I’ve mentioned before that I don’t have a problem finishing a book and I don’t. However, it’s a bit harder for me to move on this time around because I’ve hit upon several books that I’m just not finding enjoyable and the more I see them sitting on my nightstand the less I want to return to them.
So tonight I’m setting them free. I’m removing the bookmarks and putting some back on the shelf for a later date and some are going to the donation bag. What to know which books I’m giving up on?
First is Murder in the Marais by Cara Black. This book has a wonderful setting, Paris. I could almost taste the croissants and imagine the investigator stepping into a cafe but Aimee Leduc is not an investigator who I could really warm up to. I hate to tell you exactly why because I would actually be spoiling part of the book but let’s just say I really question her judgement. Not all of my P.I.s have to be perfect, far from it but again, there was just something there I couldn’t quite get past.
This other choice is a hard one to give up on because I really think it’s a book I would like but not at this time and that’s Manservant and Maidservant. What makes this one hard for me to get into is that it’s mainly dialogue and when I’ve put it aside for a day or two it is a bit hard to get back into because you feel like you are stepping into an ongoing conversation.
Then there is Requiem for a Mezzo by Carola Dunn. This is such a charming and cozy mystery series but this third installment wasn’t working for me. I like the main character a lot, Daisy, but the cast of potential murderers come off a bit like caricatures at times. I don’t know if that’s because there are two foreigners and it seems their differences just stand out more or what. I think I’ll just move on to the next installment and pretend this one didn’t happen.
Finally, Alone With You by Marisa Silver which is a short story collection. I think I’ve realized that for short stories to work for me they have to feel almost like a novel. Here I found stories that didn’t seem to go anywhere and I couldn’t tie them together. In all fairness I only read three of the stories so maybe it would all come together for me at the end but I think I’ll put this one back on the shelf for now.
Now, my nightstand is clear and I can pick up a new book tonight. I’m excited. The only thing is, can I at least count all of these to count as one book toward my end of year totals? haha. What about you? Given up on any books recently?
It’s the heat. I can barely concentrate on anything.
It will be better when you start up again in the fall.
I gave up on a non-fiction on the Enigma machine. Couldn’t keep track of the people trying to find out how it worked and the explanation of the machine itself.
I find it really difficult to give up on books. It has only happened a couple of times thoughout the nearly 5 years I have been blogging. I feel very guilty when I do give up.
I have only given up a handful of times. I’ve certainly put a book down, only to pick it up months later, but it wasn’t intentional.
The one book I remember setting down (and actually leaving in a train station in Italy) was Paul Auster’s The New York Trilogy. I made it through the first story, but when I got to a story with Mr. Brown, Mr. Black, Lady White (you get the idea), I was out. I couldn’t keep up with the characters, and I just didn’t care. I’m not much for metafiction or crazy contemporary styling, and this one just wasn’t for me. I knew I would never pick it back up again, which was a shame as I loved the cover. Oh well. It happens.
I remember Amy also saying she really struggled with Manservant and Maidservant… now I’m a bit worried myself :S Anyway, I think it’s great that you’re allowing yourself to give up on them. I hope your next picks work much better for you.
I know exactly how you feel! I have the same problem. A book I am reading is just repelling me – i simply cannot get through it. Think I will let your example lead and put it back and try something new.
In spite of my intentions of abandoning books that really don’t appeal to me, I usually push through to the very end. However, lately, I’ve pushed through a couple of really worthless reads AND abandoned several as well. Time for another trip to the library!
Sorry you had to give up on Manservant and Maidservant but I completely understand. I had to make it my commute book so I would read it M-F. Picking up the thread after the weekend break from it was very hard.
I don’t like to give up either, so when I gave up on Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver, it was a big disappointment. I have read everything she has written and really enjoyed them all. So..this one came as a big surprise when I found that I could just not get in to the story. I am chalking it up to the fact that I was just not in the right place to read it.
I’m surprised you didn’t like Aimee Leduc because I’ve heard great things about Cara’s series. Hmmm, maybe you can get back to these books in the fall.
I hear ya. When I get caught up in a bunch of books I’m just not enjoying, the best way to move on is pick something fresh.
It’s so often all about timing, isn’t it. The same book that stops you up for week can be the same book you simply can’t put down at another reading time. I have a few that are stuck in a holding pattern just now too…hope you find something more enticing imminently.
Kudos to you for giving yourself permission to just let them go for now. You might pick them up at a later date and enjoy them or they just may not be your cup of tea!
The only book I had to give up on was “Million Little Pieces”. I found it very repatitive and fake.
Oooh, it is so hard to let go! I applaud your courage. I have rarely done this, and probably should exercise the option more than I do!
Sometimes it just has to be done, no matter how hard it is. Hope you truly feel better now and are enjoying having a clean nightstand. Of course it is probably full by now of other books you are reading! 😉
I dont like to give up on books either, but sometimes it can’t be helped.
The last book I gave up on was Incantation by Alice Hoffman, which was really dissapointing because she is one of my favorite authors. I think it was late last year that I just had to put the book away about halfway thru. I hope to pick it up again one day.
I often move books from my night table back to the shelves either because they are not clicking or the mood has passed. There’s always another book around the corner, though. Too bad about Carola Dunn, but I think you can easily move on to the next without missing anything.