I don't do sad.

I don't know how many time I have had someone tell me about this great book they read and the first thing I ask is if it was sad. If they say yes, I say "No thanks, I'll pass. I don't do sad." The fact is I don't like sad so I don't want to read sad. I would like to live in a completely unrealistic world where everything has a happy ending. My mother gave me a copy of Marley and Me for Christmas 4 years ago because I have a yellow lab. I still have not read it regardless of how many times she tells me what a funny and uplifting book it is. I know what happens in the end. The same with the movie. I watch 3/4th's of the way through it and then I turn it off. "Sometimes a good cry is cathartic." I have heard that many times before and I don't agree. The Green Mile made me a red swollen eyed blubbering mess. Tell me how that is cathartic? And don't get me started on Nicholas Sparks. I still have not forgiven him for Message in a Bottle.  I have never been the one to reach for the next great novel described as "an unforgettable, heartbreaking story." The only way I usually end up reading something sad is if I am caught by surprise. I start out thinking something is going to be lighthearted until all of a sudden I am uncontrollably sobbing. I am joining a book discussion group and I am certain that some of the titles will be sad which is a little distressing to me but I am trying to keep an open mind. Who knows? Maybe I will be glad I branched out or maybe I will have more authors to add to my grudge list.