Sandi Shilhanek | Surprise Surprise

Sandi Shilhanek
March 28, 2010

Comments

61 comments posted.

Re: Sandi Shilhanek | Surprise Surprise

I've not read Jane Austen's books either and I don't plan to. I've tried a few times, but her books just don't grab me. Life is too short and there are too many books that do!
(Kay Martinez 12:16pm March 28, 2010)

Thank you for your post, Sandi.

I haven't read "Gone with the Wind". I find pretty distasteful the very idea of romanticizing the antebellum South and the Confederacy. And I've felt this way ever since long before anyone coined the term "political correctness".

I haven't read Kathleen Woodiwiss's novels either, partly for this reason. And partly because I simply refuse to read abduction romances. Here in the real world, if a kidnapping victim falls in love with her captor, that's not romance. That's the Stockholm Syndrome.

There are a zillion romance novels that revolve around a marriage of convenience. I won't read those either, regardless of how highly acclaimed they might be. I think we all know what such marriages are considered in real life!

As for the "Twilight" novels and their ilk---sorry, no vampires for me. Not my cup of blood.

Having said all that, I still don't want to spoil anyone's fun. If other readers enjoy the aforementioned novels and types of novels, okay, I realize they don't see them the way I do. I won't criticize anyone for reading and loving such works. And it wouldn't stop anyone if I did!
(Mary Anne Landers 3:10am March 28, 2010)

I read all the classics as a teenager. Recently though, there have been a bout of books around Jane Austen. Either her 'secret diaries' or a more modern retelling of some of her most beloved tales. I just read one that retells the story of Pride and Prejudice with the bedroom doors wide open...hehe!!!

I also haven't read the Twilight series although they are on my shelf....waiting!!!
(Valerie Bongards 6:39am March 28, 2010)

I am the same a Kay - never read them and not really interested in them either - sad but true. I have a huge pile to read and read a book every 2-3 days but am sorry to say the classics have never called to me.
(Barbara Hanson 8:16am March 28, 2010)

Of Jane Austen I've read only Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility. I'm planning to read all of her novels, but I don't know when.
(Giada Mariani 8:46am March 28, 2010)

Up until a week ago, I had
never read a Georgette Heyer
book, which some might find
surprising given my love for
Regency books. And although
the book was good, I don't
know if I'll ever be a Heyer
fan who has to read everything
she wrote.
(Margay Roberge 9:27am March 28, 2010)

Pride and Prejudice - never read it either! And I love Kathleen Woodiwiss.
(Linda Calvert 10:24am March 28, 2010)

I've not read Gone With The Wind but I did recently buy an audio of it when it was on sale from Audible. I also haven't ever read the
Twighlight series, and really doubt that I will.
(Sandi Shilhanek 10:30am March 28, 2010)

I want to check out Jane Austen's books. I heard some good things about them and have yet to try one. susan L.
(Susan Leech 10:48am March 28, 2010)

I have read 4 also:
The Soldier's Secret Daughter by Cindy Dees, Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis, Whisper of Warning by Laura Griffin, and Promises in Death by J.D. Robb.

I have Mountain Investigation by Jessica Anderson in my TBR pile.
(Joyce Mandle 10:52am March 28, 2010)

I have read some Austen books. I enjoy her writing. We had to read one of them when I was either in high school or college. Of course I enjoyed reading some Shakespear also. I have not read Twilight, or Harry Potter or any of those. They are just not my cup of tea.
(Julie Harper 10:54am March 28, 2010)

I confess, I would rather read Dante than Jane Austen again. I guess most people would assume I have read a lot of Shakespeare but with him not being in the Medieval time period, I have read only the basics.

In terms of romance, I haven't read Nora Roberts. I started an audiobook by her but never finished it. I prefer a different kind of romance, I guess.
(Merri Crawford 11:57am March 28, 2010)

I have read Jane Austen and I must say P&P was my fav. I also have read Shakespear, George Bernard Shaw. I have not read books like Twilight and I doubt I ever will. I have read a few Harry Potters though. Not the whole series. There a lot of authors out there I have not read. I have found that once I read one book by an author I like, I have to read every book he or she writes.
And Sandi you will love Red's Hot Honky Tonk Bar.. This was my first Pamela Morsi and I cannot wait to read more of her books..
(Kathleen O'Donnell 12:06pm March 28, 2010)

Pride and Prejudice is my all time favorite. I have read other Jan Austen's work. It the Mr. Darcy character which stands out and that I am fascinated with.
(Kai Wong 12:27pm March 28, 2010)

