Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion
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LIST books you abandoned?
I stopped reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. I was fascinated by the premise that we have traded a perspective of character for one of personality. However, when it turned into a anti-Tony Robbins rant, I had enough. Don't get me wrong, I have never liked Tony Robbins, never been interested enough to watch an infomercial from start to finish, let alone actually pay for his ideas. And in a world where men, women, and children die of starvation every day, I too find it sickening that folks are willing to pay $45,000 to spend time with Tony. To have a free society means that folks have the freedom to be stupid, or heartless, or in the case of $45,000 being spent for a motivation date with Tony - both. I'll probably give it another try in a few weeks, and just skip the rants.
David wrote: "I loved The Art of Fielding, but that's because I love baseball. I could see the appeal for a non baseball fan, though."I like baseball, thought I no longer watch it regularly, which is why I picked it up. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough about baseball.
The White Tiger because I just didn't like the writing style or characters, and Infinite Jest. I was trying to listen to Infinite in audio format and that doesn't work well for various reasons. I plan to go back to both at some point
Lane wrote: "I stopped reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. I was fascinated by the premise that we have traded a perspective of character for one of personal..."I didn't feel she was railing against any particular people, though she used some examples more heavily than others. I really enjoyed the book and got a lot out of it, but then, I'm biased, since I'm an introvert :)
Alana wrote: "Lane wrote: "I stopped reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. ..."I have this on my TBR too, but - not a List book.
Stephanie "Jedigal" wrote: "Alana wrote: "Lane wrote: "I stopped reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. ..."I have this on my TBR too, but - not a List book."
Thanks for pointing that out! Apparently, I'm trying to get a head start on senility.
I recently abandoned The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy. I rarely give up on a book, but I was disappointed as it wasn't what I'd expected. You need patience to listen to a narrator who rambles on and takes chapters to get to the point he promised in the book's opening paragraph. Not for me sadly although I enjoyed BBC Radio 4's adaptation of he novel.
I used to never abandon books, but ironically, as I try to get through this list, I find it happening more and more. I also have a real job now (instead of college student) and find my reading time is much more precious to me. So my question is, WHEN do you usually abandon ship? I am at 50% of Tono-Bungay and am wondering if I should give in the towel. 25%?When is enough to realize a book just isn't working for you?
Rebekah wrote: "When is enough to realize a book just isn't working for you? "For me, it isn't at the same place for every book and I'm not sure I can justify my reasons. Part of it is the motivation factor. How much do I think my understanding of life and/or myself will be improved if I finish it? I have abandoned books at 10 pages (not list books) and others past 200 pages (more likely a list book).
I rarely abandoned a book when younger. I have finally come to realize I'm never going to read all of the books I'd like to read no matter how long I live - even if its to 150 - so I'm more willing to leave one for another now.
Each book experience is different. If it's more modern or just a novel, I give it up much quicker. A true classic I will give a lot longer and rarely feel I can truly justify giving up on, unless I've read other works by the same author and decide I have a good "feel" for their writings. As far as List books, I guess it depends how close you are to completing the list? Maybe abandon for now, and go back to it at another time where you might enjoy it more or when you want the satisfaction of completing the list?Most books I give 30 pages or so. If it's longer than 500 pages I'll usually give it 80-100 pages before quitting. Once I get halfway in, I have a hard time giving up...kind of feels like swimming back across the river, even though it's not even close to the same thing :)
Thanks, yeah I find that when a book works, I can get through it quickly and it's one of the most enjoyable experiences. When I get bogged down, it stops ALL of my reading and gets me completely off-track. I think I will start giving in sooner. Life is short and there's so much I want to read, including books that aren't on the list! :)
Rebekah wrote: "Thanks, yeah I find that when a book works, I can get through it quickly and it's one of the most enjoyable experiences. When I get bogged down, it stops ALL of my reading and gets me completely o..."By the way, I *did* finish Tong-bungay, but I was mad as heck at myself for having done so. I was just sort of disgusted with the last half.
Ulysses, I hated the rambling! Portrait of a Lady, didn't know what was going on and this was 10 yrs ago. I plan on reading it someday. And Gulliver's Travels, I was 50 pages from being done and I had to give it back to the library due to moving!! I'll finish it someday LOL
The first book I abandoned (in high school) was The Old Man and the Sea. On this list, I've since abandoned Saturday, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Lolita, The Atrocity Experiment, and now...Tono Bungay
The comments made here certainly sum things up very well for me. But I will add one point: often when I have pushed myself to finish a book I have debated abandoning I feel rewarded rather than disgusted at my tenacity. It's not self-praise I'm thinking of here but what the book eventually revealed or became to me. In other words, many a slow start has led to an excellent finish where the list books are concerned.
Judith wrote: "when I have pushed myself to finish a book I have debated abandoning I feel rewarded rather than disgusted at my tenacity."I agree in most instances. It was specifically the H.G. Wells Tono-Bungay that I was disgusted about having spent those hours with.
