LIST books you abandoned?

[Dianna]

Amy wrote: "I hope to God people don't actually vote for him in your country. What a ridiculous thing that a man like him could end up running the United States! Nuts. I apologize if it offends anyone's politi..."

It is crazy that anyone would consider voting for him to run the country.

[Elle]

I recently gave up The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins.

As someone who isn't into classics, I joined this group to observe and hopefully find some inspiration to really get out of my comfort zone. (Mostly it's the type of book not the fact it's old is what I don't like - I'm not into 'dramas')

It takes me a while to truly give up on a classic because of this as I really put the effort into it but I got to 35% and I fell asleep.

I fell asleep. This is the first this has ever happened to me no matter how tired I have been, I have never fallen asleep reading a book before.

And thus I confess my failure. This book was utterly boring to me and if I couldn't even keep my eyes open for it then I must go back to my motto for reading that I live by: there are so many more amazing books in the world to spend your time with than wasting it with a bad one.

Elle

[J_BlueFlower]

Elle wrote: "-...I fell asleep. This is the first this has ever happened to me no matter how tired I have been,..."

It has happened to me many times. I have even tried to “continue” my reading in dreams, dreaming that I turned the pages, and by dream-logic realising that I was reading with my eyes closed.

Some one said some thing like: There are two kinds of books: Those that put me to sleep and those that keep me awake all night, and I don't know which ones I benefit most from.

[Elle]

J_BlueFlower wrote: "Elle wrote: "-...I fell asleep. This is the first this has ever happened to me no matter how tired I have been,..."

It has happened to me many times. I have even tried to “continue” my reading in ..."

I'm normally quite good at putting a book down when my eyes start to shut which is probably why it has never happened to me before! Then again I'm also really good at making myself stay awake until ridiculous o'clock to finish a book! Aha.

[Melissa (ladybug)]

I am bad about putting books down when I fall asleep. I usually wake up when the book or kindle hit me on the face. ;)

[Linda]

Melissa (ladybug) wrote: "I am bad about putting books down when I fall asleep. I usually wake up when the book or kindle hit me on the face. ;)"

That's exactly what happens to me pretty much every night! :)

[Jenn]

There's something about reading that puts you to sleep doesn't it? And then the words start dancing about. The only one I've given up on was Les Miserables, round about the time Fantine had to sell her teeth, couldn't cope with all the misery....

[Alana]

Jenn wrote: "There's something about reading that puts you to sleep doesn't it? And then the words start dancing about. The only one I've given up on was Les Miserables, round about the time Fantine had to sell..."

Oh, but it's such a beautiful, redeeming story! Yes, a lot of suffering, but also a lot of beauty. But it IS a monster to get through!

[Jenn]

But does it get better though? Maybe I should have preserved beyond the teeth!

[Abram]

Forgot about this! If you want good erotica look at Henry Miller. He is much better if erotica is an important genre.

[Alana]

I think it gets better, but it us a very long book and not for everyone. I read it twice and that first part was difficult to get through each time. The character development and overall story is phenomenal though!

[Jenn]

Have you read Hunchback of Notre Dame by the way, that's the same writer isn't it? I wondered about tackling that at some point.

[Alana]

I haven't yet, although I want to. I think that one's pretty lengthy too, but shorter than Les Mis, if I remember correctly.

[Liesl]

Maggie wrote: "On Beauty
Never Let Me Go
In The Kitchen

There are other books I finished that I wished I hadn't bothered to e.g. The Secret History"

I too wish I didn't bother reading The Secret History. One of the biggest disapointments.

[Winter]

Liesl wrote: "Maggie wrote: "On Beauty
Never Let Me Go
In The Kitchen

There are other books I finished that I wished I hadn't bothered to e.g. The Secret History"

I too wish I didn't bother reading The Secret ..."

Strange how different it can be, one of my favorite books of all time ^^

[Alana]

I also enjoyed The Secret History, but I can relate to devouring the classics and all of the literary stuff. It's a very dark book, though.

[Cynthia]

I have probably never enjoyed a book quite as much as Secret History. I've re-read it, bought copies for friends, have a couple of copies in the house, at the ready.

[George P.]

Looks like this is the first comment in a while on this topic.
I've struggled to get halfway through Labyrinth of solitude by Octavio Paz. Apparently I'm just not intellectual enough for philosophical discourse. Perhaps I will try to finish it next year.

[George P.]

I was not too impressed by the Secret History, but I did finish it.

[Ashley M]

I seriously considered abandoning A Room With a View. Every page was like fingernails on a chalkboard. Even though The Body Artist was short, I had the same feelings about that book too.
I read a little bit of Finnegans Wake for giggles, but will never attempt to read it entirely. I refuse to read nonsense.

[Kirsten]

Amy wrote: "I hope to God people don't actually vote for him in your country. What a ridiculous thing that a man like him could end up running the United States! Nuts. I apologize if it offends anyone's politi..."

I think there is a very "good" chance of him being elected for two reasons. (1) people really dislike Hillary and (2) people want to "punish" Washington.

