Posts
I was just thinking about this -
I picked up Numbers the other day, it's been 2 days since I started it – and I am only 100 pages into it...now usually with me, with a book around 250 pages or so, I read like a book every 2 days. Well this one I have been reading for 3 days, and only 100 pages in. I keep “finding” other things to do – like posting, or watching TV, or just other things - not to mention I am not feeling all that well - so maybe that's part of it?
So far the story in this book is ok, but I am just not connecting with the characters, and the slang is somewhat hard to get used to...for me anyway. I REALLY wanted to like this book, and I was SO excited to get it...
I know my dad, he never gives up - I was talking to him the other day, and he and my sister, just keep sticking it out. I guess I feel like my reading time is to precious maybe, but then I feel guilty...Know what I mean?
So, how long do you give a book before you give up? Or do you give up at all? And if you give up, do you give up 100% or do you put it back on the shelves, to perhaps pick up another day?
1/26/10
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I dont to be honest...i force myself to read it even if its just a chapter at a time in between ither books.
ReplyDeleteThe reason for this is that i buy all of my books and me being an absolute cheapskate and a half means that i want to get at least one read out of a book ive bought.
Well, for me, I read about 80 pages into the book, whether I like it or not. If I don't like it, then I drop it. If I do like it, I'll keep reading. If I'm iffy, I'll read a couple of more chapters :)
ReplyDeleteI actually agree with you, you need to have some sort of connection with the book. I find that if I get about 75-100 pages into a book and I just am not connecting with it, to find a new read. I wont neccesarily give up... If I am not feeling well especially such as recently. I have been so excited to read this book The Naked Nun, just sounds fabulous and at the moment I just cant get into it... I think I will start something else and go back to it.
ReplyDeleteIf I can't get into it again, next time I try I probably will give up reading it 100%
Love the new layout, Great job Parajunkee
I'm actually going through the same situation--reading a book I'm not particularly interested in. But I've already read half so I feel like I should just finish it but it's sort of a trial. If I feel like I can get through the rest without banging my head then usually I try to finish the book.
ReplyDeleteI've given up many books, no matter how much I should've liked them. I think 100 pages are enough. If I give up a book, I usually put it back on my shelf, hoping I might pick it up again someday. But usually, I hesitate everytime I look at it and never pick it up again,LOL.
ReplyDeleteI don't force a book on myself. I rarely find books I loathe, and the only way I'll finish them is if they're quick and easy...like Witch & Wizard. If I shelf a book though, that's usually it for me haha :)
ReplyDeleteI rarely give up reading something, but I do set things aside. I am a firm believer that some books have to find their way to you in the right moment. Sometimes a book just isn't a right fit at that moment.
ReplyDeleteTry setting it aside for a month or two before trying again. If it is still mind-numbing, then perhaps it just isn't something for you?
I know what it is like to value reading time. My own reading time has decreased in recent months, so sometimes it is hard to stick through something that doesn't seem worth it.
I always have to finish a book. For some reason I feel bad if I don't finish it. It will take me longer to finish than other books I enjoy, but I'll read some of it and then read a book I like better.
ReplyDeleteOkay, here's what happens. If I'm about halfway through a book, and it's not keeping my interest (usually I know sooner) then I will put is aside for later (reality check-never get back to it) and read another more interesting-to-me book.
ReplyDeleteBooks are just like that. Not one book is for everyone, and there are so many book personalities and reader personalities out there. If it's not grabbing you, it's not for you. Read something else, and give it away. Eventually I end up giving away the books I've "put aside for later".
I never give up on a book until about 100 pages. I think sometimes it takes time for it to settle in..If I have given up that means I am not going to go back to it again :)
ReplyDeleteBtw love the new look. The header is just awesome..Make a few top navigation buttons. It will look less cluttered on sidebar ..
Thanks Shweta, I tried the nav thing at the top I cant get it to work - LOL oh well...for now I love it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone - I pressed though last night, since I was kinda on the fence about Numbers - and it's better I think... :) I loved everyone opinion's ....
My issue I think is that my time to read is so small and I read so slow, that when I do read I worry that if I am "wasting" it on a book I dont love, then I am "hurting" all my readers by not reading and making more time to read - does that even make sense?
I personally never give up on book. Even if it takes me a whole week to read it. Which sometimes even really amazing books take me a week to read. Life just gets in the way. Unless a book gets really sexual, then I put it away until I give it away. I'm not a big fan of that. Other then that I'm all in. I think to give the author the benifit of the doubt and keep reading till the book is done. You never know page 150 it might all click for you or when you get to the end you will find that even though it was tuff to get through in way the book was refeshing. I hope you make it through. Can't wait to read your review on it. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I set a point to stop at if I'm not feeling it. I just keep reading until I get bored with the book, or until I just can't take it anymore. I can't think of any current examples where I've completely given up on and ditched a book. There was, however, The Lost Symbol back in December. I went through it pretty fast until around the last 100 pages...then it got kind of boring. There was no way I was going to stop reading after all of that, though! Haha.
ReplyDeleteIt takes me quite some time to read books when I'm in school, too, though. A lot longer than it would if I was on a break!
I stick it out. I used to give up around the 50 page mark if I didn't like the novel, but then I realized that I kept coming back to those books for a second chance. I seriously think I've read the first 75 pages of Abarat at least 3 times, but I've never gotten father. I'll finish it one day though!
ReplyDeleteWell I am glad I did not give up...Numbers turned out to be an amazing book - I am so glad you all gave me some "courage" to stick it out...
ReplyDeleteI recently gave up on a book 80 pages in. I wasn't feeling it when I was at around page 50 but decided to give it a chance. By page 80, I just couldn't take it anymore. It's back on the shelve. Perhaps I'll try to read it some other time...
ReplyDelete