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Original poster

How long would you try a book before you give up?

32 replies

Unicorn1981 · 30/09/2016 09:34

I'm currently reading a book which has rave reviews and is meant to be brilliant. I'm on about page 120 of over 600 and I'm struggling. There'll be what seems to be a good bit then it goes weird and I can't follow it. Then there's boring bits I just want to skim through. Life's too short to struggle through but how long would you give it? The book is called Skippy Dies.

OP posts:
SatsukiKusakabe · 30/09/2016 12:35

I'm didn't like the Goldfinch much, but glad I read it - she's a great writer and there was lots of good ideas in it, but, yes, disappointing. I read it over a couple of days ill in bed, if I was picking it up and putting it down over a week it might have stayed down Grin

Original poster
Unicorn1981 · 30/09/2016 12:18

Thank you everyone. I have way too many books I want to read so I'll give it a few more pages then give up! Seeline, you're not the only one who has said the Goldfinch is not good! Shame as I wanted to read that Smile

OP posts:
SatsukiKusakabe · 30/09/2016 10:16

Sorry didn't see you'd said the book Blush

Can't let you know if it gets better, sorry.

melibu84 · 30/09/2016 10:08

If I no longer want to read the book, I will stop reading regardless of how far I've gotten.

I recently bought The 5th Wave from The Works, hoping it would be better than the movie. It really isn't lol.

WowOoo · 30/09/2016 10:06

I would be giving up at 100 pages in. Out of every 5 times I persevere with a book I'd say 2 are worth it.

I have just put a book away that my friend insisted I read and stick with. I'm not enjoying it and my reading time is too precious.

I haven't read 'Skippy Dies', so can't tell you what I thought.

Seeline · 30/09/2016 10:00

I read for pleasure - if the book isn't pleasing why carry on?
The only one I have ploughed all the way through (because again it was getting rave reviews and I thought it must get better next chapter) was The Goldfinch. IMO it never did get better......

SatsukiKusakabe · 30/09/2016 09:53

It depends on the reason. I usually try and give at least 100 pages as it takes a little while to set a scene. Maybe more if it's 600 pages - I read a CJ Sansom recently that didn't kick off till half way through the 600 odd pages. Middlemarch, for example is a fantastic book that starts off iceberg-slow.

I have found myself lately pushing myself to finish a slightly dull book, if it's generally well written, so I give it a chance to all come together...however if I think the writing is bad (or just get the sense that the writer doesn't really know what they're doing e.g metaphors that don't work, cliches, ludicrous plotting) then I will give it up at the first instance without compunction Grin

Life is too short though, to read something you're not enjoying, and there are so many good books to read. You're not obligated to carry on.

What's the book?