Monday, September 14, 2009

In A Reading Rut

Ugh, so for the past two weeks I've been in a sort of reading rut. I was incredibly excited about starting a book that's been sitting on my bookshelf for about a year now: The Stolen Child by Kieth Donohue.

While the book is decent enough and there are parts that I have genuinely enjoyed so far...overall, this particular reading experience has been lacking. I don't find myself looking forward to picking up the book to continue reading. I think it's mostly because there are parts that are just slow moving and kind of boring, which is unfortunate because the premise is really interesting.

Now, I bet I know what you're thinking. Why don't I just stop reading the book and start a new one?

Because I have issues. lol. I am one of those people who can't not finish a book, even if I dislike it (although there have been a few exceptions: Little Earthquakes and Macbeth are examples.) It bothers me if I don't finish what I start (it took me 3 months before I finally gave up on Little Earthquakes!) and I'm always hoping that maybe the book will get better if I just read a little bit further...

I'm unsure whether I'll finish the book or not. Perhaps I might just put it aside for a while and pick it up later. I just hate wasting valuable reading time not enjoying a book and then not reading at all because I'm not looking forward to picking up the book again.

What do you all do when there's a book you're reading and not able to get into? How far do you read to give it a chance? And am I the only one who has a hard time abandoning a book?

9 comments:

  1. Macbeth?!? You break my heart Cynthia... broken, I tell you...

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  2. I've read books like that and i really don't like stopping, hoping it will get better. But i have stopped reading some books, usually in the middle, because i just could not read any more. {{Sigh}} I guess not all books can be a 10!

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  3. I used to have a very hard time with it and I've sort of had to teach myself it's okay! I give it about 50 pages or so but there have been ones I've given up after more than that. Sometimes it helps me to jumpstart my reading if I move onto a different book. Or maybe just set it aside and read another book or two and then go back to it!

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  4. I don't like abandoning books either, but if I have a hard time getting into it I usually give the book at least about half through before I stop. Then I put it down read something I know I will enjoy to get back into reading then maybe pick up the book I had trouble with again afterward

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  5. This is a book I've wanted to read for a long time. I have left books before. The Historian, for example. Just could not get past half way. I don't have a problem doing that. There's just too many good ones waiting!

    BTW, I have an award for you Cynthia!!
    http://bookblabbing.blogspot.com/2009/09/awards.html

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  6. For people who love books and reading we have to remember that there are too many books in the world with hundreds being published continually; we HAVE to put books down if we can't get into them on occasion. If it's meant for you to read that one book, you'll see a review and pick it up again with fresh eyes. It's totally nothing to feel guilty about.
    Also, every continual, rabid reader needs a book break. You burn out. But you eventually come back to it. Once a reader always a reader.

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  7. Hey Cynthia!

    Just wanted to personally invite you to join my 50 followers giveaway :]

    http://ireadd.blogspot.com/2009/10/very-girly-giveaway-50-followers.html

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  8. Hi Cynthia

    I’d like to invite you to write about your favorite books at www.bookdrum.com, where you can add information, images, video, music and links to illustrate and explore the books.

    Right now, we're running a $3,000 Tournament and we'll be offering contract work to the best entries. Perhaps you'd like to profile Never Let Me Go? You'll find it under Fiction: Literary.

    Best wishes

    Hector Macdonald
    Editor, Book Drum

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  9. Hello Cynthia – I’m an author and a fellow Bookblogs member and I have an invitation for you. I’m getting in touch as my next novel, Thaw, will be posted online next year after its publication here in the UK. I wanted to invite you to participate in my Blogsplash on the 1st of March next year - there’s more information at http://www.fionarobyn.com/thawblogsplash.htm.

    Thanks for listening!
    Warmest,
    Fiona

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