Anything else but reading??

Telynor · Post by **Telynor** » Sun October 19th, 2008, 3:00 am

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 · Post by **SonjaMarie** » Sun October 19th, 2008, 3:09 am

Guess you won't be seeing the movie version of "Lovely Bones" then Becky?

SM

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Sun October 19th, 2008, 4:10 am

I didn't even try to read Lovely Bones; the premise of the book bothered me way too much. I used to work with victims of crime and its very hard for me to read books like this (but I don't mind psychological thrillers like books by Ruth Rendel, so go figure).

eclecticreader10 · Post by **eclecticreader10** » Sun October 19th, 2008, 4:10 am

[quote=""Divia""]Lifes too short. I dont read bad books

[/quote]

Amen! Or drink bad wine.

Veronica · Post by **Veronica** » Fri October 14th, 2011, 12:38 am

Bumping an old thread up.

I am getting better at not finishing bad books but in general I do finish them. I wish I knew why.

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Fri October 14th, 2011, 4:07 am

I am getting better at not finishing bad books but in general I do finish them. I wish I knew why.

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.

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).

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Fri October 14th, 2011, 4:39 pm

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.

SGM · Post by **SGM** » Fri October 14th, 2011, 6:31 pm

[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.

rebecca · Post by **rebecca** » Sun October 16th, 2011, 4:14 am

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

lauragill · Post by **lauragill** » Sun October 16th, 2011, 7:17 pm

I usually try to finish a book. It has to be really bad for me not to finish.