buys a bunch of shit and her card is rejected...I wanted to scream, HALLELUJAH!

Hahaha! Me too! I wish I could have been one of the people behind her in line so I could laugh in her face!

[papergirl]

Absolutly funny. I read the title of this thread and before coming in I thought how I had to express my like/hate relationship with the Shopoholic book but I see others have already pointed it out.

I have only read one of the books. I picked it up at the airport on a trip to London. It completely did not interest me and I put it down. A few weeks later I found myself wanting to know what happens at the end of the story all the while not liking the book. I think it's a bit over the top. Needless to say I eventually read the entire book (it was the one where she got married).

Once I was done with the book I was very happy to see it be over... and then I found myself wondering what will happen next in her life. Grrrrr!

[jbenny75]

Lucky by Alice Sebold

Lucky is non-fiction, the story of Alice's rape when she was in college. It begins with a description of her rape, in very disturbing, gritty detail. After I read that part, I had to put it down for awhile. It really disturbed me. I really wished that I hadn't read it.

However, as I continued to read, I became interested in her as a person and laughed out loud at certain points.

[Reenie]

Lucky by Alice Sebold

Lucky is non-fiction, the story of Alice's rape when she was in college. It begins with a description of her rape, in very disturbing, gritty detail. After I read that part, I had to put it down for awhile. It really disturbed me. I really wished that I hadn't read it.

However, as I continued to read, I became interested in her as a person and laughed out loud at certain points.

Yes, I loved (but mostly hated) this book, too. It was just very, very emotional.

Actually, I feel the same about Sebold's The Lovely Bones.

[papergirl]

can i add the devil wears prada. has anyone read this book? if so, what did you think of this?

it's been a slow read but i still can't put it down but all the while i keep thinking (1) how long can she talk about her job and pretty much NOTHING else? and (2) how many times will she write a million girls would die for this job. i am SO tired of that phrase which has been repeated one to many times.

[jbenny75]

I read the Devil Wears Prada, or tried to. I really, really tried to finish it. I did enjoy reading about the designer clothes and some of the perks of her job, but after awhile it just went nowhere. I gave up.

[alootikki]

In the same genre - while I enjoyed reading "The Nanny Diaries", the character got on my nerves after a while! The second-to-final scene in the Hamptons was disappointing - all I could think is - you chose NOW to tell her this? (I'm trying not to give it away in case anyone wants to read it! ;) )

[t3h_wookiee]

I second Heart of Darkness and Lord of the Flies.

[laura]

The Shopaholics
Babyland
The Starter Wife
Bridget Jones Diary
Good In Bed