I have to confess that I haven't read Janet Evanovich's "Stephanie Plum" series. I have read her other books (all of em) but just couldn't get into this series. I figure that I have at least another 30 years left in me and that I will read them eventually.
I love to read, I don't limit myself to any one genre - if it looks interesting..I'm in!
(Kimberley Coover 12:33pm March 28, 2010)

Hi Sandi--another good question to ponder. I have read P and P but it was in junior high. I would like to read it and Persuasion as an adult. I tried to read Sense and Senseability but could not finish it. I have read GWTW--it is my favorite book ever. People should not form opinions of it unless they have read it and/or seen the movie. But to each his own. My favorite author is John Steinbeck but I had never read East of Eden until Oprah chose it for her book club. It is his greatest book but it was better read as an adult. There are some books I don't read but I try not to judge a whole sub-genre by one book.
(Mary Perry 12:52pm March 28, 2010)

I did read Pride and Prejudice several years ago and really enjoyed it, but that's all the Jane Austen I've read.

I've never read the Left Behind books, the Twilight books or the Harry Potter series. Not even the Purpose Driven Life. I doubt I'll ever read any of these. There are just too many authors I enjoy reading to force myself to read something just because I "should".
(Jill Hayden 12:59pm March 28, 2010)

Back again. I went and checked the Rita books and I have only read one--KIll for Me by Karen Rose. I do have 7 others in my tbr pile. I also haven't read a lot of the so-called must-read books. (I spelled Sensibility wrong in my other post--hate when I do that!) Sandi--a lot of people haven't read the classics. Many of them are dry and long and boring. JA's books aren't long or boring but they are not for everyone.
(Mary Perry 1:08pm March 28, 2010)

I must admit, I have not yet read "Pride and Prejudice". I do have a lot of TBR's so someday I will read it. Thanks for the chance to comment and also the chance to "win" more books...Yay!
(Cheri Minott 1:09pm March 28, 2010)

I haven't read the "Twilight" series, either (nor do I plan to). I did read (and enjoyed) "Pride & Prejudice" and other Jane Austen titles. To each his own, right?
(Micheline Koop 1:21pm March 28, 2010)

A million years ago I read an Austen and I remember liking it. However, I don't remember the title. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE has been hanging out on my TBR for almost 5 years now...every time I get close to picking it up, I chicken out and grab something else. I loved GWTW and read the first Twilight book...Harry Potter didn't do it for me, but Percy Jackson is a kick in the pants. OUTLANDER is still my favorite romance of all time and I stopped reading Danielle Steel years and years ago. Jennifer Crusie makes me laugh and Nora Roberts is a standby for when I've read a particularly "bad" book. I haven't read a lot of the most popular romance authors yet and although I used to read historical exclusively, I rarely pick one up these days...
(Cindy Ferrell 1:25pm March 28, 2010)

I'm 50 and never read any Jane Austen books, nor do I have any plans on doing this. As others have said, there's way too many other books out there I want to read.

I also have no desire to read any of the Harry Potter or Twilight books, but like Jane Austen books, I think it's great when others read them. After all, ANY reading is good reading!
(Elaine Seymour 1:28pm March 28, 2010)

I've read most all of the "classics" growing up and really happy to see the continued interest in the Austen novels, which I love. But for the "new classics" like Twilight or Harry Potter, I have no desire to read those, though I will watch the movie if its on tv. There are many books out now that so many rave about but I find I have no desire to read. I'll stick to my historical romance and be happy!
(Shauna George 1:34pm March 28, 2010)

I read what I like and don't worry about what other people think about my reading taste. I enjoy seeing a book I've read on a best seller list, but I never read a book just because it is. One book I keep wanting to read is Fahrenheit 451. I've read portions and have seen the movie, but the book remains in my TBR pile. I may have to read it if I finish what I am reading now before my next payday.

Ray
(Ray Getzinger 1:55pm March 28, 2010)

Some of my friends are surprised that I haven't read the Twilight novels. I read all kinds of vampire books but these just don't appeal to me.
(Julie Scharff 2:41pm March 28, 2010)

My oldest daughter is a Jane Austen fan and given my love for romance, is surprised that I haven't read any Austen. I do love the movie version (w/Colin Firth) though!