I gave up on The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley. His writing style just does not appeal to me and I was forcing myself to read it. Finally threw in the towel.
I just abandoned "the sun also rises" by Ernest Hemingway. And then just as I was annoyed by it, my copy ripped in half. Lol
I recently could not get into a couple from the list:one was Berger's Daughter - Gordimer. I grew tired of Zeno's Conscience before I'd finished; but, like the good doobie I try to be, pushed on through. I'll go back to Gordimer's novel also....one of these days.
Lynecia wrote: "I just abandoned "the sun also rises" by Ernest Holmes. And then just as I was annoyed by it, my copy ripped in half. Lol"You meant Ernest Hemingway,I'm sure. :)
Judith wrote: "Lynecia wrote: "I just abandoned "the sun also rises" by Ernest Holmes. And then just as I was annoyed by it, my copy ripped in half. Lol"You meant Ernest Hemingway,I'm sure. :)"
Haha! Yes I did. Thanks for catching that one!
Infinite Jest. There were sections of this novel that were riveting. Other sections not so much.Since I'm close to my goal of number of books read; I may pick it up again and go to the end. It's one-quarter done.
I used to read a book for bragging rights. Right now, it isn't worth it. I think every author wants or would have wanted their works to be enjoyed. They all, living and dead, would not want their books to be just a figurative notch in a belt.
There are some abandoned books that really are worthwhile, but, not to my taste. You can understand how other readers would enjoy it though. One example that comes to mind is Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series. I stopped after Book One. Others go without sleep trying to finish this overfed slowly crawling turtle.
Nancy Pearl, the author of Book Lust, has a good rule. For those under 50 years old, read the first 50 pages and then decide whether to stop or proceed. Over 50? Read a page for every year you've been on the planet.
I had to put Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and American Psycho on hold. They were not difficult books to read, yet... it was not the right time for me. I'm not sure I will return to American Psycho, though. The constant name-dropping grated on my nerves; in this instance, the movie is probably better.
My like/dislike of a book seems to be directly affected by what else is going on in my life at the time, so I hope one day to revist the following: - Italo Calvino, On a Winters Night a Traveler. I've tried to start this twice now and can't get more than about 20 pages in. Started it the first time when my marriage was pretty much snapped in half and hanging by a thread. That's probably got something to do with it.
- Blood Meridian, Cormac McCarthy. My first McCarthy, abandoned halfway. Was pretty sure I didn't like him as an author, but then I happily came across All the Pretty Horses. LOVE.
- Cutter and Bone, Newton Thornburg. The author has a really fucking cool name. The title is cool. The contents is like a bad 1970's soap opera. I imagine everyone has a really horrendous tache. I actually was really looking forward to this, so it broke my heart a little. I actually left it somewhere on holiday on purpose. Good luck, little guy.
I really struggled with Love in the time of Cholera also, but I finished. Not looking forward to 100 YOS.
Danyelle, I really struggled with Love in the Time of Cholera (in fact, I have it on the shelf to read since I've never made it through more than about 50 pages of it), but 100 Years of Solitude is easily one of my favorites of all time. Hopefully when you do get to that one, it grabs you too.
Riona wrote: "I gave up on Cryptonomicon for a while, but I keep meaning to go back to it. I've loved some of Stephenson's other work."I gave up on Cryptonomicon temporarily. I got it on audio and a lot of it didn't make sense, I think because there were emails and telegrams and other stuff that I had a hard time conveying in audio format.
Rebekah wrote: "I used to never abandon books, but ironically, as I try to get through this list, I find it happening more and more. I also have a real job now (instead of college student) and find my reading tim..."I find that if I have to force myself to pick it up it is probably time to put it down. If I keep forcing myself then I don't want to read anything and that is never a good place to be.
I just abandoned The Jungle. I know it's a classic and all, but there's only so many times I can hear the author's message repeated before I'm out. I can't take another five hours of "things go from bad to worse" and "unfettered capitalism gets unbelievably icky".
Georgina wrote: "I gave up on Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I thought it was a very slow story. probabbly I wasn't in the mood when I first started it. So it's on stand by. Please if there's a reason I shou..."It's not a list book, don't worry about it.
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Georgina wrote: "I gave up on Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I thought it was a very slow story. probabbly I wasn't in the mood when I first started it. So it's on stand by. Please if there'..."oops, sorry!! where can I check the list?
Jeane wrote: "Riona wrote: "I gave up on Cryptonomicon for a while, but I keep meaning to go back to it. I've loved some of Stephenson's other work."I gave up on Cryptonomicon temporarily. I got it on audio an..."
Like you two, I never finished Cryptonomicon, but keep meaning to. I loved what I read, and loved Stephenson's shorter books, just the length of Cryptonomicon defeated me.
Bleak House is in the same category. Got about half way, and mean to finish it someday, but haven't got round to it.
