30 Day Book Meme (2014 version) - Day 11
Day 11 - A book you hated
2010 Answer: Oliver Twist
So, this year's answer is brought to you by the Fourth Infantry Division's deployment reading list.
1. The Punishment of Virtue by Sarah Chayes. This one came HIGHLY recommended by a ton of higher-ups in our unit, and I hated it. Hated it with a burning passion. So, it's written by this former NPR journalist who goes to cover the initial AFG effort, and then ended up going back and getting involved in things. Too much navel-gazing, and too much complaining about how corrupt people in Afghanistan are while she worked for members of the Karzai family. (Pot and kettle much?) Also, too much talking about how different she was. There was only one other officer who agreed with me on how bad it was, and he used to be an enlisted man. And yes, when I'm saying you're too liberal for my tastes, that says something.
2. In My Father's Country: An Afghan Woman Defies Her Fate by Saima Wahab. Another "highly recommended" title, in this case recommended by the Commanding General of the Third Infantry Division (that should have been a sign). More navel gazing, more "I am the only person in my situation" (I am noticing this a lot in books written by women about dealing with AFG), more getting on my nerves. Especially the part where she was a translator who got involved with the officer she worked for, and made everything a big drama, and then didn't understand why people didn't like her. Spare me, please.
DV
Day 12 - A book you used to love but don’t anymore
Day 13 - Your favorite writer
Day 14 - Favorite book of your favorite writer
Day 15 - Favorite male character
Day 16 - Favorite female character
Day 17 - Favorite quote from your favorite book
Day 18 - A book that disappointed you
Day 19 - Favorite book turned into a movie
Day 20 - Favorite romance book
Day 21 - Favorite book from your childhood
Day 22 - Favorite book you own
Day 23 - A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 - A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 - A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 - A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 - The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 - Favorite title
Day 29 - A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 - Your favorite book of all time