[J_BlueFlower]

Trump abandoned? ;-)

[Nickelini]

I recently abandoned The Grapes of Wrath. The descriptive passages were beautiful, but the dialogue made me scream. Life is too short to read books that aren't working.

[Cynthia]

Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "Amy wrote: "I hope to God people don't actually vote for him in your country. What a ridiculous thing that a man like him could end up running the United States! Nuts. I apologize if it offends any..."

People do not dislike Hillary. Those who do are buying the GOP Koolaid, just parroting their talking points. She's dominating the female vote, the black vote, the Hispanic vote. Now she just has to get the dudes on board. My husband is on board.

[Alana]

Some people DO dislike Hillary, genuinely. But that's rather beside the point of this thread.

J, what were you finding the most troubling about Grapes of Wrath? We each have our own taste of course, that's what makes these discussions so interesting! I just hadn't often heard anyone disliking that one, so I'm curious. You said the dialogue: meaning the content of conversations, or more that it's written in the local vernacular of that area and time, making it difficult to read on the page? If it's the latter, I HIGHLY recommend trying it in audio book format. I recently reread it by listening and it was amazing! It brought so much life to the characters!

[Jenn]

Surely at this stage it's neither here nor there if you like Hilary or not. Short of her being an Adolf Hitler anyone is preferable to Trump... it does worry me, what will happen to the world if he gets in.

[Stephanie]

I recently tried to read "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac (sp?) because it was a book of the month here and just about every sentence annoyed me. It wasn't that it was written poorly, it was that every character, the narrator included, felt extremely shallow to me. I ended up finishing it (barely, but once I start a book I finish it, no matter how terrible), but it is definitely the worst book I have read in a long time. Worse than Dickens, almost and not many top how terrible he is, in my opinion.

[Stephanie]

Jenn wrote: "Surely at this stage it's neither here nor there if you like Hilary or not. Short of her being an Adolf Hitler anyone is preferable to Trump... it does worry me, what will happen to the world if he..."

What is more interesting to me in this scenario, is that the unfavorable stats are so high for BOTH candidates (personally, I hate Trump, I cringe every time Hillary says something) is this the election where something changes within the 2-party system? Is this the year we branch into 3 or more? I cannot foresee anything staying exactly as it is because there are so many on both sides so unhappy. I personally can't see voting for either of them right now.

[Jenn]

I must be unusual because I like most things, even 'On the road'.. and I adore Dickens! Admittedly it was years ago since I read Kerouac so I can't remember much about it except I thought it very laid back. And Dickens I love for his descriptive writing and sense of place. Have you read Bleak House? The only time I've given up on something is if gets too miserable because I'm a softy.

[Mia]

I abandoned Emile or On Education by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Did someone actually like this book?

[Alana]

Mia wrote: "I abandoned Emile or On Education by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Did someone actually like this book?"

I haven't read any Rousseau yet, but am I correct in understanding that his works are much like Dickens?

[Stephanie]

Jenn wrote: "I must be unusual because I like most things, even 'On the road'.. and I adore Dickens! Admittedly it was years ago since I read Kerouac so I can't remember much about it except I thought it very l..."

I read "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Great Expectations"- for Dickens, it is the huge descriptions that drive me up the wall. I can't read 60 word+ sentences without my brain exploding a little bit.

I do it with Tolkien too. I will skip entire pages because too much description distracts from the story. I like description, but I only need a normal sized sentence or two. I LOVE Tolkien for his world building, but that is a double edged sword to me, so I find myself skimming until the story picks up again.

Bleakness doesn't bother me as much, I guess, but it will slow my rate of reading down dramatically. Although, I do enjoy some very dark books, so I guess it depends on how entertaining the story is within the bleakness. I doubt I would attempt "Bleak House" with how badly I reacted to the others.

[Alana]

Stephanie (R-A) wrote: "Jenn wrote: "I must be unusual because I like most things, even 'On the road'.. and I adore Dickens! Admittedly it was years ago since I read Kerouac so I can't remember much about it except I thou..."

The descriptions get to me, too, after awhile. I'm enjoying the Anthony Trollope novel I'm in the middle of, for example, but there are definitely sections that I wish had been edited down a little more thoroughly...

Are there any Trollope novels on the List? I haven't even looked!

[Kirsten]

Alana wrote: "Stephanie (R-A) wrote: "Jenn wrote: "I must be unusual because I like most things, even 'On the road'.. and I adore Dickens! Admittedly it was years ago since I read Kerouac so I can't remember muc..."

There have to be!

[Nicola]

Alana wrote: "Stephanie (R-A) wrote: "Jenn wrote: "I must be unusual because I like most things, even 'On the road'.. and I adore Dickens! Admittedly it was years ago since I read Kerouac so I can't remember muc..."

The Last Chronicle of Barset Trollope Anthony 1) core list
Phineas Finn Trollope Anthony 1) core list
Castle Richmond Trollope Anthony 2) Deleted 2008
He Knew He Was Right Trollope Anthony 2) Deleted 2008

[Alana]

I figured I'll just go through the two series he wrote, then I'll get all of them anyway :). But I'm glad there are some on the list!

