When is it time to abandon a book?

Abandoning book! This is not something that I like to do but find myself doing more often. As I get older, more distinct in my reading tastes and become more time poor, I need to be selective about my reading habits and where I invest my time. On top of that, with blogging and reviewing, I get sent books to review, and if the synopsis of the book catches my fancy, I will give it a short. Plus, I'm a softie so I hate to say no if I don't have to.

As you know, I read for a wide variety of reasons. I beta read draft manuscripts for authors, I read books for fun and for review, and I also read when I edit and proofread the work that I get sent (this tends to be more non fiction than fiction). I also read for writing contests and I just a number of them that range from short stories to full length novels.

I also read predominantly in the romance genre with all of their various sub-genres.

My beta reading profile states that:

I will read most any sub-genre in the Romance genre, contemporary, romantic suspense, paranormal, urban fantasy, sci fi, fantasy, historical and erotic (MF, MFM, MMF, no MM, no FF).
I also don't do anything that is hard core BDSM, rape or horror.
No Young Adult but will consider some New Adult. (I occasionally make excpetions on the no YA rule).

And if you take a look at the blog policy here, you will see that I've expanded that to be quite a bit wider than what I've stated above but still within the romance genre. I've also talked about why I predominantly read romance here, so if you're interested, do check it out.

Back to the topic of abandoning books, the question that I often struggle with is "when do I abandon a book?"

I am currently reading a book that I'm 14% in and I feel the need to abandon it. Is 14% far enough in that I've given it a good shot and know well enough that I just don't have it in me to finish it when I have so much other stuff lined up to read that I'm more interested in? The 14% puts me at about 30 pages into the book, sort of. It's close since 1 location on the Kindle app is equals to approx 22 words, and if there are 450 words to a page, then it would put me at 31 pages. See, I'm doing the math for you! :-)

How soon is too soon? I don't have a hard and fast rule that I follow personally.

Source: Goodreads

Goodreads have published this very interesting infographic where they polled their readers and the statistics are quite interesting. It states that 15.8% of people abandon the book at less than 50 pages in, 27.9% at 50 to 100 pages, 7.6% at 100 pages and surprisingly over 30% say that they read to the end no matter what.

I used to be one of those who read to the end no matter what. Not anymore.

Now, I read for as long as the book captivates me and if it doesn't manage to do so in several chapters, then I put is aside. I may abandon it completely or I may pick it up again later if the mood strikes me to give it another chance with books that I'm just reading for myself. With books that I beta, I will inform the author that it is not working out for me, for whatever reason and we both very cordially agree to move on.

With books that I judge or review, obviously there is a time frame where I have to submit my scores and submit my review, so there's that. Once that is done, I feel like I have closed a chapter of the book (pun intended) and I move on.

I can't abandon paid editing and proofreading work. That pays the bills, so I get through it all. :-)

I guess the point that I'm trying to make is that life is too short to be doing something you don't enjoy. I admit that I have guilt associated with abandoning a book and I feel even worse when it then comes time to write the score sheet or the review but I have a lot of books vying for my time and attention and I don't have time to struggle through, get frustrated at and drag my way through something that I am not enjoying.

And don't ever think that everything I abandon is dreadful. There are a myriad of reasons for people abandoning books.

The one I'm reading now, I am going to abandon because it's long, the subject matter is tedious to me and this story is going to drag on. Already the few secondary characters that have recently been introduced are annoying the crap out of me and making me impatient. All that said, the author's writing is good but I'm just not getting into in. In fact, I find myself putting the book down often and feeling bored. That's why I know that it is time for me to say goodbye to this book, at least for now. Perhaps I'll go back to it later and perhaps not.

I have also recently abandoned a beta read because the author and I disagreed on the definition of a romance novel. She decided that she would take a non traditional approach and disregard all the rules that one follows in order to write a romance. I tried to point out to her that if she's not following any of the rules, she can't expect to call her novel a romance. She told me that I didn't understand the definition of romance. I told her that we need to agree to disagree and that I was going to have to set her novel aside.

Another author I recently read, her subject matter was so disturbing that I felt I could not continue reading it even though her writing was good. I skipped to the end and then told her that based on the content of her story, I could not read for her.

All the reasons vary, but at the end of it, it means I've abandoned the book. I'd rather that I didn't have to abandon a book and that every book that I read captivates me, but that is not the reality.

So when do I give up on a book? I don't count the pages or chapters, but when I've read long enough that I don't feel it's holding my attention and I don't care what happens to the characters, then I know that it's time for me to part ways with the book.

Tell me, have you ever abandoned a book? How long does it take you? Do you have any criteria for doing it?


Find me around SOCIAL MEDIA: Deanna's World - Daz in the Kitchen - Facebook - Twitter - Instagram - Youtube - Pinterest

Don't read what you don't love

You may have gathered by now that I read a lot. Likely not as much as my girlfriend who can read 300 - 400 books a year but between work reading and fun reading, I still think I read a lot.
 

