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When do you stop reading?
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Sera
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Aug 11, 2008 07:03PM
I feel compelled to give an author his or her due when reading a book so I do try to finish - it's rare that I don't - but Gilead was so bad that I thought that I would harm myself if I read anymore than the first 100 or so pages. That's when I figured that I could let myself slide on that one.
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I will only suffer through about 100 pages of a book that I hate. I can't read any more of it.
Sadly, I am one of those who try not to stop reading, altho my brain rebels and my eyes just seem to threaten to close and not read anymore. I also only read one book at a time (in the hope that I can finish whatever I'm on sooner hahaha)I'm nearly a month into Catch 22, and all I can say is... WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME TO LAY OFF IT?! Urgh!
Mod
I know...! This is the longest time I'm taking to finish a book! I'm three quarters into the story and I STILL can't see where it's going!
Kataklicik, it never goes anywhere. Just a heads up.
Heeheeheeheeand I'm still not giving up - OCD definitely!!
I do have to say, when I am reading for my bookclub, I will finish, NO MATTER WHAT!! lol I was the only one that finishes WIVES AND DAUGHTERS... I was determined!
I don't give up on books, per se. I just set them aside for an indeterminate amount of time and read other wonderful books.Currently I have set Sophie's Choice by William Styron aside, in lieu of less complex, faster paced books.
Macy-WRT your comment about not liking the beginning of a book but by the end you did...
That's why I've joined TNBBC--now I can ask 700 people's opinions about whether or not to stop--eventually I'll find a few of you who share my opinion of books.
April-I like your thought: "I just set them aside for an indeterminate amount of time". Yeah, I've done that...I swear I'll come back to them later. I don't think I ever have, though!
Macy-WRT your comment about not liking the beginning of a book but by the end you did...
That's why I've joined TNBBC--now I can ask 700 people's opinions about whether or not to stop--eventually I'll find a few of you who share my opinion of books.
April-I like your thought: "I just set them aside for an indeterminate amount of time". Yeah, I've done that...I swear I'll come back to them later. I don't think I ever have, though!
Its odd but I feel an obligation to finish reading a book once I have started, its almost like I feel that I am being disrespectful to the author or something, after all how can I say I hated it something before I see to its completion? That being said there is a couple of authors that didn't get my full respect ... he he he ...
Unfortunately I keep reading. Once I start a book I need to finish it. No matter how much pain and torture I endure.
I usually keep reading until I finish a book that I've started...luckily there have not been to many that have been that bad.
I try to read it for at least 6 chapters before putting it down...I did that with Dingley Falls by Michael Malone (well more like 10 chapters)...and sort of regretted it because it took me so long to get through just those few chapters.
I just have to finish a book. I just can't stand not finishing a book. It goes against my orderly universe. I have been known to skip sections here and there in a book I don't like to get the feel of what is going on and make my way to the end that way.I'm a closer. I have to know I finished it. There is just no other way with my type a nature.
I try to finish what I start only because I hold on to the hope that it will get better. Sometimes it doesn't end so bad. If the books is really bad and I'm starting to lose that hope I will skim ahead to see if it's something that will hold my interest. If I can't see anything good then I chuck it.
If it's a so-called "classic" I'll really try and get through it. I really, really tried with MOBY DICK and I just couldn't go on. That said, I'll try it again down the road. There has to be a reason for its high esteem. THE ILIAD is another I just haven't been able to get through.
I think the worst is when a book starts off great and slowly goes down hill. Because you can sense your upcoming disappointment, yet the beginning gives you false hope of a turnaround. Then you finish and you're just pissed off...lol.
OMG, you're so right Jesse! That happened to me with Wicked and The Lovely Bones.
Yeah, it's the biggest drag because of the time you've invested.
Jesse ~ What's worse is when there is so much hype about a book and you keep pushing through it even though it doesn't do anything to you. I need to learn to go against the flow. Even with movies I am always disappointed. The two books recently that irked me after all the raves were The DaVinci Code and A New Earth. Both bored me with the writing.
That's true enough, Mandy. Especially if it's a classic. MOBY DICK comes to mind. Actually, I gave up on that one...lol. HEARTS OF DARKNESS was a tremendously difficult story for me to finish.
I tried to get through the Iliad and failed.I'm not sure if it was me, the book, or the translation (1930s and trying to be up-to-date).
You know what was a surprisingly hard read for me? JM Barrie's PETER PAN!It amazed me no end that a 'kiddie' book could stump me so bad!
I read Snuff pretty easily. At least you usually got more than a page per narrator. I couldn't read Rant. It jumps too much for me. I have to wait for the audio. Sometimes, if you are having a problem reading something (like Charles Dickens or Moby Dick) it helps to set yourself to a mindless task and listen to the book. That way you can read it while you are only slightly distracted Makes it easier to get through if you really want to. As for deciding when to stop reading. I don't have a set rule. Usually when I buy a book, I read the first paragraph. If I don't like the authors style, I put it back. If I'm still interested I give it a chapter or two usually before I decide to put it down.
Does anyone else utilize www.dearreader.com to get a preview before reading? That also helps.
I have an obsessive need to finish everything I start. I will put something down and pick it up later but I honestly cannot name a book I haven't finished. I have a basket in the living room of just started, midway through and almost there books! Sad sad situation.
Abigail, thanks for the link. I just checked it out and it seems like a cool site. I love that she combines food and reading...my two favorite things.