I'm also half way through (and have been for a couple of years) Du côté de chez Swann/Swann's Way, the first volume of In Search of Lost Time, and again I hope to finish that eventually.
Don't think there are any books on the list that I gave up on without any intention of finishing.
I gave up on The Three Musketeers. I started out enjoying it but just completely lost interest.
Kathe wrote: "Georgina, if I did this correctly, you can find lists here:http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Georgi..."
Thanks Kathe!
I typically don't like giving up on books, but I'm trying to change that... what's the point in slogging through something you hate? With that in mind, this past summer I had to give up on both Storm of Steel and The Red Queen, both because of style. The first was dry and a bit boring... as for the second, I have no idea why it's on the list!
Never could get through Ulyssesor A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Is it possible to not appreciate Joyce?
Tom wrote: "Never could get through Ulyssesor A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Is it possible to not appreciate Joyce?"Tom, I havent found many folks that like/understand Ulysses, I trudged through it because all the lists have it as the top book of the last 100 years, or it was inside 100 years when I read it anyway, I actually liked APOTAAAYM, it wasnt as strangely written, Joyces stream of consciousness in Ulysses mixed with his alternating viewpoints and lack of punctuation, ohh and dont forget his use of greek/roman references make this a very difficult read.
Alice wrote: "Infinite Jest. There were sections of this novel that were riveting. Other sections not so much.Since I'm close to my goal of number of books read; I may pick it up again and go to the end. It'..."
Thank you for the reading suggestion! 50 pages, I am going to try that. The only book I have put down with no intention of picking up again was Lolita, I just didn't like it. I have a hard time not finnishing a series, aka the only reason why I finnished Twilight.
Same here Infinite Jest kills me its so long and boring, there are some funny anecdotes but I just dont get the love affair people have with Wallace?
I abandoned Half of a Yellow Sun last year. Probably it was not the right time for this book and may be I could finish it another time.I am sure that I shall not give Bartleby & Co. another chance. First pages were promising, but just about half I left it, it seemed too repetitive and did not lead anywhere.
A Tale Of A Tub; I will go back to it one day but got half way through and realised I didn't have a clue what was going on lol!
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "...I rarely abandoned a book when younger. I have finally come to realize I'm never going to read all of the books I'd like to read no matter how long I live - even if its to 150 ..."I don't often admit this, but I have a spreadsheet with all of the books I want to read and how long I think it will take. At this point, It's one month shy of my 70th birthday. I think when the spreadsheet gets to my 100th birthday, I might have to consider either trimming the list or abandoning books!
Ursula wrote: "Danyelle, I really struggled with Love in the Time of Cholera (in fact, I have it on the shelf to read since I've never made it through more than about 50 pages of it), but 100 Years of Solitude is..."Ditto. One Hundred Years of Solitude is one of my favorite books. Has one of the best first paragraphs ever. Very magical. But I did not care for Love in the Time of Cholera. Had no sympathy for the characters.
RE: the folks who gave up on Moby Dick. I really liked the first ~100 and last ~100 pages. But, yes, all of the descriptions of the whale and whaling were extremely dull. On the other hand, my husband and I were recently watching one of those shows where people try to find out how much some object is worth. I said, "Ooo, that's ambergris and worth a lot." My husband asked me how I knew that, and I was pleased to say it was because I read Moby Dick! So I got that going for me. He he.
Tej wrote: "RE: the folks who gave up on Moby Dick. I really liked the first ~100 and last ~100 pages. But, yes, all of the descriptions of the whale and whaling were extremely dull. On the other hand, my h..."Haha, who knew useless whale trivia would pay off after all? :)
I have only put down three (3) books, giving up on them before concluding. They were:Poland - John Michener...I was unable to remember or keep straight the long and unfamiliar names as generations would be skipped. Have read many Michener books, and will pick it up again to try again. This was my own failure;
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller... A waste of time for my sense of humor or digestion. I did not find it funny, humorous, or ultimately satisfying or worthwhile.
(The Pyramid) - William Golding - I really enjoyed "Lord of the Flies" as an 8th grader. I was perhaps too young for the next book of Golding's I found at the library (and am not sure if this is the correct title) but ultimately found the subject matter disturbing and so put it down. It was nearly 40 years ago, so my memory of the plot and characters has long faded, but from the descriptions of his books, this is probably that one.
I wanted to die reading Celestial Harmonies... But I eventually did. Hated every minute of it.
Cristina wrote: "I wanted to die reading Celestial Harmonies... But I eventually did. Hated every minute of it."I totally get why. I didn't hate it, but don't consider it a novel either.
The Adventures of Augie March after 100 pages. Storytelling was nice - the story was not. On to something else.
I started to read Alamut but there was no way that I had even close to the end of it. Maybe someday.
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From what i'm hearing thats not unusual. You might want to join a group that's reading one to better get a handle on it.