10 Super Popular Books I’ve Never Read
I’ve mentioned before that I’m not one of those people dissuaded by popularity. If something is getting a ton of hype, it makes me want to read something more, not less. That said, sometimes you just miss the boat on books that everyone else really loves, whether it’s one you just haven’t gotten around to or doesn’t appeal to you for some reason. These are ten books that I haven’t read for a wide variety of reasons: 
- The Handmaid’s Tale. How have I never read this one? It’s such a staple of modern literature and yet, somehow I’ve never gotten around to it. Hulu is releasing an original series of this story this month, so now is probably the ideal time for me to finally listen to it, especially since Audible just released an exclusive edition narrated by Claire Danes (who will always be Beth from Little Women to me).
- Gone Girl. I actually checked out the CD version of this from my library (back in the dark ages when I used audio CDs) as this started getting more and more popular. I happened to mention it on Twitter and three different librarian friends of mine from grad school responded almost immediately telling me, “I’m pretty sure you won’t like this book.” So I didn’t even bother.
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. I mentioned on my Instagram Stories last week that when I’ve heard tons about a book and been exposed to it so many times, sometimes it’s like my brain almost categorizes it as something I’ve read and from then on, I just pass over it, because it’s lost any sense of novelty for me. This is one of those books. I’m probably just never going to read it.
- Life of Pi. I have to admit that one of my random reading quirks is that most ocean-related or boat-related books do not appeal to me. (Just one more reason I’ve never read Moby Dick). So a book that takes place, as far as I understand, almost entirely on a tiny raft in the middle of the ocean? Pass.
- The Devil in the White City. I really DO intend to read this one (or at least something by Erik Larson). I love a good non-fiction book and everyone raves about this one, but it’s just never quite floated to the top of my to-read list.
- The Poisonwood Bible. I know. How have I never read this one? I know that many people consider this their favorite book and I WOULD like to read it someday, but I have to admit that I was kind of turned off to Barbara Kingsolver after I read The Bean Trees in high school, and so I’ve never picked this one up. Although I DID love her book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle which was one of my most memorable audiobooks during my commute back and forth to my school libraries in Boston.
- The Lovely Bones. This one sounds fascinating, but . . . also creepy and I am a wimp. And that’s all I’ll say about that.
- The Kite Runner. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve checked this out from the library (and in fact, now that I’m writing this, I’m pretty sure my mom gave me her copy and it’s sitting on one of my many bookshelves, so I don’t even have an excuse!) but I’ve never even cracked the cover.
- Ready Player One. This one I actually did listen to the first 30 minutes or so of (on double-speed, so actually an hour worth of material), and it did nothing for me. Since then, I’ve heard so many people rave endlessly about this book, but I just can’t convince myself to pick it back up.
- A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. I don’t have an actual clue what this book is even about. Which may be part of the reason I haven’t read it.
For the ones I do intend to read (ahem, not Life of Pi), audio books are the best way for me to get through them, since I can listen while I’m folding laundry or going for a run. And nobody has a better collection of audio books than Audible. You can sign up for a free 30-day trial and download any one of the titles from their enormous collection and check one book off your to-read list. I’d love to hear what books everyone else loved that you haven’t read (and why!).
Photos by Grace + Vine
I do really love Poisonwood Bible. I think Animal Dreams is even better, though. They both seem like the kind of thing you’d like, actually.
I just started The Handmaid’s Tale a few days ago after years (since college maybe?) of it sitting unread on my shelf, so you’re not alone in that one! It’s depressing, but I’m into it – and looking forward to the Hulu series, too.
Lucky girl to get through college without Moby Dick being assigned reading! I had to read it twice! (ish) I haven’t read any of the books on your list and have only heard of a few of them! I guess I will have to check out a few of these. Thanks for the “to read” list.
This is such a great post!
A Handmaid’s Tale – I hated this book the first time I read it because I absolutely hated what was happening in the story. I don’t think I could watch the mini-series; it just hits a bit nerve for me. That being said this is a great book for discussion – a perfect book club read.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time – My one recollection of this book is that there was lots of totally unnecessary swearing. Probably not a good one for audio (if you’re like me and swearing affects you more out loud than on the page). I think this book got a lot of buzz originally because it dealt with autism and that was something new, but there are a lot more books now that have autistic characters, so I don’t at all feel like this is a must-read.
