Play Book Tag discussion

I need advice. I'm reading Project Hail Mary and I'm not enjoying it. I'm on p. 318. Af first I liked it but now I have to force myselfto read it- it feels like a chore. I know it sounds dumb but I never abandon books- and I'm more than halfway through. I guess I just need to hear someone say that it's a waste of reading time and that I should just stop.

I enjoyed this book however I listened to it which added to my enjoyment.

I enjoyed it. I do agree though that I had my moments with it where something irritated me but I still wanted to find out how it all came to an end. If you really are not feeling it, skip to the last chapter or two to see ending and move on.

You should enjoy your reading time, if not what is the sense of it.

This might not be the right time to read it or it may be the book is just not for you. I have had that happen with books that everyone else seems to love.

Theresa, I just picked up the Gellhorn book from the library. So I was hoping to finish this before I start it. I'm offfrom school this week so it would have been ideal but the best laid plans...

Sallys wrote: "Theresa, I just picked up the Gellhorn book from the library. So I was hoping to finish this before I start it. I'm offfrom school this week so it would have been ideal but the best laid plans..."

Hannah has to finish and review her book before you can start the Gelhorn anyway. You might want to message her to see where she is.

Sally, I've had that happen to me. It's okay to stop reading a book if you're disliking it.

I use my reviews as a reading journal for myself. I make a note of why I'm disliking the book and if there are any positive aspects to it. I don't give it a rating. I've seen other readers here do the same.

If you have already reached the part where an unexpected character shows up and you aren’t enjoying it, I’m pretty sure you won’t change your mind.

My resolution this year is to not to finish books that aren’t interesting me, even if it’s for a book club, even if I “need” it for a challenge, and even if others raved about it. Theresa loved The City We Became, and I got maybe a quarter of the way through, and felt like it was the same thing over and over, so I quit. Sorry, Theresa!

First hey there Sally! I’ve been missing you and I hope you’re enjoying what must be February break!

I’m like you, and have never been able to abandon a book. But I hope that you’re able to do it if you don’t like it. But if you’re not able to do it, I would go with the skimming trick. Rifle through some pages to see if anything interesting is happening. Skip entire things unless you find them compelling or informative. Get when you came out of it and do it in under an hour or two. Unless you can completely ditch.

I highly recommend the audio book and I think that's why I loved this book, but if you are not enjoying it, I say "punt!"

I never used to ditch books either, Sally, particularly after I’d already invested quite a bit of time in one. I always had to see how it finished in case it redeemed itself. But that was very rare, so I’ve got more ruthless and now try to avoid the sunk cost fallacy - I give it a good go, and if the book still isn’t working and I don’t want to finish it for some challenge or other, then I’ll stop. I’d rather use my reading time on something I enjoy. I don’t care if it’s a popular book. I was two thirds of the way through the first Bridgerton when I finally threw it at the wall, shouting, lol

Bravo, KateNZ -- it takes all of us some time, some experience to learn how to use our time. I agree - stop when it does not matter, it is boring, it can not get your interest!! Dumping a book is something we have to learn to do - our parents taught us to always finish what we started. Bah, humbug. peace, janz

I am the Queen of DNF-If I am not enjoying it, out it goes. It took me years to have this attitude, but now that I do my reading time is so much better-never a chore, just pure enjoyment

I'm a finisher, but I also read fast and I have no compunctions skimming through a book that's got sections that don't capture my interest.

Actually, one book I nearly DNF even though for my Feminerdy Book Club was The Left Hand of Darkness. For some reason something happened that I persevered the last 24 to 36 hours before Feminerdy met to discuss. Much to my astonishment, I hit the final section which I loved (Feminerdy refered to it as the 'boys adventure section') and in fact made me glad I pesevered though it did not improve my review of the book.

The book I resent finishing - wish I had left DNF - was Wolf Hall. 2/3rds of the way through I put it aside, only going back a month or so later to finish it. I wish I had abandonned.

On thinking about it, I think one of the reasons I tend to just about always finish books -- maybe not right away but at some point (there are a few exceptions) -- is that my profession has me reading all kinds of things that aren't necessarily enthralling. I've developed a skimming technique that gets me finished quickly and I can move on.

I get so much more reading done now that I allow myself to DNF.
However, I have some non-specific point of no return, like over halfway I may just finish it. That could also depend how long it takes to read the rest too though. If halfway took me a long time, due to being dense or whatever, I may not want to finish.

Once you start DNFing more often it is truly freeing :)

Join ussss, Sallys, join usssss 😈

Sally - I bet JoAnne will be more than happy to give you tips for most effectively throwing that DNF against the wall.

😅🤾‍♀️📚

Actually, I think I'm going to take a page out of your book(ha ha) and skim. I've finished over half so that seems the best option.

I loved the book but I think it was because I did the audio. I know it wouldn't have gotten such a high rating for me if it wasn't for that.

That seems to be a common sentiment

I read this one as well and I thought I kind of just plodded along. But then I really really loved the last 20% or so and that made me round up to a 4.

Having said that, I fully support DNF.

Im at 76% so I guess I'm doing it. Tha'ts exactly how I feel- like I'm plodding along!

The Skim and Trim option has saved me many a time!

I've also skimmed to find out what happened, or in nonfiction to get the main points.

I didn't like every part of it and for a while thought it might be 3 stars for m, but I liked it better than Artemis and gave it 4 stars.

If you really dread reading it, drop it unless you are reading it for points or a challenge or something. I gave it 4 stars, but I tend to like Andy Weir. Feel free to read the last chapter so you know how things turn out (it sounds silly giving you permission, but just in case you have a hard time reading the end before you finish or if you want to drop it).

I didn't like every part of it and for a while thought it might be 3 stars for m, but I liked it better than Artemis and gave it 4 stars.

I'd say just set it aside. If it's not meaningful to you now, it won't be by the end. If you change your mind and start to think about it later, you can pick it up again. Or send me a DM and I'll tell you how it ends. It's not for a challenge so you get PBT credit whether you finish or not.

There are too many good books to waste time on books you're not enjoying.

Amy wrote: "The Skim and Trim option has saved me many a time!"

I think I've only ever DNF'd one or two books in my life. I am one who - if I'm not liking it - will skim. I don't think I skim quite as quickly as Amy, but I do skim

So, i ended up finishing and I liked the ending but the rest of the book was too technical for me. Now I am choosing my next book which I have to finish by march 15 and I want to make sure I choose one that I'll love. the nominees.... Here I am, the Invisible Life of Addie Larue and Euphoria and How Beautiful We Were.

Sallys wrote: "So, i ended up finishing and I liked the ending but the rest of the book was too technical for me. Now I am choosing my next book which I have to finish by march 15 and I want to make sure I choose..."

I'm glad you were able to finish it.

I think you would like Addie LaRue. I only read the first couple chapters then had to take it back to the library, but I am back on the wait list-

Addie LaRue was in my top 10 last year, and lifetime top reads. I loved it.

Decided on Here I Am- Addie Larue is next.