I hate quitting a book part way. I always want to give the story and the author the benefit of the doubt--there will be a pay off if I just push through to the end.
Confession: I've stopped reading a lot of books part way through this year. Eep. I never used to do this and I think what's changed is my massive, ever towering TBR pile. I feel like I'm pressed for time to read all the books I want to read and if the one in my hand isn't compelling me to turn the pages then, why am I?
Case in point: I'm reading a book right now that has a lot of industry buzz. I've even read that it's the next Harry Potter. (Really? I doubt that.) It's not that it's not well written, it is. Or that it's not original, it is. It's just not grabbing me, y'know?
Last week I talked about the (lost) Art of the Satisfying Ending. Even though I was frustrated with the unfinished way Mara Dyer ended, at no point during the book itself did I ever contemplate not finishing it. I was hooked from the beginning and was propelled through the middle to the end. I was eager to get back to the pages when I did have to put the book down.
That's not happening with this book. Yet, part of me says, it's got BUZZ. I don't want to quit too soon and then miss something incredible.
How about you? Do you always push through to the end? Or do you move on without regret?
About Me
- Elle Strauss
- I write Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction. I'm a married mom of four, and live in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, famous for beaches and vineyards. I'm fond of Lindt's sea salt dark chocolate and hiking in good weather. My Young Adult rom/com time-travel CLOCKWISE series and contemporary/otherworldly Middle Grade IT'S A LITTLE HAYWIRE are now available on Amazon.
I used to keep right on until the last word. However, just lately I find I have so many books on my TBR pile that if a book doesn't do it for me, I move on.
ReplyDeleteNo I don't push through the end. I've stopped partway through books that totally don't engage me. I made a resolution to stop reading big buzzed books just based on the buzz - I have to read the sample and read reviews b/c too many have disappointed. Maybe b/c they built up expectations? I don't think any book should be comparing themselves to HP or Hunger Games. Not possible. Saying if you liked them, you'll like mine is different.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to stop. Sometimes I'll flip through to the end and find out what happened. I try to give the author every chance but like you I have too many books and too little time.
"Saying if you liked them, you'll like mine is different."
DeleteI totally agree on that. There are so many awesome books out there that I won't ever read because they're not my taste; but that doesn't make them any less good. Taste and quality are two totally different things.
I have a habit of reading the last few pages first to see who ended up being the real bad guy and good guy.
ReplyDeleteEven then, sometimes I don't finish the book. It doesn't matter if it got rave reviews or not.
The only time I'll power through is if a friend who knows my reading tastes promises me I'll like it if I keep going.
Life is too short for mediocre.
For me it's a sickness, I have to read to the end no matter how bad the book - most of the time. I can think of only two times that I just didn't "jibe" with the books and had to put them down.
ReplyDeleteI have been writing for a year and during this time, for the first time in my life, I have quit on books! I have always read, but I have increased the amount significantly this year and I read now with more of an editorial eye.
ReplyDeleteNo, I've stopped reading books I don't enjoy if after I'm plodding through a bit more it doesn't pick up. Because like you, I have too many books to read. Sometimes I'll start the book again later because sometimes if I'm tired or stressed a book may not grab me that will later.
ReplyDeleteI like to push through to the end, but like you, my life has gotten so full of other things that these days, I just don't have time anymore to spend on the not-so-compelling ones. Usually I try to at least skim through the rest, if the first part hasn't grabbed me, just so I can get an idea of if it picks up enough to read it all the way through.
ReplyDeleteI usually stay with a book to the end, even if I find myself steaming about it and wanting to put it down real bad. (Ironically, I found myself reading the sequel of one of those books).
ReplyDeleteBut if I got a stack of books from the library, I'm more likely going to drop a book if it doesn't hook.
I'm like you. I used to read to the end. Always. Now, I don't because my TBR pile is enormous. If it doesn't call me back, then I usually give it up.
ReplyDeleteI usually give a book 100 pages of my time. Then, if it still hasn't grabbed me I put it down.
ReplyDeleteI was just about to say what Nicole said! 100 page rule. Although lately, it's become the 50 page rule, because 50 pages should be more than enough time to hook me. 10 pages, really.
ReplyDeleteI don't always read *to* the end. But I always read the end. In fact, very often I read the beginning, the end, a bit of the middle, and decide it's not worth my time to read the rest. But I'll still know what the book is all about.
ReplyDelete(And before you go into shock at that- I've often been told it's "wrong" to do that- there are lots of us out there doing that; in fact, there's been studies done that show people enjoy a story *more* if they know how it ends... Strange, but true.)
I don't have much time to read, so if I'm not grabbed in the first fifty pages, I move on to something else. Time is valuable!
ReplyDeleteI don't read to the end if it doesn't capture my interest. My time and energy are limited, so I have to make choices :)
ReplyDeleteI struggle to get to the end but now, I find I switch books when my attention wans and then I go back to the first later. It may take several attempts, but I get through.
ReplyDeleteI used to always read books through to the end, but ever since I've been writing and realized what it takes to become published, I've become less patient and have put books down. It's not the height of my TBR list...its the quality of the writing/plot. :)
ReplyDeleteI've stopped reading two books just this week. Who has time if it's not grabbing you? On the other hand, I've re-read (for the second time) a book I absolutely love, and am on to a middle grade that seems promising. So many books, so little time....
ReplyDeleteI'll stop reading. Life's just too short to force my way through a book that isn't working or I don't like. I blame it on being an English major and being forced to read and read and read things that I didn't always particularly care for. But now I must know! What book is this??? :D <3
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