Crazy for Young Adult Books discussion
GENERAL DISCUSSIONS
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How Do You Decide If You Want to STOP Reading a Book?
I stop reading a book, if it's not really "my cup of tea", or if it bores me more than entertain me... A few weeks ago, I started to read a book, but it just wasn't what I had been expecting, and it didn't really make me turn the pages over, so I decided that I was better off not reading it...
I always feel bad not seeing a book through to the end! It's as if, when I picked up the book, I started a commitment and then I failed to see it through?However, it's important to remember that we read books to either learn or enjoy ourselves with - if neither of those are being fulfilled then you should definitely just put the book down and find another better one :).
When it makes me want to throw my kindle across the room...no seriously.I hate not finishing a book too, but if I can't get past a certain point I won't try. What is the use of aggravating myself even more when reading is suppose to be for fun.
Thx guys. I feel better about my decision to put that certain book down, maybe for good. It was like a bad school assignment, lol! I agree on the commitment thing, which is why I have a hard time saying no I'm not going to finish this!
I hate not finishing a book either, but if a book is just not holding my interest and I really don't care what happens anymore I will bail on the book.
The key to quitting a book for me is to tell myself that I am not quitting the book. I am giving myself a break from the book. If at some point in the future I have absolutely no book that I am reading or want to read then I can pick it up again. It happens rarely but it does happen that I pick up the book again. If for the second time I still can't get into the book I put it into my abandoned bookshelf and tell myself that I will go back to it the week after never.
I won't torture myself, so if I don't like the book, I either stop after a few chapters or skim through it. There are so many good books out there. I don't think I'm going to waste my time reading something I'm not enjoying.
I tend to read books because I'm reading with someone else (buddy read) or it's for a challenge (LOL! have you seen my challenge thread) so I typically have to finish it.but a good way to get through it too...is to just set a goal to only read a chapter or 2 every day....and then read another book.
I set a 3 chapter a night goal for Anna Karenina and it's the only way I got through it :)
U usually don't consider not finishing a book, however, there are occasions when it does happen. I usually do most of my reading at night so a good judge for me is, if I fall asleep reading the same book 2 or 3 nights in a row, it goes in the not finished pile. A good book will keep me awake even if I'm on the edge of oblivion so, if a book is making me fall asleep, I'm not connecting with the book and its time to move on.
Birdie wrote: "U usually don't consider not finishing a book, however, there are occasions when it does happen. U usually do most of my reading at night so a good judge for me is, if I fall asleep reading the sam..."Sami wrote: "I always feel bad not seeing a book through to the end! It's as if, when I picked up the book, I started a commitment and then I failed to see it through?
However, it's important to remember that ..."
I completely agree with you!
Once, I was reading a book and I kept telling myself to read one more chapter before bed. I ended up finishing it! It was just that good. :)
I always try to finish a book because I hold on to this sense of hope that the story will "pick up." But sometimes life gets in the way and I don't get a chance to read for a week or so, and I lose track of what I've read so far, and sometimes it means I'm not interested. In that case, I do stop reading the book. This happened when I read
. When I find what I did with my copy of the book, I will probably try to read it again when I am more focused.
I try to give a book 50 to a 100 pages and if it seems like not much is happening ill stop reading...it also depends on my mood when I'm reading a particular type of book...although if I really like the author ill read it all the way through no matter what just to say I've read all their work, ie., Stephen King! :)
I always read the first 100 pages. If after that I am still having a hard time enjoying the book and I am not bored enough to continue I will put it down with the intention of reading it later. It may be 10 years in the future, but I tell myself I will eventually finish reading it.
For me it's always a hard decision to make, hoping the book will improve somehow, still I don't want to bore myself or get annoyed by a book I don't like and after skipping to the end I stop reading and maybe finish it a few weeks later in case of too much free time.
this is hard because I NEVER not finish a book. I force myself to finish it no matter how painful it is
Wow Joanne. That's my whole dilemma. But then I feel like I'm wasting time where I could be reading a GOOD book, lol. There's only 3 books I've not finished. So I still feel pretty good about that.Let me know if you want to brave my latest disaster, LMAO!
