Did ya all notice I posted no Musing Monday last week? Well, I didn't because I was on a cruise ship, heading up the coast of Alaska and the Internet connection on the ship was SOOOOOO slow, it drove me nuts.
But I am in the Anchorage today, so I thought I would drop in again with a muse. So what is today question?
Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about sticking with it…
How much time (or how many pages) do you give a book that you aren't really enjoying before you'll set it aside? If you're reading it for a book group discussion, or for review, will you give it more of a chance then, say, a book you're reading for your own interest? Why, or why not?
Back when I first started blogging, I read a very good line of advice on another blog, that life was too short to spend it reading a book you don't want to read.
I must say, I have a hard time giving up on a book. I respect books and I respect authors and the work that put into a book. Especially one that I have excepted for review. When I do that, except a book, I feel a commitment. And yes, I will most likely give it more of a chance than one I am just reading on my own.
But...honestly, it only goes so far. Some books are just very, very poor. Several of them have been self published books, but a few were books published by major publishers. Sadly, I have found, that is not a guarantee of quality. Some are just bad. Badly written, badly edited.
Some, are just not my cup of tea...and yes, life is too short to force yourself to read something that you hate.
How long to I give it? It depends. Maybe 50-60 pages on average, which I think is fair. Then I put it aside and go on to other things. I always tell myself that I will go back to it, but it reality, I have my doubts that I every will. Poor is poor...and I am not changing my cuppa tea at this point in life.
And that TBR pile is getting no smaller...
Well, I must go. A am off to a day of fly fishing tomorrow, on some remote stream or lake that we will fly into. So I need my rest.
Anyone wish that they were here too? I am sure there is room on the wee plane.
Life is too short to read all the books I want to read, without bothering with ones I don't like.
ReplyDeleteHave a great holiday - it looks as though you are!
I agree with you! There's so many books out there, we can't spend our time reading books that we don't like.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your holiday!
I am so jealous! Enjoy your vacationing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you - about 50 pages is my limit, although borderline books can go on a bit longer.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great time fishing. Good luck!
I for one wish I was there. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd I have real trouble not finishing a book. I think only give up on about one a year.
While I don't have a specific number of pages I need to get through before I bag a book, I do have a little voice that will eventually scream "stop the insanity!". I don't hear this voice often, but it lives in my head, and is always watching out for me!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many books on my shelves that I know I'm going to love that it's hard to justify spending a lot of time on something that I don't like.
ReplyDeleteAnd, oh, your Alaskan cruise sounds lovely. I hope you took lots of pictures!
Sometimes I put the book aside for a few months.
ReplyDeleteEven a bad book would merit a couple or two good passages. I try to finish a book that doesn't live up to my expectation, skim through it and call it a day.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have finally come to the realization that I do not have to finish every book I start. My daughter is the one who got me to see I did not promise a lifelong commitment and vow till death or the last page do us part. Now if the book doesn't grab me by pg 50 or 60, sorry, it is history. I'm getting up there, I probably don't have a heck of a lot of years left to read and my wish/tbr list is rapidly closing onto 1000 books. You know what I'm saying, wee Caite?
ReplyDeleteI do, I do, I do! Can I? Please!
ReplyDeleteAm with you on giving up books - find it extremely tough. Even if I end up skim-reading the last couple of hundred pages, I still try to. Buuuut... there are some books, which are just, for lack of better words: blah, and I don't feel too much remorse hiding them somewhere!
Glad to hear you are having fun. I give up when I can't stand it any longer. No set rule for number of pages. If it is a review book, will skim and finish it if don't like it that much.
ReplyDeletethe fishing trip went astray...a screw up, not mine, meant that I spend a nice day in Anchorage, sans fly fishing rod.
ReplyDeleteand let's say I was as mad as I have ever been in my life...working on putting that behind me and enjoy the days ahead..including another try at the fishing in Denali in a couple of days.
as to the books, so far on my trip I have acquired 3 additional books, including two at Alaska Biggest Bookstore today. A nice bookstore...but let's say you don't have to go over board to be Alaska biggest bookstore. But I certainly have no more time for books I don't like. The unread are piling up! lol
You are one dedicated blogger!! I hope your cruise is fantastic ... I certainly do wish I was there with you!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree -- 50 to 60 pages is probably enough. I used to feel like I owed it to an author to continue but I don't feel that way anymore. The only exception is a book I got for review -- I do feel I need to struggle on through those!
Keep having fun!
i am afraid i will lose what readers i have if i disappeared for three weeks! ;-)
ReplyDeletebesides, i have an amazing amount of e-mail to read...and don't mention my google reader!! oh my!!