The book my book group had for this month was so dull I stopped at page 33.Not sure when I had given up on a book but think life is to short to waste time. We met yesterday and every other member read the book and found it interesting. Different strokes.

Really difficult when the book is written by a friend who finally got published....and the book is really, as someone put it "A hard read".
I'm probably going to have to lie about that one.

I have found it easier to dump the dull ones now. It's the Internet! I don't have to read in order to just pass time.

The author's style means a lot to me. I think some could make a telephone book interesting.

And THANKS for libraries everywhere!!

The books that are discussed at the discussion group at my library are chosen a year in advance by us, the members. Boy, the last two months we sure did a lousy job! Those two books (non-fiction) fell into the category of something one should read for enlightenment (!) or to broaden one's knowledge, but they were hard-going. I wasn't the only member who didn't finished reading them! Of course, I joined the group to read things I might not choose for myself, but that's the way it is.

I think that this topic, which I find very interesting, would be more relevant if we knew the names of the books and authors. Why are you all holding back? Linda, you have a GOOD reason not to mention the author. I have a few of those on my bookshelves, too. (By any chance do I know the author of whom you are speaking?)

Linda~ the problem when friends publish is that they are generally friends,close enough to have over for coffee but not so close that absolute honesty is an expected part of the relationship. In those cases, it helps to be sideways-distracting (and not too outspoken about one's own opinion); so something like: "I'm just so proud of you for getting published! Did it take a long time? Did the editor require lots and lots of re-writing? Did you get to choose your cover? Do you have to do bookshop tours?" and any other indirectly relevant questions you can think of. It is possible to fascinated by the process more than by the final result; and most people can detect true interes t as well as faux praise so the more questions you can think of that indicate a true interest, the better. Of course, if the author flat-out asks your opinion of the writing, then you have a dilemna :)

rhizo~ I'm noted for having a selective memory which tends to delete author-names and titles except in outstanding cases (outstandingly good). However, I looked the reject up: "Blur" by Bill Kovach was the 5-page flop. While the writing probably improved later in the book, I just wasn't able to force myself to find out where.

I just took a book back to the library without finishing it. It wasn't BAD, it just didn't catch my attention enough to finish it.

It was a memoir of Jameson Parker (remember Simon and Simon?). He was shot in some type of assault and ended up with PTSD, I think. Anyway, he basically moved to a ranch and became a cowboy. The book is mostly (at least as far as I read) about his experience becoming a cowboy. The book is called, "The Accidental Cowboy."

Thanks to my Kindle, MP3 player/audiobooks and a paperback (loaned to me by a friend) sitting on my bedside table, I have too many stories going on. A book has to catch my attention :)

Most times I trudge my way through. This one was due back, so I just took it back!

Lisa

The books I have a hard time finishing aren't because they're poorly written. It's usally because I feel like they can see right through me! too hard. I'd rather read those, I can't put it down books! but then I don't feel as though I learned anything, which I really like to do. It's a toss up as to which I am feeling at the time. Fluff can be fun!

I find that the older I get the fewer books I read. I know that about myself so I don't buy many books any longer.
If I get interested in a book, I go to the library.
I was very interested in the Patricia Cornwell series of the Scarpetta character.
Although I found the character interesting and liked the way the book was written, I did not finish.
This has more to do with the fact that I don't read books, than how the book was written.

West Gardener: I loved the series, but I haven't read the last few books....she just got too gruesome, too dark.

I love the library for that too! It is a great way to check out an author. Actually, I just LOVE the library! That is the best tax I pay!

Lisa

The nearest library is 22 miles away and has reduced hours (Budget problems), as I don't drive any longer, this is not an option for me. We used to have the book-mobile once a week, one could order books on the I-net and they deliver them and pick them up, but Bookmobile got axed also.
I subscribe to the Quality Paperback book-club and buy a fair amount, pass them on to other readers and get some given to me, it works, but I sure miss the book-mobile!

Lilosophie: Have you tried an electronic reader? My library allows me to "check out" books on my kindle. I thought all libraries had that service, but I have friends in rural areas that do not, so it is possible your library doesn't. I love being able to log on and check out a book at midnight if I want to!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my kindle. Amazon also gives away free Kindle books. I know you are on FB, there are a couple pages on there that will send out notices about particular books that Amazon has for free that day. However, they list them on their site, so you can certainly just check them there.

Yes, I sometimes do not finish books. As a readaholic and speedreader I depend on the library and if I don't like a book I don't have to read it out of guilt that I bought something I don't want to read. Our library allows me to check out books on my nook, a lifesaver this week. Was Monday and Tuesday at the cancer clinic as volunteer and was called out of it on Tuesday afternoon by the Red Cross to help set up an emergency shelter at a city facility for the families evacuated by a chemical spill and fire. So I sat the last three days with my e-reader in the shelter, had really nothing to do, just be there and got books from the library even in the middle of the night.

lilo, I remember the Bookmobile and I'm also sorry to see it go. I remember the children standing in line, waiting to exchange their books.