Kindle British Mystery Book Club discussion

Here is an article about reading that may give you new insights into what you read, how you select reading materials, and how you read . It's written by a reader/writer. See what you think!

https://forge.medium.com/its-okay-not...

Like the author of the article, my parents were both readers, and when I ran out of pocket money or had read every book at our tiny libraries (Rickmansworth, which had a few turnstiles filled with Enid Blyton - whom I loved - and Lone Tree, where the kids' section would fit in my bathroom), I started on my parents' books.

I've got a number of 'want to reads' outside the mystery genre, but these days, reading is my treat - it's my reward for tramping through the snow on a Monday morning to get to the train station, and my escape from work during the lunch hour. So, I'm not likely to plow through something I don't enjoy.

I enjoyed that article, thanks for sharing. I am firmly in the camp of abandoning a book if it’s not grabbing my attention. The old saying Too many books, too little time, applies to me!

Also, there are some very popular new books that folks rave about but I can’t find the appeal so, I don’t bother.

Agree! There are so many books out there, why slog through something you aren’t enjoying just to say your finished it

The number of pages/chapters I read before deciding to abandon the book varies. Sometimes 10 pages in,
I know this isn’t the book for me And other times, I carry on into a few chapters hoping things will improve in a so-so book, but they don’t

Beth wrote: "Agree! There are so many books out there, why slog through something you aren’t enjoying just to say your finished it

The number of pages/chapters I read before deciding to abandon the book varie..."

Beth, I am the same way. It’s anywhere from 1 chapter to 50ish pages. I’m always hoping the writing or plot gets better.

When I’m reading just for myself, I quit books very quickly but not with books being read for my monthly book club luncheon. To contribute to the discussion, I do try to finish the book even if I’m not a fan.....

Icewineann--- even then my contribution would be "I didn't like it and moved on to something else"

I am not going to read something just because .... Life is too short, IMO.

Icewineanne wrote: "When I’m reading just for myself, I quit books very quickly but not with books being read for my monthly book club luncheon. To contribute to the discussion, I do try to finish the book even if I’m..."
IceWineanne,
I understand reading farther into a book I don't like when it's for a book club. I want to give it a fair chance. But when I have to grit my teeth and make myself read, I don't enjoy it.

Icewineanne wrote: "When I’m reading just for myself, I quit books very quickly but not with books being read for my monthly book club luncheon. To contribute to the discussion, I do try to finish the book even if I’m..."

Beth,
I like the idea of simply saying you didn't like the book enough to finish it. Why not? I need to be more assertive with others about what I read. Often what's popular in general doesn't appeal to me and I need to state that the general concept of the book doesn't attract me without feeling guilty that my taste in books isn't always the general taste.

Pat wrote: "Icewineanne wrote: "When I’m reading just for myself, I quit books very quickly but not with books being read for my monthly book club luncheon. To contribute to the discussion, I do try to finish ..."

Quite often, I'm one of two or three who actually finish the book before our meeting - I figure someone's got to get to the end. I've been fortunate, though - most have been books that interested me, but required a little more investment than I would normally choose.

Kimberly, I love what your wrote in this post. Rediscovering your joy in reading what pleases you is wonderful.

What we read might have more intention to it if we asked ourselves WHY we read. Do you read to impress others with your choices? Do you read to keep up with what's popular? Do you read to share responses to books with others in a reading group? Do you read more for information or entertainment? All these reasons and more may apply at different times; all satisfy as long as you're content with your reading.

More than any other reason, you read for yourself. It's a choice you make for what to do with part of your time and effort. If you aren't happy with your reading materials, think about why you chose them and choose for a new reading purpose. Do you want to learn, to experience life vicariously, to relax, to entertain your mind, to challenge it, to understand other opinions, to delve deeper into current events, or simply to feel good? You probably read for different purposes in different moods, as your appetite leads you.

The great pleasure of reading is the freedom to disappear into the myriad worlds you choose to occupy, created by words you take into your mind. Never stop this form of travel!