I loved Devil in the White City. Some people might say all of the details about architecture and constructing the buildings for the World’s Fair were slow, but I ate up every word.
The Poisonwood Bible – This was my first Kingsolver, and I think I might not have liked it as much had I already read some of the Kingsolver’s other works. She’s just a tad too crunchy, earth-mother for me…but I don’t think The Poisonwood Bible has that sense of crunchiness that some of her other books have. The first half of the book is amazing, the second half kind of drags, but that being said, I think you should read it. It’s not one of my absolute favorites because of that slow second half, but it’s the book that inspired the idea for my Master’s thesis, so it’s a favorite for me for that reason.
Ready Player One – I was not impressed by this book. I read it, but my life would have been perfectly fine had I spent my time on something else.
Curious Incident of the adopt in the Night- meh. It was okay.
But seriously, Life of Pi is amazing. If there is any way you can be dissuaded. I first listened to it and I know how you feel about audiobooks. The narration is done in an Indian accent and is hilarious. It’s also totally clean. I k ow everyone will tell you how good it is, just adding my voice in there.
Poison wood Bible and The Kite Runner are also very very good. A little more adult, but so so good. Barbara Kingsolver is like a word magician. Also listened to The Kite Runner.
I will also never read Lovely Bones o Gone Girl. I read the premise of Lovely Bones and was freaked out for like two weeks and will probably be framed out for another two since it’s resurfaced in my memory.
Life of Pi, meh. I know everyone loves it, but it just didn’t do it for me. Maybe I shouldn’t be reading books about people stuck on boats either 🙂 And Gone Girl? Not impressed, I thought it was overly vulgar/crude/abusive and just not my thing. I want to read “A Man Called Ove.”
Heads up: Ready Player One has one sexual chapter that I skip every time I read it- the kind of scene where you think, “Why in the world did the author even include this trash, in an otherwise great book??!”
That being said, I love the book and have read it three times now. It will be more enjoyable to you if you played old video games growing up, but still an enjoyable sci-fi treasure hunt.
I have all but three of those listed! But I am opposite to you — if a book is getting a ton of hype, I feel suspicious of it. Maybe not of the book, but of the expectation that the hype sets. Like, there’s no way this book is going to live up to what everyone is saying.
I haven’t read The Book Thief, which I feel like everyone was talking about a few years back. And nothing by John Green. I don’t know why. And I never read the Twilight books, because the angsty teen vampire stuff didn’t appeal.
Handmaid’s Tale is the kind of book that you’ll either love or hate, depending on how you feel about unresolved endings. I personally found it fascinating, but my husband hated it!
I’ve never read The Da Vinci Code, Where the Red Fern Grows, or Wild, and of the three, I only really intend to pick up Red Fern for now unless convinced otherwise…
After seeing the previews of The Handmaid’s Tale, I don’t think I could ever read it. I like books that stir up emotion and make you think, but I think that one would be too much for me.
I totally get that sometimes you look back at the books you have read and ask yourself how you have never experienced some that seem like total cultural essentials.
I personally haven’t read Gone Girl or The Lovely Bones. If you want to experience the story, but worried about being creeped out, just get the movie. Your time investment is shorter and you can still read the book if you really dig it. I saw the movie of Gone Girl and it was both fantastic and disturbing. I don’t know if I could invest myself in the book to get the most enjoyment out of it.
If you are a wimp, full disclosure, The Handmaids Tale is also pretty disturbing. I read it in high school and while I don’t remember loving it, something about it had stuck with me. Like good BBQ in your gut or something.
Life of Pi was an amazing read. Yes, there is lots of time at sea. But it was heartbreaking and beautiful and at times funny. So good, I can’t bring myself to watch the movie because I am afraid it will ruin my love of the book. Please give it a chance.