On average, reading for fun is about 160+ books a year. Reading for work, which includes stuff I read for editing, proofreading and beta reading, that's another 100+ books a year.

I've learned something along the way when it comes to reading.

I only read what I enjoy and love when I'm reading for fun. I used to be very OCD about finishing what I start but I'm time poor and I have a HUGE TBR (To Be Read) list that is neverending and growing bigger by the day. I don't have the luxury of spending precious minutes on what does not give me pleasure. So now, when I'm reading for fun and the book doesn't engage me, I stop. When I write a review for it, I evaluate whether the DNF (Did Not Finish) I give the book is because it was (1) terrible writing (2) an unengaging story, (3) just something about it that just didn't work for me or finally (4) if the content was just so far outside my comfort zone that I could not stomach it. The point is though, instead of giving into my OCD nature, I have learned to stop reading and spend my time elsewhere because my time is precious.

When I beta read, I try to read within the genre that I'm most familiar with and I enjoy the most for two reasons. (1) I understand the genre, and therefore, am able to better understand what works and what does not work in the author's writing within the specific genre, and (2) I will actually enjoy it more and not unjustly be too critical of it because it is outside of my comfort zone.

There are some authors that I really enjoy and I will beta read for them from book to book whenever they ask me to as they have new books written. I find that a pleasure to do.

As I beta read more and more, having authors seek me out to do it for them though, I am finding that quite often I come across something that just does not work for me. It's too dark, it's supposed to be in a genre I like but it's not written that way, or I just plain old don't like it., it's well written but the subject matter just doesn't grab me. I used to put in a huge effort to beta read through everything that I get sent, and I try to be objective and do the piece of work justice, however, now I am finding that if it doesn't work for me, I need to stop. It is unfair on me and unfair on the author if I continue. Beta reading is free and I don't get paid to be miserable through a 300 page manuscript, unlike editing or proofreading. And it's unfair on the author because I'm negatively predisposed to it for whatever reason and my criticism is harsher than it should be.

For example, I recently had to stop reading what the author called a paranormal romance, which on the surface of it is right up my alley. However, the piece turned out to be dark, tortured and depressing along the way to it's paranormal happy ever after. Not my thing. I don't read dark and tortured. There's enough of that in real life that I don't need it in my reading life. I struggled with myself but finally decided that I had to stop reading it. I was doing the author an injustice. Her writing was good, but because of the content, I just could not get into it. It is better when that happens to just stop reading, give the author some really honest feedback about why you had to stop reading and encourage her to find others who will be better inclined to read it for her to provide more positive feedback. The hardest part about this is telling the author, of course. I always feel so bad about it but to date, all the authors I've told have been very gracious and understanding about it. In fact, a lot of them say right up front, if it's not your cup of tea, don't keep reading.

For editing and proofreading though, I get paid to do it. I edit and proofread both fiction and non-fiction. Sometimes the subject matter just doesn't work for me but I soldier on. I'm getting paid and it's the job. It pays the rent. I've edited business reports, annual reports, prospectuses, newsletters, manuals, non-fiction books on various subject matters and fiction as well. I find it all challenging for various reasons but I keep going. When you are getting paid to do a job, you just don't get the luxury of picking and choosing only to do the fun stuff. You do what needs to be done to get through it and you persevere.

The whole point of this post? It doesn't matter what you are doing, whether it's reading or some other activity, if it's not enjoyable, taking up too much time or harming you, STOP. Spend your time in other pursuits that are more rewarding.


Find me around SOCIAL MEDIA:
Deanna's World Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/langshipley
Deanna's World blog: http://deannasworld1.blogspot.com.au/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/langshipley (this is the best way to reach me, I will always respond to this the fastest).
Twitter: @langshipley https://twitter.com/langshipley
Instagram: @langshipley http://instagram.com/langshipley
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/langshipley/
Cooking blog: http://dazinthekitchen.blogspot.com.au/

 

All about Deanna's World

I thought that it was time that I do a proper "About Me" post that goes with the tab on the top of the blog. :-) The last one was just an old post that seemed to fit and I hadn't put any time or effort into working on something specific.

As to the whole "about me" thing, my profile is actually fairly accurate in what it says:

I love all things beauty and makeup, reading and books, and also have a keen interest in cooking and food. Combined with a husband who loves wine, we write a number of blogs that align with our interests. I have two blogs: Deanna's World which focuses on all things books and beauty, and Daz In The Kitchen which is my cooking and food blog. I hope you visit and stay around.

I'm very much a girly-girl, and I hope that this blog reflects it.

This blog reflects two of my main passions: Books and Beauty.

I get my love of both from my mother.

When I was a little girl, as little girls are likely to, I would complain that I was bored. Well, all three of us kids did. My mum would always say "read a book". I guess for me, that piece of advice stuck because I have been reading for as long as I can remember.

