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Anything else but reading??
I'll try and give a book two chances, but on the second try, if I can't get past sixty or so pages before I get distracted, then it's onto the discard heap, and I try hard to finish books that I start. There's been a few books that have hit that pile despite my best efforts -- The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold was one, despite all of the rave reviews, as the opening chapters were just too close for comfort.
- SonjaMarie
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: August 2008
- Location: Vashon, WA
- Contact:
Guess you won't be seeing the movie version of "Lovely Bones" then Becky?
SM
SM
The Lady Jane Grey Internet Museum
My Booksfree Queue
Original Join Date: Mar 2006
Previous Amount of Posts: 2,517
Books Read In 2014: 109 - June: 17 (May: 17)
Full List Here: http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/ ... p?p=114965
My Booksfree Queue
Original Join Date: Mar 2006
Previous Amount of Posts: 2,517
Books Read In 2014: 109 - June: 17 (May: 17)
Full List Here: http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/ ... p?p=114965
- eclecticreader10
- Scribbler
- Posts: 43
- Joined: September 2008
- Location: Southern California
- Margaret
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 2440
- Joined: August 2008
- Interest in HF: I can't answer this in 100 characters. Sorry.
- Favourite HF book: Checkmate, the final novel in the Lymond series
- Preferred HF: Literary novels. Late medieval and Renaissance.
- Location: Catskill, New York, USA
- Contact:
In my case, it's hope springing eternal in spite of previous experience. I keep thinking things might perk up with the next chapter. Actually, I've read quite a few novels where I didn't really get interested until a quarter or even half the way through the book, so sometimes it's worth it to keep reading. If the book is really bad, though, I don't waste time on it beyond the first chapter or two, or even the first few pages. Novels from a reputable publisher are rarely that bad.I am getting better at not finishing bad books but in general I do finish them. I wish I knew why.
And sometimes, a novel may be poorly written in many respects, even eye-rollingly so, but still generate enough suspense for me to want to know what happens next (even if I know it's going to make me roll my eyes).
Browse over 5000 historical novel listings (probably well over 5000 by now, but I haven't re-counted lately) and over 700 reviews at www.HistoricalNovels.info
- Madeleine
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 5814
- Joined: August 2008
- Currently reading: "Black Run" by Antonio Manzini
- Preferred HF: Plantagenets, Victorian, crime, dual time-frame
- Location: Essex/London
I've realised that if it hasn't picked up by halfway, then it's not going to, and I'm past caring if the last 30 pages suddenly turn out to be brilliant - as happened with one of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronices, Merrick I think - sorry, by halfway I've got past caring.
I've ditched 3 books so far this year - two at the halfway stage, one after 130 pages.
I've ditched 3 books so far this year - two at the halfway stage, one after 130 pages.
Currently reading "Black Run" by Antonio Manzini
[quote=""EC2""] If I start reading cookery books it's a danger sign![/quote]
I go through phases of reading cookery books and it's usually a sign that I am very very tired. I think it's more a case of looking at the pictures rather than reading the recipes.
I go through phases of reading cookery books and it's usually a sign that I am very very tired. I think it's more a case of looking at the pictures rather than reading the recipes.
Currently reading - Emergence of a Nation State by Alan Smith
It depends. I put aside 'The Distant Hours' because I wasn't feeling well with a tummy bug and couldn't get into it but I do intend giving it another go--But if I still find it rather plodding, I will bin it. I simply don't have the patience to read a boring book. 
I do give authors another chance, for instance I do intend buying another Kate Morton in that perhaps TDH was not her best work.
Bec

I do give authors another chance, for instance I do intend buying another Kate Morton in that perhaps TDH was not her best work.
Bec
