I thought about doing this at one point but didn't think anyone would want to read about the books I didn't like and didn't finish. Then I saw A Striped Armchair's post, and it was so interesting! Mine won't be as detailed as to why I didn't like the book, because I didn't keep notes like she did, nor did I write down what page I stopped on, but I think I'll start doing that in the future.
Bird by Bird: Instructions on Writing and Life ~ Anne Lamott
I loved her book Operating Instructions where she wrote about giving birth to and raising her son on her own. I did the same thing so I was able to relate. Then I read Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith. It was okay but I didn't love it. In Bird by Bird, I don't remember exactly what I didn't like about it, only that it bored me.
Sunflowers ~ Sheramy Bundrick
My lack of imagination came in to play once again. Instead of reading this novel to satisfy my curiosity about Van Gogh, I should have read a biography. Duh. Just couldn't get into it.
How I Became a Famous Novelist ~ Steve Hely
Heard how funny this book was, but it just wasn't my kind of book. So now I know I have no sense of humor and no imagination. lol
Beautiful Creatures ~ Kami Garcia
Enter no imagination comment here.
Remarkable Creatures ~ Tracy Chevalier
Ditto
Web of Secrets ~ Ernesto Patino
A little more realistic for me than fantasy books, but still not enough for my taste, and the writing was too clumsy and amateur-ish for me.
The Midwife ~ Jennifer Worth
I read 137 pages, tried to like it because it's a memoir, and I love memoirs, but the author tried to make it too novel-like instead of telling more about the actual births she attended as a midwife. Didn't hold my attention.
Let me tell you, I don't give up easily on books. I don't read 20 or 50 pages and say, "Eh, not my style." I read at least 80 pages, sometimes over 100 pages before I finally throw in the towel. If I'm not feeling it after 100 pages, though, chances are it's not going to happen, and I have too many books on my tbr list to waste my time. I do remember reading 70-something pages of Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, finally getting into it at that point, and was so glad I didn't give up.
What about you? Do you feel guilty abandoning a book? Do you want to like a book so much because everyone else loved it or because the cover is so beautiful that you force yourself to finish it? Or are you old like me (ha ha!) and figure you only have so much time in this world so why waste your time reading a book that just isn't your style? Have you read a book you couldn't get into, pressed on and were glad you did?
Saturday, April 3, 2010
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11 comments:
I used to feel extremely guilty for giving up on a book, but as I get older I stopped feeling bad. Life is too short to waste time reading books that stink!!
I always feel incredibly guilty giving up on a book. I usually say, "I'll put it aside for now and read it later." Then I don't feel so bad. Even if for some books, later never comes.
Sorry these did not work out for you Lynne. I liked Remarkable Creatures, but I totally understand when a book does not click with you. Happy reading in April.
I had one this year that I gave up on because I was in agony. I don't feel guilty anymore. It just means that I am learning more about my reading tastes:)
I have not tried any of the books you were unable to finish. I do not feel guilty for putting a book aside. There are a few books that I pressed on and was glad that I did.
I have no problem giving up on books. There are far too many books waiting to be picked up for me to waste time on a book I dislike. Reading is supposed to be fun not a chore.
By the way I do this on my blog every few weeks and like reading about others DNF. We need to hear about the good the bad and the ugly.
I don't feel guilty not finishing a book anymore, because there are simply too many other books out there waiting to be read! Can't remember any book that I was glad I forced myself to finish, but there have been a handful that I didn't like but everyone else seemed to love. Different stroked for different folks!
Great post!
I'm glad I inspired you! I am NOT a fan of Chevalier, so I think you made the right choice abandoning her. ;)
I read one (for Amazon Vine) that was so horrendous is was painful, but I felt I had to read it because it was a review book. I gave it two stars. I really hate that...now, I don't think I would torture myself.
Usually I give a book a few chapters...if it's not there by then, I may put it aside and say "maybe later."
I wish I felt less guilty about abandoning a book. It's hard for me to give up on one, but it could also be because I've never had to. I did give up on a couple of books because they weren't holding my interest, but I've completed most that I started. I haven't read any of the books on your list.
Oh I abandon books without guilt - there are too many books out there I want to read, I don't have time to read something that made me drag reading!
I have also abandoned Bird by Bird. I thought the premise was interesting but I was bored.
I have just borrowed Sunflowers from the library but haven't heard of it before. Ummm... we'll see how I feel about that!
Haven't read any of the others... I think I had wanted to read the Midwife but maybe I'll give it a miss.
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