For the most part, I read for fun but over the last couple of years reading has become so much more for me. My love of reading went into doing it as a job (I edit and proofread for work) and also beta reading and critiquing manuscripts of unpublished works for authors I know, or who ask me to. I also started judging writing contests and that is another fun reading thing that I do.

Of course, all this other reading means I read a lot less for fun but I still have managed to average about 100+ (that's my goal each year) books in the last 4 years, with last year being a high at 171 books.

With this blog, reading has taken on an added dimension as I've started taking writing reviews for books I read more seriously. Writing reviews forces me to really think about why I liked or didn't like a book and to articulate it well. It has been many a challenging exercise for sure.

The blog has also helped me connect even more with authors that I love and am getting to know, and getting involved in helping to promote their work through New Release, Cover Reveal and other author related posts.

One thing I'd like to say too is that I do promote published works of authors where I have beta read their first drafts previously. I only promote the ones that I have read and enjoyed though, the ones that have showed tremendous promise and the ones that have just blown me away. I'm getting more and more selective with regards to who I beta read for now as I am very time constrained, so I only work with authors who I think are great.

So far, I am loving every aspect of the blogging process. Pray, I do not run out of steam too quickly and this continues for a long time.

My mother also introduced me to fairy tales at an early age, specifically Disney cartoons, and instilled in me a love of the "happily ever after". Gosh, I do love a happy ending. That's why I read predominantly romances. I need to know the good guy always wins and that he always gets the girl. It also makes me a hopeless romantic.

As to my love of beauty, when I was growing up, I used to love watching my mother put on her makeup each morning and get all dressed up while getting ready for work. She always looked so glamorous.

When I was 13 and hitting puberty, my mum bought me my first skincare. I remember it clearly. It was a trio of Elizabeth Arden cleanser, toner and moisturizer. She told me that I needed to start looking after my skin if I wanted to stay looking pretty for a long time. That was the start of a lifelong practice of a good skincare routine that became a habit and plenty of vanity. My mother tells me the vanity is a good thing, it means we care about how we look and we will make an effort to look good.

To this day, my mum and I have lots of wonderful mother daughter bonding moments where we have long girly chats about skincare and makeup. We even have mother daughter shopping days where we spend hours at Sephora playing with pretty things.

The love of all things beauty and makeup has spawned a Youtube channel, which I post a video a week. The channel is mostly about makeup and beauty though I do throw in the occasional vlog, cooking video or book review. The channel is a work in progress. I do link each video that goes up with a blog post, or at least, I've recently started doing so. I try to write some specifically beauty related posts too but they are fewer than the book related posts. I guess I just have more book content rattling around in my head. Nonetheless, I do make the attempt and try for something at least once a month.

Not about the blog per se, but it contributes to my love of romance. :-) I am also happily married to the love of my life. His name is Steve and he is my real life romance hero though he looks nothing like what you see on a book cover. :-p I still love him to bits though and think he's the most gorgeous man. He tells me that I am blinded by my love for him. I'm OK with that.

Sometimes I wish the paranormal stuff I read were true and like the vampires and other immortals that we could live for eternity because I think that eternity is just about enough time for me to spend with him. My life is fuller, richer, and better because Steve is in it.

A piece of relationship advice I got from my mother was "always treat your husband like your boyfriend and that you are forever dating". It's great advice. It makes the relationship fresh and romantic. You continue to have stars in your eyes when you look at him and your love will always be wonderful and new. It fills you with a sense of anticipation and excitement each time you see him and you spend time together.

There's more to say, but this is me in a nutshell. I hope you enjoy this blogging journey with me.


Find me around SOCIAL MEDIA:
Deanna's World Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/langshipley
Deanna's World blog: http://deannasworld1.blogspot.com.au/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/langshipley (this is the best way to reach me, I will always respond to this the fastest).
Twitter: @langshipley https://twitter.com/langshipley
Instagram: @langshipley http://instagram.com/langshipley
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/langshipley/
Cooking blog: http://dazinthekitchen.blogspot.com.au/

 

A list of my topical book-related posts

For this particular page, I'm planning on collating all the topical book-related posts and calling it "Book stuff" ... yeah, very creative, but it fits. The topics will be broad and far reaching. This is just the one place where you can easily find all the posts.

Of course, the most recent posts will be at the top.

5 February 2015: Giants in my paranormal world - where I talk about two of my favorite authors in paranormal romance, Nalini Singh and Thea Harrison.

There's also a video on beta reading which you may find interesting:

Find me around SOCIAL MEDIA:
Deanna's World Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/langshipley
Deanna's World blog: http://deannasworld1.blogspot.com.au/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/langshipley (this is the best way to reach me, I will always respond to this the fastest).
Twitter: @langshipley https://twitter.com/langshipley
Instagram: @langshipley http://instagram.com/langshipley
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/langshipley/
Cooking blog: http://dazinthekitchen.blogspot.com.au/