I’ve noticed over the past couple of years that I’ve developed an especially bad habit–I’m having a harder and harder time finishing novels that I pick up to read.
I wasn’t always so hard to please! There once was a time when I finished reading almost every book I started.
But these days, my shelves (both real and virtual) are overflowing. I have plenty to read. But not enough time.
And to be perfectly honest, the longer I write, the harder it gets to find books that I like. My internal editor often comes out in the middle of books and gets impatient or too picky.
Here are just some of the reasons why I may end up putting a book down and not going back to it:
1. Not enough conflict and tension. If the story doesn’t drop me into the central problem and the ensuing issues right away, I’m likely to get bored. Even if the conflict is introduced right away but is weak, contrived, or non-cohesive (ebbs and flows with non-essentials), I still might yawn. Every time I set a book down, I need a compelling plot line that makes me want to return.
2. The characters don’t make me care. If the characters are abrasive, boring, not heroic, or simply haven’t done anything to make me like them, then I usually have a hard time staying tuned to the story.
3. Too slow moving. Even with good conflict and tension, and even with characters that I’ve grown to care about, if the story begins to slow down or the author slips in paragraphs/scenes that don’t move the plot along, I often lose interest. This includes backstory dumping or internal narration with very little else going on.
4. Overwriting. If the writer describes too much, has verbose dialogue, has large paragraphs, is redundant, overuses adverbs or dialogue tags, or is just plain wordy, I usually start skimming. I like to get to the heart of the story and only need to know those things that truly add flavor and character.
5. Lack of depth. If a major part of the story happens at a very surface level or if the writer doesn’t take me deeper into the passions and emotions of the characters, then it’s harder for me to engage with the story. This is often connected with the development of the character and the lack of past pains and motivations that usually drive the emotional current of the story.
6. Subject matter doesn’t appeal. Yes, sometimes, for whatever reason, the subject matter of the book or the themes don’t hit me deeply enough. Or perhaps the character growth/issues seem superficial. Or the whole plot of the book centers around something that just doesn’t hold my attention. As much as we want to give weight to all topics, subjects, and settings, there is some truth about universal commercial appeal and finding themes most people can relate to on some level.
7. Amateur writing. This could take on the form of a number of things including not writing by scenes, too much telling and not enough showing, underwriting (not giving me a sense of setting or character), over-dramatizing (so that the story isn’t believable), or even making beginner mistakes (using clichés, stilted dialogue, too many characters, etc.).
So those are my top reasons for putting a book down and not picking it back up! On the other hand, I have to agree with Jane Austen, “If a book is well written, I always find it too short.”
What about YOU? What makes you put down a book?
Jody Hedlund
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I think you hit all of the reasons for me!
The longer I write and the more I learn, the pickier a reader I am too. Your list about covered all of the reasons. More books, less time, so it’s gotta be something well-written.
I agree, it’s harder the more I learn the craft of writing, to actually enjoy books because I can spot amateur or lazy writing and bad editing etc. It’s frustrating actually. Mostly it’s frustrating when books that I deem terrible because of their lack of editing get 5 star reviews
Pretty much the same reasons as you Jody. I have over 2500 books on my Kindle, a closet filled with books, and a huge library that all entice me. But at age 71, there is no way I will read everything I want to read. So…. I now have a 3 chapter rule. If I’m not drawn into the story totally after 3 chapters, then it gets deleted, donated or returned to the library. So little time and so many books. Keep writing Jody as I have never put one of yours down!
Jody is right on and so is Loraine–so many books & not enough time! I find if I enjoy a book, I look for more books by that author!
You really hit it Jody! Especially #4! I also have to be in the right mood for the genre. I’m in a discussion group and in a challenge or suggested book or author and it sometimes isn’t interesting to me. I also have been requesting my library purchase some books. But they all come in at once and I run out of time to read them before they are due! Hard to renew because they are too new! LOL! And I like to read all in a series , one right after the other. Always enjoy your books! You keep writing and I’ll keep reading!
You nailed it! Since I review all the books I read now, I’ll be saving this to help me identify what didn’t work for me with some books. I try to finish the books I receive for review purposes, even if it can be a little agonizing. I’m getting much better at being more selective with the books I choose to read and have learned which authors I can rely on for an excellent read. I still like trying new authors but if I’ve read two or three mediocre books by an author I don’t pick up their new books.
