tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post7010309989178350975..comments2023-11-02T02:40:48.410-07:00Comments on Crime Fiction Collective: Book DumpingL.J. Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213491074676394406noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-63049121770330459142014-03-10T13:55:01.358-07:002014-03-10T13:55:01.358-07:00I just bought one of hers this weekend, and a Koon...I just bought one of hers this weekend, and a Koontz. Reading the Koontz now and absolutely loving it. Oh, and I purchased a much talked about non-crime fiction... THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-43365796234435204862014-03-08T12:54:25.646-08:002014-03-08T12:54:25.646-08:00Boredom is huge. Nothing going on is terrible. We&...Boredom is huge. Nothing going on is terrible. We're supposed to entertain, for crying out loud.<br /><br />Good points!Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-2011244879722877742014-03-08T12:52:42.280-08:002014-03-08T12:52:42.280-08:00Tom, you reminded me of another issue some readers...Tom, you reminded me of another issue some readers have, and that's presenting something (even if it's not critical to the plot) that obviously hasn't been researched and is totally incorrect. I have friends who have closed the covers on a wonderful book because the author got one tiny detail wrong.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-13060714662585058222014-03-08T12:50:06.014-08:002014-03-08T12:50:06.014-08:00Thanks, Kris.
My DNFs are also books others love....Thanks, Kris.<br /><br />My DNFs are also books others love. That just goes to show the wide variety of reading tastes out there.<br /><br />Thanks for joining the conversation!Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-72245438320804180572014-03-08T12:46:54.742-08:002014-03-08T12:46:54.742-08:00Exactly why I'm trying to pay attention. *wink...Exactly why I'm trying to pay attention. *wink*Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-9940854237925040732014-03-08T12:46:15.051-08:002014-03-08T12:46:15.051-08:00I've heard of that age rule before. Sort of re...I've heard of that age rule before. Sort of reflects the "life is too short" philosophy.<br /><br />There's something about Scandinavian books that drag for me and I've learned to pass on them.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-26036119076491174232014-03-08T12:42:37.137-08:002014-03-08T12:42:37.137-08:00Looking forward to that list! If you can, make a q...Looking forward to that list! If you can, make a quick note of the reason(s) you quit reading.<br /><br />Btw, not liking a book until Chapter 31 is beyond my endurance.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-46537867626014094992014-03-07T17:55:17.410-08:002014-03-07T17:55:17.410-08:00I've only had a few DBFs. My first was some ol...I've only had a few DBFs. My first was some old paperback thing I picked up somewhere about vampires in Victorian England, and it was boring as hell. The next was John Jake's historical series. Around about book 3 I started to realize how dark his books were (to me, anyway). He had a penchant for killing off all the good characters I cared about, so I dumped him. My latest DNF was by an author I usually like reading - Dan Simmons. I tried to get into "Abominable", read about a 100 or so pages, but it was tough going. Too much of nothing going on but exposition and back story (to me, anyway. Others may like it).Richard Freelandhttp://dragonlyre.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-48455603787685766442014-03-07T17:53:58.633-08:002014-03-07T17:53:58.633-08:00Great addition to the list, Tom. I definitely agre...Great addition to the list, Tom. I definitely agree with that one!Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-69041528722143904832014-03-07T17:50:52.981-08:002014-03-07T17:50:52.981-08:00I am a recovered "have to finish if I start&q...I am a recovered "have to finish if I start" reader. <br />As others have said above - life is too short! I usually give the author 75 to 100 pages before I bail. If at that point I really don't care what happens to the characters and/or the plot is lame...adios.