Question of the Week:
If you read a book you ended up hating, would you stay away from future books by that author, or would you give them a second chance? (submitted by Maria @ A Night's Dream of Books)
If you read a book you ended up hating, would you stay away from future books by that author, or would you give them a second chance? (submitted by Maria @ A Night's Dream of Books)
My Answer:
I might try another book by the author, but the same 100-page rule would apply.
I am very particular about the books I read and don't read any books that aren't to my liking.
I know....call me a book snob. :)
I think it would depend on why I hated it.
ReplyDeleteMakes sense, Kathy.
DeleteThanks for stopping.
I am willing to try another book if the synopsis appeals to me.
ReplyDeleteThat would need to be a factor for me too, Anita.
DeleteThanks for stopping.
I think your 100 page rule is pretty smart. I'm really bad about finishing books I'm not enjoying and there's no telling how much time I've wasted when I could be reading something I actually like!
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to stop reading, but why keep going when we could be reading something we liked.
DeleteThanks for stopping, Katherine.
I will usually give authors a second chance, but rarely a third.
ReplyDeleteGood plan.
DeleteThanks for stopping, Nicki.
That's a GREAT 'rule' you have there, Elizabeth! Really, giving a book 100 pages will keep one from wasting time, when there are SO many other books out there that will definitely capture one's attention! I should do this, too.
ReplyDeleteHeck, I should also do this before signing up for a blog tour! Sometimes, when I receive the materials from the book tour company, and read the excerpt they send me, I actually CRINGE....but, since I've already committed to the tour, I have to go ahead and publish the post, with the HORRIBLE excerpt included....
Thanks for your no-nonsense approach to uninteresting reads!! I will put it into practice the very next time I pick up what might look like a great novel! Lol.
Hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend, Blizabeth!! Thanks for always visiting my BBH post and leaving such nice comments!!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!! Enjoy being treated like the Queen you are!!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)
Thanks for the Mother's Day greeting.
DeleteI have bailed out of tours. Didn't want to, but also didn't want to read something I didn't want to and do a bad review on top of that.
Thanks for stopping, Maria.
You're more than welcome!! HUGS!!! <3 <3 <3
Delete:)
DeleteI wish I could stick with a page rule like yours! For some reason I just have to finish every book, though I'm working on DNF'ing more often.
ReplyDeleteOh...I have learned to not read a book I am not enjoying. It is difficult to stop, but why read something you can't connect with. :)
ReplyDeleteGood you are working on DNF'ing. You sort of have to.
Thanks for stopping, Brooke.
I can't think of a book I actually hated--but, I agree, I likely wouldn't finish it if that was the case. There have been books I've read (and finished) that I didn't care for (although I liked something enough to keep reading) though and generally I'm willing to give the author a second chance.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great week, Elizabeth! Thanks for sharing.
Always good to give anything a second chance. :)
DeleteThanks for stopping, Literary Feline.
For personal reads I have a similar guideline, it's three chapters. I had a Lit professor who said if you are reading in a genre you like and the author hasn't grabbed your interest within three chapters they have failed as a writer. I know that's a little harsh, but I think it is a pretty good rule of thumb. For review books I give it a little more room at 30%. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a very good rule!! Why read something you don't like.
DeleteYour Lit professor has the right idea. :)
Thanks for stopping, La La in the Library.
I won't continue with a book that I don't like either. Usually, I give it around 20%, give or take, and if it's not doing anything for me or I just plain don't like it, I will mark it as a DNF. Life is too short and there are too many enjoyable books out there.
ReplyDelete20% is a good gauge.
DeleteI agree...too many good books out there to force yourself to read something you don't like.
Thanks for stopping, Kathryn.
Nope, not a snob - very clever tactic! I should learn to apply that. I tend to "struggle" through a book sometimes only to realize that it was for nothing!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to remember the 100 page rule. Thanks for sharing!
Hope you have a good week so far. xoxox
Oh yes....it isn't worth continuing.
DeleteI used to struggle to finish books before and then was angry with myself because I had wasted my time.
Thanks for stopping, Mareli.
I have that same rule, reading up to about 100-150 pages before tapping out and realizing it isn't for me. I tend to cheat and when I decide that I am not going to continue on I will look up what is going to happen and then be done. I tend to mark it as "read" on my Goodreads, but unless I have a deep hatred about the book I won't rate it. Life is just too short to make reading a chore by reading bad books!
ReplyDeleteGreat answer!
That is funny how you look up what happens. :)
DeleteI don't rate any books I don't finish, though.
Exactly about life being too short to read something you don't enjoy.
Thanks for stopping, Heather.