One of my friends posted on Facebook the other day, asking for our most unpopular (non-political) opinion. So now I’m doing the same…. but with a bookish twist (of course!). Confession is good for the soul, right?
I’ll start.
I… *deep breath* … am not all that fond of Mr. Darcy.
*waits to be pelted with rotten tomatoes*
It’s true. Of all of Jane Austen’s heroes, Mr. Knightley (from Emma) is my favorite. And my favorite book is Persuasion for all its great lines. And my favorite movie adaptation is the Emma Thompson/Kate Winslet/Hugh Grant/Alan Rickman version of Sense and Sensibility.
I find Pride and Prejudice perfectly wonderful… but it’s not my fave on any level. And Mr. Darcy? He just doesn’t do it for me.
So. That’s my most unpopular bookish opinion. What’s yours? This is a safe space. No produce throwing… I promise š
LOL Not a Darcy fan either — though I have enjoyed modernized versions of P and P upon occasion and it is the book I am most familiar with out of the lot. We can cower together to avoid hurling missiles of discontent. š
I don’t know if I have a deep, dark bookish confession. Oh — yes I do! Prepare your Southern self…I’m not a Scarlett O’Hara fan. At. All. In fact I intensely dislike her. And Gone With the Wind. Went through a short phase in high school when I thought it was ‘awesome…for maybe a week or two and then I got to thinking about how conniving and two-faced and self indulgent Scarlett was and…yeesh. And yes, I know she went through a lot but so did the entire south and they didn’t all end up being shallow dimwits. There. Was that phrased too strongly?
oh my goodness!! I DON’T LIKE HER EITHER!!!! She’s such a spoiled brat! Kav, we are truly kindred reading spirits. I will gladly cower with you to avoid those hurling missiles of discontent š
Bwahahaha! When I read your first line my first though was “we are kindred reading spirits!” Yes, reading twins and all that. And I feel so much better for having released that deep dark secret.
see? It IS good for the soul hahaha!
I enjoy the movie…the book was good….but I CAN’T STAND SCARLET EITHER!!!!! She makes me crazy and I just want to slap her Hahaha!
Hahahaha!!!!!!
I’ve never read any Jane Austen…….
that’s ok, Susan. We can still be friends š
*reaches for rotten tomato.
*thinks again
*puts rotten tomato down
Ok, we can still be friends, since I also love Sense and Sensibility, especially THAT version.
I am not confessing ANYTHING on here, too dangerous!
LOL
LOL Melony!! I said this was a safe space…. š
I just don’t care for books written by Francine Rivers. I love Christian fiction and I thought I was supposed to like her books, but after reading several, I just can’t do it! ??
LOL Melissa! that’s ok – i only love two of hers. (Redeeming Love & The Last Sin Eater) The others I can take or leave š
Never really thought Mr. Darcy was the bee’s knees either. And I LOVE Gone With the Wind, but not Scarlet personally. I didn’t think the reader was even SUPPOSED to like her. Melanie is a much, much more admirable character.
Here’s my confession: Tolkein bores me. I’ve never been able to make it though The Hobbit.
I do love The Hobbit, but my dad read it to me as a child and did voices and everything. I’m not sure I could have made it through if it were solely up to me š
True confession time. I’ve never read any of Jane Austin’s books either. I blame it on my middle school and high school education ?
I’ve never read any of Francine Rivers’ books either.
Wow. That was a lot of dark hidden secrets of an avid reader that just got exposed.
hahahaha! safe space, safe space š
Thank goodness! I thought it was only me!!
Okay… I can (vaguely) understand the Mr Darcy non-love, and am prepared to overlook such things because of the Persuasion admiration (sorry, don’t get the S&S Alan Rickman love at all – does that count?). My bookish confession? (Deep breath) I don’t love Anne of Anne of Green Gables fame. This sounds like sacrilege, as I’m a redhead, and Anne is the ultimate poster girl for redheads everywhere, but sometimes she comes across as mean, petty and a bit bratty. Not ALL the time (which is why I feel bad saying this), but honestly, I can’t help but feel her attitude towards Gilbert and Josie tends to be a little over the top. Maybe this attitude has been influenced by the film version, and Anne does redeem herself in many other ways, and it is a sign of a three dimensional character, but I wish she didn’t come across as quite so snarky at times ? (I think it’s definitely the film version that’s affected my judgement here!)
no, i can totally understand where you’re coming from – she can be a bit much to take sometimes š
Mr Knightley is better than Mr Darcy in the books, but I love Colin Firth’s Mr Darcy. I think a lot of the Darcy love can be pinned on his rendition if I’m honest.