<br />I would add to your list - plots that are not credible or are founded on an errant premise.tom combsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-75270216298009456822014-03-07T17:39:55.301-08:002014-03-07T17:39:55.301-08:00I have had more DNFs than I used to. And yes, too ...I have had more DNFs than I used to. And yes, too many characters and most of them are characters I don't like (big name author characters). I find using the Kindle hard when there are too many characters cuz I can't keep going back and forth to figure out who they are. But, to be honest, I'd probably not like them in a paper book either! I feel horrid about DNFs I've collected, especially when EVERYONE seems to LOVE them. (caps included!) Personally, if I want to ground your character in the first two chapters, I'm not gonna want to finish your book. I have cats and young adults in my house, I don't need fictional brats, too. Your first point is also one I can relate to. Heck, even Pollyanna was seriously injured at one point. Good stuff!Krishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09393350646392616997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-39090693688670530632014-03-07T17:23:35.013-08:002014-03-07T17:23:35.013-08:00Your list has me mentally rechecking my current wo...Your list has me mentally rechecking my current work-in-progress for symptoms of DNF. That's good, because the points are valid enough to stir wariness of falling into a pattern--one that paves the way to an author's worst nightmare.ANDREW E. KAUFMANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835920472268730244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-47682588351826435052014-03-07T15:42:59.385-08:002014-03-07T15:42:59.385-08:00I used to feel obligated to finish any book I star...I used to feel obligated to finish any book I started (probably because my mom brought me up as a member of the 'clean plate club') But lately, I've been following the rule: Subtract your age from 100. That's how many pages you should feel 'obligated' to read. And I've lost the guilt about giving a book a DNF. Whether I go back to that author again? Maybe, but I definitely wouldn't pay for the book. Libraries are my friend. I remember someone telling me that if I got past page 200 in Dragon Tattoo, I'd like it. I don't think it should take 200 pages to get to the 'good stuff' (and I only finished the book because it was a Book Club pick)Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-6654073343945112462014-03-07T12:58:59.319-08:002014-03-07T12:58:59.319-08:00Same as your husband, I used to feel obliged to fi...Same as your husband, I used to feel obliged to finish the book, even when I had to go back to it a few years later (which happened with Pride & Prejudice, started it a few times, but forced myself to finish it until last year. I started to love it on chapter 31!). <br /><br />When it dawn on me that I may not have all the time to read all the books that I want, I've started to turn more selective in my reading, and feel no qualms about dropping a book if not engage. This year I began a two-column list: finished & unfinished. Will give you the results by December. <br /><br />My gauge as to when to stop reading is very empiric and far from rocket science. I'd sum it up by saying that if I reach 10-5% of it without me realizing it, it is a good sign. Other books I keep track of the % every page...that's a bad sign. (If printed then page 50 if the point of no return.)<br /><br />J. H. Bogránhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11139508453464446992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-74123426065502527682014-03-07T11:03:51.150-08:002014-03-07T11:03:51.150-08:00Smart!
Blogmate Sheila Lowe just told me she does...Smart!<br /><br />Blogmate Sheila Lowe just told me she does something along the lines of a food test. Read while eating, and then if she wants to continue with the story she's good to go.<br /><br />Did I get that right, Sheila?Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-68993388236583278452014-03-07T10:59:36.258-08:002014-03-07T10:59:36.258-08:00I've only just recently given myself permissio...I've only just recently given myself permission to not finish a book I've begun reading. For me, there's no set criteria--only that if I do not find myself drawn to pick it up when I'd otherwise be ready to sit down and read, I know it's time to move on. Ken Isaacsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00524482815336010200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-25624595555140496292014-03-07T10:52:01.870-08:002014-03-07T10:52:01.870-08:00I can take a few graphically violent scenes, inter...I can take a few graphically violent scenes, interspersed through the novel, but don't hit me with one on the first page! That's a real turn-off for me. I need to work up to these things.<br /><br />I love Karin Slaughter - she's an excellent author! Other favorite authors of mine like Robert Crais and Lee Child do include graphic violence, but again, they're interspersed and infrequent enough that I still enjoy their novels.Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-1602583622581690302014-03-07T10:45:10.083-08:002014-03-07T10:45:10.083-08:00I was reading a book by Karin Slaughter awhile ago...I was reading a book by Karin Slaughter awhile ago (another favorite), and she does have some rather graphic scenes. Not too many, but she doesn't shy away from them either. One day I want to go back and dissect them, but at the moment I was too into the story to want to get all craft-oriented.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-32384422733850665112014-03-07T10:41:11.057-08:002014-03-07T10:41:11.057-08:00No, Gayle! I promise! This detective had absolutel...No, Gayle! I promise! This detective had absolutely no sense of humor. Or humility. I love Peri!Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-38272671704638137582014-03-07T10:38:18.143-08:002014-03-07T10:38:18.143-08:00Excellent list, Peg! I heartily agree with all you...Excellent list, Peg! I heartily agree with all your criteria for giving up on a book. For me, I'd add "Too much graphic violence."<br /><br />I don't pay more than about $13 for a book, and rarely that much. I buy a lot of e-books and second-hand books and also use the library. I buy new paperbacks by my favorite authors or other bestsellers. I don't buy hardcover books anymore.<br /><br />Since I edit books all day, for my own recreational reading I'm very discerning - okay, fussy. Okay, demanding. If a book doesn't grab me by the end of the first or second chapter, I'm outta there! Totally guilt-free. Life is too short and there are too many other great books out there to waste time with a boring or mediocre one.Jodie Rennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17180607353893233389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-69178187980399947742014-03-07T10:33:19.341-08:002014-03-07T10:33:19.341-08:00A blond female private detective? Oh no! It's ...A blond female private detective? Oh no! It's Peri! (LOL)Gayle Carlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783449240138097315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-83677733598625157762014-03-07T10:18:13.259-08:002014-03-07T10:18:13.259-08:00To be honest, I'm not sure who the author is f...To be honest, I'm not sure who the author is for the one whose character I disliked. The character was female and a private detective. I think maybe she was blond. <br /><br />The discussion about the one with way too many characters is best done over a glass of wine.<br /><br />The book I'm reading now is DON'T GO by Lisa Scottoline. I'm enjoying it, have had a suspense track in the back of my mind from the beginning, but I'm not sure she and I are going to the same train station. Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-51716433927894828772014-03-07T10:08:49.469-08:002014-03-07T10:08:49.469-08:00Can't help being curious about these apparentl...Can't help being curious about these apparently big named authors you're talking about. I'll freely admit that I've been very disappointed with some of Elizabeth George's recent departures, and Patricia Cornwell's, too. It's as if the characters have the same names but are different people than they started. Well, I suppose you could say that's the character arc, but that's sort of like a bait-and-switch.<br /><br />As for your question, it depends. I've put down a few books recently, but they're mostly ones I've downloaded through BookBub--authors I was trying out on the cheap, and decided they were not for me. But when I invest more than $20 in an author I've been loyal to for years, I tend to finish.Sheila Lowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02444737798319597136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-40891119422645253032014-03-07T08:57:11.856-08:002014-03-07T08:57:11.856-08:00There ya go... you're gettin' it. ;-)There ya go... you're gettin' it. ;-)Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4954486699810607306.post-38094533420163585882014-03-07T08:42:57.484-08:002014-03-07T08:42:57.484-08:00I'm afraid I'm like your husband, Peg. I f...I'm afraid I'm like your husband, Peg. I feel almost obsessed with finishing any book that I start, even if it's a horrid one. Sometimes I wonder if it's like that obsession to clean my plate because children are starving somewhere in the world.<br /><br />The only book I haven't finished is The Pickwick Papers, and I don't consider that a DNF. It's just that I pick it up, read a chapter, go away, and then have to re-read the chapter because I don't remember what was happening. <br /><br />Still, I have the same gripes as you, that IF I were to discard a book before finishing it, those are the reasons. I've encountered them all and suffered through them. Perhaps I should stop doing that. Life is too short to read bad books, huh?Gayle Carlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15783449240138097315noreply@blogger.com