The 2017 Annual Reading Challenge Discussion Thread

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

Starting to slack on my reading. Not that into the two books I'm on right now. Must...power...through...

Why? Is there a test on Monday?

Abandon with abandon. Life's too short, etc., and there are a lot of terrific books out there.

[Hollow Man]

Originally Posted by issybird

Why? Is there a test on Monday?

Abandon with abandon. Life's too short, etc., and there are a lot of terrific books out there.

I've done that before. I always say, "What if I got better?" Stupid, but what can you do...

-HM

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

I've done that before. I always say, "What if I got better?" Stupid, but what can you do...

-HM

I too hate abandoning books but I am becoming more willing to do it.

I always give a book at least an hour after that point if a book has the potential to and signs that it might go from "bad" to "good" I tend to keep reading. If the best I can honestly hope for is for it to go from "bad" to "meh" or even "Ok" it's time to stop. My library has plenty of books for me any time I want and I no longer choose to spend time on "meh" or "might get better".

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

Starting to slack on my reading. Not that into the two books I'm on right now. Must...power...through...

-HM

Not at all! If it's the books and not you - ABANDON THEM!

You are allowed to give up on books that you are finding dull!

[CRussel]

I'm with the rest of them Hollow Man -- abandon any books you're not actively enjoying. Really, I'll give a book club selection 50%, but anything else, 25% of the book and then I'm done. Life is too short, and the list of available books to read too long.

[Hollow Man]

The problem is, once I've gotten to a certain point, I'm not comfortable shelving it. It's not complete junk, just not generally page turning.

-HM

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

It's not complete junk, just not generally page turning.

I might continue if it was generally regarded as a very good book. But otherwise, I'm trying to abandon books that don't make me want to read them.

As there are so many books in my TBR pile that will make me want to read them.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

The problem is, once I've gotten to a certain point, I'm not comfortable shelving it. It's not complete junk, just not generally page turning.

-HM

I'm with you. I feel that once I've started, I have to finish. I trust my own instincts in choosing the book in the first place.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I trust my own instincts in choosing the book in the first place.

But the cover can be soooo deceptive!

[Hollow Man]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I'm with you. I feel that once I've started, I have to finish. I trust my own instincts in choosing the book in the first place.

Thanks for understanding. I've quit books before, and been frustrated in the long run that I did. Sometimes I go back and re-read, and I'm all, "Yeah, that was tough there, but it got better."

One of the books in question is Avenue of Mysteries by John Irving. He's one of my favorite modern authors, and some books are (of course) better than others, but this one is really tough. Which is too bad, because some parts are really good.

The other is David Copperfield. I've never read any Dickens, and felt I should do so. I already started it once a few years ago and put it down. This time the beginning felt a lot better, but 3/4s through, it's just too darn long.

-HM

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

Thanks for understanding. I've quit books before, and been frustrated in the long run that I did. Sometimes I go back and re-read, and I'm all, "Yeah, that was tough there, but it got better."

One of the books in question is Avenue of Mysteries by John Irving. He's one of my favorite modern authors, and some books are (of course) better than others, but this one is really tough. Which is too bad, because some parts are really good.

The other is David Copperfield. I've never read any Dickens, and felt I should do so. I already started it once a few years ago and put it down. This time the beginning felt a lot better, but 3/4s through, it's just too darn long.

-HM

Fair enough on both counts.

Favorite authors should be read and it would be a shame not to finish David Copperfield having got ¾ through. It's unfortunate you're reading them simultaneously, though; if you were reading each with a book you enjoyed, you could reward yourself after a slog.

[Hollow Man]

Originally Posted by issybird

Fair enough on both counts.

Favorite authors should be read and it would be a shame not to finish David Copperfield having got ¾ through. It's unfortunate you're reading them simultaneously, though; if you were reading each with a book you enjoyed, you could reward yourself after a slog.

I expected to like Avenue more than I am. The last one, In One Person, generally got the same average reviews, but I liked it a lot more.

I'll finish soon. Just needed to vent.

-HM

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

But the cover can be soooo deceptive!

You mean I shouldn't judge a book by its cover???

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

Thanks for understanding. I've quit books before, and been frustrated in the long run that I did. Sometimes I go back and re-read, and I'm all, "Yeah, that was tough there, but it got better."

One of the books in question is Avenue of Mysteries by John Irving. He's one of my favorite modern authors, and some books are (of course) better than others, but this one is really tough. Which is too bad, because some parts are really good.

The other is David Copperfield. I've never read any Dickens, and felt I should do so. I already started it once a few years ago and put it down. This time the beginning felt a lot better, but 3/4s through, it's just too darn long.

-HM

I forced myself to read several John Irving books when he first became popular (e.g., The World According to Garp) because a friend raved about them, but I disliked them all and won't go near his books again. (When I dislike an author after a fair shot, he stays disliked ad infinitum.)

I hadn't read any Dickens since college until a year or so ago, when I listened to the audiobook versions of a half dozen or so books in succession, including David Copperfield. I felt very virtuous finally reading Dickens again, which helped sustain me through all the hours. And I do love all the quirky characters. I'm hoping to return to Dickens again this summer, again with audiobooks.

[Hollow Man]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I forced myself to read several John Irving books when he first became popular (e.g., The World According to Garp) because a friend raved about them, but I disliked them all and won't go near his books again. (When I dislike an author after a fair shot, he stays disliked ad infinitum.)

I hadn't read any Dickens since college until a year or so ago, when I listened to the audiobook versions of a half dozen or so books in succession, including David Copperfield. I felt very virtuous finally reading Dickens again, which helped sustain me through all the hours. And I do love all the quirky characters. I'm hoping to return to Dickens again this summer, again with audiobooks.

Oh, I won't read someone I clearly dislike. But when it's an author I like, but a work by them I dislike, it becomes tough.

I just find myself skimming parts of Copperfield, especially all the law clerk type business. It just seems to be Dickens commenting on aspects of society at that time, and it's too tedious for me.

But I will finish it...oh I will!

-HM