Sara’s review of Go as a River > Likes and Comments
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I can relate although I did finish it. I’m thinking that I usually don’t love the ones that everyone else does! Feeling that now with reading Mercury.
I know what you mean, Cece. I am often the outlier. It was strange that I read some great reviews of it, but somehow I knew it wasn't going to be for me. I didn't go in with extreme expectations, so I should have been fine with just ok. I'll be wishing us both better picks next.
It is so hard to give up on a book - especially when a lot of other reviewers have praised it. My goal is to follow your excellent example. If a book isn't working for whatever reason, just move on. There are too many good ones out there to spend our (limited) time on books with which we don't connect.
Sara, I don’t think any of us should ever have to apologize for not finishing or not loving a book as our Goodreads friends might. This was my favorite of last year , but I totally accept that this wasn’t for you. I hope you love the Kate Morton book !
Sara, I struggled with this one too although I liked it a little more because of the Colorado connection. I was definitely an outlier too. 🤔
I don't do too well with most contemporary fiction these days, no matter how many 5 stars there are. I still try a few, but am trying to concentrate more on what I already have. A consequence of old age maybe, but I'm enjoying my reading more these days.
Ann wrote: "It is so hard to give up on a book - especially when a lot of other reviewers have praised it. My goal is to follow your excellent example. If a book isn't working for whatever reason, just move on..."
It has been a hard lesson for me, but I have learned to ditch if a book hasn't caught my interest by 100 pages.
Angela M wrote: "Sara, I don’t think any of us should ever have to apologize for not finishing or not loving a book as our Goodreads friends might. This was my favorite of last year , but I totally accept that this..."
I saw your review, Angela, and it was one of the reasons I hated bailing on this one. I felt there was something there that I was missing, trusted readers like you are seldom wrong. But every book is not for every person, as we know, and I am happy to say I am buried in the Morton and cannot stand to put it down to when I know I should.
Lorna wrote: "Sara, I struggled with this one too although I liked it a little more because of the Colorado connection. I was definitely an outlier too. 🤔"
Funny how some books just won't capture us. We have to be true to ourselves, Lorna. At least you finished!
Sorry this didn’t work out for you Sara, but I can completely understand how it isn’t for everyone. I hope you love your Kate Morton!!! She is my fav!!
Diane wrote: "I don't do too well with most contemporary fiction these days, no matter how many 5 stars there are. I still try a few, but am trying to concentrate more on what I already have. A consequence of ol..."
Exactly my dilemma, Diane. It isn't that I don't like ANY contemporary fiction, but the ones I do like are often hard to find. I have so many older books just sitting here waiting, and some of them are guaranteed to be favorites just based on my experience with the author already. Maybe you are right, and age is a factor. I'm usually better off when I trust my instincts.
Lindsay L wrote: "Sorry this didn’t work out for you Sara, but I can completely understand how it isn’t for everyone. I hope you love your Kate Morton!!! She is my fav!!"
Thanks, Lindsay. Morton has never disappointed me so far and this one has started off great!
I haven't had any interest in this book so far, and now I think I'll stop thinking about it altogether! Hope Morton delights you again, Sara!
Oh thank goodness we are of the same opinion ☺️. I felt guilty for putting you off, in my comments about it , but let me assure you 86 pages was not too soon to abandon this one.
Candi wrote: "I haven't had any interest in this book so far, and now I think I'll stop thinking about it altogether! Hope Morton delights you again, Sara!"
It is so good to have authors you know you will like, Candi. I can always trust Morton for a fun read. So many good books out there, you will not miss this one.
Megan wrote: "Oh thank goodness we are of the same opinion ☺️. I felt guilty for putting you off, in my comments about it , but let me assure you 86 pages was not too soon to abandon this one."
You were absolutely right, Megan. I wish I had asked you before I started! This is one of those books that I suppose really appeals to you or doesn't appeal at all. On to better things for both of us.
I haven’t read this one yet, Sara, but it’s our April bookclub read. Oh no- I am usually the outlier at my group- chances are they will love it and I won’t- I’ll let you know what I think about it. We are reading the newest Morton in June, so look forward to seeing what you think.
The Morton is delicious...I am halfway through. I will definitely be interested in your reaction to this one. It could well just be me.
I loved the slow moving development of characters and that the land was also a character. Sorry this didn’t work for you.
So good to have your perspective Sara. I have this on my list because I live in CO but had concerns.
Bonnie wrote: "I loved the slow moving development of characters and that the land was also a character. Sorry this didn’t work for you."
I can tell this is definitely a book that I will be an outlier on, Bonnie. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. Sometimes, if I cannot make any emotional attachment to a character, the book just won't work for me.
Anne wrote: "So good to have your perspective Sara. I have this on my list because I live in CO but had concerns."
