Peamac
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea # 418
Posts: 4,240 
|
Post by Peamac on Apr 4, 2016 13:03:22 GMT
A high school English teacher friend of mine tells her students to give it 10% before deciding to quit. If the author hasn't drawn you into the book after you've read the first 10% of it, it probably won't. Move on to another book.
|
|
|
|
Post by whopea on Apr 4, 2016 13:09:08 GMT
It depends on whether I'm reading for pure enjoyment or for a book club. I try and struggle through each book club selection and have been successful on all but one. If it's for pleasure, I quit after the first few chapters if I don't like it.
|
|
|
|
Post by mari on Apr 4, 2016 13:14:27 GMT
Unless it's a book for school, I would stop reading if it wasn't catching my attention.
I download tons of free books on my Kindle and often read a page or two of several books before choosing one to read.
If it's a popular book, or one that was recommended to me, I'd probably give it a few chapters before stopping.
|
|
|
|
Post by deshacrafts on Apr 4, 2016 13:18:46 GMT
About two years ago, I gave myself "permission" to quit reading. So many books, so little time.  This is what I did a few years ago. I figure there are to many good books for me to read to read one that I'm not really enjoying. I will quit reading as soon as I am not enjoying the story. Could be a few pages to a few chapters. |
|
scrappyesq
Pearl Clutcher
You have always been a part of the heist. You're only mad now because you don't like your cut.
Posts: 4,069
|
Post by scrappyesq on Apr 4, 2016 14:52:14 GMT
I read a lot of romance. I gave up on one recently when there was a shootout on the street within the first 5 pages.
Seriously? Regency England? I read to escape the madness, not to get thrown right back into it.
|
|
|
|
Post by colleen on Apr 4, 2016 15:37:59 GMT
The author, T. Jefferson Parker (God, that sounds pretentious, let's just call him Jeff) visited a writing class I was taking and I was lucky enough to chat with him for awhile. He mentioned that "life is too short to read bad books." Genius.
|
|
breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,316
Location: PNW
|
Post by breetheflea on Apr 4, 2016 15:45:53 GMT
I usually give it 50 pages (not sure what that equivalent is on my e-reader) but this year I made a list of books I wanted to read by the end of the year and I've been pushing through. I've been doing a lot of skimming just to get to the end. I either have been choosing some bad books or am reading books I'm not in the mood for this year. I can't wait to go back to my this book is boring, move on to something else plan.
|
|
mallie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,253
|
Post by mallie on Apr 4, 2016 15:47:40 GMT
I have quit in the first paragraph. If the author has an egregious grammatical mistake, factual error, or just poorly written, I have no problem stopping immediately. Another writing choice that makes me quit quickly is if the author phonetically writes the dialogue for a character speaking in a dialect or accent.
|
|
Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,891
Location: Kansas City -ish
|
Post by Anita on Apr 4, 2016 17:38:44 GMT
One or 2 chapters in. Nicholas Sparks and Janet Evanovich. That was enough to realise that I wasn't going to get the appeal of either of these authors. I thought I was the only Nicholas Sparks hater. I do NOT like his writing. I haven't tried Janet Evanovich. Thanks for the warning.  |
|
|
|
Post by AussieMeg on Apr 5, 2016 0:00:40 GMT
Another writing choice that makes me quit quickly is if the author phonetically writes the dialogue for a character speaking in a dialect or accent. You wouldn't like the book that I just finished then. It is set in the UK's "Black Country" (West Midlands) and some of the characters say things like "gor" for "got". For example: "Any jobs was writ on the board and I just gor on with 'em."  I thought I was the only Nicholas Sparks hater. I do NOT like his writing. I haven't tried Janet Evanovich. Thanks for the warning.  I'd decided to see what all the hype was about. A friend told me to try "Dear John" because it was his best book. One chapter in I was thinking "Lordy, if this is his BEST one.....!" I couldn't read any more. |
|
|
|
Post by newfcathy on Apr 5, 2016 0:50:59 GMT
I have given up on John Grisham, actually only read three or four as they seemed to share the same plot. I really the first one, though.
Janet Evanovich was once my favorite author. #10 was the best. But she is killing me with the wishy washyness of Steph & her two guys.
Only read one N Sparks. Read a few D Steele years ago.
Steven King scared the pants off of me.
Have also lost interest in Grafton, Patterson.
|
|
|
|
Post by newfcathy on Apr 5, 2016 0:51:31 GMT
I gave up on John Grisham, actually only read three or four as they seemed to share the same plot. I really the first one, though. Janet Evanovich was once my favorite author. #10 was the best. But she is killing me with the wishy washyness of Steph & her two guys. Only read one N Sparks. Read a few D Steele years ago. Steven King scared the pants off of me. Have also lost interest in Grafton, Patterson. |
|
|
|
Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 5, 2016 0:57:05 GMT
The Kindle sample is as far as I get. If I'm not hooked by the end of it I don't download it.
|
|
|
|
Post by DinCA on Apr 5, 2016 1:02:20 GMT
I can tell by the first chapter whether I want to invest my time or not, which is why I love being able to read the first chapter for free. If I've paid for the book, I almost feel obligated to read it but I have given up on a few about halfway through.
|
|
|
|
Post by chaosisapony on Apr 5, 2016 2:34:43 GMT
It's rare I don't finish a book regardless of how bad it is. I will usually give it at least 10 chapters or so but last month there was one I was reading and I only made it a page and half in. I just wasn't interested.
|
|