Okay, here’s my confession: I’ve never read Janette Oke.
*gasp* š
I do agree completely that Colin Firth’s Darcy has a lot to do with the Darcy love. He IS my favorite Darcy… but I still to this day have never been able to endure the entire BBC P&P
I have never read and have no desire to ever read The Harry Potter series. Also, with a few exceptions, I do not enjoy classic literature. There. I feel better already!
LOL i do love the Harry Potter books but I have very few favorites among the classics š
No offense to any writers, but I cannot stand Amish fiction and for the life of me cannot understand why they are so appealing. I have read quite a number of them and just can’t anymore.
lol to each their own š
I’m with you there! ?
My mom loves it!
I can proudly say that I have never and will never read the Harry Potter series. Ever. Ever. Ever. š
Me either Sarah! I have no desire to do!!
So either!
Sorry, I hit post too quickly! Lol
Awww you’re missing out. They truly are fantastic for spiritual truth!
I used to read and review Amish books but it got to the point where they were the same story just different characters. No Amish for me…exception is Jen Turano’s new book Finding Margo.
I have a select few authors of Amish fiction that I enjoy
I have never read Francine Rivers or Janette Oak…Even though I am not a huge fan now….I have read the entire Twilight series at least 4 times. Haha!
I’m surprised by your first confession – as much as you love historical fiction!!!
I know! I read Tracie Peterson, Linda Lee Chakin, and Gilbert Morris in High School and ALL of the Dear America series….but never made it too them…
I love you Rachel
Okay, I love Mr. Darcy (because he has truly a good heart even if he doesn’t show it — and Colin Firth didn’t hurt at all). I love GWTW, but not Scarlett. Maybe she eventually grew up. I hope so for her sake and for the sake of her poor children. (Don’t get me started on the abomination that was the novel “Scarlett.” Even the real Scarlett wasn’t that bad.) I don’t much see the appeal of Amish novels, though I have and very much want to read the Amish retellings of Shakespeare.
My literary confessions:
I don’t much like Mr. Rochester, though I think “Jane Eyre” is a great story.
I absolutely despise Cathy and Heathcliff. There is nothing epic or romantic about their so-called love. They’re both spiteful and spoiled.
There. I’ve said it and I’m not sorry.
Yes. Yes to your Cathy & Heathcliff truth. I’m with you.
I was not a Rochester fan either. I didn’t like the way he teased and toyed with Jane and tried to force her into admitting her feelings for her employer. He put her in an unfair situation. BUT, I read Cora Holmes novel Mr. Rochester and really appreciated reading things from his perspective. It gave better context to what he was thinking and feeling and made me like him better.
*gasp* ? *places hand on heart*
*gasp* ? *chokes on fly and has coughing fit*
*gasp* ? *staggers backwards*
*gasp* ? Okay, beginning to hyperventilate now. *reaches for paper bag and begins breathing into it*
Maybe my confession should be that the BBC P&P is one of my most watched DVDs! Oh Carrie, I can’t even- wow. This is going to take some getting used to.
???
I haven’t read any Janette Oke or Francine Rivers either. Although there are some of Francine’s I would like to read. But I’m not sure I have a literary confession that can rival yours, Carrie ?
I did write a book review of Lord of the Rings in one night in high school after having skim read the book by flipping every 50 pages or so and reading for a few pages, then flipping forward again. Not my proudest moment ? I promise I don’t do that anymore!
Hahahaha!!!! I really think I might change my opinion of the BBC P&P if I watched it with ppl who love it instead of slogging through it by myself.