I liked The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime, but I generally like Mark Haddon. I remember reading it and really enjoying it. I enjoyed it enough that I saw the stage play version on a theatre broadcast from National Theatre Live (if you have never done this, totally check it out. When else can you see very famous and talented actors do theatre anywhere that isn’t London or New York, and for the cost of a movie ticket???). I still liked it as the stage play and it was definitely staged rather unconventionally. From an audiobook perspective, I think that Mark Haddon’s A Spot of Bother might be more entertaining and better suited to the audio version.
I need the time to read Ready Player One – my geek girl bones are looking forward to it. I may just buy it so I don’t have to rush through the library version.
The rest I have no real burning desire to read.
Although on this topic, have you read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay by Michael Chabon. It is an older choice, but I feel like this book needs more hype. It completely rocked me the first time I read it and launched a small obsession with Michael Chabon’s essays (I like his other novels too, but I find the closest I get to my initial connection with this first novel have been with his essays).
I did not really love The Handmaid’s tale, but I read it for a university course and it did make for very powerful discussion. I think you will really enjoy the Kite Runner if you get to it sometime!! He is an amazing author.
I loved Life of Pi and The Kite Runner (although I think I’ve liked the other two books I read by him more). Devil in the White City is amazing and I haven’t liked any of his books as much as that one. I thought the Lovely Bones was . . . Kind of icky. And Ready Player One was good, but very niche. It often felt like an excuse for the author to just list all of the movies and video games he liked, without actual bearing on the plot, so I can see that not appealing to you. I also haven’t been able to get into Gone Girl though – read half a chapter and set it aside.
I am not a fan of wasteland wandering in books, so you would think that Life of Pi would be a disaster for me, but I really enjoyed it. How did you feel about the ocean portions in Unbreakable? Combine that with Zoo Story and that’s where Life of Pi is headed.
I haven’t read anything by Sarah Dessen. Nothing. Not one book. Can we still be friends?
You’re not alone… I’ve got a huge list of books I haven’t gotten too!
The Handmaid’s Tale. – loved it, must read!
Gone Girl – hated it, must avoid!
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time – enjoyed it, not earth shattering.
Life of Pi – liked it a lot, worth the read. Not much boat related stuff, great twist at the end.
The Devil in the White City – haven’t read it.
The Poisonwood Bible – haven’t read this either, just seems so…long.
The Lovely Bones – like it, was a good read. Was great until the paranormal stuff, which seemed silly not scary at all. Worth reading.
The Kite Runner – also haven’t gotten to it despite owning it.
Ready Player One – ditto, not yet.
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius – was also good, about brothers. Worth the read.
I love the Lovely Bones and the Kite Runner but Thousand Splendid Suns is even better. I hated Life of Pi and couldn’t get into it. If you haven’t read Gone with the Wind, I highly recommend. I also really really love the book Love in the Time of Cholera but it’s a love or hate book too. And I can’t get into the Poisonwood Bible either but may try again. My book club is currently reading American Gods and it’s so strange and I don’t know if I will be able to finish it. Quite an odd book to me. I’m really excited to read the Hillbilly Elegy next!
Breanna,
I tried American Gods and gave up because it was so weird. Should I give it another try?
I would advise against listening to Life of Pi. It was torture. I feel like it’s 12+ hours of my life that I’ll never get back!
The Kite Runner was incredible. It took me years to finally get around to reading it, but since then, I often find myself googling ‘books similar to The Kite Runner’. I also really enjoyed The Life of Pi, but I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Oh and Gone Girl has been sitting on my shelf for years. Years. I don’t think I’m ever going to read it.
Coincidentally I just read both the Handmaid’s Tale and Gone Girl in the past few weeks! Funny. Handmaid’s Tale… oh boy. How to even describe? It was an interesting general premise but the details are just so… wrong. I didn’t enjoy it. But I could certainly spend some time discussing it.
Gone Girl I was expecting to hate because so many people felt that way. But I admit that I was completely sucked in, and I can give the author a genuine round of applause for some of the twists (I feel like I’ve read so many books that start out the same way and they are so predictable! Not this one!). That said, it’s disturbing on so many levels. Particularly the language, for me. Probably also because I listened to it on Audible and Kirby Heybourne is the narrator and I just couldn’t get past it. Ha!!
