Anna Begins Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I know we have a topic about abandoned books, but mine is a little different. What are your criteria for abandonment? I picked up Everything I Never Told You by Celeste NG, it's the first book off my 2017 TBR list. It is terribly written and not very good. But it's only the 8th of January! Abandon or not? I'm at page 107 of 293. It's also slowing me down, I've been reading over 100 pages a day. When do you decide enough is enough?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lau_Lou Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I think the thing to remember is not to ever feel bad about leaving a book unfinished. You never know you might come back to it and read it and enjoy it more. Or you might just dislike it and you'll be glad you left it. I personally find it hard to leave a book unfinished and that is only because I like to add books to my read list. Although I have left books unfinished before. The only thing I don't like which does not make it wrong, is when people rate book one star after reading ten pages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I don't like abandoning books, but sometimes you just have to. My criteria is when I just cannot force myself to read anymore. I have read many books that I didn't like but I still managed to get through them. But there are some very special ones that all the will in the world just cannot make me read any more. I recognise the cover of Everything I Never Told You....not sure if someone else on here has read it, or maybe it's been heavily promoted on Amazon. But I think if you feel that strongly, then just abandon it. There are way too many good books waiting to be read to waste time on something you aren't enjoying. Or, you could just tell yourself you are putting it to one side, to be continued with later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaliepud Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 If I'm not enjoying a book I don't read it, I used to do the 100 page rule, then the 50 page, in recent years I have ocaasionally decided after 15 or 20! I think by now I should know what I like. If I think it is down to my mood I may persevere or put to one side for another time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autumn Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I usually know within the first chapter or so whether or not I'm going to like it or not, and sometimes within the first couple of pages. To be honest if I start a book I usually try and finish it (even if it is super boring) because I hate not finishing them once I've started them. I think my OCD comes in to play here! The main reason why I don't like something though is usually because of the writing style so I quite often have a look at the first page or two before buying (or borrowing from library, friend etc.) as that gives me a general idea as to whether it is a style of writing that suits me or not. Books that I do already own that I haven't been able to get in to I put aside and go back to another day... sometimes months, or even years later and more often than not I get on much better with it second time around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 For me it really depends on the book. Usually I stop reading if I feel I'm really not enjoying a book. I don't have a set amount of pages I go by. If the book is quite short then sometimes I'll force myself to read it fully (though sometimes I regret doing so). I've abandoned books after 20 pages and after 100 pages. It really depends if I'm enjoying a book or not. I used to force myself to almost always finish a book, but the past while I feel there are too many nice books to waste time reading ones I don't enjoy. I find it easier to abandon library loans because I didn't pay for those. If I paid a lot of money for a book it's a bit more difficult. If someone gifted me the book I find it more difficult also. It's true though that when I'm in the library I'm more likely to give a book a go if I'm not sure about it, whereas I wouldn't spend my money on the book if I was unsure of it. So maybe it makes sense that I abandon more library loans, because some of those books are books I was less sure about (if that makes sense?) But I've also discovered some really nice books through the library. Sometimes a gamble pays off, sometimes it doesn't. I would say if you're really not enjoying a book, it might be time to abandon it. There are lots of other more enjoyable-to-you books around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirley Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 I think I have only ever abandoned one book. Cannot remember the name of it, because it was such hard work to read the content was just not registering with me. It went straight into the charity shop bag. I think that is why now I have three or four books on the go at once so that if something is a bit slow I can still pick a book up that I am enjoying and run with that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 I've read Everything I Never Told You, and really enjoyed it. Apparently I gave it 4.5/5 stars. I don't really remember it now, but I never remember books much. My cut-off point is usually the thirdway mark. If I get a third in, and it's still doing nothing for me, then I'll abandon it. I try to give it until that point in case it's a slow burner. On the flip side, once I reach two thirds, I keep going, because if I've gotten two thirds, it's usually readable, just maybe not very good. Some books I can tell very early on won't be great, but that's quite rare. More often in those cases, I'm not in the mood for that genre/writing style and put it aside for another time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeleine Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 I'm about the same ie a third of the way through or around 100 pages in, unless it's truly terrible - boredom is usually my reason for abandoning a book, but I do give them a chance in case they are a slow-burner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 I used to force myself to finish a book, but a few years ago I decided life is too short to read a book I'm not enjoying. I generally use the 100 pages rule, but sometimes I know far sooner if a book is not for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onion Budgie Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 Bad writing is my only criteria for abandoning a book. A dull book, or a book with detestable characters, I can slug on through to the end with those, but bad writing grinds my gears in the worst way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 I think my only criteria for abandoning a book is if I'm not enjoying it - I've given up after two pages, and I've given up after 200 pages of a 220 page book! I agree with others who say "life's too short" - I think I adopted this at about the age of 35ish, so I guess it has something to do with realising you're not immortal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeleine Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 If the story was OK, then bad writing wouldn't stop me from reading a book. Boredom is the number one reason! My quickest wallbang was The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, which got ditched after about 120 pages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraloves Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 I normally try for around 100 pages but sometimes if I'm really not enjoying it then it will be before. I find if I'm forcing myself to read then its not enjoyable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 If the story was OK, then bad writing wouldn't stop me from reading a book. Boredom is the number one reason! My quickest wallbang was The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, which got ditched after about 120 pages. The Suspicions of Mr Whicher is today's Kindle Deal. I was going to buy it, but in all honesty I'm a bit fed up of Victorian detective novels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 (edited) The Suspicions of Mr Whicher is today's Kindle Deal. I was going to buy it, but in all honesty I'm a bit fed up of Victorian detective novels. Oh god, that book was the pits!! 1/5! The author wouldn't shut up about a nightgown. It was on every page about five times (And I did finish that darn book because I thought it might be going somewhere. Nope!! I've never had any rules concerning abandoning a book. If I don't like a book or become bored, I leave it. I've abandoned a book only after a few sentences. Edited January 9, 2017 by frankie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted January 9, 2017 Author Share Posted January 9, 2017 Wow- thanks for all the responses! I guess I won't feel too guilty then. It just seems... it's only the 9th Before buying any book, I always read the sample. I've read Everything I Never Told You, and really enjoyed it. Apparently I gave it 4.5/5 stars. I don't really remember it now, but I never remember books much. My cut-off point is usually the thirdway mark. If I get a third in, and it's still doing nothing for me, then I'll abandon it. I try to give it until that point in case it's a slow burner. On the flip side, once I reach two thirds, I keep going, because if I've gotten two thirds, it's usually readable, just maybe not very good. Some books I can tell very early on won't be great, but that's quite rare. More often in those cases, I'm not in the mood for that genre/writing style and put it aside for another time. Hmmm. I keep getting the sisters mixed up and the flashbacks aren't distinct enough for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCat Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 (edited) You can always skip the book and look at the TV show. Seems there is a series with Peter Capaldi though I am not sure how good it is. Edited January 9, 2017 by MrCat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeleine Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 The Mr Whicher TV show was fine - he's played by Paddy Considine, it always seems to be on ITV3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.