[Jenn]

I made the mistake of reading the last Chronicle of Barsett first, because I've probably ruined it for myself now for all the other books. Very genteel and leisurely.

[Alana]

I thought they were supposed to be all stand alone books, just have some crossover characters?

Has anyone abandoned a Trollope novel? Because of wordiness or a different reason?

[Nickelini]

J, what were you finding the most troubling about Grapes of Wrath? We each have our own taste of course, that's what makes these discussions so interesting! I just hadn't often heard anyone disliking that one, so I'm curious. You said the dialogue: meaning the content of conversations, or more that it's written in the local vernacular of that area and time, making it difficult to read on the page? If it's the latter, I HIGHLY recommend trying it in audio book format. I recently reread it by listening and it was amazing! It brought so much life to the characters! ..."

I get where you're going with the audiobook suggestion, but I'm going to say a big NOPE to that one. The dialogue made me scream -- I do not want those voices in my head, either through reading or listening. Also, yes, boring conversations. Nope, nope, nope.

The descriptions of the dusty prairie and the turtle were all lovely though. I've read lots of Steinbeck that I did like, so I have no qualms about throwing this one in the recycling bin (my copy isn't in good condition anyway).

[Alana]

Adjunct: An Undigest by Peter Manson. I gave that up after a record one page (after skimming the rest, including the last page, to see if it got better). Seriously, what in the HECK is that?

[Tej]

Alana wrote: "Mia wrote: "I abandoned Emile or On Education by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Did someone actually like this book?"

I haven't read any Rousseau yet, but am I correct in under..."

I'd say if you want to read Rousseau, don't bother with his fiction and just read his philosophy. The Social Contract is fairly short and readable.

[Ellinor]

Alana wrote: "Adjunct: An Undigest by Peter Manson. I gave that up after a record one page (after skimming the rest, including the last page, to see if it got better). Seriously, w..."

I felt exactly the same way. And that after all the effort it took to get hold of this book!

[Alana]

Ellinor wrote: "Alana wrote: "Adjunct: An Undigest by Peter Manson. I gave that up after a record one page (after skimming the rest, including the last page, to see if it got better)...

I felt exactly the same way. And that after all the effort it took to get hold of this book! "

I had to get mine via interlibrary loan. I guess there's a reason it's so hard to find: no one wants it!

[Kirsten]

I am so thankful for interlibrary loan!

[Nickelini]

Alana wrote: "Adjunct: An Undigest by Peter Manson. I gave that up after a record one page (after skimming the rest, including the last page, to see if it got better). Seriously, w..."

Yeah, it's like nothing else. I did some online research on that one and learned that it doesn't have a narrative to follow. You're just supposed to let the words sort of wash over you, and then they take on a sort of meaning.

It's made up of snippets of conversation he overheard in public, along with news headlines. So it's a snap shot of society at the time. When I saw his notes online of how he wrote it, I started writing my own version. Every so often I overhear something or see a unique headline and jot it down in my own Adjunct.

Hope that helps.

[Alana]

J wrote: "Alana wrote: "Adjunct: An Undigest by Peter Manson. I gave that up after a record one page (after skimming the rest, including the last page, to see if it got better)..."

Well, it helps me understand what he was going for, I guess. It doesn't make actually reading it any more appealing to me though. I'm just not into that kind of thing. I don't have to have a "perfect ending" type of story by any means, but I find it nearly impossible to read something that has literally or virtually no plot to follow. That's why I can't stand stream of consciousness like Faulkner and gave up on Ulysses after 80 pages (although that at least had SOME discernible plot).

I understand the poetry of what Manson was probably trying to reach, and I respect his efforts. Just not my reading cup of tea.

[Nickelini]

Alana wrote: "J wrote: "Alana wrote: "Adjunct: An Undigest by Peter Manson. I gave that up after a record one page (after skimming the rest, including the last page, to see if it g..."

Absolutely! This takes stream of consciousness to the level of someone who is extremely distracted, every moment of the day. I was going to say "...of the level of ADHD," but I don't think someone with ADHD is even that distracted or disjointed, and not having ADHD I don't know and don't want to insult anyone. It's like reading a book by someone who changes their change of thought every sentence.

[Meg]

Last year I abandoned 'Ulysses' after 150 pages. I'll restart it some day, but need to get to grips with other stream of consciousness books before I'll be ready to take the plunge again!

[J_BlueFlower]

I abandoned 'Ulysses' too. It was not the stream of consciousness that did it, but the amount of things you have to notice for yourself. I remember something about two people in a carriage discussing something and one gets upset. I was confused. At that point you had to have figured out from his hair what religion he belongs to, to understand why he gets upset.

[Alana]

Megharp wrote: "Last year I abandoned 'Ulysses' after 150 pages. I'll restart it some day, but need to get to grips with other stream of consciousness books before I'll be ready to take the plunge again!"

I got 80 pages in. I do want to try it again someday, but I think it was just too much heavy reading after reading a lot of other heavy books too soon beforehand.