Listen to the audiobook of Devil in the White City! I found it a really difficult book to read. There are some very very interesting facts but I didn’t enjoy just sitting there and reading it. I only was able to finish it after downloading the audio!
I’ve been meaning to read The Kite Runner for YEARS. I finally bought ut a few months back adn it’s still untouched. Maybe one day …
Steph – http://www.nourishmeblog.co.uk
I am so behind in the book reading department. I feel like I just don’t have time ’cause when I open a book usually reading consumes me and I can’t just leave my kids to themselves….Anyway, I haven’t read any of these and probably feel similarly on a lot of them. I thought of Unbroken when you said
books in the ocean don’t interest you. Though partly in the water, it is such an amazing read, right?!
I haven’t read any of those either! I do plan to read The Handmaid’s Tale at some point, and perhaps The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, but none of the rest of them really appeal to me so I’ll bypass those for any of the others on my terrifyingly long wish list that do interest me. Great post!
You are not missing a thing by skipping The Lovely Bones. I thought it was terrible, and not because it was disturbing. I didn’t end up finishing it and I find myself grimacing whenever it is mentioned.
I loved Gone Girl as a book, but it’s graphic enough (in all kinds of ways–language, sex, murder scenes) that I didn’t want to see the movie. But seriously, a really engaging read.
A story for you about The Lovely Bones. 🙂
I picked this up around Halloween back in 2011, I think. I figured it would be a good, spooky read. A friend had told me that I could just skip over the pages describing the rape if it made me uncomfortable and the rest was so great. Um…no. I hated it. Every stinkin’ page of it. And yet, I felt that somewhere in the book, justice would be served and the family would have some sort of redemptive moment so I kept reading to the last page. It was so, so bad. I was happy to be rid of it when I returned it to the library.
Unfortunately, that’s not the end. A few weeks later my library account was frozen. I went to the front desk to see why and apparently I had returned The Lovely Bones damaged. What?!?! I don’t remember chucking it too hard into the book return even though I wanted to. Ugh. They showed me the copy and it had water damage on some of the pages. It was never wet in my possession, but maybe there was a water bottle in the return? Who knows. In the end, after talking to several librarians within the hierarchy of my library, I had to pay for the book to unfreeze my account. So I guess I technically owned a copy of that horrible book, although I never took it back. I told them to just toss it in the trash.
I really, really hate that book.
I have never read the Twilight books and just this past year read the Harry Potter books. I think I avoided them becaise my sister liked them so much. They were “her books.” But I loved reading Harry and not having to wait for the next book release, so that’s a plus, even if I was kind of an idiot.
The Lovely Bones was so well written. I still can’t figure out why I read it because I normally don’t read things like that. At ALL. Loved The Life of Pi, but it was hard to get in to. Kite Runner was hard to read but life changing.
Man, I think I’ve only read like twelve books in the last ten years, I am kind of excited that I had read some on this list. Ha ha.
I’ve only read two of those: Gone Girl (you were probably right to skip) and Ready Player One (one of many I’ve read lately trying to find books for my husband, and he loved it!).
I’ve never read Twilight or 50 Shades of Grey. Recently I’ve heard a lot about Hillbilly Elegy and Lincoln in the Bardo, neither of which I have plans to read. The other 8 on your list… I’m sure there are more!
I think the appreciation of a book depends somewhat on where you are in your life. I read The Handmaid’s Tale ~20 years ago. I was young and without much life experience. It was such an impressionable read at that time. I should read it again and see if I love it as much as I did back then. Now, that I’ve had children, I can’t handle anything with abuse/violence/etc. so I really didn’t enjoy The Kite Runner or The Lovely Bones. I would much rather read something else. I’ve actually found that since I’ve had my kids, I’m tending to read more non-fiction. Light and fluffy is where I’m at! Happy reading!
I’ve read Gone Girl and it was quite a good story but just far too much swearing for me. Really doesn’t add anything! Tried Life of Pi, couldn’t get into it. Read Poisonwood Bible years ago and thought it was excellent.
