Today’s Book Blogger Hop question is: How many books have you started, but just couldn’t finish?
I’ve no idea about the number, but it isn’t very many… I’m a completist, so I will usually stick with a book. I did somewhat famously quit Awaken halfway through because it made me so angry; it was either quit or throw it across the room. Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, on the other hand, I finished so that I could hate it more comprehensively (and so I’d know what I was talking about at my book club when I criticized it). I sometimes finish a particularly dark book because if I get to the end I can close it in life and in my head, and if I stop halfway it feels more likely to linger.
Lately I’ve been trying to drop books if I just don’t care about them. There have been probably four or five in the past year that I got several chapters into and, while I didn’t hate them, I had no real interest either. I have to remind myself that there are too many books in the world to waste time on ones that I don’t care about, even if I can’t point to any reason I don’t care–sometimes a book (or, frequently, its characters) just won’t grab me. So I’m trying to quit on those.
This new resolve did cause a problem when I was at work, with lunch and a second break ahead of me, and continuing to read the book I had brought felt like it would be nothing but a waste of time. I’ve since started keeping a collection of O. Henry short stories (my go-to for random snatches of reading time) at my office, just in case.
Do you frequently drop books midway, or do you feel compelled to give them a chance?
A lot of times I keep reading a book I’m not into just because I feel like it’s leading up to something. I say to myself, “This can’t possibly be so dull the whole way through. Something has to happen.” More often than not, it really does end up being dull the whole way through. Most recently: The Shining by Stephen King. I’m serious. I’ve never seen the movie and had no idea what it was about, but it’s a very famous horror story, and I do like King’s non-horror books so I thought I’d give it a try. It drags out so long and it’s so boring but I knew, I just KNEW it had to get good somewhere right? Nah. Such disappointment.
I’m with Jessica – there are too many more good books on my TBR to worry about books (usually form my bookclub) that just don’t interest me or, worse, make me angry – often with something technical.
Thanks for reminding me of this hop – I’m joining in today for the first time for a while.
I think I’m in the same place you are. If I’m not loving something, I’m going to put it down. Every book is not for every reader. Happy reading!
eli @ the (book) supplier
My Blogger Hop Answer
It is difficult to put down a book, but equally difficult to continue.
Totally agree that there are too many good books to waste reading time one that you don’t like.
Great idea about the extra books in case you need one.
Have a great weekend.
Happy Hopping!!
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Blog Hop Answer
I used to feel compelled to finish all the books I started but now, like you were saying, I feel life is too short to waste on a book I am not enjoying.
I agree that there are too many books in the world (and limited time) to waste on ones that don’t appeal to me after I’ve given them a try for a few chapters. One I quit last year because I couldn’t stand the values in it was John Steinbeck’s East of Eden. That’s the last one I did that with, though. I do finish most books I start.
UGH. I would have stopped reading that one if I could have, but it was for summer reading for school. Then I got to school and it turns out I had read the wrong class’s books. I hadn’t had to read it at all. I forever hold a grudge against Steinbeck for that.