Becky wrote: "Wow Joanne. That's my whole dilemma. But then I feel like I'm wasting time where I could be reading a GOOD book, lol. There's only 3 books I've not finished. So I still feel pretty good about t..."Yes I know I'm crazy. Whats the book that's giving you a problem?
I also have a book review blog so I also feel like I have to read the whole book to write a review. That way when I say I love or hate a book I can say that I read all of it to be able to say that
Joanne♥~Bookworm Extraordinaire wrote: "I also have a book review blog so I also feel like I have to read the whole book to write a review. That way when I say I love or hate a book I can say that I read all of it to be able to say that"That makes perfect sense Joanne!
The book is/was
I will try it. I have to say tho that the synopsis makes the book look pretty damn good. I'll let you know what I think when Im able to read it.
I thought so too, lol! keep mean posted!!!!!
I know I should get my money's worth but I can't bring myself to read something awful I'd drop a book if:*If my mind is constantly wandering away from the story. I fell asleep three times while trying to read Spellcaster
*If I start to hate the main character because she seems too selfish or if I feel like the the world is too warped and unrealistic. Or perhaps the plot devices were shoddily plopped onto the page.
*If I catch myself derisively pointing out all of the stupid annoying parts - then its time to put it down.
I drop a book if I can't get into it or if it's putting me into a reading slump. If I don't enjoy the book but I can still get through it I try, because putting books down really bothers me, though I have done it a few times
There are a LOT of things that make me put down a book. I'm really picky. There are so many books out there. Why waste time on a bad one? Things that make me drop a book and run screaming in the opposite direction: A writing style that bugs me, annoying main character, bad romance (great now it's stuck in my head), cheesy dialogue, unrealistic scenes, overdramatic scenes/dialogue/description, overly inappropriate content.... The list goes on and on...
Great comments gals, TY! Makes me feel better for being willing to put a book down.I have 3 or 4 I just could never get through...
I stop if I can't get into it, or if it's just boring. I've actually stopped reading lots of books, because they just weren't for me.
I very rarely do. I have done it twice this year, once quite recently... I couldn't finish the last book in the Matched trilogy.
It takes a lot for me to stop reading a book entirely. If it does happen, then it is usually because the main character is annoying as hell, too much graphic content (physical or sexual), the writing style is super bad (wooden and doesn't flow well) or simply because the book is BOOOOOORING.
I drop a book if it's really not what I'm interested in, it's boring, it's inappropriate, the writing sucks, etc. Unlike a lot of other people here it doesn't take much for me to put down a book forever and say "Well I would much rather be reading _____." Usually, though, I try to struggle my way through it.
If I feel like I'm wasting my time reading a specific book, I just stop.
I'm reading a novel now that has a story line which is way too wordy. A good editor could knock out half the verbiage and create a really good book. The author doesn't understand that every word in his novel needs to progress the plot.
Michael wrote: "I'm reading a novel now that has a story line which is way too wordy. A good editor could knock out half the verbiage and create a really good book. The author doesn't understand that every word in..."Oh i feel this way so many times Michael. I find myself saying, good story but really could use a good editor!
Michael wrote: "I'm reading a novel now that has a story line which is way too wordy. A good editor could knock out half the verbiage and create a really good book. The author doesn't understand that every word in..."Just abandoned on recently because of that too much useless information even though it had unanswered questions I wanted to know the answer to first I started skipping over the parts then I finally after skimming over twenty five percent of it I was like I can't finish this.
Emily wrote: "Michael wrote: "I'm reading a novel now that has a story line which is way too wordy. A good editor could knock out half the verbiage and create a really good book. The author doesn't understand th..."Completely agree Emily!
I used to try and make myself finish books that I started, but I don't have time for bad books!Now I stop if I realise I couldn't care less about turning the page. I also stop if I hit one of my pet hates.
In YA, I hate it when the author starts stereotyping the pretty blonde girl as a nasty, slutty creature, or if the non-blonde heroine starts cracking blonde jokes, and that's somehow supposed to be cute. :( :(
I'm also not a fan of male characters who are supposed to be 'sexy' when they get into fights and punch other guys for no reason.
