Which books have you decided not to finish and why?

[Fiddlesticks1]

Are there any books you decided not to continue reading and why?
For me two books.
The Plague Dogs- just found it too upsetting
and in the days of devouring books by Russian authors I gave up on Dostoyevsky because I found them depressing.

I loved it. It was very thought provoking.

It was just too long and repetitive for me

I used to read it on the bus to work and the day I felt tears welling up as I got on the bus as it meant I’d have to read it was the day I set myself free 😂

I’m currently reading The Housemaids Secret and frankly not sure what all the hype is. Thinking of ditching it even though half way through.
Thoughts please.

Agree with a lot of these already mentioned. I don’t get the praise for Donna Tartt. I couldn’t get on with the 2 I read. A lot of ‘blockbuster’ and ‘award winning’ books I find dull.

I struggled through The Wasp factory and that was hard work.

I didn’t finish A Gentleman in Moscow either I really wanted to like it. But I didn’t.

Same. This was recommended to me, and I gave up about half way through - it started off well, but just went on and on and on.... <yawn>

Re: Donna Tartt - The Secret History would be one of my top 10 books - I have always devoured Greek myths and legends. I found The Little Friend - long, like someone else it was given to me by a friend - it is nothing like her first book. The Goldfinch is on my tbr - but I see that some don't like that one.

I read this for a book group a couple of years ago. It was SUCH A HARD and depressing read. But I am glad I did you know as it has stuck with me. Similarly Milkman

I think Stephen King has a brilliant imagination and storytelling but the few books of his that I have read have all been just a bit too long and repetitive

Doris Lessing The Golden Notebook and Ulysses spring to mind but probably many others. When younger I always persevered but now I think I won't waste my life (except if it is for book group)

I didn't finish The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James, I wasn't engaged. Similarly, I finished but didn't enjoy two Wilkie Collins - The Moonstone, The Woman in White.

Yes. I used to persevere when I was younger. Now I have less time left to waste.

I thought exactly that about The Housemaid, which is why I won’t bother with the sequel. The twist you apparently wouldn’t see coming was actually fairly predictable, and not really worth the wait… but plenty of other people loved it.

Many of those mentioned I absolutely loved - The Secret History probably my favourite book, Wolf Hall, A Gentleman in Moscow, Catch 22, also very much enjoyed Piranesi, Orbital, Milkman.

Despite loving The Secret History however like others I started and didn't finish both The Goldfinch (although DH loves it and is convincing me to try again) and the Little Friend. Also gave up on A Little Life when I found I couldn't tell where I was in the book as it was just one misery after another all in the same tone - had I already read this bit or not?

Didn't finish either the Poisonwood Bible or Demon Copperhead, both by Barbara Kingsolver, not sure why, just ran out of steam, I might give DC another go. Other books I have given up on -The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell, have tried to read it many times, for some reason just can't get through it; Thirteen Stories by Jonathan Sims - love the Magnus Archives, but just finding these stories to be too similar so again I am floundering a bit in "have I read this bit already?"

When I get to the stage I am flicking ahead out of boredom it is generally curtains for the book. But there are books I have failed to finish that I have then started again another time and absolutely loved - Wolf Hall for one. Started it a number of times, trailed off, then one time I picked it up, read it straight through and then read the two sequels straight afterwards.

Butter! So boring. I finished it as I eventually found the boringness funny

Oh, I love both The Poisonwood Bible and Demon Copperhead.
But Prodigal Summer is my favourite of hers.

Life After Life. So repetitive and boring.

I finished it but thought it was boring.

I loved that. I didn't find it repetitive because it was slightly different with different outcomes each time.

I love all her books.

I thought the same thing, “completely unbelievable!”

Jude’s story doesn’t ring true at all!

I am Pilgrim - I enjoyed the story, but cut out half the chapters and you would still get the gist. Way too long

Wolf Hall
Anna Karenina

Omg this book was dreadful. I had to read it for a book group. I did finish but even now I don’t know why I bothered!!

One of the worst books I’ve ever read. Well written tosh.