I must preface this with… you promised no produce throwing but made no mention of eggs…
[ducking]
I have never read Harry Potter (although I might someday if there’s ever time) but here’s my true confession [drum roll] I can’t stand the Amish bit OR all the cowboy fic!!!
NOTE: much better use for eggs is to mmake an an omelette
LOL! This is a safe place …. and I’m scared of chickens so no egg throwing either š
Katie, that was my reaction, too! I can’t believe Carrie confessed that in front of everybody! Okay, here is my confession, just to bug Carrie: My FB profile picture shows me in England in front of Lyme Park, which was one of the locations used for Pemberley in the BBC P&P. We had a picnic on the opposite side of it at the spot where Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) meets Elizabeth after his swim in the pond. And yes, as stated elsewhere, I think he’s one of the biggest reasons for the popularity of P&P. I’m not a really avid fan, though. I agree with Carrie on Persuasion. I like it better than P&P.
I haven’t read Francine River, Janette Oke, or Lord of the Rings, either. I’m glad I’m not alone in that. š
Hahaha! I wouldn’t mind visiting Lyme Park though š
I went to Lyme Park waaaaay back in 2000 when I was in the UK. ā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļø I do have to say, though, Persuasion is my next favourite. Especially with Rupert Penry-Jones. Although that kiss… A bit awkward ?
The first time we’re in the same country together I will totally convert you to the BBC version, Carrie!
I would love that, Katie!
Meez Carrie, you really, really must come around on BBC P&P. Really. It’s delicious.
Another confession of mine: I love LOTR and The Hobbit, but I don’t at all care for Tom Bombadil. And throughout the books, I get really, REALLY tired of the endless songs. Have mercy! Especially when you’re listening to an audiobook. They go on and on and every time the reader takes a breath, you pray that’s the last verse and then die a little inside when it’s not.
:::covers head, waiting to be pelted by Tolkien fans:::
Needless to say, if they were read by Richard Armitage, that would be a different matter entirely.
Do Tolkien fans actually like Tom Bombadil? There’s a reason he didn’t make the movies. Tolkien needed an editor that put his foot down and told him Tom B had to go!
You made me laugh at the audiobook song thing. Glad I read it, I just skimmed right over them. š
I don’t know. I heard a lot of them were upset with the omission of Tom B.
Personally, I was thrilled. š
my dad and my husband were upset (mildly) … more like disgruntled … at the absence of Tom B. I did not care š
Did they say why he needed to be in? Was it just a faithfulness to the book thing? Or did they think he added to the story in some way.
I think he added greatly to the story — it wouldn’t have been nearly as tedious without him.
SAFE ZONE, Tolkien fans! SAFE ZONE!!
they really liked him for some reason…
And YES… safe place here. š lol
LOL!
haha! yes… Richard Armitage makes everything better š
Lol! I always skipped the songs DeAnna! But I do remember listening to an audio version of the Hobbit where the songs were all performed. And they weren’t exactly catchy tunes…
I would add that being read by Benedict Cumberbatch would also be an entirely different matter! I could listen to him read the telephone book and still be in heaven <3
Ohhhhh Katie, ME TOO!
Yes, BC could read anything. I’m fine with that.
I think I know the audiobook version you’re talking about with the not-so-catchy tunes. Ugh. When I think of their version of “Misty Mountains” compared to Richard Armitage’s, I weep.
Not the good kind of tears.
Lol lol lol
Lol! The ‘I’d rather be sticking pencils in my eyes’ kind of tears?
Yes, Katie. Those.
Ok, I guess I will defend Tom B. Yeah, he sings a lot and is married to an elf and basically saves the 4 Hobbits from Old Man Willow and becomes a B&B.
Tom Bombadil’s purpose in the book was to actually put something in the universe that cannot be explained. He could see Frodo when he wore the ring, wasn’t affected by the lure of the ring and was older than the Ents. Even Gandalf thought about going to have a talk with him at the end of the series.
It’s perfectly reasonable to leave him out.
I don’t understand the fascination with Amish stories. I.can’t.go.there.
I will not read Harry Potter.
I’ve not read any of Jane Austen or Francine Rivers. Maybe growing up in a small town had something to do with it.