Fun topic, Sandi!
(Laurie Damron 2:45pm March 28, 2010)

My children have to read Lord Of The Flies and they, as well as their friends parents are shocked that I never read that particular book. Must say that I never wish to do so, either.
(G. Bisbjerg 2:50pm March 28, 2010)

I have not read any Jane Austen books and if I've read Georgette Heyer, I don't remember doing so!! I have also not read the Twilight series and have no plans to.
(Martha Lawson 3:10pm March 28, 2010)

I've read a goodly portion of Austen's works,no Brontë (yet); all of Shakespeare's plays, 1 of his sonnets; All of Harry Potter, none of Twilight (and don't plan to); some Steinbeck, no Lord of the Flies, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and little to none of the other "classics" of early 20th-century literature so beloved in Eng. Lit. 203/4 courses at University. Of the stuff I haven't read, most of it will stay that way, except for the Brontës. I do want to get around to reading them sooner or later. I've read GWTW more than once, and it does depict the effects of the War of Northern Aggression pretty accurately, but I would hesitate to agree with the people depicted,knowing Southerners like I do.

I just want to know WHO decides what is a "classic" and what isn't, especially for those aforementioned English Lit. courses!!

Later,

Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 3:10pm March 28, 2010)

Pride and Prejudice- but as I
just got the zombie edition, I
thought I would read the original
first so that I got the full
impact of the story.
(Lisa Richards 3:22pm March 28, 2010)

Over the years I have read a few of the "classics" but for the most part they hold no appeal to me. That said I don't say I will never read something as who knows! I like to not limit myself. In school we read some Shakespear that I did not especially enjoy, I've read a Steinbeck, to grim or maybe I was to young to really understand. I loved Gone With The Wind, I don't think it romantizes the Civil War but that is only my opinion. Romance happens in war time, just check into all the marriages/romances during WWII. Mostly I read contemporary romance, have read some paranormals that I really enjoyed, Harry Potter is on my TBR shelf and has been sitting there a long time. I only acquired the first one! My tastes tend to jump around and sometimes comments influence me to try a new to me author or a book that I didn't think I would like.
I would like to see the list of RITA nominees. Jill Shalvis' book was a good read. I love her books.
I'm probably babbling here so will stop boring anyone reading the blog!! :-)
(Donna McClure 3:42pm March 28, 2010)

Well........What can I say? I've been in love with Mr. Darcy since I was 18 and read Pride and Prejudice for fun before finals freshman year in college! I've read "Sense and Sensibility" too but like the movie much better. The movie version of "Pride and Prejudice" isn't accurate and only the first PBS series in the '70's (?) was any good. I read GWTW in four days when I was 16 over summer break; the Civil War was what it was, brutal. I've read many of the ancient classics like "Odysseus" (didn't like it) and a good number of Shakespeare's plays (made my ESL students memorize the balcony scene from "Romeo and Juliet" and then perform it) and sonnets. Until today's column, I felt as if I was shirking because I don't continue to read these books. Today, I almost exclusively read romance novels with HEA endings; I've had enough problems to last me a lifetime and I don't want to deal with heavy-duty problems of others in novels. Does that make me less of a person? I hope not; I joined the Romance Sluts Blog and Harlequin Historicals pages on Facebook.
(Trudy Miner 3:49pm March 28, 2010)

I had to read a Jane Austen book in school. The movies are definitely easier to get through.

As for the RITA finalists, now I have to go check out that list. I have no idea which ones I've read or not. Sigh.
(Summer Sharp 3:55pm March 28, 2010)

Hey Sandi, for shame...LOL!!! I love the classics, so I am good there. The one book I haven't read in it's entirety, and I am dying to own, is Gone with the Wind. I have read an abridged version, but it is just not the same. I want the whole thing. Maybe on my next trip to the bookstore I can pick that up.

Peace and love,
Paula R.
(Paula Robinson 3:56pm March 28, 2010)

As much as I love historical romance novels I have never read one by Georgette Heyer and every time I read a great review I think to myself....you've got to get that book. Maybe this summer?
(Mitzi Hinkey 4:08pm March 28, 2010)

Wow, I'm glad I'm not the only one not into the classics. The only books I can put on the "read" list is Of Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby and Macbeth (all in high school). I actually enjoyed all of the them. But I seriously doubt I'll be reading anything else though. I really prefer contemporary stories - I don't even read historicals. I haven't read the Twilights or HP's yet (even though my dd has read them all). I probably will just stick w/the movie versions. Maybe part of it is how long the books are?

I'll try different genres, especially if the back blurb catches my interest. But I pretty much stick to a romance/mystery/romantic suspense regime. Oh, no one has mentioned EA Poe. I've read most of his books (8th gr Eng). I'm not a horror fan, but there is something about his books I like.

