What was the most unusual (for you) book you ever read? Either because the book itself was completely from out in left field somewhere, or was a genre you never read, or was the only book available on a long flight… whatever? What (not counting school textbooks, though literature read for classes counts) was furthest outside your usual comfort zone/familiar territory?
And, did you like it? Did it stretch your boundaries? Did you shut it with a shudder the instant you were done? Did it make you think? Have nightmares? Kick off a new obsession?
I read a lot of fiction books, and occasionally memoirs but I rarely read inspirational books. Although I find most of them useful and informative, sometimes I think the contents are a little too dry for my reading pleasure.
However, I find Brendon Burchard's Life's Golden Ticket (you may read my review here) unusual because although it is more of a motivational novel, it does not read like one because the author has skilfully attribute all the necessary points by a way of storytelling, and this is what made the book so interesting and a joy to read.
And then of course, with the attractive cover, there is no way I could turn this book down.
Posts
I don't read inspirational books either. I read The monk who sold his ferrari, I left it when the story part ends and the preaching starts :)
I love how eye-catching this cover is!
I think Beloved was the most unusual book I've read. I tend to shy away from critically acclaimed books and from books that are depressing. My daughter had read it for a college class and loathed it. I read it for a reading challenge, and I'm glad I did. It did stretch my boundaries and made me think, and see some things about human nature in a different way.
I read inspirational books at times, but I've not heard of this one. It's a good one to add to my "want to read before I die" list.
I don't read inspirational books either, but that really is a nice cover :)
sounds intriguing! :-)
I too liked the cover!
I don't read inspirational books either. ^_^
~ Popin
Colorful cover! It's cute!
I've been meaning to read this book but just haven't gotten to it yet. I agree about the cover though!. My BTT is up.
I hadn't heard of this one before. Sounds interesting.
Oh-kay... looks like I'm the odd ball here. I love inspirational books and I think they're edifying. There's a lot to learn from these books and having gone through what I had (several low moments like my parents' separation, etc), these books really speak to me. They've helped my thinking and how I look at the world, etc. etc.
I guess every individual is unique. :) I love reading all kinds of books. I have the audio book for this one, Melody.
I don't read inspirational books either....as a rule. Or Self-Help books. I did like the cover of your book. It seemed as if everyone else did too.
I kinda like inspirational books if they aren't too pushy. Then I won't read them.
I totally didn't get Beloved the first time I read it. But the second time around I saw the underpinning of The Invisible Man and later read that Ralph Ellison did influence on Toni Morrison's writings.
Violetcrush - Oh, I've wanted to read that book but just haven't got around to picking it up yet. ;)
Jen - Me too! :)
Darla - I'd have to check out that book. Depressing books can be hard to read, but sometimes they do help us think and to see things in a more different way.
Sally - I hope you'll enjoy this book if you've the chance to read it. :)
Yvonne, Gautami, Krishna - I admit the cover is the first thing that caught my attention! ;)
Marie - It sure is! :)
Popinfresh - I don't read many inspirational books but I will if they're good ones.
Callista, Amy - I'm hoping you'd read it soon! :)
Alice - You're not odd at all! To each his own. ;) So have you listened to the audio book? How do you find it?
Debbie - I think I can be quite picky when it comes to inspirational books. ;)
Shannon - I don't think I'd want to read a pushy inspirational books either. That's why I like this book because the overall concept is so refreshing!
Matt - Now I'm really intrigued with Beloved! I'd have to check this out. ;)
That is, indeed, a very attractive cover! I haven't heard of this one, but I'm intrigued now...
I'm responding to the "what was unusual?" question. Without giving it tons of thoughts (I read so many books, as I'm sure everyone else does!) I'd have to nominate "Water for Elephants." I read it only because a friend not only recommended it, he sent it to me, across the country!And I loved it.
Right now I'm recommending Recovering Charles By Jason Wright. It's got it all -- personal tragedy, family issues, natural disasters (post-Katrina N.Orleans) and emotional disconnect. What a great book.
I drew a blank with this past week's question and so didn't answer it. I am not a big fan of self-help books. And I tend to shy away from books that are heavy on the romance.
Trish - The cover is pretty, isn't it? I hope you'd read it if you've the chance. :)
Liz - I've Water for Elephants in my pile too! I can't wait to read it since I've heard so many good reviews about it. :)
Wendy - I'm not a big fan of self-help books either, but I'll read it if one catches my eyes (and the content is not so boring as well, hehe).