I am grateful to be among friends…;)
Lol!
Hi, I just stumbled upon your blog š
I agree with you in loving P&P but thinking Darcy is overrated.
I also love the Harry Potter series, but think Snape is another overrated character. He was complex for sure, but not nice. If he loved Lily as much as we’re told he did, then he could’ve proven it by being nice to her son. All through, he proved that his hatred for James was greater than his love for Lily, IMHO. Surely she would have hated to see him treat Harry the way he always did in every potions lesson.
Yeeeeees!!!! This is exactly how I feel about Snape!!!!
Yesssssss!!!!!
Well, I have never read Harry Potter, Tolkien, Jane Austen, or Janette Oke (even though I went to school with her daughter and now son-in-law :-/), but since everyone has already confessed these things, I guess I will admit that I am probably the only person that (ducking down now) did not like The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn…cautiously peaking and looking for tomatoes or other throwable things like purses….I will try Lori Benton again but it was a DNF for me.
(Looks around and whispers) I didn’t like that one either. But I love her Pathfinders series!
Carrie!! I feel so much better! Our reading tastes are virtually the same. I just finished Ordinary Snowflakes based on your recommendation – loved it! Definitely a 5 star read. I started following your blog after reading your best of 2015. It was like reading my own list except for the ones I had not read yet. I have remedied that though! Anyway, hoping you are going to do a best of 2016…
Awww thanks, Kim!!! I am so glad you loved Ordinary Snowflakes! And yes!!! Definitely doing a best of 2016 – week after Christmas š
I’ve never read Harry Potter, C.S. Lewis or Tolkien. I totally prefer Mr. Knightly, Colonel Brandon, and the book Persuasion to Mr. Darcy. In the book, he never truly grows on me. I like p&p as a book mostly because of its sarcasm and wit. I’m sure there are plenty of other bookish faux paus…. but I’m rarely embarrassed by them. That’s why we have so many different kinds of books! ?
lol exactly!!! And we are all united in our love for “books”, no matter which are our favorites
I have not read Harry Potter or The Hunger Games. And I am not apt to, ever! To all of you (not you Carrie) who say they are classics, I don’t believe you! LOL!
By the way my favorite Austen book is Persuasion is my fav. And Captain Wentworth is the best hero she wrote. I give Colonel Brandon second and Darcy 3rd. Maybe its the uniform? Ha!
LOL! Uniforms do help š
After reading some of the comments, I have to come clean about something else. I don’t like Karen Kingsbury’s books. My friends say its because I haven’t read the right one. Um . . . how many do I have to read before I find the right one?!
Hahaha Beckie!!!!! She isn’t my fave author either š #safespace
I’m SO with you, Beckie! I’ve read enough to know that her standalones are much better than her series, which just became like reading the same story over and over again. And it didn’t help in a recent book, she had an Australian minor character that was terribly unauthentic – made me a little crazy!
That’s true – I did enjoy some of her standalone
And John Thornton has it all over Darcy, in my view! Persuasion is my favourite Austen, and I much prefer The Blue Castle to Anne of Green Gables.
I’ve never read The Shack nor watched You’ve Got Mail or Titanic! #sorryforaddingmovies
On a CBA note, I loved Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series but her recent books leave much to be desired. Sigh…
Yes, Rel. I loved Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series, too. I feel like some of her recent books are less enjoyable because of all the technical details she puts in. The story (and maybe the reader, too) gets lost in the details.
I won’t read Karen Kingsbury’s books anymore. I read the first Harry Potter book and saw the first 2 movies, but I couldn’t really get into them much. (Sorry, Carrie. Are you still my BFFF?)
Good points about Henderson’s books, Winnie. I think that’s true – the technical stuff overwhelms the story. And of course we are still BFFFs š
I haven’t watched Titanic either! And I totally agree about Henderson’s books
I haven’t seen Titanic, but I don’t watch very many movies, so that’s not too surprising.
lol
Would you believe I saw Titanic twice when it came out at the movies? Not sure why, except that one of them was a date with my now husband, so I probably just wanted an excuse to hold his hand! <3
I know what you mean about Dee Henderson's post-O'Malley books, although I think I've enjoyed them more than some others have. But then I tend to be a bit nerdy about technical details. To a point. *blushes* Her characters and the romantic plots are definitely… different, though.
