Paranormal & Urban Fantasy, Monthly Group Reads discussion
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Discussion Topic #8 - What makes you put a book down?
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I put a book down if by the first 2-3 chapters I'm not hooked. If I am that far into a book and it is still boring me, I figure why waste my time when there are sooooooo many more books to be read.
Mod
I have a fairly simple checklist. Character development, world creation [for PNR:], and writing style. 3 of 3 is solid. 2 of 3 I may put down and come back later 1 of 3 and the book goes in the swap pile, marked 'unfinished'. I don't give a book 2-3 chapters. Perhaps 20 pages. Any author can hook the right audience within the first paragraph and build from there. If it's not grabbing me by the end of the first chapter, it's just not for me.
I put books down when they're over. :(I've said in other groups that it's really hard to disappoint me. I really can't think of any paranormal romances that I haven't been able to finish. There's been some that haven't been so great for me, but I am generally a happy reader.
Mod
When I put a book down, it doesn't usually mean the book sucks.. (though that has happened before)
My moods effect my reading habits by a huge amount, so when I am not in the mood for sex (as an example) in a book.. if the book is a romance with a lot of sex in it.. I am not going to like it much at that time.
I have bad mood swings in my reading, and have put many a book down with the full intent of picking it up later when my mood changes back :D
Now when a book is bad I also put it down and move on to the next.. this doesnt happen very often but bad character building and bad world building really turn me off on a book.
I some times put books down when I realize they aren't what I'm in the mood for. I might pick up a gritty UF and realize a few chapters in that I actually would rather read a steamy PNR, an entertaining YA or a romantic m/m. It's very rare that I ever put a book down because I never intend to pick it up again. Thankfully, I just haven't run into too many books that I disliked that much.
Ahhh I just thought of a few non-romance and one romance!I did stop reading 3 other books that are fiction and just don't grab me the way vampires and hot men do.
I think the other books I stopped reading were:
Michael Crichton - Timeline(but oh how I've wanted to finish it! I love that book, but for whatever reason the scientific stuff confused me.)
Labyrinth - Kate Moss (this was a long time ago...I don't remember why)
Dragon Sleeping - Craig Shaw Gardner
Oh crap. There is one romance I put down. Isolde Martyn - The Knight and the Rose. The language was so difficult, I couldn't follow it.
Until maybe a year or two ago, I bought most of my books (vs. library) and so I can't TELL you how many books just "weren't for me" that I MADE myself finish! Gosh, I would be forcing myself to skim thru til the end. When I finally starting using my library, the first or second "bad" books I kept on reading but then DING! I figured that I wasn't wasting my money any more so who cared if I finished? OMG I felt so FREE! I started a "couldn't-finish-it" shelf here :) I still rarely quit a book but if I'm 1/3 to 1/2 way thru and just don't care what happens, now I quit guilt-free. Over time I've gotten sick of certain writing styles and always disliked sappy books but I've noticed lately its Anthologies I quit the most (no time for great characterizations or worldbuilding?).
Mod
Amanda wrote: Labyrinth - Kate Moss (this was a long time ago...I don't remember why)because it was boring as hell!
If I can't identify with the main characters, I give up. If I just don't give a rat's a** what's going to happen next, I give up. If the book is boring me to tears, I give up.I have over 1000 books at home, there is always something else to read. Why waste valuable reading time on a stinker?
Barbsis wrote: "Amanda wrote: Labyrinth - Kate Moss (this was a long time ago...I don't remember why)because it was boring as hell!"
Ahh, yes. Thanks. Yea, I tried to read that when it first came out...and honestly I don't remember anything about it. What was it even supposed to be about?
Barbsis wrote: "If I can't identify with the main characters, I give up. If I just don't give a rat's a** what's going to happen next, I give up. If the book is boring me to tears, I give up.I have over 1000 ..."
I'm with ya. I have SO many books just sitting there. I actually invested in a Kindle just to cut back on all the crap laying around my house. Something I really like about the Kindle is the ability to get a "sample" of the book you might want to purchase. Writing style is usually something that turns me off from even picking up a book, if it's not right for me. So that feature is really nice.
