Today's Booking Through Thursday weekly meme asks the following question:
“Life is too short to read bad books.” I’d always heard that, but I still read books through until the end no matter how bad they were because I had this sense of obligation.
That is, until this week when I tried (really tried) to read a book that is utterly boring and unrealistic. I had to stop reading.
Do you read everything all the way through or do you feel life really is too short to read bad books?
Great question. Lately I've had a few books I had to stop. And let me tell you, I give them plenty of time. I read 114 pages of Olive Kitteridge before I finally put it down. I tried to like her, but she was so unlikeable I couldn't stand her. I read 145 pages of Little Bird of Heaven by Joyce Carol Oates before I gave up on it. I really, really want the books I read to be good, gosh darn it! But life is too short to read bad books. I agree. Wholeheartedly.
Some people have the 50-page rule before stopping a book. I give it at least 100. I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and couldn't get into it. But I kept reading. On page 71 it finally got good. I was happy I was patient because it was so worth it!
What about you?
4 comments:
It happens to me often, and I really hate that it does. But my reading time is so limited....if I have to struggle with a story, it's just not worth it to me.
Joyce Carol Oates is one of those authors I'd really like to love, but I've just never been able to finish anything by her. I'm afraid I'm a firm believer in the "life is too short" philosophy when it comes to books that don't interest me.
Thanks for visiting my blog! I agree with you about The Girl with the Drago Tattoo, it had a very slow start! I think as long as you give a book a good go then you shouldn't feel to guilty! Happy BTT!
Hi Lynne, glad you received Benny & Shrimp. I'll watch for your review - I'll follow you : )
I tend to have bad luck with short story collections. I try to read one or two each year and have yet to read one that I love. Jhumpa Lahiri came closest with her book Unaccustomed Earth. Elizabeth Berg had one that I loaded on my iTouch but haven't made it through as of yet. It's The Day I ate Whatever I Wanted. I guess I should finish that before I say I haven't found a collection I like. (fingers crossed). At any rate, I finished Olive Kitteridge and gave it 2 stars. Go figure it wins a big prize.
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