Awwwwwww lol
First, I agree with your post, Carrie. I much prefer Mr. Knightly to Mr. Darcy, though I do love Colin Firth”s portrayal of him. I did gasp a few times reading all the posts. I don’t like Scarlett either. I have only read a few of Karen Kingsbury’s books that I liked, the others were just too predictable for me. I haven’t read Twilight, I did see the movies with my nieces. I don’t get Debbie Macomber.
Now, if I may make one more admission. I get books for my mom’s kindle, I mostly pick good Christian clean reads, until recently when she said, “you know, if the setting is right and the couple is married, I don’t mind a little sex now and then.” I’m not sure what to do with that. Any suggestions?
Hmm… Does she mean ‘fade to black’ or full on blow by blow description? I don’t mind fade to black if the couple is married and it’s tastefully done, but I try to steer clear of anything beyond that. In any case, I’m not sure you would find too many books where the couple is already married, unless you’re going to try and find some regency or mail order type historicals where arranged marriages and marriages of convenience are accepted plot devices.
LOL!! Hmmm….
Wow, Andrea. Did you tell you mom that was TMI? Good luck with that! LOL
hahaha!
My literary confession. I became an English teacher without every having read Romeo and Juliet. My ninth grade English class was an honors class so we had some say in what we were reading and chose Arthurian Legends instead….one year, I did homebound teaching, taught a ninth grader with Leukemia and read it for the first time along with him….I said a lot of “And I’m not going to explain what I’m pretty sure that means.” Ha, I did read other Shakespeare in other grades/college, but not R&J since everyone expects that in 9th grade. I feel like I can call myself a bona fide English teacher now. š
PS. Persuasion is definitely the best Austen novel. Though I love Mr. Darcy because he is my literary personality twin–and I totally get people not liking him since I’m not the easiest to like, but you don’t see much of “me” in literature unless the character is the villain, so his positively portrayed existence makes me happy. š
Hahaha Melissa! I like you š
I’m not a Karen Kingsbury fan. At.All. I’ve read several of her titles but nope. I just don’t like her ‘voice’.
I’m not a fan either. I’m not sure why – maybe It is her voice.
Well, Carrie. I woke up this morning believing it was a truth universally acknowledged that Pride & Prejudice was Jane Austen’s most popular novel. Now I’m going to bed knowing my world has shifted on its axis. ?
Hahahaha!!!! I suppose I should apologize …. but I’m actually quite happy that more ppl agreed with me than I expected LOL
Katie, you are hilarious! I think Carrie has blown a lot of minds with this post. A lot of enlightening comments! LOL Are we all still friends?
LOL i hope so š
Lol! I have a strong constitution. I think we’ll be okay š
I wouldn’t laugh half so much if we weren’t!
Truth. LOL
I saw your topic on fb, but by the time I was getting ready to read it my power went out for 4 hrs last night. This may be one of my favorite posts ever. I always wondered about whether reviewers actually liked everything they read, I know I don’t. I LOVE all the honesty!
Like so many others:
*I have never read Harry Potter or Jane Austen.
*Not a fan of Scarlet O’Hara (but liked the movie)
*Love Francine Rivers, especially Redeeming Love and the Mark of the Lion series, but was nonplussed by The Sin Eater.
*Liked The Bridge and prequel The beginning and her Red Glove Christmas collection, but haven’t read any of Kingsbury’s series, just too many of them to even start.
*The only Amish fiction I have really liked is Suzanne Fishers and some of Mindy Starnes Clarks. Like others I don’t understand the pull. I have visited the Amish and am fascinated by their culture, but to have a whole genre of it baffles me. Maybe because it’s to “plain”? lol
I could go on and on, but I often struggle with when I agree to read and review a book, and it doesn’t meet my expectations, finding something positive to say while remaining honest. Any tips Carrie?
