Have you read this? If you haven't, do! It's a great read- fast, funny, and features Barcelona!
I was reading another blogger's post today about reading lists. Great thing, reading. We all seem to love it, and we voraciously tear through books in the summer when we are lying at the beach and when TV is out of shows worth watching. The question I would like to pose to you today is: When is it okay to give up on a book? Do you have to finish it just because it's on your list? Do you have to finish it just because you started it? Please let me know what you think about this.
I worked at a bookstore for about 4 summers during college, and I am definitely of the camp that life is too short and there are too many good books out there to try to struggle through bad ones. I saw this happen with friends of mine who just "couldn't get into" certain books- books that I and others loved. However, the writing style just didn't suit them or the characters didn't come alive for them. Hey, it happens. For me, I can read one, maybe two, chick lit books in about a 6th month period. After that, I feel that my brain is turning to mush, and I have to reach for something else. I do love them, I just can't do them all the time. However, spy books, CIA novels, anything to do with foreign espionage- yes, please! I love it all (totally my father's daughter here!) I have definitely quit books in the past, and, while I always feel slightly guilty about it (why?), I've learned that some just aren't worth it!
So, fill me in on what you think. Can you, have you, left an unfinished book? Also, I'm on the hunt for a few new books to add to my list, so leave me the names of a few of the best books you've read in the past 6 mnths. I'd much appreciate it- whatever genre they are :)
I have just adopted the 'life is too short to read a bad book' philosophy. I just returned 'Julie & Julia' to the library. I couldn't get into it so I will go see the movie and I will not feel guilty about it! On to Jen Lancaster!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like my kind of summer read! Thank you for the recommendation! Have you read the Mitford Books? Charming little series!
ReplyDeleteI give it 100 pages. If I still hate it, I chuck it. Life IS too short! Same thing with a movie. If we rent a movie and I hate it 45 mins in, back to Netflix it goes.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I'm not watching or reading much of anything these days. But I missed the blogworld, so I decided to check in today. Congrats on passing your tests, etc. Hope your summer is a happy one! xoxo.
I'm with TLM, I couldn't get into 'Julie & Julia' either. I'm going to check this one out! Sounds FUN! Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteDitto on the chick lit books! I'm a HUGE Emily Giffin fan, and those are really the only ones I've gotten into. If you haven't read them (most people have), start with Something Borrowed and work your way to Love the One You're With. :)
ReplyDeleteI gave up on a book a few months ago after a few chapters, and that's a rarity. I don't even remember what it was called, but I may try to pick it up one more time (5 hour flight to SF in a month!).
All time faves, which you've probably read - To Kill A Mockingbird, East of Eden, most Hemingway novels, The Great Gatsby, The Lovely Bones...
I've never read the book, but I'll definitely have to check it out! To answer your question, if I don't like a book about half way through, I give up on it. My take on it is that if you don't love it, then why waste your time reading a book you don't enjoy when you could be reading one that you love. I also use the library because I would get half way through a book and not like it and stop reading. That way if you don't like the book, you don't feel any guilt on not finishing it. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteI've wanted to read this one for awhile- thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteI'm a nerd that researches books before I pick them up- reccomendations on other blogs and on amazon. seriously- I'm a nerd. I gave up on one a few weeks ago 10 pages into it- the main character seemed like such a b-word and I just don't have time for that in real life, so why spend my free time reading about it?!
kHm
I don't normally give up on books because I find that I'll eventually get into them. I have given up on a few though!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite series (I listened to it while commuting to and from work) is The Camel Club series by David Baldacci. I really enjoyed it, and I just requested the first audiobook for my fiance today! Check it out. Its kinda along the lines of the spy/conspiracy theory/national secrets genre.
I loved Bringing Home The Birkin, so cute!!
ReplyDeleteUsually if I can't get into a book I have the terrible habit of flipping to the end and reading the ending so at least I know what happens. I know, such a bad habit!
There's something about reading during the summer for me.......I have a greater desire to read. I think it was because we always did the summer reading program at the library as kids. I requested the book you recommended from the library. Hope it's good! I don't have a specific philosophy recarding reading but I can and do ditch books without having finished them. If I like a book, I get into it, can't put it down and read read read! If I can't get into I'll put it down and forget about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm also ditching 'Julie& Julia' by Julie Powel. My sister recommended it - she said she couldn't put it down and read it in two days. I've given it 150 pages and more chances than I normally give books, but I just can't get into it. I don't know what it is - the author's rambling style maybe? Or the lack of a point? I'm sure I'd probably learn some life altering lesson if I finished it, but I've got more books coming up that I'm much more interested in reading.