Does anyone else remember the Ramona Quimby books by Beverly Cleary? I devoured those books in probably third grade or so…and there’s one part I still remember today. Ramona had to write a book report, only she didn’t really like the book she’d read, so she got up in front of the class and ended up saying, “I can’t believe I read the whole thing.”
Do you ever feel like that?
I used to—because I used to think that if I started a book, I had to finish it. No matter how much I disliked it or how boring I found it or how much I wished I could be reading something else. But I’ve gotten over that! In fact, I recently picked up a book, read the first three pages, and decided I couldn’t get into it. So I set it back down—without feeling guilty! There are so many books out there that I want to read (hello, overflowing TBR!) that I don’t want to waste my time on a book I’m not enjoying.
My husband, on the other hand, recently listened to 53 hours of the audiobook of The Count of Monte Cristo—even though he found it boring and tedious in large sections. I kept asking him why he didn’t just stop listening—to which he said he’d invested so much time in it already that he had to finish it. I didn’t know whether to be impressed by his tenacity, or depressed by the thought of all the other audiobooks he could have been listening to and enjoying in those 53 hours instead. (Don’t worry, after finishing it, he found a new audiobook series that he enjoyed so much he’s already on his second listen to it!)
But our varying book-finishing attitudes has me wondering how you feel about finishing books. And what better way to find out than a survey!
And one more question for the comments: Do you prefer to race through a book and read it in one or two sittings or to savor it over the course of several days? For me, it’s over the course of several days—but that’s mainly because of time constraints. If I had a day to just sit and read, I’d devour books as fast as I could!
Valerie M. Bodden has three great loves: Jesus, her family, and books. And chocolate (okay, four great loves). She writes emotion-filled Christian fiction that weaves real-life problems, real-life people, and real-life faith. Her characters may (okay, will) experience some heartache along the way, but true to her tendencies as a hopeless romantic, she will always give them a happy ending. Valerie is living out her happily ever after in Wisconsin with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and their four children. Visit her at www.valeriembodden.com to get a free story.
I am a book devourer! The first reading is always quick, but I often go back to a book that I have already read and enjoyed and read it more slowly. That’s when I get to enjoy the nuances, the descriptions and really take it in.
it really depends on the book. If it grabs me and I can’t put it down then I want to read as much as possible. But others it will be over days or longer.
On the question about how long before stopping I did put chapters but there are things that make me stop within pages. A recent one was the swearing. While it is mild to many the one word used a lot is a word I still remember getting into trouble for saying by mum. One instance I could let go but several in a few pages I just couldn’t keep going.
Your husband did well 53 hours! I remember watching Gone With the Wind and was now thats 4 hours I will never get back. Only redeeming thing was there wasn’t anything else on it was pouring outside and I was covering books so was at least doing something while watching (and now I will be black listed for not liking this classic).
Savor it.
Hi Valerie! Thanks for the fun survey. For this retiree, even as a teen, I always wanted to read a book in one sitting. Since my parents napped Sundays after church, that was when I read non stop. If the book is too LONG, then I read the last chapter / ending. That is my real answer to question 3 above. As a retiree, my attention span is shorter and my eyes get tired quicker to I prefer to read novellas that I can finish in a day, even with interruptions. Looking forward to read the responses. Best wishes.
I didn’t like it either!!
I have more time to read, now I’m retired. And I rush through it anyway, wanting to see what happens next. But I don’t mind re-reading books, and get more detail the second time.
I usually read a book in 1-2 days because I cannot put it down.
If I’m not enjoying a book very much I’ll skip through it. If the book is good, I like to take my time reading it.
I’m sort of a combination. I used to almost always finish a book but as I’ve gotten older I will sometimes stop reading or at least skip along. If I find that the book has language/content that I see as an issue I will stop reading much sooner than if I just can’t get into the story. I never, under any circumstances, read the last page first. I have an aunt who does that and I have never understood it.
Fun survey! I tend to read way too fast, and then later may not remember much about the book :-) My aunt likes to read the end first, but not me! Some books that are long and deep I will slow down and savor, but most often, I’ll read as fast as I can, and then go back and read it again later.
I’ve never read the book nor watched the movie!! Neither could hold my attention!!
Over the course of several days. Only Novellas will I read in one day.
I do both! If a book holds my attention, I’m going to read it as much as possible! The only thing that gets in the way is work and life! Some books take me a few days to get through, others not so long, but it depends on the type of book and how long it is!
What a fun survey! If a book is really exciting, I tend to race through it, but will often go back and read more slowly. My tolerance for stories I can’t get into has greatly reduced. If I’m not hooked within a few pages, I’ll set the book aside, but might be persuaded to return to it if people whose opinions I trust insist that it gets better.
If I really get into a book, I’ll easily finish it in a day or two.
I like doing both.
That sounds like an ideal process! I admit I don’t reread a lot of books (my TBR is so high, lol!), but I did just start rereading Pride and Prejudice because sometimes you just need to savor an old favorite.
