What Makes You Put Down a Book?

I'm extremely surprised to see catch 22 by joseph heller up amongst the books people couldn't finnish,first read this book when I was about 14 & loved it even then,that was 30+ years ago & I've reread it atleast 20times & I find it hilarious while set in an awful situation anyone who's tried & failed to like it very early on in the book I'd ask to maybe try it again as its a classic book

I folded on Moby Dick :-(

I general will finish a book but have on occasion put them down. Tried reading Asimov's Foundation early in high school and think I just wasn't ready for it, picked it back up in college and zipped though it and the sequels. Couple of years ago I tried to read Moby Dick. Read at least half of it, figured it's a classic I should read it, but just found it so dam slow moving. Maybe I'll try again one day to finish it but there are so many really great books why waste time on something that doesn't spark your interest, even if it's considered a classic.

I am embarrassed (a little) to admit that I abandoned War and Peace: twice in paperback and once in audiobook version. THERE! I said it. It's an awesome book and I have every intention of finishing it but still haven't figured a way to bridge the cultural/time gap to really place myself there and if I cannot do that it makes it hard for me to continue.

Philip

Joan wrote: "I may be the only one but I hated The Kite Runner, boring, boring"

That's one I had to listen to in order to make it through!

I don't stick through books anymore if I don't enjoy them- but I definitely give them more than just a chapter- maybe a 100 pages- you never know when a book will surprise you. Wicked in fact was one of those books- my assumption before I started reading it was that it was just a fun romp kind of a book. Then I started reading it, and it was too philosophical for me- essentially not what I expected. Then HALFWAY though the book, I really started enjoying it and it made that first half worth it- so much so that when I was done I wanted to read it over again.

I read LOTR, but never tried any of the others in the top 5 classics.

I abandoned Casual Vacancy because I wasn't in the mood at the time - I may try again some day. I abandoned Wicked too, but I don't remember why. I think I just couldn't get into it. Haven't tried the other 3. Have no intention of ever reading 50 Shades because dumb.

Usually, I give it a few chapters before I give up, though a few weeks ago, there was a book I didn't even get 10 pages into before I quit in disgust. I just automatically hated his writing style. So it really depends on the book.

I am so relieved to read this. I chew myself up for wanting to abandon a book! Donating Atlas Shrugged this very day!!!!

I try to finish the book, at least to find out what happens, but there's a couple that I never finished. I got nearly halfway through Vanity Fair before realizing that I absolutely hated the main character and had to stop. And I can never get past the first chapter of Tale of Two Cities! There's been a few books that I started at my former bookstore job, but got distracted by other titles... But there have been a couple of times when I almost gave up on a book, but kept on and found it got better. House of the Scorpion did that to me.

I abandoned the Celestine Prophecy after struggling thru about 50 pages. That was 10+ years ago. I hated it so much, I still remember it today.

Marti wrote: "In high school, my Biology teacher told me "if a book doesn't capture my interest in the first 50 pages, I put it down and go on to the next book." Ever after, that has been my rule! If the author ..."

I did the same with the biology book. ;)

I put down Lord of the Rings. It was years ago and I was 17 so I definitely plan on retrying that one. I read Wicked and it was a bit of struggle to get through, but I did finish. I once started Anna Karenina-didnt even make it 50 pages before I gave up. I would like to give it another try though. I think Stephen King books can be difficult to get into, and sometimes you have to get through a good 100 pages or more before it picks up, but it usually has a good payoff! Right now I'm struggling through the beginning of Wuthering Heights-been on my reading list for ages and finally picked it up the other day. Haven't picked it back up since that day though. Lol. But I will.

I almost always finish a book if I've picked it up. Occasionally I will put it down, to pick it up at a later date because the timing was just "Off". It wasn't a bad book in any way, just not what I wanted to read at that moment. The very few times I have put down books, two were by authors I really liked. One of those two authors comes in the top 5 favorites, so it was surprising to me when I couldn't finish one of her series. I actually dragged myself about 2/3 of the way through the trilogy, and I finally caved. At the point I put it down(and gave the book to the library), the main character was someone you didn't give a whit about, nothing had happened in the overall story, and hadn't gotten close to getting to the point. The third book I ever put down was Fifty Shades, because I just couldn't take the awful writing any more. I can read books that are poorly written, if they have interesting stories. It has to draw me in more than the bad writting puts me off. This particular book went beyond bad writing into horrible and atrocious. At this point, I have to agree with the prior statements that life is too short to take the time to read a bad book! Perhaps my list will grow, but that is ok.

