Bought it about an year ago on sale. I had high hopes, thinking it might be the type of book I love, a mix of science, (auto)biography and a bit of poetical style. Maybe I judged it too soon, but ( please don't throw stones at me), it ended up being used as a flower press :/

Uhm, I loved the whole book, only that at times Cathy's description was borderline unrealistic. I found Aaron and Caleb's development interesting to watch and Abra took the dynamics to a whole new level. Anyways, to think that people like them exist and strong bonds like theirs happen makes me wanna cry a bit. 🤷

I had mixed feelings while reading it: was mesmerized by the description of Salina Valley in the beginning and was thinking to myself "how comes I didn't discover this book earlier?", then felt a bit exhausted by the initial conflicts between the two brothers and Cathy's erratic behaviour, but after getting into it I couldn't stop.It took me like 2 weeks (?) to finish it, which is unusual when I dig a book. But I have an excuse, it's a pretty thick book lol. At times it can be a bit boring and unrealistic, but some of the characters and their dynamics make it the masterpiece that it is. Its rawness distinguish it from a lovely feel good novel with nice characters; it's relatable, almost palpable and larger than life. Imo its imperfections make it perfect, it's a fine balance that Steinbeck mastered

The Kite Runner is a tough read even if you didn't experience any similar abuse as the main character. I made the "mistake" to read his other two books, but that's when I drew the line and decided I won't read anything hy him anymore, way too depressing

Same triggers here. I used to finish books no matter how mediocre they were, but certain topics would make me abandon them at the drop of a hat. I recall at least 4-5 books that made ma wanna puke: one was Tiger, Tiger! which I bought on sale and had no idea it contains pedophilic stuff, two that described bestiality, one written by a gay guy who is describing a rodeo or something like that and feels Schadenfreude when a lady gets attacked by the bull ( I think he expresses his sorrow that she didn't die?). Also sexist stuff is a big turn off.

One disappointing literary experience I couldn't get over is Mario Vargas Llosa. I was going through a "Nobel laureates" phase and thought I'd pick one of his books. Can't recall the title, but a few pages in and he was describing him and his pals abusing some hens. I was too baffled to comprehend what that text was about and I wish I could bleach it away from my mind. Needless to say, I dropped the book and lost my interest in anything written by him, even if he's a literar genius, that was enough for me.

Amen!

I read many books in my life, but every time I have to think of one that is worth reading, East of Eden is the only one that pops up in my mind. Definitely read it and don't give up if the initial part seems a bit dense, your perseverance will be rewarded. It's definitely a literary gem, it humbled me and made me feel less lonely in this futile human experience, connected to people I'll never meet, but know that are kindred spirits. It's an ode to the beauty in us, despite all the ugliness. It's a book dear to my heart and I surely intend to re-read it and cherish it even more.

I feel you, I guess the older we become the more tangible our own mortality is and the awareness that our time here is pretty limited. What works for me against these spiralling thoughts is acceptance, there are too many books out there and no one will be able to read them all. And it doesn't matter anyways. I'd say show no mercy in weeding out the books you think are "meh" and pick those that sound like a real treat. There must be some good reads among them. I'm reading Alice in Wonderland atm and I enjoy it a lot. Probably gonna pick some classics soon, Quiet on the Western Front, Crime and Punishment, Where The Red Ferns Grow being some I can think of from the top of my head.

Yeah, lol, I wouldn't mistreat my fav books like that

Lol, this made me laugh. Well, they can do whatever they want with their property, I use bad books as a flower press, despite having two real flower presses lol, so I'm no saint either

Last time I bought physical books ( a week ago) it cost me a bit over 30€. Can't afford to buy physical books by my book addiction with my income

Same here, I had no idea how sex works not even in my 20s

I saw a post of books cut in pieces, so that the owner doesn't have to carry a whole heavy book. Still not sure if it was a joke

Funny, you never know how things you do automatically can inspire others. I thought that this is the standard way of using bookmarks