Books Keeping Me Timid: Top 5 Intimidating Ones

“… a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.” 
― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones

Top 5 Tuesday is hosted by Shanah at the Bionic Book Worm. If you want to participate, just head over to her site and join the party! As a matter of fact, this is the first time that I am participating on her Tuesday book list parties.

For the last Tuesday of the month of January, the topic is about books that are intimidating. I have a Mons-TBR on stand by so I decided to share some on this list (though the last one on this list is just wishful thinking on my part and not even on my actual TBR).

Complete Collection Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

I am a huge fan of Sherlock. But to clarify, I am also a Cumberbatch fan so his portrayal of this iconic character was what drew me to the series in the first place. But to read the collection of stories that gave birth to the Holmes is still a feat that is yet to be achieved by yours truly. I already have a physical copy of these books but it always seemed like I am unconsciously leaning away from them…

Intimidated? A little.

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin

I distinctly remember “trying” to read the first installment of this series a while back but due to some reason that I cannot recall, I put it down. It came back in the form of a five-season TV series (it was on its fifth season then) which was recommended to me by friends all of them convincing me to join the winter is coming party. There was even a bet involved to watch the first three episodes and see if I can turn away from it after having a peek.

After seven seasons of knowing nothing, I started to wonder if I should start reading but postponed it due to the massive books that the series contained and decided that I would probably follow through after the eight and final season on HBO.

Intimidated? A bit. Just look at those massive books.

The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

This one is a classic tale and mostly loved by everyone due to the popularity it enjoyed when it was adapted into films. This was an intimidating one as well not only due to the movie adaptation but also due to the writing style of Tolkien.

Intimidated? YES!

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

As a young girl who grew up with the fairytales in Disney and bookish storytellings, I cannot leave out romance. But after watching and completely fell in love with the movie adaptation starring Keira Knightley, I have been undecided if I should read the book. The original story I gathered was not mainly about romance but more about the social life and the position of the men and women in society during that time. I fear that the image I have of Lizzie and Darcy would not be the same after reading the novel.

Intimidated? Maybe a little. But more on my fear of changing my impression on the characters than intimated.

The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

I blame Dan Brown for this. But of course, I am also grateful because if not for him I would not even have a clue about who Dante Alighieri is or what the Divine Comedy is all about. It was the main inspiration for Dan Brown’s book Inferno. I am completely intimidated because first of all I cannot speak nor read Italian, and even though there is an English translation of it some meanings would have been lost in translation. Not to mention it is considered to be one of the greatest works in the world of literature and a LOOOOONG narrative poem. I could not even finish one book of G. R.R. Martin and here I am pondering about the Divine Comedy. But I had to add it to the list since I seriously thought about it while reading Dan Brown’s book.

Intimidated? VERY.

That’s it for this Top Five Tuesday!