MUSING MONDAYS are hosted by Rebecca at Just One More Page. Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about award winning books…
Do you feel compelled to read prize-winning (Giller/Booker/Pulitzer etc) books? Why, or why not? Is there, perhaps, one particular award that you favour? (question courtesy of MizB)
This is an easy one. I absolutely do NOT feel compelled to read prize-winning books. As a matter of fact, I usually avoid them at all costs. For the most part, I find the books that have won the Pulitzer to be dull, boring and/or bland. However, there have been a few notable recent examples, both of which happen to be short stories - Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiria and Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. So maybe I should rethink this. But considering there are so many awesome books to read, I doubt I would ever choose to read a book simply because it won some prize. I choose books based on the description written in the inside jacket and book recommendations from people whose opinions I trust.
How about you? Do you feel compelled to read award winning books? PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with your opinion or link to your own Monday Musing post.
Do you feel compelled to read prize-winning (Giller/Booker/Pulitzer etc) books? Why, or why not? Is there, perhaps, one particular award that you favour? (question courtesy of MizB)
This is an easy one. I absolutely do NOT feel compelled to read prize-winning books. As a matter of fact, I usually avoid them at all costs. For the most part, I find the books that have won the Pulitzer to be dull, boring and/or bland. However, there have been a few notable recent examples, both of which happen to be short stories - Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiria and Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. So maybe I should rethink this. But considering there are so many awesome books to read, I doubt I would ever choose to read a book simply because it won some prize. I choose books based on the description written in the inside jacket and book recommendations from people whose opinions I trust.
How about you? Do you feel compelled to read award winning books? PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with your opinion or link to your own Monday Musing post.
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16 comments:
Me too, I mean I don't look for books that won prizes. I usually look for books that sound interesting reads to me. What I find interesting is that I seem to enjoy books on celebrities. I have one by Miley Cyrus called "Miles to go." One of my favorite books is "1001 Arabian Nights" by C.. I can't remember her name. lol!
From a fellow SITSta. :D
By the way, I love your blog. I just bookmarked it. :D
Reviewer - Thanks for visiting from SITS and for bookmarking my blog. I'm so flattered. I've never heard of 1001 Arabian Nights by "C". I'll have to check it out.
I do like Booker books. And also look out for books by Nobel Prize Winners.
Mondays: Musings/Mailbox/whereabouts
I definitely don't read something because it's a prize winner or because it's on Oprah's reading list, etc. Being the contrarian I can be, I always question something's value if EVERYONE thinks it's special. Doesn't necessarily make sense but it's me!
I'm with the majority on this one - definitely don't seek something out just because it's award-winning.
I do not seek out prize-winning books. I few of Oprah's choices have been good books, but I base my reading more on what friends have read and by visiting the library or bookstore and just doing as you mentioned, reading book jackets and first chapters. I also am highly motivated to read a book if I like the front cover, not a scientific process, but it works for me.
Cut or copy your answer then paste it here. There are times when I don't even understand how some of those books can be considered prizes much less anything else.
I don't. I generally don't agree with the awards committees on what makes a book good. I don't avoid them (though I'll likely only read them if I hear/read a good review of it), but I don't pursue them.
If it's already a favorite author of mine, or if I read a summary of the book and it sounds interesting to me, or if a friend recommends it, then I am more likely to read a certain book. I could care less if it was an award winner or not! Frankly I picked up a few of Oprah's recommendations and while some of them were good, many of them were just plain ole BOOOORING to me!
I'm with you... I read what sounds interesting to me. I don't even pay much attention to if it is awarded or not!
I don't read a book just because it won an award...just like I don't watch a movie just because it was nominated (or won) an Oscar. I don't particularly like Oprah's picks. And I have been known to read a book just because the cover or title intriqued me at the time. Also, if I read a book by an author, and I love the book, I will tend to seek out other things by that author, and read them as well.
Alex - I hear you. I think some of the prize winner are just over my head or something.
Sharon - I'm with you on this one. Whether a book has won a prize or not does not effect my interest in reading it.
Lady Grey - I definitely find books to read because the cover/title grabbed my attention. And I always search out a favorite author's other books. But, if I read the inside jacket and it doesn't interest me I won't read it - regardless of how great the title, gorgeous the cover art, or how much I loved another of that author's books. There are just too many books out there.
I always feel guilty or confused over the fact that most of the time, I hate or just don't get the prize-winning books. I've always thought that maybe I'm just not "cultured" enough. I'm not ashamed to admit though, that I love a good beach read, or a great mystery or sci-fi fantasy...I love it! And half the time, I think that those books are better in some ways than a lot of the prize winning ones.
C - I feel the same way about those books. That I'm not smart or savvy enough to "get it". But, I AM smart enough to know that I don't like them.
I do NOT feel compelled except...with children's books. We buy them all...
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