Another great topic Sandi!
(Amanda Reeder-erdly 4:39pm March 28, 2010)

I read a good many of the classics as a teenager through love of the genre or as part of my education. I can't imagine NOT reading Austen. I read her books at least once a year.
(Mary Preston 4:41pm March 28, 2010)

I know I should be ashamed of myself but I have never read Austen either. I guess great minds do think alike! LOL!
Keep on writing!!
(Teresa Miller 4:41pm March 28, 2010)

Another good blog and I have never read Jane Austen books but loved the original movie of GWTW. I loved The Count of Monte Cristo and The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas. I don't read mysteries and probably never will.
(Diana Smith 4:58pm March 28, 2010)

I read some Jane Austen- but prefer the BBC movies a lot more. I didn't have toread a lot of classics in High School- Gone with the Wind, the Red Badge of Courage and the Scarlet Letter- my teachers had us read other stuff and I don't plan to go back and start now.

I'm going to have to go and check the RITA list and get to work.
(Sara Edmonds 5:05pm March 28, 2010)

I read some classics when I was told to, but I wouldn't do it again. It certainly wasn't my choice of reading material. I don't regret reading them and when my kids were also told to read them I did encourage them to.
(Diane Sadler 5:14pm March 28, 2010)

You don't have to read Jane Austen to appreciate a good book. Just enjoy reading and don't worry about Jane...
(Brenda Hill 5:24pm March 28, 2010)

As a teenager in high school, of course you were assigned the classics. Always hated reading them, though. Also hated Shakespeare simply because I could never understand it. And the teachers were never really into explaining much, believe it or not!
As an adult, I did read Gone with The Wind and also Little Women.
I don't care to read today's popular vampire stories, Stephanie Plum series, various chic lit stories and a lot of very popular books that are out today.
I do like some of the cozy mysteries that are out today.
Also books by Kathleen Woodiwiss and Victoria Holt. What do I like to read? My favorite contemporary authors are Robyn Carr, Linda Lael Miller, Adriana Trigiani, Mariah Stewart, Debbie Macomber, Danielle Steel, Sherryl Woods, Belva Plain, Thomas Kinkade, Victoria Thompson, Carol Higgins Clark.
So we all have different tastes and there is nothing wrong in not being able to or wanting to read the classics. The secret is to enjoy what you are reading! Or else the book will just stay in your TBR pile!
(Peg Fragale 5:42pm March 28, 2010)

I haven't read any of the Jane Austen books either although I have tried them several times. Just could not make it thru them. Too many other good books to read!
(Teresa Ward 6:19pm March 28, 2010)

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is my favorite book, but there are several classics I couldn't get through. WUTHERING HEIGHTS and THE SCARLET LETTER to name two.
(Marlene Breakfield 6:51pm March 28, 2010)

I love Jane Austen books.I have read Wuthering Heights and The Scarlet Letter,the classics ,years ago.
(Deb Pelletier 7:23pm March 28, 2010)

I've read a lot of classics in high school and college.

What makes a classic is that the author is a front-runner or pioneer in the genre. Vanity Fair, while bulky and hard to get through at times, is a historical record that was not appreciated and considered scandalous at the time it was written.

Same goes for Jane Austen, if I'm not mistaken. Before her stories came along, women were portrayed much differently, much weaker.

For those struggling to read the classics because they are so long, do what I did when in college, I got the audio versions!

Seriously, that was the best way to go because I could listen and read at the same time (as I had to to make notes), or listen and do things around the house like dishes and stuff.

I have to say, that I do not regret reading any of the classics because, really, they're all good stories. Of course, I love historical novels.

I complained about a few others at the time, but I ended up really liking them - Great Expectations, The Mayor of Casterbridge (spell?), and The Canterbury Tales (want to re-read it though).

I also had the opportunity to read James Joyce in high school, and while I picked up some abstract stuff, I think I missed some big stuff, so I might re-read him too.
(Carrie Hinkel-Gill 9:09pm March 28, 2010)

I read a lot of classics in h.s. and some on my own - Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility.

I now read contemps and an occasional western historical.

I am not into Harry Potter, or any vampire, werewolf, paranormal, urban fantasy, etc.
(Pat Lieberman 9:29pm March 28, 2010)

For some reason I've never read those Jane Austen either. It wasn't required reading, but I used to read the classics for fun! I read all the Theodore Dreiser books, most of the Thomas Hardy books, a lot of Dickens.
I do not read science fiction or fantasy, however, when I am working on my computer, I will listen to anything I have that is a book on CD.
I should clarify that I don't read adult science fiction or fantasy. I do read kids stuff. I've read all the Harry Potter books and enjoyed them, moreso at the start of the series than towards the end.