There is just one book I can recall never finishing, Disgrace by J.M Coetzee. It was set work for a class and I ended up throwing the book I hated it so much. in the exam I told them the book was awful and I failed the class. I still feel justified for hating that book.

Marilyn wrote: Should we never publish because we're poor?"

You should never give up your dream to be a published writer, but look at what readers are saying - they don't enjoy reading stories chock full of errors. If your story isn't edited well, maybe you won't get the following you hope for.

gabiiescobar wrote: "I used to read every single book I started, until a teacher told me that "life is too short to read a bad book. Put it down, and move on." I never forced myself to finish a book after that."

Yes I think the same and openly say this at my book club meetings..too many good books and life's too short and I do enjoy a good book very much to waste precious reading time on rubbish.

Linda wrote: "I'm having that problem with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo right now. I'm on page 59 and am just forcing myself to keep on. It must get better at some point. I've read a lot of great books that..."

It seems like GWTDT kicks in around page 100ish....it is definitely worth getting through - I had a hard time getting into this book, but once I did, it was well worth the wait. (FYI, the 2nd & 3rd books suffer from the same issue...it takes a while to get to the core story.) Enjoy!

Jodi wrote: "Oh man! I LOVED the Dragon Tattoo books so much it took me two months to get over my post-read hangover. Can't believe it is in the Top 5 abandoned. :(

When I do give up a book its not much after ..."

Yeah - I didn't have a problem with 'dragon tattoo' either but my husband quit and I knew several friends that did too. I really can't relate. I loved it and the rest of the series.

I used to finish any book I started. Probably because my mom made me clean my plate before I could leave the table. Then, one day, I just decided that I didn't need to clean my plate (I was getting pretty chubby) and so I don't have to finish a bad book either. At my age, I will never have time to read all the good books out there so why waste precious time on a bad one!

Gladys wrote: "Very interesting. I abandoned Eat, Love, Pray. Maybe someday I will finish it because as a rule, I don't leave books halfway. I hoped to see the devil wears prada."

I also abandoned ELP. I couldn't stand the self-involvement of the author.

I used to feel that I had to finish what I started, but now that I'm over 50 I realize that I will not have time to read all the great books that exist. So I allow myself to abandon books now without too much guilt. I did push through Wicked because it meant a lot to a friend, but I was bored silly by it. Couldn't stand Eat, etc. Abandoned Moby Dick early. Just tried Three Day Road on the recommendation of Goodreads and am abandoning it too.

Sunipa wrote: "War and Peace. Lost count of the number of times I've attempted it! Hard copy, soft copy... Still haven't been able to get through more than one-third of it. I live in hope though :)"

Have you tried the 2007 translation by Pevear and Volokhonsky? Makes a big difference!

Indeed, I do agree with the consensus that "Life is too short to dwell on a boring book". I do dispose of intolerable books withing the first twenty pages. FIFTY SHADES OF GREY made me give up on it almost immediately and then needed to take a shower to cleanse the filth that it presented.

I do so recommend FAMILY SECRETS: A JOURNEY OF GOOD AND EVIL as a good read that you will not be able to put down and will need your box of tissues. The website for this novel is (using your URL, familysecrets.tateauthor.com HAPPY READING!

I tried finishing every book I started but soon realized life is too short to waste on a book I wasn't enjoying. Right now I'm struggling through "The Mysteries of Udolpho" by Ann Radcliffe. I've been struggling for over a year but I keep going back to it. I guess I'm curious as to why so many people love this book. So far I can't say I'm loving it.

I always endeavour to finish a book, but my nemesis was The Glass Bead Game. It was hailed as a worthy tome, so I tried to endure it, but without success. In the words of Monty Python: 'once you put it down, you can't pick it up'!

I've learned not to get too excited about forcing an author into a genre-only expectation (eg John Grisham), since my own work is somewhat eclectic (cozy mysteries to romance to literary), so I wasn't afraid to start reading Rowland's new book. I didn't expect or need more HP; however, if she really can't think of more things to do with people or has that limited of a vocabulary, shame on her - if the publisher forced the issue by saying nasty people and language sells, shame on them.

