Do you ever put a book away before you reach the end?
Editors say an author must hook a reader within the first couple of pages. True for some people, maybe, but not for me. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and try my hardest to fall into your imaginary world. I want to escape reality and I’m hungry for the opportunity.
I’m in the first third of a book that I’ve heard many, many people rave about. They must be talking about the story and not the writing style because the entire thing is told, not shown. Yet the story’s not grabbing me, either! The last few times I’ve had a minute to read, I’ve had to force myself to pick it up.
Telling instead of showing is a major no-no and this is a well-known author. It’s driving me crazy! I keep trying to like the book, but I can’t get into it. This is actually my second attempt. I shelved it about a year ago, deciding I might not be in the right mood for it at the time. Well, I don’t think I’ve been in the same mood for so long.
I’ve got to break up with the book.
Instead of a pickup line, I’ll use a dump line. It’s not me; it’s you!
But breaking up is hard to do. I’ve only stopped before the end of two other books in my entire life–once for moral reasons and the other time because the first five chapters of a HUGELY popular novelist were all telling.
Adding to my angst…I had a package in my PO Box yesterday. Return address of Zondervan. My first reaction?
Did they hear about my new book? My agent hasn’t even sent it out to them yet! Could it–
Of course not, silly fiction writer. It was an advance copy of a book from a very talented author who won’t be telling me anything. She’ll transport me into a whole new world full of people I can’t wait to meet. Then I’ll write a wonderful review for her so others can enjoy her world as well.
Not only do I have to break up with Current Book, but I’m lusting after another! Do I keep reading? Or do I give myself the freedom to stop?
Take it from me – you do not need to stay in this bad relationship any longer! I read one book through to the end recently and the entire time, said to myself, “Why are you doing this? You hate this book!” I’ve learned, my time is too valuable to waste on a book I don’t love! It may be you, it may be the book. Just ditch it and move on. That’s my advice (strictly limited to the book realm, mind you!)
STOP! Why bother? I stopped reading many a book. I may be a picky reader or something. I don’t know. I used to force myself through it (I think so I wouldn’t feel like I was wasting the money) but I just won’t do it anymore. It turns my fun, past-time into torture and I just won’t do it. Stop the madness!
Drop that loser!!!
I used to not be able put now a book, now I have too many vying for my attention!
Okay, ladies! I’ll kick the book to the curb…but I need an accountiblity group. You have my permission to check in to see if I’ve read another word of it. If I have, I need a consequence. Keep me strong!
Too funny!
I used to finish every book I read, but as I’ve gotten more picky as a writer, I become less patient with the books I read. I probably only finish 2/3rds of what I read.
Ok, can’t help myself – I finish the book because even if I don’t like it I need to know what happens – LOL! Given that 95% of the books I am reading I am also reviewing, I don’t have much choice.
BTW I have signed up for your newsletter Christina 😉
Thanks for stopping by my blog…and to answer your question, yes. I usually give it a chance to redeem itself, though, unless the first chapter is completely useless. I will flip through and try to find a paragraph or two that is interesting. If I can find a bit of something, sometimes I will continue the relationship a little longer. I actually did this with a Francine Rivers book not too long ago. IMHO, the first couple of chapters didn’t do the rest of the book justice. Turned out OK.
Those instances are few and far between.
I say drop the book. Life is too short to waste the time. I have learned in the last few years to drop a book that doesn’t grab me within a few chapters. That has included some very popular and prolific authors.
Once I took a workshop on “Reader’s Advisory” at a librarians’ conference. The instructor gave each of us a bookmark that said:
“Get out of this book guilt free!”
Christine, I have an extra copy of this bookmark if you need it. 🙂
Rel, you’re our first off-continent subscriber! We’ve gone worldwide!!!
And Judy, you’ll probably need to bring a copy of the bookmark to OCW this summer.
I keep walking past the book on the table and the only thing keeping me from picking it up is the fact that you all have given me permission to let it go.
Yep, you’re still guilt-ridden. I’ll add the bookmark to my list of items for the OCW summer conference. 🙂
I’m guilty of reading a book through to the end just because it’s there. But, I have to agree with the other comments here. Life these days is too busy and free time to valuable to waste.
Can I ask you a question, though, from a non-writer? What exactly do you mean by telling instead of showing? Hoe do you distinguish between the two? Since a book is all about the words, how does an author show and not tell?
Here is a suggestion for those who have to know the end, even if they don’t like the book … READ the end and then drop-kick the book. I have thus far been able to read all the books owned these last five years or so without a wince. There was one, last week, that took me a little longer. I think that was more my taking time to be lazy. But, usually the books I have been given to review since becoming a reporter have been cookbooks. I really need something else. Got any new ones to send my way… I am game. The books I have read for enjoyment, I just haven’t submitted a review. But, if someone wants a review, happy to provide it and my editor will welcome it.