Top 5 Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by the Top 5 Wednesday group on Goodreads!
This week’s theme is books we’re intimidated by and there are a couple that I think I can safely say I am intimidated by but for the most part if I want to read it, I will regardless of size. I mean I didn’t make it through the entire (so far entire, until dang Winds of Winter comes out) A Song of Ice and Fire series for nothing! Those are some intimidating books I tell you and I’m just really proud of myself for getting through all of those pages….
But I digress, here are my top 5 intimidating books.
5.) The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
I’ve had a copy of this for a while because I really liked the movie, that’s all there really is to it.
The reason I have not read it yet is because it IS a volume with all 5 books in it making it a daunting 815 pages and then there’s the fact that it’s a classic. If there’s one thing that really intimidates me about books it’s the “classic” status. Usually for me that screams “Heather, you probably won’t like it and everyone else will think you’re uncultured swine because of that.” I would feel really bad if I didn’t love a universally loved classic book, the guilt would weigh on me!
However, I think I’ll eventually get around to reading it. I have read a little bit of it and it is as funny as everyone says.
4.) The Lord of the Rings & The Silmarillion by J.R.R Tolkien
Now, if any of you have actually read anything I post ever then you know how much love I have for Middle Earth. I really, really do love Tolkien’s fictional world, BUT I always feel like a hypocrite since I have not actually finished reading “The Lord of the Rings” or “The Silmarillion”. (I’ve come to terms with this and just say yeah I only read “The Hobbit” but I adore all of the movies so I can still call myself a fan.)
I digress, honestly I have a lot of random knowledge about Tolkien’s books without actually having read them (with the exception of “The Hobbit”) so I would like to get even more insight by actually reading and finishing “The Silmarillion” and “The Lord of the Rings”.
Once again the reason I’m intimidated is because it’s a classic and the older writing style usually gets to me, just a pet peeve but I can definitely look past it to read these. (Plus these are looooong books).
3.) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Alright so the reason I want to read this is because: A.) it’s super hyped and everyone loves it and B.) it has its own TV show that I’d really like to watch.
I do own a copy and have read maybe a 100 or so pages and liked it. My problem is that it’s a little bit slow and it’s a romance oriented book for the most part. I don’t like any of those things but from what I read it doesn’t bother me too much. Also the fact that it’s 896 pages long really intimidates the crap out of me.
Hopefully I’ll finish it someday because I may just have to start watching the show in the meantime……
2.) American Gods by Neil Gaiman
I like Neil Gaiman so of course I want to read “American Gods”, however, I’m intimidated by the fact that everyone says its a little……weird. I’m talking about the kind of weird that may just not work for me. Also I’m worried I may grow bored with it while reading and it’s 541 pages long, which isn’t terrible but it will be if I’m bored with the story.
We shall have to wait and see since I do have a copy waiting for me on my bookshelf…..
1.) The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
I am a fantasy lover and this book seems to be everyone’s go to for a fantasy lover. Therefore I must read this book, but it’s large and I’ve never read anything by Rothfuss before so I’m a little leery about reading it. If I put the time and effort into reading this I kind of want a guarantee of loving it, I know I’m weird.
I really do want to read this but there’s just something intimidating about it. Like if I had a copy sitting on my bookshelf I’d probably just have a stare-down with it and say “I see you there and I’m not reading you…yet”. In which case yet is pretty much going to be forever.
What books are you intimidated by?
Are there any on my list that you have read and hated/loved?
Are you intimidated by any of these books as well?
Have you seen any of these books’ movies or shows?
Let me know in the comments and feel free to leave a link to your Top 5 Wednesday as well!
thesassygeek.wordpress.com 
I really like your list 🙂
Currently, I’m reading the second book of Hitchhiker’s Guide series. But I’m reading books separately because they were published&translated that way. Which is great if you ask me.
I tried to read Outlander but I stopped. Maybe the time was not right or I wasn’t in the mood for it. But I agree with everything you wrote about it.
I still have to read American Gods. I didn’t add it to my list but yes… I’m afraid that I won’t understand it because I bought the English version.
I already read TLOTR years ago and loved it! And I read The Name of the Wind last year and it’s amazing. But you need a time for this book 😉
Here is my list:
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Thank you! I’m glad you liked the first Hitchhiker’s Guide novel enough to keep going, so that’s encouraging for me haha. Outlander is kind of slow so I’m happy I’m not the only one to set it aside temporarily. So awesome to hear that The Name of the Wind is worth the read! 🙂
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I borrowed Outlander in library but I have to return it. Still I think I will try to read it again someday. But I think the main problem is, that this book is so hyped and I actually didn’t know what was about. Because romances are not my thing and I really hope that there’s more action in book later 🙂
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I agree 100%, I will go back to it later as well and romances definitely aren’t my thing either so yes let’s hope there is more action! 🙂
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Loved this post, Heather! I always feel the same way whenever I say I am intimidated/don’t like classics. I agree about the whole volume of Hitchhiker’s Guide but I’m glad I read the first one as it was brilliant! I think I’m going to start taking part in Top 5 Wednesday next month too 🙂
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Thanks Tasha! I’m so happy I’m not the only one, I feel like a mob will come after me if I don’t like certain classics! It seems everyone loves Hitchhiker’s Guide and I’m glad you liked it, I’ll definitely will have to pick it back up again soon. I hope you do start doing Top 5 Wednesday, they’re tons of fun, can’t wait to see your future T5W posts!
