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? (courtesy of MizB)
Most of the times, I will continue to read a few more chapters if the story fails to hook me. There are two reasons for doing so: I hate to ditch a book without giving it a second chance; and then of course I am hoping that there will be some turn of events in the story. There are times I came across some books that have a slow beginning, or a premise that doesn't really hook me but as I read further, the plot is getting more interesting or intense that I couldn't toss the books aside. So if I give up a book without giving it another chance, wouldn't I have missed a great story?
However, I do have my limit and if after reading a few more chapters and the story seems to be going nowhere, I will either skim it or just give it up. As for reading the book for a book group discussion or for review, I tend to give it more of a chance to be fair to the other readers or whoever who send me the book so that I have a better view of the book for discussions and et cetera. It would be interesting to hear what other readers have to say about the book, even if some of us didn't really enjoy it.
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I should probably do the 50 page rule. mine
Even 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.
You are right that the book could get interesting after some time, thats the reason I try to drag it as far as I can. I don't have a page limit, it depends on the book really.
Bluestocking - Unlike you, I go by the chapters. ;)
Matt - I agree with you about the passages. If I'm interested about knowing the ending, I'd skim through it. Otherwise, I'd just give it up.
Violet - Indeed. I tend to go by the chapters than the page limit. But most of all, it really has to depend on the book and whether or not if it's getting better or worse. ;)
I don't like to ditch a book either and it doesn't happen often, thank goodness. I skim through too, or leave it and try again another day.
I usually give the book 80-100 pages, I never thought about skimming through the rest actually that was a good idea.
Here my Monday post
I have a 20 page rule!
Monday is here again
I agree about what you said about book club. Even if I didn't enjoy a book, I still love to hear what others thought of it.
Margaret - I too will set the book aside and will pick it up again when the mood strikes. ;)
Ladybug - If I'm no longer interested in the book, I'll skim through and peek at the ending, hehe.
Gautami - I opt for the chapters instead of the pages... I know it's weird but I just can't stand having the remaining of a chapter hanging. :P
Rebecca - We must have crossed post at the same time. ;)
I'm glad we share the same sentiments.
I don't have a hard and fast rule. I will persevere if it is a review copy, but if not, I will quit when something inside my brains says it can't take any more. Most likely this happens in the first 80 to 100 pages.
I give the book another chance when I come back for it after reading another. I couldn't leave a book unfinished. Even if its not interesting to me.
Mine just falls by the wayside on its own accord. Something else comes to mind and I abandon it without regret. Most of the time!
I don't have a specific page rule. I'm like you, I'll keep going hoping it gets better. When it doesn't after a 100 pages, that is generally when I give up. Like with my latest book. My post is up here
I usually try to drag it out. Because I will never know that it will get better later, as the story processed on. I give it a chance always. Sometime the moods take me away from enjoying the book. So I just close it, walk away from the book and get back to it in later time. This is usually the most case for me :)
However if it seem like the book isn't going anywhere, I will just close the book and move on to the next book.
Sandy - Me too, Sandy! I can't continue if the story is going nowhere. However, I'll take a peek at the ending if I've decided not to read it anymore.
Judy - I admit it irks me to leave a book unfinished. In this case, I'd most likely to skim through it, unless it doesn't captivate me at all.
Jaimie - I do have those moments too, haha!
Robin - I think every book deserves a second chance. If it still doesn't interest us, it's time to move on. ;)
Julia - Exactly! A story might have a slow beginning, so we've to be patient sometimes. ;) But still, there's a limit to my patience and I'll move on to another book if it doesn't live up to my expectations.
I share the same thoughts, Melody!
Alice - Looks like we've a lot of things in common. ;P