10 Ten Books You Won't Be Able To Read In Public Without Getting Strange Looks
Thanks to e-readers you can read just about any book in public without getting strange glances from people looking at the cover and judging you. However, there are still a few books that you might be better off reading at home. These books are not only good enough that they will make you forget where you are, but will also leave you laughing out loud, shedding a few tears or reeling in shock and surprise.
1. Still Alice by Lisa Genova
Be sure to keep the tissues ready if you plan on reading Still Alice on the bus as it is a heartbreaking novel about a woman having to deal with early onset Alzheimer's. The story is told over a few years as the Alice's dementia increases and it takes a toll not only on her, but also her husband and children. Although it was turned into a movie the book will still tug on your heartstrings with its honest portrayal of this horrible disease.
2. Kisscut by Karin Slaughter
A shoot-out at the town skating rink, resulting in the death of a teenage girl, is just the start of the shocking events in Kisscut. When the autopsy not only reveals signs of ritualistic self-mutilation, but also strong evidence of long-term abuse, the town medical examiner and police chief investigates what is going on. Kisscut is a book that doesn't pull any punches and it deals with some very disturbing topics, so be prepared for a few shocked gasps escaping your lips if you read it in public.
3. The Stench of Honolulu by Jack Handey
The Stench of Honolulu is packed with so many laugh out loud moments you run a real risk of looking crazy if you read it in public. The author, Jack Handey, is responsible for some of the best Saturday Night Live sketches, so it's no surprise that this book is brimming with humour. It chronicles the adventures of the unnamed narrator who travels to Hawaii in search of a Golden Monkey and finds it to be a horribly disgusting place
4. Room by Emma Donoghue
Room is the tale of Jack, a five year old boy who lives with his mother without realizing the true extend of their situation. For his entire short life all Jack knows is the room, his mother and the terrifying man he calls old Nick, who shows up occasionally. Everything is told from the innocent perspective of Jack, who is unaware of how hard his mother is trying to create a normal life for him in very abnormal circumstances.
5. Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
Let's Pretend This Never Happened is the kind of book that leaves people snorting with laughter and the author doesn't hold back when it comes to telling her tale. It covers some serious topics as well, but the witty, delightful way in which the tale is told will leave you with a permanent smile on your face. The author calls it a "mostly true memoir" so it deals a lot with her crazy childhood, which she describes with her own quirky sense of humor. Just be warned though this is not a book for the easily offended!
6. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The Time Traveler's Wife is yet another book with a successful movie adaptation , but stick to the book for the full story. The author skillfully blends a touching love story with science fiction without it feeling contrived. The tale is told from the perspectives of Clara and Henry, who fall in love and get married, but have to deal with very unusual circumstances. Due to a condition called Chrono-Displacement Disorder, Henry spontaneously time travels to emotional moments in his life, both past and present. Brimming with joy, love, pain and disappointment the book offers an emotional roller coaster ride for readers.
7. American Psycho by Bret Easton Eillis
American Psycho is a book with plenty of shocking scenes and it is even more disturbing if you haven't seen the movie. It stars Patrick Bateman, a well educated man earning his fortune on Wall Street, but at night he indulges in torture and murder. Many readers had to put down this book and take a few moments before they were able to continue reading. So, unless you want people to wonder why you have such a look of disgust on your face, it might be best not to read it in public.
8. Us – Michael Kimball
Us is a book that mixes in humour and tenderness with its sad tale of a man fighting for his marriage. Douglas and Connie have been married for three decades when she informs him that she thinks she wants a divorce. A month-long tour of European capitals, done for the benefit of their 17-year old son's artistic interests, offer one last chance for Douglas to turn things around. But will he be able to connect with his son and save his collapsing marriage? Read the book to find out, but be prepared to shed a tear or two.
9. The Art of Racing The Rain by Garth Stein
Sometimes bad things happen to good people and there is nothing anything can do about it. The Art of Racing The Rain is a tale told by Enzo, a dog who is nearing the end of his life. It is also the tale of his master's life as seen from the unique perspective of the family pet. There is quite a bit of humor, but even if you are not an animal lover it is impossible not to be drawn into the tale and grow fond of the canine narrator. It also makes the sad parts of the tale even more heart wrenching.
10. The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum
Don't pick up this book thinking that it will be a sweet romance story due to the title. Instead, it is the tale of a teenage girl who is locked up and undergoes brutal torture at the hands of the neighborhood children. What makes this book even more shocking is the fact that it is based on a true story. With its graphic depictions of rape, torture and violence, it is not a book for the faint of heart and it is so gut wrenching that reading it in public might prompt people to ask you if you are feeling ill when they see your face.
