Because there are so many amazing books out there, it's been a rule of mine for quite a while that I only have to read the first fifty pages of any book I start. If, at or after that 50 page mark, the book still hasn't hooked me, or I don't like it for some reason, I have full permission from myself to put it down and move on.
Guilt-free.
Lately though, I've been rethinking this. Not so much because I feel bad about not finishing books (though there is that, especially with ARCs), but because I've recently read a few books that weren't that interesting at the 50 page mark. It wasn't until page 60, or 70, or even 90, that I really felt myself become invested in the book. Some of these books, one in particular, are ones that I happily finished and really, really enjoyed.
So now I'm thinking about turning page 50 into page 75. Or 100. On the one hand there are those books that pick up after page 50, the ones that I'd be missing out on if I put down so early, but then on the other hand... most books that I'm not interested in at page 50 are ones I still won't like at page 100.
I don't know. I'M STUCK IN A QUAARRRY*. What do you suggest -- is 50 pages fair or too short? Do you have a similar rule when reading or are you one of those readers who finishes every single book?
*"Parties are like frisbees. If you throw them the wrong way, they'll veer off in a bad direction and then your kid will fall into a quarry. Don't throw a party for vengeance. It will turn on you. Like your wife, after your kid has fallen into a quarry." (Tracy Jordan, 30 Rock) QUICK, TO THE BATMOBILE!!!
I finish every single book.... sometimes I wish I could stop a book I wasn't enjoying, and it does mean I have negative reviews sometimes when another person may have given up on the book. but yeah, maybe some day. I'm just one of those people who has to finish everything- books, boxes of cereal, etc before I throw it/pass it on.
ReplyDeleteI knew a librarian who said the rule for number of pages before you give up on a book was 100 minus your age.
ReplyDeleteI guess if you're over 100, then you can just judge a book by its cover.
Zoe
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with people who finish every book... I don't think I could do that.
Sarah
Oooh, that's a good rule, but it also means my number of pages will change a little each year, which I'm not so okay with. So maybe changing the 50 page rule to 70, 80, or 100 would be better for me.
If it hasn't picked up by page 100 I ditch it. I dont want to waste my time finishing a book I know I don't like. I'd rather use my time to read something I will like.
ReplyDeleteI tend to finish every book I start. I might put it down for a while and read another book, but then I always come back to it. Unfortunately I tend to feel guilty if I don't. I know I shouldn't, but I also worry that something great will happen midway and then I'll miss out just because the beginning kinda sucked to me!
ReplyDeleteHmm I usually do a lot of research about a book before I read it so I'm sure that there's a good chance I'll enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteHowever, oftentimes if I read the excerpt from a random book at the library, I'll check it out as a spur of the moment kind of thing, not knowing what other people have said about it. (Risky, eh? I live life on the edge man.) And my general rule for those kinds of things is that even if it doesn't grab me within the first 50 pages (or 100, or whatever number you choose), I'll let myself come back to it in a couple days. If by the time I return to read it after a week has passed, and I either don't remember what I already read or if it's even worse than when I first started reading it, then I drop the book and search for another good one to read.
And if I'm still curious after a month or two has passed (but still know that I won't read it), I just read the plot summary online to find out what happens. (Shame on me, but I only do that for books I know I won't read.)
Anyway, sorry that was such a confusing ramble. But good luck on your reading adventures with those less-than-impressive books!
I like the fifty page rule myself. Your life is only so long you know? Why waste time with something that you aren't enjoying when you could be reading something good?
ReplyDeleteI have the 50 page rule as well because it's true, life is too short and there are too many good books (well, I'd hope so) out there to waste my time on a not-so-good one.
ReplyDeleteThe 50 page rule can get tough to stick to when I'm not sure about the book by that point, so I might still keep reading.
Another thing is, if the book is 400+ pages long, I *might* give it 70+ pages before putting it down. To be proportionate you know. I hate to not finishing books, but come on, reading shouldn't be torture. You can never tell with books, they're like people.
Have I ever regretted breaking the 50 page rule? Yes.