Amanda wrote: Ahh, yes. Thanks. Yea, I tried to read that when it first came out...and honestly I don't remember anything about it. What was it even supposed to be about?-----------
Two skeletons were found at an archeological dig along with strange writings on the walls, and the pattern of a labyrinth.
Eight hundred years earlier, on the eve of a brutal crusade that will rip apart southern France, a young woman named Alais is given a ring and a mysterious book for safekeeping by her father. The book, he says, contains the secret of the true Grail, and the ring, inscribed with a labyrinth, will identify a guardian of the Grail.
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I was a really good book but very hard to get into.
I put a book down when all I can think about while reading the book is how badly I want to finish it to get to another one. At that point I know Im not even enjoying the book anymore and just put it down.
Allison wrote: "I put a book down when all I can think about while reading the book is how badly I want to finish it to get to another one. At that point I know Im not even enjoying the book anymore and just put ..."I agree, if it isn't that interesting and I just really want to finish it to start something else it puts me off. Depending on how far I am in the book I'll put it down or just finish it.
Barbsis wrote: "Amanda wrote: Ahh, yes. Thanks. Yea, I tried to read that when it first came out...and honestly I don't remember anything about it. What was it even supposed to be about?-----------
Two skelet..."
Wow. Now that I'm older and have a weird fascination with archaeology, I'd probably really like that book. Maybe I'll pick it up again sometime soon. Thanks!
Mod
I hate that too!
There are many books I'll put down that I'm not in the mood for and usually pick up and read later. I have some that I just read a chapter at a time, usually non-fiction. What came to mind for this question though was when I put a book down because it's bad and I have absolutely no intention ever of finishing it. I usually give a book one chapter. If I could care less about the characters, etc. after one chapter, I figure why waste my time continuing reading. I did force myself a couple years ago to read 2 or perhaps it was 3 chapters of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell based on the review it got in People magazine. I struggled with those first chapters and thought it was so terrible, I returned it to the library. Perhaps it got better, but I wasn't going to stick around and wait for it. lol I figure I have enough books yet to read, why waste time on something if you don't like it.
The book goes away if the main characters talk too much, as in that piece of conversation didn't need to be written down in great detail when the author could have just said that the characters spoke at great length. Big conversation in just 4 simple words.
If I dont care about ANY of the characters
♥Tricia♥ wrote: "Awww Paula heheI hate that too! "
LOL. Wish I would win the lotto already so I can read full time. :o)
One of the reasons I put down or throw a book across the room is when the author writes page after page to describe mundane objects that don't further the story line. I don't want to know every detail of a blade of grass. I haven't been tossing any books lately, though.
Mod
To me it shows that author doesn't write well and is trying to fluff the book with mundane crap.
I agree! That's what irritates me! And besides the book would be around 100 pages shorter and thus a faster read.
♥Tricia♥ wrote: "OMG I HATE that Paula! lolTo me it shows that author doesn't write well and is trying to fluff the book with mundane crap."
You're absolutely right. They're being cranked out just for the sale ($).
If I can't identify the characters, I'll put it down. I've read a couple of books lately where the heroine is just not likeable at all. If a book is boring I'll skip ahead and read the last few chapters.
Mod
Ha!! I never thought to do that! I always assume I will pick it up later. Though that hasnt happened yet with some books I have put down.
My name is Cindi. Today I am putting down Storm Cycleby Iris & Roy Johansen. I feel guilty for not trying harder, but this thread has helped me to realize I owe it to my other books, my TBR books, to walk away . . . thanks to you.
I just can't get into the The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 1, I think it's because the story jumps around so much. I think I'll watch the movie and try again once I have a better idea of what's happening
I can't stand when the book needs to be prove read, can't stand when the Hero is a Jackass and the Heroine so understanding, can't take when the plot is to easy to read, a 100 pages in and I know exactly how its going to be, and after some light skimming seeing that I was right!
Paranormal & Urban Fantasy, Monthly Group Reads
Books mentioned in this topic
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (other topics)Storm Cycle (other topics)
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (other topics)
Whether or not we come back to it is entirely up in the air!
So, what makes YOU put that book down?