Thanks for the giveaway!
(Joanne Schultz 9:57pm March 28, 2010)

OK - while we're in confession mode, I had to LOOK to see what Jane Austen wrote. No, she didn't write Jane Eyre - I really liked that. No, she also didn't write Wuthering Heights. OK - so I haven't read her either. I've wanted to read Pride and Prejudice since I saw the movie "You've Got Mail", but I read too much junk fiction to be able to read a classic anymore. I did think about getting the Spark notes for it though :-)
And Gone with the Wind is my favorite book. I don't see it so much as glorifing slavery or whatever people are saying; to me it's like life. Whatever you have, you take it for granted and only appreciate it after it's gone. Every time I watch the movie and see that spiral staircase, I start to cry because I remember what it's going to look like later in the movie!
(Barbara Wright 10:12pm March 28, 2010)

Well, Sandi, you have me beat. On the RITA list, I have one in my TBR and have read none of the others. Even my mom has me beat as she has read both of the Susan Wiggs books on the list.
And I'm not into the classics either. Never read Jane Austin or any of the others that some schools seems to require(never where in any of my classes).
And probably the admission that could get my the most flak is that I have never read Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb or Catherine Coulter, and probably never will.
(Carol Cobun 3:07am March 29, 2010)

I have not read the Twilight Series yet. It is not that I don't want to, I just have not gotten to get the books yet.

I don't think you should have to read a book just because everyone else has.

I wish schools would have a variety of books for the kids to read, instead of forcing them to read certain books.
(Michelle Sauer 4:56am March 29, 2010)

I'm with Sara on this one. I can watch the movies all day, everyday; but, I can't read her novels. Pride and Prejudice was a hard read the last time I tried.
(Becky Pena 10:40am March 29, 2010)

It's been forever since I've read Pride and Prejudice but I remember enjoying it. I think it's time for a reread!
(Jeanne Sheats 3:03pm March 29, 2010)

I have never read anything by Ayn Rand or Marcel Proust; their experiences are far beyond my own frame of reference
(Dawn Raymer 5:26pm March 29, 2010)

Wow! Surprise, surprise is right!

I've not read Pride and Prejudice, nor Gone With the Wind, nor any of the Twilight series -- my daughter let my 11yr old granddaughter read these, I almost died of shock -- and I detest Harry Potter.

I have read Jane Eyre, and Lorna Doone (which no one else mentioned) and of course all the required high school books, but I have no intentions of reading any of the previously mentioned books. I don't care for that type, and I for sure won't read them if there's anything about war in them. We get enough of that in real life we don't need to read about it in our moments of pleasure. . .
(Donna Breitkreuz 7:20pm March 29, 2010)

If I read any of Jane Austen's books, I
don't remember. I haven't read many
of the classics. For some reason, they
were never assigned in high school or
college. I've been reading them as I
get a chance and for the most part
have enjoyed them. I don't understand
why my reading list was so much
different. I was in Honors Courses,
you'd think the classics would have
been required.
(Patricia Barraclough 8:45pm March 29, 2010)

I read a few of the classics many, many years ago but I love audio and have been listening to them--nice change including Jane Austen. Twilight isn't a classic in my book but I did listen to all 4 just because my granddaughter was so taken with the books LOL Haven't read or listened to HP maybe some day. In high school we did Shakespeare plays in our English class and it helped understand them--as much as a high school kid can! GWTW was good even after 3 or 4 times. Just reading a book is wonderful IMHO
(Barbs Ferris 11:09pm March 29, 2010)

I tried to read Jane Austen, but just couldn't get into it. One of my first romance novels was by Kathleen Woodwiss - Ashes in the Wind. I love it to this day. I've read Twilight series and Harry Potter series and loved both of them. I try to read the classics, but not always successful.
(Josie Roetemeyer 9:55am March 31, 2010)

I love Jane Austen.I even went to Oxford to take a course about Jane Austen and George Eliot.I love her wit.
(Catherine Myers 4:47pm April 3, 2010)

Until this year, I had never read Pilgrim's Progress although I had heard so much about it. I almost felt like I had climbed a hill when I finally read the book and learned why it had been so well known.
(Gladys Paradowski 6:31pm April 10, 2010)

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