Sometimes I feel like when I talk about the books I’ve read it seems I have liked or loved every book. That’s probably in part because if the book is not really working for me, I will stop reading it. Sometimes I will go back to a book I set aside if I think it may have been the right book at the wrong time but it could take a very long time for that to happen.
So this post is about two books that did not work for me. Maybe they will be something you have enjoyed or could enjoy.
Happy People Read and Drink Coffee by Agnes Martin-Lugand. Diane seems to have a perfect life. She’s married, has a child and owns a charming book and coffee shop in Paris. Until one day her life is shattered when her husband and child die in an accident. After a year of grieving, Diane is still barely living until she decides to leave Paris behind for a small town in Ireland. There she meets Edward, her next door neighbor and while the two do not get along very well at first, they slowly form a relationship and begin to trust in love again.
This story has a wonderful setting and tackles some very serious and emotional issues but what made this difficult to enjoy were the characters. I understand that both are going through awful situations but they were so unlikeable. They were constantly arguing and were often just mean. Frankly, I wasn’t sure what attracted them to each other. I believe there is a sequel to this story but I don’t see myself picking that one up.
Source: Advance Review Copy
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. Monsieur Perdu owns a floating bookshop in a barge on the Seine in Paris. He believes he can find the perfect book for whatever ails his readers. Unfortunately he can’t find the one book that would make his heartache go away.
Another title with featuring Paris and books, what is not to love right? Well, unfortunately this is a story I couldn’t finish. It just seemed so forced and I just couldn’t get over one of the major points in the book. The fact that Monsieur Perdu has not gotten over the lover who left him 20 years ago. He’s completely shut himself off from experiencing love again. So another character I had a hard time understanding.
Source: Advance Review Copy
Both of these books are translations so I wonder if something was lost in the translation.
Anyway, what do you think? Have you read these and was your reading experience totally different than mine? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
I tried The Little Paris Bookshop a couple of years ago. I didn’t finish either. 🙂
I also set aside books when I’m not connecting with them, but don’t always mention it on my blog. I do like seeing DNFs on other blogs, so should probably start listing them once in a while myself. Both of these books interested me… but not enough to actually pick up a copy.
The Little Paris Bookshop sounds good. That is too bad it didn’t work for you! The issues you have with it wouldn’t work for me either.
I have heard The Little Paris Bookshop was disappointing to a number of people. It’s probably why I keep putting off reading it . . .:-(
Did you at least read the last few pages of the George book to see if M. Perdu found the right book–or the right new love? Sometimes I don’t mind an unlikable character in a book but sometimes, like you just experienced–it will totally turn me off a story! I tend to put books I am not enjoying aside, too. Too many books that I might love out there to slog through one that I am just not the right audience for!
That’s too bad but they all can’t be favs. I have seen The Little Paris Bookshop around and the premise sounds good. Too bad it fell flat.
Enjoy your weekend 🙂
I’ve read a few reviews about The Little Paris Bookshop and most readers said they didn’t really enjoy it. It sounds like an interesting read isn’t it, at least when the title is concerned. Needless to say, I think I’ll give it a miss and hope the next book will be better!
I love the cover art for Happy People Read and Drink Coffee and I actually picked it up and read a couple of chapters before I decided it wasn’t for me. I think I’ll skip The LIttle Paris Bookshop, too.
What a shame. They both seem like books that would tick all the avid reader boxes. And the cover for the first one is so colorful and pretty. Oh well, unfortunately they can’t all be really good.