Today’s suggestion is from Cereal Box Reader:
I would enjoy reading a meme about people’s abandoned books. The books that you start but don’t finish say as much about you as the ones you actually read, sometimes because of the books themselves or because of the circumstances that prevent you from finishing. So . . . what books have you abandoned and why?
I'm one of those people that HATES to quit reading a book....even if I'm having a hard time with it (ie The Sea by John Banville). But there have been a couple of books that I have stopped reading in the last few years.
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson was such a dull, dry book that I had to stop. It took me almost a week to read about 40 pages. I just couldn't stand any more!!
Wings of the Dove by Henry James. Ack! This book was SO hard to read. Sentences would run for more than a page. Paragraphs would run for 3 pages. By the time I read the preface, I knew I wasn't going to finish this book!
OK....this may be a book that everyone LOVES (so don't hate me for saying it!) Wuthering Heights by Bronte. I actually think it was probably timing when I tried to read this one. The characters just annoyed me so much....they were all crazy!! And I think I had a lot of preconceived ideas about what this book was about. By the time I got to about the 8th chapter, I just had enough. I will definitely try to read it again sometime. And hopefully, I will get through it!!
Happy Thursday!
20 comments:
I know what you mean regarding timing when reading. I think that has more to do with how much one enjoys a book as anything.
I loved Wuthering Heights when I read it as a teenager but wouldn't read it again, I think I would be annoyed by the characters!
Henry James is hard work but his books that I've read have been worth it in the end (Wings of the Dove is sitting in my 'to be read' pile)
Lisa - So many people have told me how much they enjoyed Wuthering Heights....and I just couldn't get into it. Maybe another time! Thanks for stopping by!
Crafty - They annoyed me to no end!! Bunch of crazies!! Thanks for stopping by!
We should make t-shirts: I hate James.
Read WH someday, ok?
Chris - No kidding. After the failed Wings of a Dove read, I don't think I'll ever pick up another of his books!! Yeah...I'll try Wuthering Heights again. Hopefully with better results!
I hated Wuthering Heights! Maybe I read it too late. Maybe it's just a confusing and annoying book. whatever. I'm glad I slogged through, and glad I'll never have to do that slog again!
That said, I love Henry James.
Oh, thank God! I tried for three weeks with "Gilead" and only got to about page 50 as well, and when it started being so popular, I couldn't figure out what I was "doing wrong." But I never went back.
Liked "Wuthering Heights" but the class was given a time-line to help us figure out all that. Wouldn't read it again, fur 'zacly the reasons cited. They are all crazy. I understand some of the reasons why, don't understand why people love Heathcliff (he's horrid), but don't need to read it again. Loved Jane Eyre, though. Guess I'm just more Charlotte than Emily; I think Char got out of the house (and her head) more. ;-)
Timing is everything, for me, but I think there are some books that are just not right for each of us. I hated Wuthering Heights - finished it, but I didn't like the characters and am still baffled when people talk about it as if it's romantic. I don't get that; I thought it was just depressing and wistful.
The other two books you mentioned are books I own but haven't gotten to. Cringe. We'll see . . .
I still think I'll try Wuthering Heights (just because), but I think I'm sworn off Wings of A Dove.
I did finish both Gilead and The Sea but I don't get why they are supposed to be such great books!
Almost everything Henry James is rough for me, but I did love Turn Of the Screw. I was a angst kind of kid so Wuthering Heights was perfect for me. I'm still a sucker for the dark and broody boys.
Donna
Timing is everything...I'm so agree with you! And our reading moods play a part too.
Nowadays my reading depends a lot on recommendations from book blogs. I think I'm more picky now as compared to the past because I simply don't want to waste my time reading a book which I don't enjoy while there are so many good ones lying around.
Happy BTT!
I actually finished Gilead - though I have no idea why. That is one I should have given up on. Maybe that should be the follow up question. What book should you have abandoned and didn't?
Oh, you hated GILEAD? I LOVED that book. I thought it was a beautifully written contemplative story. Usually GILEAD isn't my type of book, but I couldn't put this one down. I'm sorry you didn't like this one. : (
I'm not sorry you hated WUTHERING HEIGHTS. I was forced to read this for a class (college). I was happy to have done so because I'd planned to read it one day anyway, but by about the first third I was ready to shoot myself. I kept thinking, are these two deranged people supposed to be a romantic couple because I'm not buying it. And I did not like Heathcliff - not in any way, shape, or form. Give me the much better JANE EYRE any day.
I finished The Sea, but only because it was so short.
really? I enjoyed Wuthering Heights. I have preconceived notions about it as well, but was pleasantly surprised.
The characters in Wuthering Heights annoyed me too. :-) I did finish the book and liked it okay, but her sister's book, Jane Eyre, will always be a favorite of mine.
Stephanie, I couldn't get into Wuthering Heights either.
like you i hate putting books down, although over the last few years my eyes have opened up to just how many good books there are out there and i realised it simply is a crime to carry on with a book you're not enjoying... not a bad book, mind you, just one that you're really, really, not enjoying.
so very recently, two years ago, i started abandoning books. not many, but some.
and i totally agree with your critereon - if its boring, then its seldom worth it...
I'm with you on Wuthering Heights. I liked it when I read it the first time, then read it again and was annoyed by the characters. I'm more of a Charlotte Bronte person, and even Anne Bronte. I think Emily was a little crazy herself!
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