Oh gosh, yes Tracey. That’s the hardest part of reviewing. I think being honest is key but also framing it in such a way that it doesn’t crush the author who poured himself/herself into this book that we just didn’t connect with. I always try to find SOMETHING that I liked… even if it’s just the cover haha! And I start with that. And then I’m just as honest as possible without being mean. I reviewed one the other day – Wallflower Blooming – that I didn’t even finish because it made me want to beat my head against a wall LOL. But of course I didn’t say that in the review š It’s a fine line to walk sometimes… between honesty and grace.
Yes, that’s exactly what I do too. If I’m requesting a review copy, I’m very careful to pick tried and true authors for the most part, but have still been surpised by a few, then the struggle begins, lol.
That’s one of the reasons I enjoy your blog so much. You steer your readers towards the best of the best! I only read about a third as many books as you do a year, so I still have to be choosy, but the recommendations I have tried have all been on point.
Like Laura Frantz, you made me a new fan of hers. Getting ready to read her new A Moonbow Night, super excited abought that!
And Sarah Monson too, and the list continues!
Merry Christmas to you and Eric!
awww i’m so happy to hear that, Tracey! Thank you!! And a Merry Christmas to you and yours too š
I liked the Hunger Games series (books), but…I actually preferred the movies. Peeta was much better in the movies than in the books, and I felt like some of the details actually slowed the story down and made it drag. (Yes, I just said I liked movie version over the book version. We can still be friends, right?)
Also, I recently read a book that everyone has been raving about, won several awards, and I was like, huh? Okay.
And finally, yes. Persuasion was the best, and I have to agree with you Carrie; Mr. Knightly was her best hero. Hands down.
see? You redeemed yourself with that last paragraph š JUST kidding. There are a few movie versions of books that I prefer over the actual books š
The Count of Monte Cristo and Vanity Fair are improved as movies. For the Count they added the romance which really made it better, and for Vanity Fair they took out the chapter about some guy’s heirloom dinnerware…seriously like a chapter of backstory for a secondary character that hardly does anything in the story, however they took out Captain Dobbins telling off his love interest and that steams me because it was the best. But sigh, still, if I recommend one over the other it’s the movie, lots of rambling classics are improved with needing to be shortened for screen time. š
this is so very very true!! I agree that The Count of Monte Cristo is better as a movie! Plus… Henry Cavil š
Oh heavens! I read ‘Vanity Fair’ a few years ago. That book could have been cut in half and not lost any of the story! And it wasn’t even a particularly satisfying ending.
This blog post is cracking me up. Can my confession be that since I started writing, I don’t enjoy reading as much? My inner critiquer/editor is so hard to turn off. I used to finish a book no matter what. Now, if I’m not totally enthralled near the beginning, I just quit reading and move on. Bad book club member.
Two books that totally pulled me in this year were The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate and The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischoff.
Lol yes that can be your confession š
Ok… this is a safe space?
Ok…
I can’t stand the handsome-guy-is-a-jerk-but-is-turned-into-good-man-because-of-that-one-woman-who-challenges-him-and-gets-under-his-skin genre/trope
I get it. As long as everyone knows it’s fiction. It will stay fiction. The heroine needs to kick out the Human Chin and love the adorable shlub who can make her laugh and pick up her kid at school with a hand puppet poking out of the sunroof.
He’s really committed to this dislike. Which means he wouldn’t like Darcy either. Lol.
Good point, Eric! I think there’s a distinct shortage of “adorable shlubs who can make her laugh and pick up her kid at school with a hand puppet poking out of the sunroof”, though. It’s kind of hard to find those. Of course, it’s pretty hard to find handsome jerks who have turned into a good man because of the one woman, too. Mostly they remain handsome jerks, I think. š
LOL! True.
Lol Winnie! My adorable shlub wouldn’t do that in public, but at home… š I’m not sure he’d like anyone to write a book about him though (and he might take exception to the term ‘shlub’!)
š
I am still thinking about my confession…this is serious business…..#safeplace
LOL
Come on, Melony! ‘Fess up! We all bared our hearts, and we’re waiting for you!
yes! exactly! š