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I’ve been thinking lately about what that is, and while I suppose I could say it has something to do with being taught early on to finish what I start, considering the only books in recent memory that I didn’t finish were books that I won in giveaways, I suspect it may also have to do with the fact that I buy just about every book I read. (Though if I ever aim to read 100 or more books in a year, this will probably change because money).
At any rate, I think by buying a book, I’m making a commitment of sorts to actually read it. And many times (though I’ll admit, not always), I’ve found that books I wasn’t enjoying quite as much had a great ending that still allowed me to enjoy it overall.
I’ve heard some say that they don’t have time to waste on books they aren’t enjoying, which I definitely understand. It’s why I always sample books before I buy, unless I’ve read the author’s work before and trust them to write a book I’ll enjoy. But if I’ve read more than an initial sample and decided to add it to my library, then I’ll read it cover to cover, even if I don’t love it as much as I hoped I would.
But I know not everyone works that way, and there’s nothing wrong with that. So I’m curious—do you finish every book you start reading?
Twitter-sized bite:
Do you finish every book you start reading? Join the discussion at @Ava_Jae's blog. (Click to tweet)
26 comments:
I for one don't finish every book I start.
Oscar Wilde once said "If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all."
If the relationship I'm developing with the story isn't worth my while and something I wouldn't want to go through again, then I just end it. Faster, cleaner, and better. For me, anyway.
Totally understandable. I should have added that I often find that identifying why I wasn't enjoying a book can be a great learning lesson, but I forgot in the post. At any rate, I definitely understand not finishing a book if you're not enjoying it, particularly if it's supposed to be pleasure reading.
I've become a very picky reader as I grow older. Too many books I start just don't seem worth finishing for one reason or another. Even if I paid for the book, I don't feel the need to pay for it again in wasted time if it turns out to be a bore.
I'm pretty picky with books I buy to begin with, which I suspect has saved me from picking up too many books that I found boring. I don't have 100% accuracy (or anywhere near close) of course, but it certainly helps.
At any rate, I understand that. Boring books aren't enjoyable.
I bought a paperback a couple of months ago that I just couldn't get through. I was actually getting really annoyed with it and, just like Nissa said, I'd rather not waste my time AND my money. It was a book club book, if that makes a difference, and the people who did finish it said it wasn't worth it. Heh.
I don't feel bad not finishing books like that. I feel bad not finishing books like A Clockwork Orange of Issac's Storm, two I have tried and failed to read a couple times now. I really enjoyed the Devil in the White City and Thunderstruck, but I just could not get into Issac's Storm. and I guess I've just never been in the right frame of mind for Clockwork Orange. Maybe some day....
I do finish them but some I skim through a hefty chunk. Seems like a fair trade off when I'm getting bored.
mood
Moody Writing
I do not finish every book I start. I used to, and then I read the worst book I had ever encountered. Now, I'm "allowed" to put a book down if it isn't catching me, if I'm hating it, if I'm enraged by it.
I finish every book I start, but I'm actually trying to stop that. If I'm really not enjoying something, then I'm just wasting my time. I think my problem is one of the cost - if I've paid for a book, it feels like a waste not to read it. I should probably be better about reading samples - something I never do!
I almost always finish books that I start - or at least books that I've read more than a chapter or two of, as I consider the first chapter to be a sample. I try to give books the benefit of the doubt. At the very least, I want to be able to write an honest review of a book, and I don't feel like I can review a book that I haven't finished.
I follow Ryan Holiday's advice on reading. If you can't get into a book after the first chapter, stop reading and find another book. There are way too many great books in existence that will captivate you to waste time forcing yourself to read this specific book.
I finish every book I start. The only exception was this one book that spent the first seven chapters in which the only things that happened were: travel, eat, sleep, bathe. Yes I did get through seven chapters but after that I was done. It is one of the only books I have ever stopped reading.
If it's any consolation, I've never even attempted to read A Clockwork Orange, so at least you tried? I also haven't been in any book clubs, so I can understand that instance (although I suspect I'd also find it very frustrating).
I think the key to reading everything you pick up is to be a little picky about what you actually decide to read. With only one exception that I can think of, I haven't bought a book that I wanted to stop reading in recent memory. So...that's something.
Sounds fair to me. :)
I definitely get that. Reading books you're really not enjoying is never fun.
I definitely get the cost thing—I suspect that's a large part of the reason why I always finish books I've bought. BUT I also sample everything first and weed out a lot of books that I suspect I would not have enjoyed. So overall I'm usually pretty happy with my picks.
Free samples are worth it. :)
I agree about the first chapter being a sample—if you count every book I've sampled and put back, I've had more than a few. But by being picky with what I read to begin with, I find I'm usually pretty happy with my reads, as the first chapter tends to be a good indicator of what to expect for the rest of the book.
I actually agree with that. Like Katie G said below, I tend to view the first chapter as a sample, and if I decide I don't like it based on that first chapter (or less), I won't read it.
Hmm, yeah that doesn't sound particularly thrilling. But kudos to you for trying!
I don't and sometimes can't. And not only have I done this often, but if and ONLY if I have managed to get past 50%, I also leave an honest review.
The most aggravating thing is downloading the sample, loving it, and then finding part way through that you've fallen out of love with it. Sometimes samples, like the next 15 chapters, can be great, and then BANG...the story somehow falls flat (though this is subjective).
The reason I stop reading AND leave a review is because I think it's important, not just for the author to build a consensus, but also for me, the reader, to recognise when things may be plodding along. This way, it allows me to avoid - or at least try to avoid - making the same pitfalls in my writing.
Often, die hard readers will read until the end and feel it was worth sticking it through, but because not everyone is able to do this, I think it's worth pointing out where readers may have stopped and never picked up again.
Slow middles are one thing, but bad middles can be killers...
As a writer, it kind of ruined some of my reading pleasure because i see mistakes I never noticed before. I do read 99% of the books I buy to the end unless the writer does something to throw me out of the story.
One book that I did not finish was because the writer made too many mistakes in the subject matter. One chapter something happened, and within the next four chapters, she repeated herself, not just the two times either.
If a writer gets lost/confused, so will the reader.
That's a great point about disappointing middles. I agree that it's important for writers especially to notice when we start losing interest, and take note of why that may be (so that, as you said, we can take steps to avoid it in our own writing).
I also think it's fair that you leave a review as long as you've read at least half. Honest reviews are important.
It's funny, because I've found the only time my writing brain kicks in while I'm reading is if I'm loving something, or if I'm really disliking it (unless, of course, I go in with the mindset of analyzing it).
You also make a great point about losing/confusing the reader. I can definitely understand why you might put a book down because of that.
I, for the most part, finish every book BUT I have nixed a few books in my day. I've gotten some freebies before that were just horrible and couldn't force myself to keep reading them. I feel bad admitting that but it's true.
I completely understand that. Sometimes freebies are great, but sometimes they need more work (just like any other book). It's a toss-up.
I used to, but now I rarely finish a book. Most books just irritate me these days. Things that make me stop are annoying characters, poor dialogue, and if I get to the middle of a book and nothing has happened yet, I scream.
That's...rather depressing. Have you tried several genres/categories? Perhaps you're reading in the wrong section of the shelves for your particular tastes?
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