That’s a good point! Some books you just can’t put down and others take longer for lots of reasons. I’ll put a book down because of the swearing too, so I don’t blame you for that! I’ve never watched Gone with the Wind, though I’ve read the book…but it’s so disappointing when you invest all that time into characters only to get to the end and think that’s time I’ll never get back, lol. Glad you were able to get something else done while you watched though so at least it didn’t feel like a complete waste of time!
Books can be so delicious to savor!
Hi Renate! Glad you enjoyed the survey! I love that you finish books in one sitting–that’s impressive! I can see how novellas would be just the right length for reading in a day. I’m not sure if I could bring myself to read the ending before getting to it even in a long book because I love the anticipation–but maybe if it was one I wasn’t planning on finishing but wanted to know how everything turned out. Thanks for sharing!
That’s the thing…some books you just have to race through to see what’s going to happen! You can always get the details later if you read it again. :)
That’s awesome! Love those unputdownable books!
Yes! I should have asked a question about skimming or skipping parts you’re not enjoying. I usually just put a book down at that point, but sometimes you do want to know what happens! I love a good book that I look forward to coming back to the next day. :)
I feel the same way about reading the last page first–just why, lol! But I know some people want to make sure the book is going to be worth their time to read. For me, it’s the surprise of the end that makes it worth my time!
Glad you enjoyed the survey! Good point that some books do require a slower read because of their length or depth. But sometimes you just have to race through a story to see what will happen!
Novellas can be just the right size to read in a day! :)
If only work and life didn’t get in the way, lol! Think of all the books we could read! But I agree that it definitely depends on the book–some you just have to read every spare moment you find!
Glad you enjoyed the survey! I’ve experienced that reduced tolerance for a story I can’t get into too–I think it’s because I’ve realized the vast number of books out there (or maybe I’ve gotten less patient, lol!). But you make a good point about following the recommendations of people whose opinions we trust (critical reviews or mass appeal have less sway for me than that of a friend I know enjoys the same kinds of books I do).
It’s awesome to find a book that keeps pulling you through the pages!
It can really depend on the book (and how much time you have in a given day!).
This post caught my attention when you mentioned Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books. I devoured every one that my small school library had when I was in, like you said 3rd/4th grade, and saved up money to buy the others from the Weekly Reader.
If I don’t like a book after three or four chapters, I typically just quit reading it. To continue reading it, I would probably have had to receive a big recommendation about it from a friend.
If a book is good, and I have the time, I will devour it; reading straight through into the night. Sadly, I don’t have as much time to read like that nowadays.
The Romana books were so good…my youngest is just about the right age to introduce her to them now! And your mention of Weekly Reader really brought me back. It was always so fun to peruse and carefully select which books to get. :) I can completely relate to not having as much time to just read for hours these days…although I confess that there are nights I stay up way too late reading, lol!
If it is a book I really get into, I want to savor it. I just finished your book, Pieces of Forever. I loved it! I didn’t want to put it down. But because of the other things in life, it took a couple of days to finish. I also find that it takes me a little while to start a new book. I just don’t want to leave to characters and/or location of the book I just finished.
I like to savor my books especially if I really like it a lot, it feels so sad when I finish it only because I didn’t want it to end unless it is a book series, I still take my time reading them though.
Do you prefer to race through a book and read it in one or two sittings or to savor it over the course of several days? I guess it depends on the book :) sometimes I read through the night when I can’t put it down; even though, I have to work next day…
Same! I pretty much read a book over the amount of free time I have to read it. It can be in a whole day or two, or it could be over several days.
Oh I can totally relate to not being ready to start a new book after finishing one you really love! You just want to hold on to those characters and that whole feeling of being there! I’m so glad you loved Pieces of Forever! ❤
I know what you mean! You want to know what happens next, but you know the faster you read the sooner it will be over and you’ll be sad that it is. I love series because then you don’t have to leave that world even when a book is done!
Lol! I’ve been guilty of staying up way past my bedtime reading too! :)
Yes! If only we didn’t have anything else to get in the way of our reading time! :)
I really like to read a book in one sitting. Also, I LOVED Beverly Cleary books!
what’s even funnier I remember Mum talking about going to Gone With The Wind at the movies when it first came out. They had intermission then the second part. Mum left at intermission thinking it was over. She wasn’t enjoying it and wasn’t upset not seeing the end but it wasn’t till her sister came home and asked what happened to her that she found out she had missed half the movie.
One of the books with the cussing I don’t think the author actually realises what the word she is using really means. There is a similar word that could have been used with the same effect.
Oh I admit I sometimes read the last page just to check something. not as much as I use to but I did recently to make sure I was right about something. (I was)
That’s awesome! And I can’t wait to read the Beverly Cleary books with my youngest!
That’s so funny! Glad she wasn’t upset that she missed out. :)
I’m a fast reader, so I tend to race through books.
You can get so many books read that way!
If I had the time, I could read a book in 1-2 days, but I have read them in one especially if I just CAN’T put it down (Karen Kingsbury books tend to do that). Most times a longer book can take me 4 days just because I don’t have the time to sit and read much. I used to feel guilty about taking too long, but I’ve since gotten over that, lol!