If you read it, I will be interested in knowing what you think. Many, many of my most trusted friends have loved it, Anne.
I'll give it a try but won't try too hard. I see you're now committed to only finishing books you love. Congrats!
This is on the tbr but not sure I’ll leave it there now. Thanks for your honesty, Sara! It’s good you decided to give up for a Morton! I’ll be curious which one!
Anne wrote: "I'll give it a try but won't try too hard. I see you're now committed to only finishing books you love. Congrats!"
Thanks!!! Took me a long time to become wise enough to see there is no point in finishing a book I am not enjoying.
Lori wrote: "This is on the tbr but not sure I’ll leave it there now. Thanks for your honesty, Sara! It’s good you decided to give up for a Morton! I’ll be curious which one!"
Homecoming, Lori, and oh man it was good.
I absolutely loved this one.. sorry it didn’t work for you!
Well done for pulling the plug when you know it wasn't working Sara - I'm not so keen to read this now!
Karen wrote: "I absolutely loved this one.. sorry it didn’t work for you!"
I'm glad you loved it, Karen. You are in the majority, I think.
Mark wrote: "Well done for pulling the plug when you know it wasn't working Sara - I'm not so keen to read this now!"
This is my second DNF this year and I seldom do that, so it might just be the moment in time, Mark. I didn't have any problem getting into the two books that have followed it, though, so I'm convinced it was just not the book for me.
Our relationship to books is so personal, isn't it? Even with people whose tastes align with ours, there are always a few that don't work for one or the other.
And as for that ability to DNF, I think it gets easier as we get older. We have less time to read all those wonderful for us reads so we chose not to waste it on what is not working.
Lisa wrote: "Our relationship to books is so personal, isn't it? Even with people whose tastes align with ours, there are always a few that don't work for one or the other.
And as for that ability to DNF, I th..."
I agree, Lisa, that the relationship is very personal. It proves that, regardless of tastes, we are all individuals. Isn't that the most remarkable thing about life--that we are all made the same and yet none of us copies of the other.
As to DNFing, that is precisely the reason! I have gotten much better about choosing books, but when one doesn't work, I am ready to move on.
I channeled you, Sara and DNF'd Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow I have a hard time doing that but I need to do more of it. There are too many books that I want to get to.
Diane and Sara, I am having the same problem with contemporary fiction. I just can't find authors that speak my language or speak to my heart. I think age has made me more...selective, perhaps. And maybe time is becoming more precious. Thanks for giving me companionship in my outlierness! I was beginning to feel lonely. Ha!
Sue wrote: "I channeled you, Sara and DNF'd Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow I have a hard time doing that but I need to do more of it. There are too many books that I want to get to."
It is a hard habit to embrace and practice, but I am glad I have gotten better at it.
Kay wrote: "Diane and Sara, I am having the same problem with contemporary fiction. I just can't find authors that speak my language or speak to my heart. I think age has made me more...selective, perhaps. And..."
Not alone at all, Kay. I talk to a lot of people who feel this way. I know there are thousands of books I do want to read so it helps me to narrow the field knowing a contemporary novel is unlikely to be a favorite for me.
OMG! Yes!!!!!! I knew within the first 20 pages that this book was not for me. As I near the last few pages, this book still isn't for me. Who in the world would just follow a stranger as a young girl? Instalove? No thanks.
Lisa of Troy wrote: "OMG! Yes!!!!!! I knew within the first 20 pages that this book was not for me. As I near the last few pages, this book still isn't for me. Who in the world would just follow a stranger as a young g..."
Sorry to be so long in replying, Lisa, but nice to see someone else reacted as I did.
I heard quite a bit of praise which should have warned me off as well. You were right to DNF. I stuck with it and ended up just speeding through to get it done. I gave it 3 stars. It had potential but was just not well developed. Reminds me of a Kristin Hannah book. Just kind of eh.
Ah, Lisa, Kristin Hannah is one of those authors I find so over-hyped. I'm glad I ditched this one early on. On to bigger and better things for you. Have a wonderful New Year of reading.
I got to page 63 and I'm DNFing. I'm just not interested in the story.
I have this on my bookshelf. What was about it that made you dnf? Was it slow and too fluffy?
Oh goodness, I barely remember anything about the pages I read. I could not give you specifics this long after when it was a book I was anxious to set aside, except that I remember thinking the plot was inane and the characters comical when they were not intended to be. It might be that you will enjoy it, Readsuin. You know we all have different tastes and many people did like this one.
It's not just you. I'm struggling to get through this thing because I have to read it for my book club.
I have definitely done that, Karen. IRL book clubs can be so hit or miss! As soon as you have finished, pick up a book by an author you KNOW you will love and clear your palette.