These two things are really popular in YA at the moment (or, at least in the books I keep coming across!).
Oh, also, if a book turns into a melodrama.You know the type: the protagonist is an abused orphan who can't afford new clothes - or even food! They get bullied at school and beaten or worse by their foster family, and they have never been to the movies or had a friend. Then they end up in intensive care and the most popular kid in the school suddenly falls in love with them, rescuing them time and time again from the evils of society... Plus, their puppy is sick.
Give your characters one or two issues, not EVERY issue!
Natalia Heaney wrote: "I used to try and make myself finish books that I started, but I don't have time for bad books!Now I stop if I realise I couldn't care less about turning the page. I also stop if I hit one of my ..."
I agree! There are too many cliche characters. You could replace Harry Potter with Percy Jackson and the story would be identical.
I like characters that are just fun. They don't need a sob back story or an edge like the blonde, brunette thing. It makes them all too 1-dimensional. I much prefer characters that are human - sometimes they are nice, sometimes they make mistakes etc...
I stop reading a book if it is not, enjoyable to read anymore. As the reason why we read is to enjoy the book, if you are not enjoying it, then what is the point in reading it.
I only stop reading books that have a predictable plot line or ones that the author is clearly running out of new ideas and is just putting filler into the work for a page count.I will keep reading if I can feel the lead in is pushing toward the relevant part of the read. I think to many times I see my wife start a book and drop it before she should because it takes to long to get to the meat of the story. Just like one can't tell what a book is about by its cover, you need to let the writer develop the plot.
David wrote: "I only stop reading books that have a predictable plot line or ones that the author is clearly running out of new ideas and is just putting filler into the work for a page count.I will keep readin..."
Its funny that you mention that because virtually every book I've ever read around chapter 4 I've thought 'I still don't know who any of these characters really are and why I should care. Is this foreshadowing towards something or driving aimlessly?'
Then, its only when I'm about midway through that I suddenly get attached! Then I have to go back and skim over the first few chapters to connect with that part of the book. So, I definitely agree the worst thing you can do is not make a solid push into the book to allow the writer to develop the characters/plot.
Adam wrote: "David wrote: "I only stop reading books that have a predictable plot line or ones that the author is clearly running out of new ideas and is just putting filler into the work for a page count.I wi..."
Glad you see it like I do. In my own writing you will find that I need to develop the characters and the plot of the story. It just takes a little time.
Before I stop reading, I try to skip some of the parts that I think it's not necessary. If this thing don't make it better than I decide to stop reading. Just put the book on the shelf and never read it again.
~RininTa~ wrote: "Before I stop reading, I try to skip some of the parts that I think it's not necessary. If this thing don't make it better than I decide to stop reading. Just put the book on the shelf and never re..."That's a good idea. If ten chapters ahead isn't interesting chances are those chapters in between aren't either! :)
I stop reading when i don't understand the author's point of view. Sometimes the beginning is perfect, but somewhere in the middle-end it stops making sense and you want to 'strangle' the author, hahaSad but true
Unless the book is SUPER boring, I always finish.
I usually try to finish books but the few times I haven't it was because I just wasn't getting into the story, or I really didn't like the main character.
I stop when I have a least read 25% and start skipping pages, if it's full off cliches, if it's a 12 in a dozen book like the new adult books they tend have the same story line over and over again. If the book is boring if I'm not reading it with love but but irritation. If I start cussing at the book yeah than it's definitely time to stop.
I stop if I go to the library and other books are a lot more interesting (basically it takes a backseat) although I do make a habit of going back to it later. (sometimes a years makes me like the book... I don't know)
I used to be a strict book-finisher. But now I know when it's time to stop. Usually it's when I start "doubting" the author. Like when the character does something and I think, "There's no way that's believable." When I've lost faith in the author it's time to call it quits.
Crazy for Young Adult Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Raven King (other topics)Beautifully Damaged (other topics)
Scapemaker (other topics)
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (other topics)
Anna Karenina (other topics)
I'm struggling with a read right now and I'm torn between what i feel is a waste of my time and my desire to NOT quit a read...
Let me know, chime in your opinion!