You know the story...you have a million books to read and review, and you've started to learn that your reviewing time is valuable. Plus, you have a little less patience for the read that's taking just a little too long to get into. So, you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. Do you keep reading and hope things get better? Or, do you call it a day on the book and put it down? There are definitely books that I debated this very thing regarding, and I'm so glad I ended up finishing them! Take a look:
Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
All These Lives by Sarah Wylie
The Diviners by Libba Bray
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
The Host by Stephanie Meyer
Between by Jessica Warman
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater
The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature from The Broke and the Bookish.
I was very close to stopping Not a Drop to Drink, but I ended up finishing it because it wasn't that long of a book and I was surprised by the decisions the author took. They were all very realistic.
ReplyDeleteBlood Red Road is book I most definitely stopped. I just couldn't get into the weird writing style. But I've heard that once you get used to it, the book is actually really good, so someday I'm going to pick it up again. I've heard a lot readers mention that The Burning Sky was a book they wanted to stop. I'm surprised because it's one book I simply couldn't stop reading, but I understand that not every genre is for everyone.
The Hunger Games is one book that I had to stop and then when I read it again, I ended up loving it. Losing It by Cora Carmack too. I hated the main character the first time I read it and then I read it again last year and love how awkward she was. I think mood has to do a lot with your enjoyment of a book.
Thanks for sharing, Melissa!
Blood Red Road was tricky for me, Nick. I couldn't get used to the writing style for a while, so I closed the book and restarted it with a clear head. In the end, I think Ms. Young was a genius to write in dialect. It really sets the mood for the book - and it sets it apart!
DeleteI can't give up on books - even if it means skimming just to find out what happens. It's great when you almost give up though and it turns around to the point of loving the book in the end.
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
Nice list. I don't like giving up on books and never DNF a book until I started blogging. Now if I am really struggling with a book then it just isn't worth it for me. I am like the only person who didn't get Code Name Verity, I did not like that book at all. It was just a little too ridiculous for me. Quite a few of the ones you mentioned are on my TBR list so I will be sure to stick with them if I struggle a bit with any of them. Nice picks :) Here's my TTT.
ReplyDeleteI have had those too and ended up loving them
ReplyDeleteAhh, The Scorpio Races is probably my favorite book! I still need to go back and finish Code Name Verity. I'm also hoping to read The Burning Sky soon!
ReplyDeleteI struggled with The Host as well and chose it for my own list. I want to read Not a Drop to Drink soon, and I must remember to keep going with it if I start to lose interest, thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteAlma @ Journey Through Fiction
Good list, I actually ended up loving The Host but the beginning of the book was really slow so I totally understand wanting to give up on it.
ReplyDeleteI've almost put down a couple of these. I haven't picked up others. But I am planning to. Still, some that I know people are raving about I just haven't been able to get into. Is it me or just the timing??
ReplyDeleteDon't know.
Gah, I feel like such a loser. I haven't read any of the books on your list yet. I've been too busy with school but I want to half the books on your list and they're on my tbr. But I'll take it as a good sign that you didn't DNF them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
I actually almost put down The Diviners as well because it is such a long book, but I'm glad I didn't because it was quite brilliant. I actually DID DNF The Scorpio races, so I'm glad to hear that it was worthwhile in the end. Thanks for the post, Mel!
ReplyDeleteJeann @ Happy Indulgence
I'm curious as to why you almost dropped Code Name Verity. I haven't read the book but from what I've read everyone loves this one! Tell me, tell me why!
ReplyDeleteThere was a good bit of backstory in the beginning that I struggled to get through. I think that, after reading so much fiction, it simply made me struggle with the difference!
DeleteI've put down The Diviners and Not a Drop To Drink, though I do plan to pick them back up at some point. I just couldn't get into them at that time, which happens, you know? :)
ReplyDeleteI almost put down Blood Red Road and Code Name Verity too, but I'm so glad I stuck through with them. Also: THRILLED you didn't give up on The Diviners or The Scorpio Races. Both those books are just so, so incredible. :)
ReplyDelete