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Cece
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Feb 01, 2024 11:00AM
I can relate although I did finish it. I’m thinking that I usually don’t love the ones that everyone else does! Feeling that now with reading Mercury.
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I know what you mean, Cece. I am often the outlier. It was strange that I read some great reviews of it, but somehow I knew it wasn't going to be for me. I didn't go in with extreme expectations, so I should have been fine with just ok. I'll be wishing us both better picks next.
It is so hard to give up on a book - especially when a lot of other reviewers have praised it. My goal is to follow your excellent example. If a book isn't working for whatever reason, just move on. There are too many good ones out there to spend our (limited) time on books with which we don't connect.
Sara, I don’t think any of us should ever have to apologize for not finishing or not loving a book as our Goodreads friends might. This was my favorite of last year , but I totally accept that this wasn’t for you. I hope you love the Kate Morton book !
Sara, I struggled with this one too although I liked it a little more because of the Colorado connection. I was definitely an outlier too. 🤔
I don't do too well with most contemporary fiction these days, no matter how many 5 stars there are. I still try a few, but am trying to concentrate more on what I already have. A consequence of old age maybe, but I'm enjoying my reading more these days.
Ann wrote: "It is so hard to give up on a book - especially when a lot of other reviewers have praised it. My goal is to follow your excellent example. If a book isn't working for whatever reason, just move on..."It has been a hard lesson for me, but I have learned to ditch if a book hasn't caught my interest by 100 pages.
Angela M wrote: "Sara, I don’t think any of us should ever have to apologize for not finishing or not loving a book as our Goodreads friends might. This was my favorite of last year , but I totally accept that this..."I saw your review, Angela, and it was one of the reasons I hated bailing on this one. I felt there was something there that I was missing, trusted readers like you are seldom wrong. But every book is not for every person, as we know, and I am happy to say I am buried in the Morton and cannot stand to put it down to when I know I should.
Lorna wrote: "Sara, I struggled with this one too although I liked it a little more because of the Colorado connection. I was definitely an outlier too. 🤔"Funny how some books just won't capture us. We have to be true to ourselves, Lorna. At least you finished!
Sorry this didn’t work out for you Sara, but I can completely understand how it isn’t for everyone. I hope you love your Kate Morton!!! She is my fav!!
Diane wrote: "I don't do too well with most contemporary fiction these days, no matter how many 5 stars there are. I still try a few, but am trying to concentrate more on what I already have. A consequence of ol..."Exactly my dilemma, Diane. It isn't that I don't like ANY contemporary fiction, but the ones I do like are often hard to find. I have so many older books just sitting here waiting, and some of them are guaranteed to be favorites just based on my experience with the author already. Maybe you are right, and age is a factor. I'm usually better off when I trust my instincts.
Lindsay L wrote: "Sorry this didn’t work out for you Sara, but I can completely understand how it isn’t for everyone. I hope you love your Kate Morton!!! She is my fav!!"Thanks, Lindsay. Morton has never disappointed me so far and this one has started off great!
I haven't had any interest in this book so far, and now I think I'll stop thinking about it altogether! Hope Morton delights you again, Sara!
Oh thank goodness we are of the same opinion ☺️. I felt guilty for putting you off, in my comments about it , but let me assure you 86 pages was not too soon to abandon this one.
Candi wrote: "I haven't had any interest in this book so far, and now I think I'll stop thinking about it altogether! Hope Morton delights you again, Sara!"It is so good to have authors you know you will like, Candi. I can always trust Morton for a fun read. So many good books out there, you will not miss this one.
Megan wrote: "Oh thank goodness we are of the same opinion ☺️. I felt guilty for putting you off, in my comments about it , but let me assure you 86 pages was not too soon to abandon this one."You were absolutely right, Megan. I wish I had asked you before I started! This is one of those books that I suppose really appeals to you or doesn't appeal at all. On to better things for both of us.
I haven’t read this one yet, Sara, but it’s our April bookclub read. Oh no- I am usually the outlier at my group- chances are they will love it and I won’t- I’ll let you know what I think about it. We are reading the newest Morton in June, so look forward to seeing what you think.
The Morton is delicious...I am halfway through. I will definitely be interested in your reaction to this one. It could well just be me.
I loved the slow moving development of characters and that the land was also a character. Sorry this didn’t work for you.
So good to have your perspective Sara. I have this on my list because I live in CO but had concerns.
Bonnie wrote: "I loved the slow moving development of characters and that the land was also a character. Sorry this didn’t work for you."I can tell this is definitely a book that I will be an outlier on, Bonnie. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. Sometimes, if I cannot make any emotional attachment to a character, the book just won't work for me.
