Books Don’t Read Themselves, Especially the Boring Ones
by FireMom ~ February 16th, 2008. Filed under: Rants.Like what you're reading? Subscribe to our feed.
Did you know that books don’t read themselves? I’ve been staring at my Goodreads list. And would you believe that staring at it hasn’t accomplished the finishing of any of the books that I’m currently reading? Apparently February isn’t going to yield a six book finish. Alas, I keep reading.
But a question for my other reading friends and readers: what on EARTH do you do with a book that you just cannot seem to make any progress in? You’re not “clicking” with it. You’re not finding it interesting. Even if it’s well-written, which the book I am referring to is, it’s just not up your alley. And you’ve wasted five whole days and you’re only just over halfway through it. With no desire to go and pick it up. In fact, not just a lack of desire but a full-on-DREAD.
Do you keep struggling through, wasting more reading time? Or, like (stubborn) me, do you keep on plugging through just because you’re “not a quitter?” I’m bored with it. I’m annoyed with it. I don’t even really care what happens to the main characters. I just want the book to be over! Now! Yesterday! The day before yesterday! So I can move on to something in my long list of books to-read. Ones that are more interesting! Or at least not boring! Something! Augh! AUGH!
This happens to me now and again. I get a book that comes with high critical acclaim and I think to myself, “What were these people thinking? This is no good! NO GOOD!” I’m hoping this particular book, yet unnamed to be fair since I haven’t yet finished it, turns out to be amazingly superb in the end. Because if it turns out to be a really bad ending or even more boring than the half that I’ve currently read, I’m going to want my money back!
Oh wait. I borrowed it from the library. Scratch the money back comment. Unless I get a fine because it takes so long to read. Then I’ll want that back.
I should probably go read. Sigh.
(Note: the offending book is not in the above picture. This is a picture of just some of the lovely books waiting to be read. And one I adore. More are sitting on my kitchen table. My nightstand. And in the book basket next to my bed.)
February 16th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
I don’t plow through books I don’t like. My thinking? — life is too short (yes, and that was before), and there are too many books that I would enjoy reading. So I stop — without guilt.
Judy’s last blog post..I didn’t give anything up for Lent
February 16th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
I agree with Judy. I don’t spend enough time reading to justify reading a book I don’t like. I give it 50 pages, and if I don’t like it, I stop, even if it’s a book I thought would fascinate me.
February 16th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
I give up. Does that make me a quitter? I like to think not. Because I really just take a break from the book — an extended break. The ones that I have this problem with always linger in the back of my mind as “unfinished,” and eventually I’ll get back to them. It might take me a year or three years or more, but eventually I’ll forget enough of the plot that I can go back to it renewed and see it in a different light. Sometimes you’re just not in the mood. And I say there is no shame in acknowledging that and waiting until the mood is right.
Happy reading!
February 16th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
yup, i’m with the other two - if you don’t like it, don’t read it. Its a matter of taste and you’re reading for your enjoyment, not an assignment. I’ve had this happen too and I’ve been so disappointed too, especially when I’ve enjoyed other books by the same author.
Move along - life is too short.
February 17th, 2008 at 3:58 am
For a very long time, I had a policy of finishing every book that I started. Then I went to grad school. Yeah. I barely had time to read for pleasure, anyway, so if a book wasn’t bringing me any pleasure, I just quit. Years later, I’m still doing that. It doesn’t happen often, but if I find that a book is just sitting there, keeping me from all of the other books that are waiting, I give up. My time is more important than that! (I’m sure that yours is, too! Let go of the guilt!)
February 17th, 2008 at 4:52 am
I once heard a librarian interviewed on NPR say that she gives a book fifty pages. If it doesn’t grab her, she’s done with it. I like that idea. I give the book a chapter to grab me. If I don’t find truth in it, or something good to report on, it’s not worth my time. I’ve got two little kids who are much more important than any book that doesn’t inspire me.
February 17th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I’m the same way. I started reading “Pitch Black” by Janet Fitch, back in December. I’m not even half way through it and it’s finally starting to interest me, but the way she writes, i want to throw the book out the window. It’s irritating.
BTW, how is “Almost Moon”? It’s on my list of to-read.
Rebecca’s last blog post..Happy Hallmark Day!
February 17th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
It takes me about 100 pages too many, but I quit. There are too many good books in this world to waste time reading a not good book.
Burgh Baby’s Mom’s last blog post..Who Needs Words When You’ve Got Giggles?
February 18th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Many times, I will keep reading a book like that, thinking, “SURELY it will get better!”. But I have been known just to drop it. Especially if there’s something better on the list to move on to….
It’s okay. You’re not a quitter. Your time is valuable - you need to choose how to spend it most wisely (and get some enjoyment out of what little free time you have!)
StorkWatcher’s last blog post..Dear Spring, Please Come Soon
February 18th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
With an 11 month old child, time to read for enjoyment is a precious commodity indeed so if I don’t like a book, I finally give up and move on to the next one. I absolutely love to read so if a particularly book is turning into just another chore that needs to be done, I say scrap it!
PumpkinsMom’s last blog post..What Should You Be When You Grow Up?
February 20th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Absolutely put it aside. You might go back to it someday and might appreciate it more. I wish I had followed this advice with “One Hundred Years of Solitude” - it felt like one hundred years before it was done and I never did see anything redeeming - and I just felt badly because so many other people raved about it! Anyway, you have too many other promising books in your queue!