I may quit reading after a few chapters, then buzz through a page or two in the middle and read the end. Occasionally I am compelled to go back if I do that. But it takes a lot to make me abandon a story. Wicked...good Lord, how did that even get considered for publication? I don't know if I could ever bring myself to see the musical, as munchkins are just ruined for me.

Some of the best books written have slow-ish starts, but I agree, if after 50 pages you're bored, the writer hasn't done his/her job. A book should first pull the reader along a little, then bear them along in shared excitement. The reader should not have to do the writers job for him/her.

"We Need To Talk About Kevin".

But my wife and I couldn't slog through it. A book both loved and despised by readers. And everyone who despises it pretty much does for all the same reasons.

Although my wife liked it, she concurs that "Wicked" is not a quick nor easy read. And she abandoned "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo", as did I.

Eat, Pray, Love, and then die from boredom and disdain for the main character. On the floor after less than 50 pages.

I also gave up on 50 Shades half way through book 2 - once she 'broke' him I just couldn't take anymore. It is the ONLY book/series I ever totally abandoned. Not to say there aren't 6 books in the bedside stack i have yet to finish!

Thankfully I was reading a friends' copy of the set! No lost $!

PS - THIS is my favorite infograph I have seen !

Allison wrote: "Also The Pelican Brief. I love legal thrillers but more than 50 pages in and I still couldn't figure out who the main character was supposed to be. If I can't get invested in one or more of the cha..."

Me neither. I have to attach to at least one character. When I don't like anyone, I give up. It becomes too much like work.

I do have the habbit of finishing a book no matter what! In fact, there are two books that I have not finished reading and actually don't like them, but I'll get back to them in time... Sometime!

Dragon Tattoo was really boring. I finished it, but I found about 15% of it capturing my attention. The story and the main character were potentially engaging, but the writing seemed tedious and often pointless. It wasn't good storytelling.

I loved Eat Pray Love and have yet to start reading the Casual Vacancy. Going to get around to doing so this summer holiday and hope I will manage to persevere if it doesn't grab my attention immediately. Studying English/American literature for four years has kind of made me used to persevering with slow books, sooooo.. I'm hopeful!

I wasn't even interested to read any of the books mentioned in infograph, except for Ulysses, Moby Dick, and 50 Shades of Grey. The first 2 I set as a challange since they're classics and I'm a Lit. major. I haven't even gotten to page 300 of the first 50 Shades... So I can't tell yet if it's gonna be part of the "Unfinished" sack!

I really don't understand people who have to finish a book. Why? I'm also not nearly as patient as many. Fifty pages? Maybe ten. The only way I soldier on is if I've been told by a reliable source that it is worth it, and even then, that doesn't always mean I'll finish. Possibly I'll finish a book club book but for the most part, I don't see the point of wasting time reading something I don't like.

It is true that there are a few books I've had to start more than once (Confederacy of Dunces) and which I was glad I finally read. Often these are books I had with me when there weren't any other books to read or other things to do (mother in law's house, long airplane trip.)

I've finished 4 of the top five abandoned. Never attempted eat, prey, love. I liked the other ones expect 50.

I have tried to read the King James Bible several times but it seems like the worst book ever written. When people claim 'it's inspired by God' they really insult God's ability as a muse.

Joe wrote: "I have tried to read the King James Bible several times but it seems like the worst book ever written. When people claim 'it's inspired by God' they really insult God's ability as a muse."

I have read it many times. It isn't a novel, you know. Much of it is non-linear and non-sequential. It's a poetical (and highly inaccurate) translation of religious literature. Judging it like a novel is silly. It ISN'T a novel. It isn't a story. It isn't entertainment. If you don't believe in its holiness, then treat it as mythology. But less cohesive. I have trouble believing you expected a gripping tale. To the best of my understanding, no one has ever claimed God wrote the bible. Or anything else. And in English no less?

I abandoned 5million shades of gray on the second page when I read the phrase "put the pedal to the metal".

What garbage writing.

Kelly wrote: "See, I would have expected the Bible to be on the list. Christianity is one of the most common religions, and how many people can honestly say they've read the entire book cover to cover? (includin..."

