Some Bandwagons Are Worth Jumping On
I’m not a bandwagon girl.
I’m not sure exactly why; it’s nothing that’s been planned. But for some reason, the more accolades a movie, or book, or TV show receives, the less interested I become.
Need some examples? Okay, let’s see . . .
- Titanic? Never saw it. (And no desire to.)
- On a related note, I’d rather do almost anything than listen to a Celine Dion song in its entirety.
- The Bachelor (or The Bachelorette, or The Bachelor Dog, or any other offshoot of The Bachelor) have never been on in our house. I would choose a documentary about the production of string over The Bachelor. I can’t even stand to sit through a commercial.
- I’ve also never watched Dancing with the Stars. I have nothing against the show; I just have no desire to see it. Ditto with Glee.
- Oprah doesn’t do it for my either. I think she is very generous, but I don’t agree with other aspects of her platform, and I just don’t get into her talk show. And it’s a rare Oprah Book Club pick that I will read and enjoy. Most of the time, the Oprah endorsement on a book cover acts as a repellent for me. Just not my kind of read. (An exception: To Kill a Mockingbird. I’m with her all the way on that one.)
- I didn’t know who Jon & Kate (or their eight) were until they were getting divorced.
- I can’t think of anything that could get me to read Twilight or see any of the movies. Sorry, people.
I’m not trying to be some sort of snob, I’m really not. It’s just that my tastes usually do not resemble those of the status quo.
In other words, I’m just weird.
There are, however, exceptions to my bandwagon ban. I have read all of the Harry Potter books and loved them, I like to watch American Idol, and I recently began watching the first season of Lost. (I will never, ever catch up, though!)
And, this week, I finally read The Shack.
My mom read it and then ordered it for my two sisters and I because she liked it so much. And it was actually a book I’d been wanting to read, but just hadn’t gotten around to yet. After finishing it in record-breaking time for this slow meticulous reader, I have to say, I’m very glad I read it.
Being an English major and an editor by trade, I had to send the literary critic in my head on vacation while I was reading so I didn’t get bogged down in the quality of the writing itself and could instead focus on the message and the story. Because based on literary merit alone, The Shack is not a great book. Transitions, dialogue, sentence structure—they aren’t going to earn this novel a Pulitzer Prize. But the message and story are so amazing that it doesn’t matter.
There’s no question in my mind that the story was divinely inspired. Coincidentally (or not), I’m in the midst of Rick Warren’s 40 Days of Love study through my church, and I’m reading the book that accompanies the study, The Relationship Principles of Jesus by Tom Holladay. It was as if The Shack brought to life the descriptions and explanations of God’s love that are the focus of the study. They naturally go together. Just like peas n’ carrots.
If you’ve read The Shack, what did you think? And if you haven’t, are you planning on reading it, or are you bandwagon avoider as well?
I am also a bandwagon avoider. Out of your entire list the only thing I had seen was Titanic. Also, no Harry Potter, American Idol or Lost for me.
People have recommended The Shack to me but it is not high on the list of things I am planning on reading. However, I am glad you liked it. 🙂
.-= Melody´s last blog ..2010 Goals =-.
typically I agree…i haven’t read twilight books, i hate the movie titanic (the parts i’ve seen), i do not like harry potter stories, but i have to tell you…i’m totally in love with Glee 😉
and The Shack is one of the best books I’ve ever read…though I read it a long time ago, before anyone started talking about it. But now, I’m thinking I may have to re-visit it.
You know, I haven’t read the shack either, but not for the same reasons that I have not seen Titanic. One other exception you might want to make to the rule is The Help. Great book. Everyone’s reading it for a good reason.
I have read The Shack and it truly touched my heart. It is a beautiful picture of God’s love and patience.
I just recently found your blog and being the mom of 3 young boys (6, 3 and almost 9months) I have enjoyed reading about your family. Thanks for sharing.
God Bless
I saw Titanic but can’t listen to Celine Dion. I’ve never watched The Bachelor, American Idol, Desperate Housewives or Sex & the City (or most other shows). I have no desire to read or see Twilight (though I did read every book of the Anne Rice vampire series- and most of her other books). I would like to read The Shack- but I have a pile of books by my bed already. Maybe I can borrow yours?
.-= Jod´s last blog ..Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Broccoli =-.
But of course, my dear! I’m anxious to hear what you think of it!
Okay, how sad is it that I haven’t even heard of The Help? I’m going to look it up on Amazon RIGHT NOW. See, I am so not a bandwagon girl!
I knew there was a reason we were friends! 🙂
I know, I know, I keep thinking I need to give Glee a shot. I’m not sure I’d dig the singing. I’m definitely not a show choir fan, but that PE teacher lady, or whoever she is, makes me crack up during the commercials… I may break down and watch an episode, Bec, just for you!