All that you said above. I’m an aspiring author so the longer I write, the more I learn, the harder it is to enjoy books that I used to enjoy. Since I review books on my blog, I push through as much as I can, but poor writing really grates on me. I’m becoming more selective with which books I agree to review.
One thing is when an author deals with a topic in a way that feels off. I read a book the other day that minimized miscarriage in the first twenty pages. Yeah, I stopped reading right then. Since I’ve had miscarriages, it hit too close at home.
If the book doesn’t catch my attention in the first chapter I quit reading it. The characters have to have flaws. If the characters are either goody two-shoes or so bad they are evil – I quit. If I’m reading a supposedly clean contemporary book & suddenly the language is foul or using God’s name as cuss word, I quit. Same thing for detailed sex. I’ve been married almost 50 yrs – I don’t need someone to tell me what goes on in a bedroom. My imagination is probably better than the author’s. I think the sexist scene is when Rhett picked up Scarlet and carried her up the stairs, kicked the door closed and the next scene they were having breakfast on the patio. Sometimes, the plot is just too weak and the characters can’t carry the scenes alone.
I’m with you, Patricia!!! Been married 52 years and know more about what goes on in the bedroom than some will ever know. A book can be so much more than so-called steamy scenes—-the same way with clothes. So many leave NOTHING to the imagination!
I can’t write but I love to read. I agree with all your points and would like to add one. I need to be able to see each person as an individual and picture all the settings. This takes an author who describes characters and places well.
Well I don’t have much information about why to put the book down, but I can tell you why I pick one up!
1. Jody Hedlund
2. Julie Klassen
Those are both two reasons why I can’t put the book down! I love how the characters are introduced or just how they are expanded upon. I love growing with the characters and that there’s a heroine/hero in the book. I also love the underlying Christian theme–it just is more about who I am and that is why it speaks to me. I also have read about the two of you very often and I like how you live your lives and who you seem to be open to your readers. I’m slowly branching out into the other authors in this blog as I had never heard of some of them and I just accidentally found the two of you last year and I’ve read everything that you have written and I will continue to read anything you write, so keep it up sisters because I won’t be putting your books down anytime soon! Have a great weekend.
🙂 Mary E. Massey, exhausted six grade science teacher LOL
Great article, Jody, and oh so true! And wonderful comments from all of the above ladies! Life is just too short to waste time on books that are poorly written or lack a really good plot and characters. So much that is written nowadays is either weak in plot, totally vulgar in content or just plain dull as dishwater. And I’m almost 70 and don’t have enough years left to read all the good stuff out there. Or reread the old favorites like Jane Austen. Thanks for expressing my thoughts so accurately!
Austen. Jane Austen. Not Austin. That’s a city.
Stupid spelling mistakes are one thing that will make me abandon a novel. As you may have guessed.
Not an Editor.says: LOL. Thanks for catching my mistake. Just one of the many reasons why this is an author who desperately needs her editors! 🙂
Thanks for all of your thoughts, everyone! I’ve loved reading your comments about your reading process and what makes you pick up a book or put them down!
One other thing I’ve learned it that sometimes a book is a matter of personal preference. Some readers may adore a book that I couldn’t get through. The book, may, in fact, be very well written, but just not appeal to me. Thank goodness for so many genres and books that can meet all of our varying tastes!
Blessings to you all! 🙂
I recently tried a fantasy book which I knew I didn’t like in the past but tastes change. Mine hadn’t! In the past, I probably would have struggled through it but life is too short and there are too many good books to read! I will also quit reading a book with too much bad language (vulgarity, swearing).
Jody, you’re not the only one who doesn’t finish reading novels. I frowned when Alton Gansky told the class during my first writing conference that, “You’ll never read the same way once you start writing seriously.” But he was right. And, frankly, I think novelists are more discerning readers because of it. Thanks for sharing.
I find this list very sophisticated, and it shows maturity and understanding of the writing craft. I see many, many lists like this all over blogs but most are filled with superficial reasons. And sometimes I have my own superficial reasons, but I also experience much of the same as you. Amateur writing, lack of depth, and the characters just don’t make me care enough are big reasons. Also major pet peeve. A lack of proper editing