Anne wrote: "So good to have your perspective Sara. I have this on my list because I live in CO but had concerns."If you read it, I will be interested in knowing what you think. Many, many of my most trusted friends have loved it, Anne.
I'll give it a try but won't try too hard. I see you're now committed to only finishing books you love. Congrats!
This is on the tbr but not sure I’ll leave it there now. Thanks for your honesty, Sara! It’s good you decided to give up for a Morton! I’ll be curious which one!
Anne wrote: "I'll give it a try but won't try too hard. I see you're now committed to only finishing books you love. Congrats!"Thanks!!! Took me a long time to become wise enough to see there is no point in finishing a book I am not enjoying.
Lori wrote: "This is on the tbr but not sure I’ll leave it there now. Thanks for your honesty, Sara! It’s good you decided to give up for a Morton! I’ll be curious which one!"Homecoming, Lori, and oh man it was good.
I absolutely loved this one.. sorry it didn’t work for you!
Well done for pulling the plug when you know it wasn't working Sara - I'm not so keen to read this now!
Karen wrote: "I absolutely loved this one.. sorry it didn’t work for you!"I'm glad you loved it, Karen. You are in the majority, I think.
Mark wrote: "Well done for pulling the plug when you know it wasn't working Sara - I'm not so keen to read this now!"This is my second DNF this year and I seldom do that, so it might just be the moment in time, Mark. I didn't have any problem getting into the two books that have followed it, though, so I'm convinced it was just not the book for me.
Our relationship to books is so personal, isn't it? Even with people whose tastes align with ours, there are always a few that don't work for one or the other.And as for that ability to DNF, I think it gets easier as we get older. We have less time to read all those wonderful for us reads so we chose not to waste it on what is not working.
Lisa wrote: "Our relationship to books is so personal, isn't it? Even with people whose tastes align with ours, there are always a few that don't work for one or the other.And as for that ability to DNF, I th..."
I agree, Lisa, that the relationship is very personal. It proves that, regardless of tastes, we are all individuals. Isn't that the most remarkable thing about life--that we are all made the same and yet none of us copies of the other.
As to DNFing, that is precisely the reason! I have gotten much better about choosing books, but when one doesn't work, I am ready to move on.
I channeled you, Sara and DNF'd Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow I have a hard time doing that but I need to do more of it. There are too many books that I want to get to.
Diane and Sara, I am having the same problem with contemporary fiction. I just can't find authors that speak my language or speak to my heart. I think age has made me more...selective, perhaps. And maybe time is becoming more precious. Thanks for giving me companionship in my outlierness! I was beginning to feel lonely. Ha!
Sue wrote: "I channeled you, Sara and DNF'd Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow I have a hard time doing that but I need to do more of it. There are too many books that I want to get to."It is a hard habit to embrace and practice, but I am glad I have gotten better at it.
Kay wrote: "Diane and Sara, I am having the same problem with contemporary fiction. I just can't find authors that speak my language or speak to my heart. I think age has made me more...selective, perhaps. And..."Not alone at all, Kay. I talk to a lot of people who feel this way. I know there are thousands of books I do want to read so it helps me to narrow the field knowing a contemporary novel is unlikely to be a favorite for me.
OMG! Yes!!!!!! I knew within the first 20 pages that this book was not for me. As I near the last few pages, this book still isn't for me. Who in the world would just follow a stranger as a young girl? Instalove? No thanks.
Lisa of Troy wrote: "OMG! Yes!!!!!! I knew within the first 20 pages that this book was not for me. As I near the last few pages, this book still isn't for me. Who in the world would just follow a stranger as a young g..."Sorry to be so long in replying, Lisa, but nice to see someone else reacted as I did.
I heard quite a bit of praise which should have warned me off as well. You were right to DNF. I stuck with it and ended up just speeding through to get it done. I gave it 3 stars. It had potential but was just not well developed. Reminds me of a Kristin Hannah book. Just kind of eh.
Ah, Lisa, Kristin Hannah is one of those authors I find so over-hyped. I'm glad I ditched this one early on. On to bigger and better things for you. Have a wonderful New Year of reading.
I got to page 63 and I'm DNFing. I'm just not interested in the story.
I have this on my bookshelf. What was about it that made you dnf? Was it slow and too fluffy?
Oh goodness, I barely remember anything about the pages I read. I could not give you specifics this long after when it was a book I was anxious to set aside, except that I remember thinking the plot was inane and the characters comical when they were not intended to be. It might be that you will enjoy it, Readsuin. You know we all have different tastes and many people did like this one.
It's not just you. I'm struggling to get through this thing because I have to read it for my book club.
I have definitely done that, Karen. IRL book clubs can be so hit or miss! As soon as you have finished, pick up a book by an author you KNOW you will love and clear your palette.