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I’m definitely intimated by the Silmarillion, but not by the others.
The Name of the Wind is a huge tome of a book, but I love my Fantasy epic and grand.
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Glad I’m not the only one on The Silmarillion! It’s also nice to hear The Name of the Wind is a good read, I like an epic fantasy as wellvso it seems I’ll get just that! 🙂
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It took me two tries to get into American Gods, but it was worth it. The weirdness is like a blend of Neil Gaiman with a bit of Stephen King, which I loved! My most intimidating book at the moment is War and Peace. I’ve been trying to read it since January. And I’m only about 100 pages in. It’s terrifying (and 1400 pages). I can’t bring myself to pick it back up. And I completely feel you on the LOTR thing – I’ve only read The Hobbit and I feel bad about it. I tried to read Fellowship last month, but hit a reading slump so I still need to finish it. Great list!
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It might take me a few tries then to get into American Gods as well, I really do like Neil Gaiman so I’m glad to hear it’s worth it! You definitely have my respect for even trying War and Peace, someone would have to pay me a lot of money to give that a try, haha. We are in 100% agreement with LOTR, I have also read the only The Hobbit and I read up to 100 pages in the Fellowship before I set it down. Still nice to see it’s not just me! 🙂
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Fantastic list! My bf listened to the audiobook for American Gods and he really liked it. Outlander books are intimidating (I’m only 2 books into the series) but once they suck you in you cannot put them down!
Danica @ A Redheaded Bookworm
T5W
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Thank you! I’m glad to hear some positivity on American Gods, since it’s kind of a love/hate thing with most reviews. That’s really awesome to hear that the Outlander series gets that addictive, I love when a series grips you like that! Also thanks for linking your T5W, I’ll head over and check it out! 🙂
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I’ve read at least one book from each series on this list and I’ve got to say I recommend most of them!
Name of the Wind is a big, sprawling, pack a lunch and enjoy fantasy epic. And yet it’s not the “let’s describe every leaf of every tree” type of epic that can turn me off (::cough::cough::Lord of the Rings::cough::cough::).
As for Outlander, I read it simply because the character of Jamie is supposedly based on Jamie from the second Doctor’s era on Doctor Who. But I’ve only read the first one and not any of the others. I do want to watch the series for the Ron Moore connection but haven’t got around to it yet.
Hitchhiker’s Guide — does it help if I point out it’s five books and a short story in one epic tome? And that if you like the movie, you will probably enjoy the book more. Douglas Adams was good at telling the same story in different ways — and the novel has some differences from the film — as the book is slightly different than the original radio plays as its different from the BBC TV show. 🙂 I highly recommend reading at least the first three books in the series.
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First off I’d like to say thank you for sharing your opinion on some of these books it definitely helps me out! I’m glad to hear The Name of the Wind is entertaining and not super tedious to read through, I was a little worried that it would be the lengthy boring kind of fantasy novel. I’m also really happy to hear that the Hitchhiker’s Guide is even more humorous than the movie, I did read a little bit of the first book but overall the intimidation won out for now. I’ll definitely have to pick both of these up some day soon! 🙂
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Love your list, I am definitely intimidated by Outlander as well, it’s on almost everyone’s list this week!
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Thank you and I’m very relieved to hear it isn’t just me! It’s just so…long. 🙂
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Yeah like some of the later books in the series have up to 1400 pages which is crazy, plus my Nana gave me the whole series and every time she sees me she asks if I’ve read them!!
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That is crazy but I definitely know how you feel on the grandparent thing.That’s too funny! My grandpa asks me if I’ve read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo yet every time I see him as well! 🙂
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Ah yes my aunt recently told me that she has that book and is going to give it to me, now I’ll have any other family member asking me if over read a book haha
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We already shortly talked about Outlander, so, again, happy to see it on your list 😉 You should definitely try the show though. It is slow and gorgeous and really intense!
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I think I’ll have to take that advice and try the show since it will take me forever to even finish the books in the first place. Although I did start ASOIAF after watching 3 seasons of Game of Thrones first so I may do something similar. Thanks for checking my list out! 🙂
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I started reading ASOIAF after 2 seasons and found the first two books only mildly entertaining and then the third one, where I hadn’t seen the new season yet, I really liked. hahaha I enjoyed the 4th book as well, but then … I can’t do with A Dance of Dragons.
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Yes I agree the third and fourth really are awesome but even with the first two I didn’t have as much of a problem as I did with ADWD. I definitely get you on that so don’t feel discouraged, you’ll finish it eventually! I think it’s one of those books where you have to kind of force it to get into it. 🙂
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That sounds like no fun at all … but maybe I’ll be more motivated once the next book actually comes out!