I have no set rule to this one. I just read until I decide whether it's worth keeping on reading. There are a couple of exceptions, however. When a book is a classic, as in the case of Moby Dick, for example, you give it a braver try, and then give up. Also, if you paid a lot for the book, you feel obligated to give it a longer chance. I've given up on many books, but some, like Dickens, are worth plowing through. Though they take longer to get to the "I can't put it down" stage, it eventually comes. The easiest books to give up on are ones people give you as gifts or got for free. You didn't pick the book out yourself, (or spend anything) so you have no commitment to read it. (It might even end up one of the unread books you were talking about in another post). By the way, I just joined the group two minutes ago. I like your comments,and the subjects you discuss are interesting, but there is a fair amount of "one-upping" going on. It's more fun if everyones' story is appreciated, and not always trying to come up with a bigger and better story. I am a huge hypocrite in this regard, so don't take this personally. I think the thread on how many unread books you have was a natural invitation to do that. Anyway, I hope this is the longest post you'll see from me.
John, I don't think that there is any one-upping going on at all. We all like to share our news (i.e new books etc) and we all like to talk about our bad habits (like buying too many books - hence the unread books thread). Everyones story IS appreciated - for example in the Latest Splurge thread, people post huge splurges, but also post if they just get one or a couple of new books.You are the only one who seems to think that there is one-upping going on. We're a friendly group that just likes to share the stuff that goes on in our lives. Sometimes those stories are huge, sometimes they are insignificant, but what does it matter?
I used to gasp at the idea of not finishing a book, but now I feel like there are just too many out there and if it's not sucking me in, I can move onto something else. I completely agree that each book cannot appeal to every person so there's no need to suffer.
John - Maybe you just need some time to get to know us which would allow you to understand the writing style and context of each member a little better. I've been a member here since January (I think?), and I have never felt one-upped. On the contrary, it's been a little haven for me where I feel like I have this whole community that I can relate to. There are only a few people in my day-to-day life that share the book obsession. I've never felt like any of the threads have been a competition.
John,I really think you may be seeing things that aren't really there. While all 800+ members may not come out of the woodwork to comment on each individual post (and what a cumbersome task that would be), I do believe that EVERY members' posts are appreciated...if nothing more than to make us all feel like we aren't alone in our love of books.
You reference the thread on 'unread books' and I have searched high and low for any 'one-upping' and I'm at a loss. Frankly, if there is anything I see, it is blatant shame posted by those with large counts of unread books. I, personally, am one who posted a large amount of unread books at home (and recently added a tremendous amount more, making my to-be-read task even more daunting), and I felt a great tinge of jealousy that there were others with far fewer unread books at home. *Lucky devils!!* Maybe they are better at restraining themselves from purchasing books? Maybe they just read their book faster? Who knows?? I can't see that it is a competition...just a sharing of our own 'secret shame' of book hoarding.
I encourage you to read other threads and get to know the other members through their posts. You will find that there is nothing these people care more about than simply spending time in the company of other bibliophiles and bibliomanes. Of course, there will be boasting about an amazing feat...finally completing that book that they have struggled with, finding unbelievable deals on books, or being blown away by a book that, if not for the recommendations of so many, they may never have picked up on their own. This isn't 'one-upping'...this is pride of accomplishment.
There are so many stories to be found in these threads. I hope you will take the time to read them...you may find a kindred spirit in the midst.
I feel as though John's comment is bashing all of us! Where else, but here, can you pour out your feelings and habits without being criticized? Not many of my friends are readers so when they visit they stare at my piles of books with something akin to horror. Here I proudly put how many books I have piled up and recieve praise for collecting more!
I completely agree Rachelle. This is a haven for those of us who have taken reading to its ultimate OCD conclusion where we get to pour out our latest conquests and failures in front of an unjudging crowd.
The only way that I can see anyone saying that any of us are trying one up each other is if they themselves have issuse with one uping IE feeling inferior in some way , I have re read many posts too like Charity and I simply do not see it, except for maybe in the challenge threads but that would be it.
I'm still waiting on those adoption papers, Ken!
LOL...of course, Ken. You know they do have shopping carts and baskets there too...no heavy lifting is necessary. :-)
You know, if you one-up me in the fact that you bought more books for less bucks then more power to you, take me with you, in fact!
Rachelle you are more than welcome to come with me anytime!! I'm totally with you...if someone has an awesome haul to post, then post away. I'll try to keep my drool off their books. :-)
Charity, are you close to Columbus? I live about 2 hrs from there in Massillon. I'll carry your basket if you carry mine!!
Rachelle, do you ever get to Mentor or Cleveland at all?? There are some Half Price Books up that way. I think it would be totally worth it to make a pilgrimage there a few times a year. :-)
Sounds good to me, Rachelle. We love Massillon around here...Go Tigers!
I was just looking the website up and I see they are close to me also, I'm very excited! We have quite a few bookshops around here but they are all average priced such as BN and Borders so it isn't a steal. This sounds fun, thanks for the push in a good direction.
Heck yeah! You will be blinded by the heavenly light that is the clearance section. You must promise to share all your great finds!!
I will share them with glee...and a little on-up thrown in for good measure!
LOL...looking forward to it! You will be calling HPB "MECCA" from now on. :-)
Mod
John, It seems my most loyal and beloved posters have hit the nail on the head in my absence. We are all quite close here, as I am sure you have seen from the threads you have read, and we treat each other like family... We feel totally free to open up, whine and complain, share exciting and interesting stories with one another, and best of all, be each others supporters, listeners, advice-givers....
There is no negative competition, no worries of being bombarded with hate mail, or bashed on here...
I have to think that the longer you spend here, the more you will come to notice this. I do hope you continue to post, and join in on the threads.. I hope we havent frightened you away.
I am pretty sure from rereading your post here that you werent meaning to come across quite the way you were percived....
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