As for not finishing books, my rule of thumb is if I can’t get invested enough by the end of the first chapter, I put it down and move on. Because yes, hello TBR pile….lol! I have had a few books where I tried to push it because I liked the characters enough to want to know what happens, but then the story starts petering out and I just don’t care about it anymore. Sometimes in those kind of books, I sneak to the last chapter to see the end result because the happily-ever-after is my favorite part. :-) I agree, why finish a book you don’t like when there are SO many more waiting!
It depends on the book. Most of the time, it is over a few days or week. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Glad you’ve gotten over your guilt about taking too long to read a book, lol! It usually takes me much longer than 4 days to finish a book. Now if there were endless hours in a day… But alas, there aren’t, lol! I can see skipping ahead to the end if you know you’re not going to finish the book…you still want that satisfaction of the happy ending. :)
I’m like that too…or often longer than a week, if I can’t fit in more than a chapter or two a day. But I love when a book has me eager to come back for more, no matter how long it takes!
read when I have time
Usually several days
Couple days
That’s the hard part–finding time!
Glad it’s not just me! Plus, you can savor it longer that way. :)
That’s great! I’m sure you get through a lot of books that way!
It depends on the book, there are some that I like a lot but they are more calm or funny stories so I make them last without feeling anxious about what will happen. Others I have to know what happens next and there is no way I can make them last more than a few days (it would be hours if I could).
I like comfort books (such as the classics, especially those by Jane Austen) but they are so calm that they can last for months, I read a chapter or a few pages when I have time or I need to read something quiet.
Such a good point! Some books are more of a leisurely read and some you just have to keep turning pages until you get to the end! I just started rereading Pride and Prejudice (again, lol!), and I’m really savoring it. :)
I’m like you and read when I can fit it in. If it’s a really good book, I become so torn about wanting to race through and wanting to delay to savor it as long as I can.
The struggle is real! I never know which way to go either. I want to know what happens, but I know I’ll be sad when it’s over!
I am sort of inetween. If it is a reallly good book and i want to know how it ends, I will read it as quickly as I can and other things can wait. If I like a book but it is not overly exciting, I will take my time with it and complete other tasks first.
I usually read a book a day. There are rare times that it will take me a little longer to read a book.
If I’m reading a great book, I’ll keep reading it if time allows. Those are the best books -the ones you just can’t put down.
That’s a good way to handle it! Sometimes other things just have to wait while you finish the book! :)
Wow! That’s impressive!
Agreed! I love a book that I can’t put down–or that if I have to put down, I’m in a hurry to get back to!
I struggle with whatever you start FINISH mentality(thanks dad), with everything, even books. I’m working on time is precious so pick and choose what must be finished, etc.
One exception, if a book has inappropriate scenes or swear words. Over the years if I had to stop reading a book or a movie I’ve tried to mention to our children why I stopped, “the book, (title) had a great story line, but … ” and age appropriate fill in what I felt was wrong. My teens/young adults said those comments helped them know how to judge books as to what is acceptable. What a joy to hear 16yr olds say to a 13 yr old, “I didn’t finish that book because . . . , try this other author, story line is similar but its cleaner or trachea good values.
I struggle with the need to finish a book. As I age, my available time, my inability to stay awake reading at night, and that I have a TBR houseful of books the whole community probably couldn’t finish, I need to make better choices about what I read/finish. I’m working on that. Maybe it’s Too Many Books (TMB) overload.
I do miss my younger days when I always had my nose in a book and finding books that I couldn’t put down because I wanted to know what happened next. I am not a re-reader usually, because I’m too slow and have too many books I want to read.
For me it depends on a few factors. The story. Some stories keep me turning pages. The reason I’m reading the book. I sometimes re-read a book for comfort, (if I’m sick or had my feelings hurt)and go slow. Anne of Green Gables is one of my comfort books. If I’m reviewing for an author, there may be a deadline making it a faster read. If I’m doing a readathon I will finish quickly. If I’m doing a buddy read then it may be a slower pace. The type of book. Kindle books can tire my eyes so I read slower. Print I don’t get fatigued with so I can read longer. Audiobooks I try to listen in one setting unless they are over ten hours. I like that I can move around, clean, cook or do crafts while listening. Some audiobooks draw my spouse in and we may stop it at parts to talk about the book. It’s a perk of being retired. :)
Oh man, I totally get the whatever you start you finish mentality! I think that’s part of why I had a hard time not finishing books for a long time. But these days, time is precious wins out for me. :) I love how you talked to your children about why you stopped reading particular books–what great teachable moments!
TMB is real, lol! But also I wouldn’t want it not to be. :) But yes, between my bookshelves and my Kindle, I have more books than I could read in a lifetime (probably multiple lifetimes!), so I do try to choose the ones I want to read most…but it’s so hard!
This is such a great analysis of how we read different things at different times for different reasons–and that affects how we read/how fast we read. I love that your husband gets drawn into your audiobooks and you can discuss them together!