Just my opinion on a few of them:
*I didn’t like The Poisonwood Bible, but I did like The Bean Trees, so maybe you’d like the first since you didn’t like the second.
*I’m a wimp, too, but I did actually appreciate The Lovely Bones. Though I am a big re-reader and have never read it again, so I’m not pushing it or anything.
Have you read A Man Called Ove? I had been mildly avoiding it, just because everyone was recommending it (I can be contrary that way), but when my mother told me I would like it, I tried it, and she was right!
Your friend is probably right about Gone a Girl. I started reading it because of all the hype and put it down a chapter in because of terrible language. I was so curious about why it was so popular, so I read a synopsis online and had nightmares for about a week.
Kite Runner…..when I was teaching at the high school, a teacher friend across the hall loved this book and taught it to her freshman class each year. I started reading it and was honestly so traumatized by a scene from the book (didn’t finish it obviously) that sometimes, 7 years later, I will think about it and want to cry and scream at the same time.
I’m totally with you on Kite Runner. I made the mistake of actually finishing the book, and even now, all these years later, just hearing the name of the book makes me think of the torture scenes and child rape scenes and I want to either vomit or curl into a ball and weep. To me, the merits of Good Books like that don’t outweigh the emotional trauma that will always stick in my mind.
I honestly think The Kite Runner and Devil in the White City are two of my least favorite books ever, but I enjoyed Life of Pi and loved Gone Girl. I can’t really remember The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, so that probably means it was just meh. I read The Handmaid’s Tale a couple months ago. Not earth shattering but interesting. I want to watch the show because I’d love to see where they go with it.
I love reading all the different comments. It highlights how personal reading is. I want to throw my opinions in as well:
— I personally loved Gone Girl. Such a fun mystery thriller.
–Lovely Bones was hard for me because of the child victim.
–If your only reason for skipping Life of Pi is the boat, you should try it. It isn’t like Moby Dick.
–A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius was really great. It really was touching and poetic. My only complaint is there is a very long and boring part about the Real World.
–I am watching Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu and I think I’ll read the book. It is inarguably very distressing and dystopian but my husband pointed out that it provides a really interesting perspective on real-life experiences of women in countries like Afghanistan.
— I started Ready Player One and couldn’t get into it either but I plan to go back and try again.
P.S. I want you to review Option B. I am half-way through and would be interested in your perspective.
The only one of these I’ve read is The Kite Runner; and while I remembering thinking it was a great book, I’ve never had any desire to pick it up again.
Unrelated to this post — have you read Stephanie Meyer’s new book? I’m curious to know if it’s worth reading or not!
Don’t read Lovely Bones under any circumstance. Like really. Life of Pi was good, but I didn’t find it essential reading. I don’t really think of it as a book about the sea though … is that weird? As for the others, I think the only one that absolutely deserves your attention is the Poisonwood Bible.
Poisonwood Bible is a book I think about on at least a weekly basis… although I haven’t read it for at least 10 years. (It’s time, isn’t it?) I think it’s worth it.
I had a really hard time getting into “Ove,” but once I did, I laughed and cried and was forever changed. It really took about 25-30% of the book to appreciate the voice.
Also didn’t love Life of Pi. Was definitely not forever changed.
[Now your “tell-me-what-to-read” yield “My Lady Jane,” on the other hand… I laughed my head off and am rushing to buy it.][Although I am not actually forever changed.]
At the very least, you need to watch Life of Pi. That movie is beautifully produced and so, so good. It’s a good story, if nothing else, but it’s almost three hours so put those babies to bed and get yourself a pint if ice cream. You can skip The Lovely Bones.
Staggering Genius is SO good. Though, I should warn you that I did bawl my eyes out a few times. Great story about siblings and sacrifice. I wasn’t a Dave Eggers fan until this one and then read What is the What- amazing!
I love a Handmaid’s Tale, it’s dark and dystopian but I love Atwood and the discussion that can come out of her work.
I loved the Kite Runner but I actually loved his second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns even more, you can’t go wrong!
I won’t read Gone Girl or Lovely Bones, too creepy for me.
Life of Pi was ok but didn’t live up to my expectations.
