Read any good books lately?
It seems forever since I blogged, but I only missed two months. As much as I love all of you, I thoroughly enjoyed not having to write blog posts in December and January. Those of you who are long-term bloggers will totally understand where I'm coming from. But I missed chatting with all of you. So it was a trade-off.
Our holidays were wonderful and I hope yours were, too. Santa brought Boogie lots of toys! I came close to finishing my new novel--the first book in a new series--but I still have a couple of weeks to go. I'm not ready to talk about it yet, but stay tuned.
Speaking of books, what are you reading?
I was looking forward to a lot of reading during my blog break. Starting in about October, I started a string of books I could not finish. Does that ever happen to you? It does to me, but not often. Every two or three years, I start and close a lot of books in a row. I don't know if it's me or the books. Probably some of both.
I lost count of the books I started but didn't finish. It wasn't just one thing. Some contained too many errors--typos, grammar, formatting, things like that. Some were boring in various ways. Those were the major problems. I'm happy to say that none of these DNF books were by any authors that I know or have read before.
Does this ever happen to you? If so, is there a trick you use to work through it or do you just keep trying book after book? I'm so ready to read a good book!
It's February, so stay warm. Keep your significant other warm. And today is Groundhog Day! Did the groundhog see his shadow where you are? I'm hopeful for, but not expecting, an early and long spring.
Have a happy Valentine's Day. And if you're in the U.S., enjoy the long President's Day weekend.
See you next month.
Carol
Comments
I took part of December off. It was nice but I also missed people here.
Boogie has come to just the right home.
Often when I am unable to finish a book it is about me. Unless the editing is woeful.
I keep trying. And don't discard books I haven't been able to finish until I have got out of that mindset.
Hooray for new books - and authors.
I've recently read "The Lost Man" by Jane Harper and "An Unwanted Guest" by Shari Lapena, both of which I enjoyed. I have such a big TBR pile that I ditch any books I'm not enjoying by 20 pages in.
I went through a stretch of about 6 books I couldn't finish a few weeks ago. Same as you, it doesn't happen often, but these were NOT for me :)
I always laugh at Groundhog Day. No matter what they say, we always have 6 weeks left of winter up here!
Alex - Aww... I think he did, too :)
EC - These books are all on my Kindle. I'm afraid to take them off because I'm afraid I might buy them a second time.
I have a lot of books I want to read, too. I'd say 20 pages is about my limit, too. I'll check into those two you recommended. Thanks!
Jemi - He is so cute. I can never resist his little face. We actually have Armadillo Day here with Bee Cave Bob. It was really foggy this morning but the sun came out later, so I don't know if he saw his shadow or not. It's 70 today; gonna be 28 tomorrow with wintry mix. Welcome to Texas, LOL!
Mark - I have a new Kate Quinn book set in WWII that I want to read but I'm afraid I won't be able to read it. But I decided to give it a try. If it doesn't work, I'm going to be bookless until March. Then I'll try again.
HR - Maybe it's something going around :)
I'm glad you're back, and congrats on the new series. I'm envious of your time to write. I wanna retire from my day job. Whaaa. LOL
As far as DNF books, I rarely buy them anymore. But that's because I vet the heck out of them. The cover has to be reasonably professional, and the story description has to entice me (and that includes no errors in the blurb). I peek at the 2- and 3-star reviews to see what people are complaining about, to make sure it isn't something that would bother me. (Multiple comments about poor editing are a death blow.) And then, if the book passes all those tests, I use the 'Look inside' feature to read the first few paragraphs or pages. If I still like it, I buy it.
The exception is tried-and-true authors who have gained my trust. I'll preorder from them.
Jo-Anne - I can understand that. It makes sense.
When I was younger, I would feel guilty if I started and didn't finish a book.
These days I'm not as accommodating - probably because there are so many books still waiting in line, and also the fact that time is just too tight.
Enjoy your February, Carol!
I would much prefer a long, warm spring, but I'll really just be happy to be done with winter.
Michelle - I was the same. I don't fret over closing a book now, but I think I've closed about 20 in a row now without finishing even one. That kind of freaks me out.