So let's talk about my anxiety when I encounter a book I'm not that excited about. How much time do I give the book before I stop reading? I never quite know when. Is there some unwritten (or written) reading etiquette that says you give the book 10% or 25% or three chapters or five chapters before you give up on it? I am always conflicted about when exactly the right time to say "that's it, it's a DNF".
Right now I am reading a book that's decent. The writing flows well and it's quite lyrical to read. The author has a nice cadence to her writing rhythm that draws you in. But ... it's not gripping me. This is a book that's been out a while and my reading bud Bambi tells me the later books are better and her earlier books are not as good. I would have started with the later books except it's high fantasy and there's a ton of world building that takes place and I was told that I would be lost if I started with the later books without reading all the world building.
The problem? It's all kinda dragging for me. It's also a slightly longer book, about 400 pages rather than the 150 to 300 page books I'm used to reading, so I think that contributes to the fact that the pace is a little slower but ... as I think about it, length shouldn't be a factor because I recently read a 600+ page book that was breathtaking and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
With this book, I stopped reading yesterday when I had to cook dinner and settle in for some couple time with Steve but I kept thinking about the book. And not in a good way. I kept thinking it was slow and I was not excited about it. I kept thinking I wanted to stop reading. And I woke up this morning thinking the same thing. Debating with myself and stressing over what to do.
While thinking all of that, I also feel bad (I always feel bad) about not finishing the book. Not finishing a book kinda makes me sad. So part of me wants to give it a shot but another part of me is wondering if I'd be happy investing another four to six hours into a book that is mediocre for me. Isn't that a waste of my time when I have so many books waiting to be read?
Tell me, do you ever feel this way? The struggle is real, I tell you. The whole, do I? Don't I? The guilt. The anxiety. Do I give the book another shot? Another few chapters? Another hour? Of course, this doesn't only apply to this book. It applies to other books too.
What do you think I should do? What do you do? Tell me. I want to know.
Ps. I gave up on that particular book at 38%.
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HonestlY? I DNF a lot of books. The time I spend reading something that doesn't engage me could be better spent reading something that I do enjoy. Sometimes I'll DNF after a few pages, sometimes a few chapters. I've been halfway through a book, even 3/4, when I realize I'm just not enjoying what I'm reading, and I'll DNF it. Sometimes something will turn me off at the start, but usually, it's just boredom. I find that I don't care. Many longer books feel "padded" to me, like the author was writing just to add page length (Almost everyone says my books are a fast read. I know some people mean "too fast" when they say that. Maybe I should pad a little more!). I need to care about the characters in a book that I read, and sometimes, I don't. They're just people moving around, doing stuff, saying the same stuff over and and over.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. Sometimes I'm just "I don't care anymore what happens" and want to give up. I don't think your books are too fast. I like the length of your books. Everything flows well, there's plenty of action and enough sexy times to keep me happy. Your books are long enough to be a satisfying read with a good ending without feeling like it's too long and was padded. I hate padding in a book. I keep looking at the % read and wanting it to go faster.
DeleteThank you!!
DeleteLol. I watch the % read like I watch the clock at a meeting!
I am the same. I constantly check the % read. I do not know why. Maybe it makes me feel like I am making progress? or "Ugh! Will this never end?"
DeleteI almost always finish books once I start them. It bothers me too much not to see what the end has in store.
ReplyDeleteIf I DNF a book, I skip to the end to see what happens.
DeleteHi Deanna
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain because I too stress badly if I am not enjoying a book that I picked up to read for me mostly I do enjoy the ones that are sent to me the ones I win and the ones I buy to read but there have been a few that I really struggled to read and it does make me feel really bad I find that I might skip through these a bit and not read every word like I normally do. Although sometimes I think it is me not the story if I have read an exceptional story then the next book I read has to be super good and sometimes there are things going on personally that will effect me as well.
But for me I pretty much finish them all even if I skim through a bit here and there but maybe I should toughen up and stop reading :)
have Fun
Helen
I used to try to do that but my list of books to read is too long. I can't afford the time for something I do not love reading anymore.
DeleteWhen reviewing books years ago, I felt like I had to finish a book no matter what. Now, I find that quite a few get the DNF tag almost always within the first 2 - 3 chapters. If it hasn't grabbed my attention by then, it goes to the bottom of the TBR pile, and I'll end up trying again months later. There was one occasion where I gave up too quickly many years ago, and didn't finish. I went back to the first book about 3 weeks later, and was immediately hooked, and started reading every book in the series. Who was the author that I originally put aside, then became one of her biggest fans - JR Ward. (lol) Great topic! Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteAmazing. I tend not to go back to a book I DNF although recently, I've DNF'ed two books, written the DNF review and then gone back and read the book and enjoyed it. Maybe I just needed to vent and get it off my chest?
Delete*coughs*
ReplyDeleteI dnf like..a LOT. I learned to say no 90% if the time. It is just not worth it
Wow! I have a hard time being ruthless about it. I need to get better.
DeleteI often DNF a book. It has to grab my attention first. 😲
ReplyDeleteI don't do it very often and struggle when I do. I know what you mean about a book needing to grab you though.
Delete