I read the Poisoneood Bible for school and didn’t really like it, I keep hearing ppl rave about it though, so perhaps I should give it another chance, maybe it was the wrong time for me to read it.
Gone Girl…biggest piece of trash ever. So, so vulgar. I was stunned that it was the number 1 most recommended book by women the year it came out. I thought we all had more class and better taste than that. I know that makes me sound like a total snob. But the language was just absolutely horrendous and totally not necessary for the story. Crude, vulgar sexuality. Vile characters. It was just gross. I also thought it was pretty predictable despite what others have said. Psychotic, demented chatacters who play mind games with each other to the extreme. Bleck!!!
Lovely Bones is not worth wording in my opinion either.
I have never read Pride & Predjudice…gasp!! I adore the movies though. In fact, I have read nothing by Austen but love all of the films.
I have to weigh on on Poisonwood Bible… it is my favorite book of all time! I haven’t cared for any of Barbara Kingsolver’s other books, so I get that you were turned off by The Bean Trees, but you should definitely give Poisonwood Bible a chance!
Life of Pi is also a favorite of mine. I didn’t know a whole lot about the book going into it and was pleasantly surprised by the insight on different religions. It’s so much more than a boat story!
My best friend since I was 8 (she’s basically like my sister) sent me The Poisonwood Bible for my birthday 4 years ago because she loved it so much and we have very similar tastes. I tried so hard to get through it, and I couldn’t. I couldn’t tell her because I felt so bad. Then 2 years ago I had audible credits so I got it thinking it would be easier for me to get through it on audio. Again, I got a 1/3 through and quit. Maybe it was because of the season of life I was in when I started it, but it was so boring for me! I’m going to try again next year I think, who knows. You only do such things for people you really love 🙂 I was also put off by The Life of Pi. A boy and a tiger stuck on a boat? No thanks.
We read poisonwood bible for book club and everyone was glad they read it ultimately and it was a really really good discussion.
I loved life of pi. So fascinating and well write , especially better than the movie which was also incredible.
I loved ready player one and all the geekiness and thinking about how we are already so drawn into technology like the future portrayed.
Devil in the white city was so intriguing. The audio book was great. I listened with my hubby, we lived in Chicago and it was so fun to talk to him about the world fair and the creepy serial killer.
Gone girl and curious incident of the dog at night we’re fine but nothing to write home about. I’m not huge into thrillers and I am fortunate in that I don’t have much connection to the autism community for curious incident to resonate with me.
Highly recommend the Poisonwood Bible. I can see why you were turned off Kingsolver with Bean Trees.
Oh my goodness. I can never get back the hours I spent reading Life of Pi all those years ago. It was way before I gave myself permission to stop reading a book I didn’t like.
I hated the kite runner with all my heart and soul!! I don’t understand why it’s so popular. Don’t read it!!
I didn’t expect to like Life of Pi but ended up getting super into it. The whole first half of the book is all backstory and has nothing to do with the ocean. It talks a lot about how he learned about each of the major world religions. I really loved that part. The movie though…. Put me to sleep. The poisonwood Bible is my favorite book of all time but I also loved the bean trees. I haven’t loved all of kingsolvers books tho. And the kite runner really is good.
I enjoyed Gone Girl but have no interest in watching the movie. I had just finished reading it (and really enjoyed it) when my mom went to see the movie. She was bothered by how much sex and language was in the movie and I vividly remember telling her the book was great and not like that at all. Language doesn’t bother me in novels but sex does and I did not feel like Gone Girl was like that in any way. I also did not find it creepy and I get scared fairly easily.
As a mother, I would pass on The Lovely Bones. I read it and liked it okay but it had disturbing parts and I just don’t recommend mothers read it. I read it before I had children, thank goodness.
I haven’t read most of those, but I have read Poisonwood Bible and felt it was almost a retelling of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe which I thought was a better book. So I didn’t like it and I’d wanted to. I’ve enjoyed reading the comments and agree with those who liked A Thousand Splendid Suns. It was tough in some places to get through, but not overwhelming. I read Thunderstruck by Erik Larson and really enjoyed that. I have Life of Pi in my book pile, but haven’t managed it either. Great thoughts though.