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Yes that’s actually a pretty good plan considering waiting for the next one is so painful right now, haha. 🙂
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I feel you on so many of these! I loved the LOTR movies, but I don’t think be able to read the books. I have no plans on reading Outlander, but those books still terrify me 😂
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Yay! A fellow LOTR movie lover! Haha most people I know that love the movies also read the books so I’m glad to hear that it isn’t just me! I probably wouldn’t read Outlander either buuuuut I already bought a copy so now I’m kind of stuck with it haha 🙂
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The movies are so good! I definitely need to re-watch them. Haha that’s like me with A Game of Thrones 😂 Good luck!!
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Fantastic list as always, Heather! 😀 I completely agree with you on all of these. I absolutely love the Hitchhiker’s Guide movie and I’ve read (and enjoyed) the first book, but I’ve been a bit nervous to continue. The first book is absolutely hilarious and totally had me laughing out loud, but there were some parts that were a bit dense in my opinion. I did really love it overall though, so I would say it’s definitely worth giving it a try, especially if you like the movie 🙂
I am so intimidated by everything Tolkien! Everyone loves all the books and movies, and I want to so badly, and I’m sure I will (I can’t imagine that I wouldn’t!). But well-loved series that I’m late getting around to always freak me out a bit!
I’m definitely a bit intimidated by American Gods as well. I’m a massive Neil Gaiman fan, but I’ve also heard the same thing about it. I love weird…but in moderation. Haha 😛 Definitely want to give it a go sometime soon though!
The Name of the Wind is number one on my list too (when I get it up!). I want to read it so badly, but it’s so huge and it scares me! Haha! I feel the same way; if I put that much time and effort into a story, I really want to be sure I’ll love it.
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If you say the first book is hilarious then I must finish it now! You’ve never failed me on a recommendation (no pressure, haha).
Don’t get freaked out about being late to the party on LOTR because if you are I am as well, so we’re both late-comers!
If you’re a big Gaiman fan and you’re leery about American Gods then it’s definitely a relief for me, haha. Yeah I heard that it’s just bizarre and I too can handle a little weirdness but if it’s bad I may have to set it down.
I’m not even surprised that The Name of the Wind is #1 on your list too, we seem to have similar tastes after all haha. But I agree 100% if I’m gonna read a 662 page book I want it to be worth that amount of time!
🙂
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Oh gosh, now I’m nervous! Haha 😛 Like I mentioned, it does have some parts that are a bit on the dense side, so be warned about those. But overall, I think it’s definitely worth the read and it totally had me laughing out loud!
Hey, if you want to do another buddy read at some point, we could totally go for books/series that intimidate us or that we’ve been meaning to get to for ages! Maybe Mistborn, Name of the Wind, American Gods, etc. Or an LOTR buddy read! 😀
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Literally all of those sound great and now I don’t know how we’ll pick, haha. Mistborn and The Name of the Wind sound like good ones for sure but I don’t know if you want to read LOTR with me since I will literally fangirl the whole time because of those movies haha. I think doing a buddy read would help a lot to get us both reading some of these intimidating books. I never like to do scary things alone, haha. 🙂
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I’d totally be cool with the fangirling! Haha 😛 I actually think I’m going to totally be a bad book nerd and watch the films before I start reading the novels.
I’d be great with either Mistborn or The Name of the Wind! They both definitely seem like books that would be really fun to read with a friend! Do you have a preference/been particularly wanting to get to one of them? 🙂
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No worries at all because I watched those movies when I was younger and didn’t read the books!
And nope no preference at all I feel the same about reading both Mistborn and The Name of the Wind. Although with The Name of the Wind since it’s waaaay longer it might make for an excellent buddy read so we have each other to talk over all the content with (since there’s got to be tons)! 🙂
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Let’s try for The Name of the Wind then! I totally agree, it definitely seems like it would be absolutely perfect for discussing. Plus we both had it on our lists, so we can be each other’s moral support! Haha 😀
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Yay! We’ll have to figure out when a good time to start it will be, it seems we both have some review copies to finish up here before then. 🙂
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Definitely! I’m traveling through the end of this month and the beginning of next month and I’ll hopefully get a lot of my review copies read by mid to late July, so just let me know whenever you’re ready to go 🙂
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It surprises me how many people have The Name of the Wind on their lists! I have this book staring at me from the shelf for ages, I still haven’t read it either.
And the Hitchhikers – I like the movie too, I’ve listened to the first book, and even though it has many great moments I don’t count it as one of my favorites. Maybe I should give it another go. I’d love to have that edition 😀 It would look nicely next to Complete Sherlock Holmes and Grimm Fairy Tales 😛
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Glad it’s not just me that hasn’t finished Hitchhiker’s Guide! I also have the complete Grimm Fairy Tales and I agree it does look pretty good on the bookshelf, haha 🙂
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Outlander. You said you read the first 100 pages of so. Well, the story picks up right after that lol. Yes, it is a bit slow at the beginning but once Jamie enters the picture, it flies by so fast.
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Dang! I was so close, haha! I’ll have to pick it back up again soon to get to that action! 🙂
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