I suspect most people have read the old and new testaments, including non-Christians. When I was growing up, King James was the most common version of the Bible. Now there are many and it's hard to even find a King James version. You couldn't include it on a list because it isn't "a book." It's many different translations of a set of texts. It's what's left of about 450 books that comprised Jewish scripture before the destruction of the first Temple in Jerusalem. So much more is missing than remains. I always wonder about all the lost books and hope some will show up someday, like the Dead Sea Scrolls, hidden in a cave somewhere. But I'm not holding my breath.

Really agree that life is too busy to devote time to books you're nit enjoying, but that sometimes it's just a question of the timing not bring right. ..the converse of those frequent times when exactly the book uou need comes along and absorbs you...

Kelly wrote: "Marilyn wrote: "Kelly wrote: "See, I would have expected the Bible to be on the list. Christianity is one of the most common religions, and how many people can honestly say they've read the entire ..."

Kelly wrote: "Marilyn wrote: "Kelly wrote: "See, I would have expected the Bible to be on the list. Christianity is one of the most common religions, and how many people can honestly say they've read the entire ..."

I don't know about anyone else, but my mother was an atheist. I read the Torah and then the New Testament so I would know what people were talking about. I also read the Koran. And a variety of Buddhist and Hindu manuscripts. Even the Book of Mormon.

I don't think any of these should be dumped in a group with other books, including classics. Especially given the HUGE variety of translations (true for all religious texts). I find the idea offensive, putting the Torah or the Gospels on a best-seller list like they are just any old books. Religious literature is in a class of its own. It cannot be judged by literary standards and shouldn't be. If you feel inclined to judge it at all. Which I don't.

Moyasser wrote: "Actually, it is catch 22, not finishing a book."

Bingo!

Marilyn wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Marilyn wrote: "Kelly wrote: "See, I would have expected the Bible to be on the list. Christianity is one of the most common religions, and how many people can honestly say they've re..."

I was raised Catholic (until I left home at 16)- which translates to the priest read us a small segment of the Bible and then rambled off from there. When I was in the 6th grade, I had the worst case of chicken pox and missed well over 5 weeks of schools while being confined to my room (my dad had cancer and was at great risk.) I chose to read the Bible (King James version) cover to cover and it began my journey to leaving the Church. After leaving home I attended every religious ceremony I could find and read every text I could get my hands on. Even now, 26 years later, I still wander into different religious buildings and join the faithful to see what it is about. This year - while on my photography about our fellow humans, I have attended services at a metaphysical church, a universalist service and a mosque.

And I agree, religious texts are not books and deserve their own category and are not to be judged.

Bleak House? Dickens' greatest; arguably the greatest book in English literature? Where am I? Who is this beautiful life? Where is this beautiful car? (I know I woke up with a cold today, but I wasn't expecting delirium.)

☯Emily wrote: "Linda wrote: "I read most books I start, but I have started Bleak House three times and just can't get very far. I still hope to read it, but maybe an audio book would help. I listened to all Lord ..."

☯Emily wrote: "Linda wrote: "I read most books I start, but I have started Bleak House three times and just can't get very far. I still hope to read it, but maybe an audio book would help. I listened to all Lord ..."

☯Emily wrote: "Linda wrote: "I read most books I start, but I have started Bleak House three times and just can't get very far. I still hope to read it, but maybe an audio book would help. I listened to all Lord ..."

Megan wrote: "I actually abandoned Casual Vacancy because it was a shitty book, not because it wasn't like Harry Potter. If you read it thinking it was going to be Harry Potter 2.0, you were an idiot."

Raechele wrote: "I'm surprised that Vanity Fair, Catcher in the Rye, and Madam Bovary weren't on the list. I had no choice but to finish them for a class I had, but I hated every page, despised all the characters, ..."
Yes, couldn't enjoy Vanity Fair.

Annie wrote: "I try to finish all the books I buy, given or loan. I read "Da Vinci Code" with an open mind as I was being told it was worth reading. Terrible book and so badly written. A lot of books become popu..."

T. Dan Brown - possibly the worst writer in the world.

Sue wrote: "Marilyn wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Marilyn wrote: "Kelly wrote: "See, I would have expected the Bible to be on the list. Christianity is one of the most common religions, and how many people can honestl..."

Thank you. You sound like me :-) Forever searching. I'm just not sure for what, exactly. An answer, I guess.