Home

Saturday, October 15, 2016

What I'm Reading (and Why I'm Putting Some Books Down)

Ever read a book that leaves you so completely enamored that you read nothing else but that author’s work for about a month straight?

That was me this past August and September. A friend lent me her copy of It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover, and suddenly I was checking out every available Hoover title at my library and putting the others on hold. There are still a few more of her books I want to read, but you know how it is. Budgets and books don’t always mix, so shout at to my library.

This post wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t also talk about what I’m not reading.

For me, life is too short for bad books. Maybe “bad” is the wrong sentiment here, but the truth wouldn’t fit into a convenient motto. The truth is that some books just aren’t my taste or don’t hold my interest very well. I used to push through these books like I was a child being told I’d get dessert if I would just eat my freaking vegetables. But you know what you get for finishing a book you don’t like?

Nothing. No one cares, and now you’ve wasted your time. So repeat it with me:



I give books until about page 60 to turn things around. If they don’t? I take it back to the library and bring home another stack.

Right now I’m reading The Perfect Neighbors by Sarah Pekkanen. I’ve enjoyed her novels over the past several years, but I didn’t even realize she had a new book out until I spotted it with a 20% off sticker on its cover at Target. So far, so good (I’m past the 60-page mark, if you’re curious). Each character and her respective family is going through its own crisis, when from the outside they might even seem like the perfect neighbors.


So what are you reading right now? Did it come from the library, the store, a friend, or your own shelves?

11 comments:

  1. I think your 60 page rule is a good one. Sometimes they don't grab you at the beginning but slowly seep into your psyche. But you're right we don't all like the same books. Which is unfortunate when one is the author. Grin. I'm currently reading Karen Lynch's Relentless Series and loving it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's really why I give it at least 60 pages. I have some books that I absolutely adore (Like Neil Gaiman's "American Gods") that started off very slowly for me, but eventually grabbed my attention. I'll have to check out the Relentless series!

      Delete
  2. I find some books grab me slowly, but gain traction as they go along. There's only a couple of books I couldn't finish, but I made sure I gave them several tries over several months. I don't like the feeling of being beaten, plus I'm aware of the effort the author has put in, so I feel I should give it a chance.

    I'm currently beta reading for a blogger buddy - it's a fun, intriguing story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a good point about the author's effort, especially since so many of us know and understand what we put into our writing.

      Delete
  3. I hear you. I will make a couple of attempts like Annalisa, but some books have to go. Somedays it is me not them, and other days it is decidedly them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true! There are many books I've set aside as "not for me," but there have definitely been a few that made me wonder how they got published.

      Delete
  4. I've just recently discovered Karen Lynch! Thumbs up.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have too many books I want to read and not enough time to read them all so I, too, don't finish a book if I'm not engaged by it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep! I think that's one of the joys of being a reader -- it's OK if you don't finish a novel you don't enjoy because there's almost always a long line of books still waiting to be read.

      Delete
  6. Hi Caitlin.
    I try to pick up all of my friends books on my kindle. Plus some authors that I learn about. I know what you mean by bad books. I've read my share. As a self published author I have preconceived notions I must over come with readers. I've been writing for 30 years plus, unlike some who stick something together and put it up online. My favorite author at the moment is a member of my critique group, Crystal Hicken Collier and her new book Timeless. Released yesterday. To say this is something because I know too much to simply give praise but Crystal is right up there with Tolkien, Lewis and Rollings for me.
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete