In last week’s In Summation newsletter, I shared that while creating my Paperback Summer Reading Guide, I realized that I am quite good at selecting books to read that I know I’m going to like. I also realized that I don’t need or even want to exclusively read books I love. I read for many reasons—yes, a big one is finding books that will I adore, books that consume me, books that will be forever favorites. But I’ve rarely felt like reading a book I didn’t enjoy was a waste of time, and over my years of reading, I’ve found that I crave an eclectic reading life, including reading books that aren’t necessarily just right for me.
"Why I read" is such a hard question to answer... because for me, it's a necessity for a full life! I do love other people's stories; I'm a school social worker, and I've learned EVERYONE has a story and something to teach us. Reading give me empathy and compassion and teaches me about all kinds of topics and places and people I would otherwise never experience. I also really get a lot out of "mirror books". I have suffered 4 major losses of people I love over the last 3 years, and this year, books featuring grief as a major plot point have done more to help me process and examine my experience and feelings than therapy could have!
I do not, however, enjoy reading books I don't like- mainly because there are too many I do and not enough time as is to get to them all! I do like reading negative reviews though from other readers whose tastes I'm familiar with. These often give me insight into books and authors that help me curate my TBR. I do sometime enjoy hearing or reading author interviews about books I may not want to read or that didn't like, however. I still appreciate the craft and often find the stories about the inspiration for books and the writing process very interesting- there are couple of authors I adore whose books I didn't enjoy at all!
I love the idea of reading reviews and listening to interviews from authors you don't intend to read. What a great way to engage with texts that aren't for you without sacrificing precious reading time!
I read to escape into a life different from my own, to admire the craft of writing, and to learn something. Lately, the escapist aspect has been the strongest! I used to always finish each book I started, but now I am more willing to DNF. Like others said, if I dislike the book I am reading so much that I am not reading at all, then I stop. If I read a negative review from someone I trust, I probably won't pick that book up. That being said, I definitely stick with books I don't particularly like if I find them compelling for some reason. Mrs. March comes to mind. I am definitely a mood reader, so if I pick up a book and it isn't working for me, I may try it again at a different time. I also finally decided that I don't HAVE to read all of the buzzy books that others like. (I sometimes think I am the only romance reader in the known universe who doesn't love Emily Henry's books.) My FOMO is strong, though, so I'll probably end up reading her latest. Anyway.
I go back and forth in DNF. Honestly, a lot of my DNF are the “classics” and I know asa reader I should read them but at the same time life is so short and I want to read what I want to read ughhh
Totally fair!! I think one reason NOT to pick up a book is just because you think you “should”--maybe those classics will call to you for another reason one day. And maybe not which is also completely fine!
One reason you didn’t touch on for why I may not be enjoying reading a particular book—it’s a poorly written book. With digital only publication, it seems like the bar is lowered for what’s worth publishing. Plenty of books out there that have lame plots, poor language use and unbelievable characters.
I'd be curious to know how you've become so good at picking books for you. I have DNF'd a full third of my books this year. I am not remorseful about it or unhappy to have spent the time reading those books. When I look at this year's DNFs I can point to only a few that would have been candidates for pushing through and I'd like to do more of that. Mostly, I'm open to read anything that sounds good and I often enjoy books that I wouldn't naturally gravitate toward. To find those gems it takes picking up books that just aren't right for me, and that's fine. Right now, though, I am currently finishing a book that wide swath of my trusted reviewers have loved, but I think is poorly written (expository, flat characters, sappy). I have returned to their reviews and the publishers description to see what tells I might have missed that it wouldn't work for me and I can't find them. I don't like to dive into GR reviews before reading a book because I think that just turns me off the book, since there are always plenty of negative reviews. I am guessing that you're already planning for this topic in a future Reading in Public, but if not, please do!
Hey Christie! I've been trying to unpack the answer to that question myself and will definitely share in a future Reading in Public. Ironically, right now I'm working on one about when and why I DO DNF 😂 Also, I'll readily admit that while I am pretty good at avoiding books I won't like, if I only chose to read books I was certain I'd like I'd miss out on a ton of books I love, including some all-time favorites. So I could probably navigate reading mostly books I love if I wanted to but I'd MISS even more books I'd love if I didn't try anything risky!
Although I feel like being an adult means I don’t have to read books I don’t like anymore (I believe that’s a paraphrase of John Irving:) but while studying literature I read quite a bit I didn’t like and I learned to appreciate /and understand while maybe not enjoying.
We all read so much here and won’t like everything we read, but it’s a great lesson in broadening our understanding of why we like what we like. That’s what book clubs help us do! Thanks for this provocative post Sara!
I’m so guilty of only picking up books of a certain genre, or tangential to said genre. The kind of books you know are safe and comfortable like a warm story blanket.
However, there are some excellent points in here that do make me want to try reading stories that I wouldn't usually read.
I do have trouble not finishing a book once I've started, though. Only DNF'd a couple of times I think and it kinda pains me.
I think it’s so valuable to know what you like and appreciate your comfort zone! Because then you can decide if and when you’re ready for something different!
I rarely DNF because I almost always have a reason for wanting to finish a book I don’t particularly like - often so I can discuss but also often bc I’ve picked up that book because it’s a window book for me and I’m learning, even if I have some quibbles. But it helps that I am generally not a mood reader and also that I am really not a swoony reader either (by which I mean I am much more likely to respond to / judge books intellectually rather than based on my emotional reaction to them.)
Oh yes great points! Having a reason at the onset is a big part of why I don’t DNF. I think I’m somewhere in between on the swoony to intellectual scale and that does mean my mood often dictates if I DNF or continue on!
I agree with so much of this! I definitely DNF books, but some types of books are definitely an acquired taste for me and I push myself to read them despite initial hesitation ~ almost everything historical falls into this realm. I am usually very quick to try new books in my favorite genres and usually give until about the 15% mark before DNF’ing. I find that if a book is causing me to resist reading in general if that’s the book I have to read, it’s worth setting aside.
Like you, I'm pretty good at choosing books I know I'm going to like, so #6 on your list resonated with me most: the possibility of surprise. Sometimes I crave a story that I wouldn't normally choose just for that possibility. This was especially true as I settled back into a routine as the pandemic was winding down. I noticed myself desiring new, surprising things after months of the same thing every day. Thanks for sharing this piece!
I start getting anxious if I read too many books I love in a row 😂 To me, books tend to fall into four categories: books I enjoy, books I enjoy and appreciate, books I appreciate, and books that truly aren't for me.
There are some books I read because I enjoy them, even if I know they aren't the highest quality writing. Then there are books I both enjoy and appreciate because they have amazing writing. Books I just appreciate are ones that fell short for me in way—either because of my personal taste or issues with the book itself. As a result, it's actually kind of rare that I come across a book that is just truly not for me. When I do, it usually comes down to bad writing or an author's very particular style that I just can't get into.
I always hope to read across all four categories throughout a month—it's often how I avoid getting into reading ruts!
I love YA romantasy, but rarely do I ever enjoy contemporary adult romance. I keep reading them and I keep trying because one day I'd love to find one I like! It's kind of a weird pilgrimage, but I keep trudging along. I'm not reading them often, yet if I see one that seems interesting I give it a go. Usually I don't like it, lol. I'll keep trying! I also love the idea that reading books outside your wheelhouse makes you better able to recommend to others.
I feel so seen by this. My reasons for reading widely and generally finishing what I start feel like they’re really about who I want to be and how I want to show up in the world, and your list speaks to many of those reasons!
"Why I read" is such a hard question to answer... because for me, it's a necessity for a full life! I do love other people's stories; I'm a school social worker, and I've learned EVERYONE has a story and something to teach us. Reading give me empathy and compassion and teaches me about all kinds of topics and places and people I would otherwise never experience. I also really get a lot out of "mirror books". I have suffered 4 major losses of people I love over the last 3 years, and this year, books featuring grief as a major plot point have done more to help me process and examine my experience and feelings than therapy could have!
I do not, however, enjoy reading books I don't like- mainly because there are too many I do and not enough time as is to get to them all! I do like reading negative reviews though from other readers whose tastes I'm familiar with. These often give me insight into books and authors that help me curate my TBR. I do sometime enjoy hearing or reading author interviews about books I may not want to read or that didn't like, however. I still appreciate the craft and often find the stories about the inspiration for books and the writing process very interesting- there are couple of authors I adore whose books I didn't enjoy at all!
I love the idea of reading reviews and listening to interviews from authors you don't intend to read. What a great way to engage with texts that aren't for you without sacrificing precious reading time!
I read to escape into a life different from my own, to admire the craft of writing, and to learn something. Lately, the escapist aspect has been the strongest! I used to always finish each book I started, but now I am more willing to DNF. Like others said, if I dislike the book I am reading so much that I am not reading at all, then I stop. If I read a negative review from someone I trust, I probably won't pick that book up. That being said, I definitely stick with books I don't particularly like if I find them compelling for some reason. Mrs. March comes to mind. I am definitely a mood reader, so if I pick up a book and it isn't working for me, I may try it again at a different time. I also finally decided that I don't HAVE to read all of the buzzy books that others like. (I sometimes think I am the only romance reader in the known universe who doesn't love Emily Henry's books.) My FOMO is strong, though, so I'll probably end up reading her latest. Anyway.
**Hello fellow romance reader who doesn’t love Emily Henry’s books.**
Hello! I am glad I am not the only one. 😊
I go back and forth in DNF. Honestly, a lot of my DNF are the “classics” and I know asa reader I should read them but at the same time life is so short and I want to read what I want to read ughhh
Totally fair!! I think one reason NOT to pick up a book is just because you think you “should”--maybe those classics will call to you for another reason one day. And maybe not which is also completely fine!
One reason you didn’t touch on for why I may not be enjoying reading a particular book—it’s a poorly written book. With digital only publication, it seems like the bar is lowered for what’s worth publishing. Plenty of books out there that have lame plots, poor language use and unbelievable characters.
Yes I could definitely do another list of why I DON’T finish books and poor writing would be on it.
I'd be curious to know how you've become so good at picking books for you. I have DNF'd a full third of my books this year. I am not remorseful about it or unhappy to have spent the time reading those books. When I look at this year's DNFs I can point to only a few that would have been candidates for pushing through and I'd like to do more of that. Mostly, I'm open to read anything that sounds good and I often enjoy books that I wouldn't naturally gravitate toward. To find those gems it takes picking up books that just aren't right for me, and that's fine. Right now, though, I am currently finishing a book that wide swath of my trusted reviewers have loved, but I think is poorly written (expository, flat characters, sappy). I have returned to their reviews and the publishers description to see what tells I might have missed that it wouldn't work for me and I can't find them. I don't like to dive into GR reviews before reading a book because I think that just turns me off the book, since there are always plenty of negative reviews. I am guessing that you're already planning for this topic in a future Reading in Public, but if not, please do!
Hey Christie! I've been trying to unpack the answer to that question myself and will definitely share in a future Reading in Public. Ironically, right now I'm working on one about when and why I DO DNF 😂 Also, I'll readily admit that while I am pretty good at avoiding books I won't like, if I only chose to read books I was certain I'd like I'd miss out on a ton of books I love, including some all-time favorites. So I could probably navigate reading mostly books I love if I wanted to but I'd MISS even more books I'd love if I didn't try anything risky!
Although I feel like being an adult means I don’t have to read books I don’t like anymore (I believe that’s a paraphrase of John Irving:) but while studying literature I read quite a bit I didn’t like and I learned to appreciate /and understand while maybe not enjoying.
Totally agree! Which is why I'd never tell anyone else they need to read books they don't love just because I do.
We all read so much here and won’t like everything we read, but it’s a great lesson in broadening our understanding of why we like what we like. That’s what book clubs help us do! Thanks for this provocative post Sara!
Yes! Talking with other readers is such an important part of this. I love it when book club has a mix of people who enjoyed and didn't enjoy the book!
I’m so guilty of only picking up books of a certain genre, or tangential to said genre. The kind of books you know are safe and comfortable like a warm story blanket.
However, there are some excellent points in here that do make me want to try reading stories that I wouldn't usually read.
I do have trouble not finishing a book once I've started, though. Only DNF'd a couple of times I think and it kinda pains me.
I think it’s so valuable to know what you like and appreciate your comfort zone! Because then you can decide if and when you’re ready for something different!
I rarely DNF because I almost always have a reason for wanting to finish a book I don’t particularly like - often so I can discuss but also often bc I’ve picked up that book because it’s a window book for me and I’m learning, even if I have some quibbles. But it helps that I am generally not a mood reader and also that I am really not a swoony reader either (by which I mean I am much more likely to respond to / judge books intellectually rather than based on my emotional reaction to them.)
Oh yes great points! Having a reason at the onset is a big part of why I don’t DNF. I think I’m somewhere in between on the swoony to intellectual scale and that does mean my mood often dictates if I DNF or continue on!
I agree with so much of this! I definitely DNF books, but some types of books are definitely an acquired taste for me and I push myself to read them despite initial hesitation ~ almost everything historical falls into this realm. I am usually very quick to try new books in my favorite genres and usually give until about the 15% mark before DNF’ing. I find that if a book is causing me to resist reading in general if that’s the book I have to read, it’s worth setting aside.
Yes!! I have the same barometer for DNFing. If I’m not reading at all because I don’t want to read my current book, I often put it aside.
Like you, I'm pretty good at choosing books I know I'm going to like, so #6 on your list resonated with me most: the possibility of surprise. Sometimes I crave a story that I wouldn't normally choose just for that possibility. This was especially true as I settled back into a routine as the pandemic was winding down. I noticed myself desiring new, surprising things after months of the same thing every day. Thanks for sharing this piece!
I start getting anxious if I read too many books I love in a row 😂 To me, books tend to fall into four categories: books I enjoy, books I enjoy and appreciate, books I appreciate, and books that truly aren't for me.
There are some books I read because I enjoy them, even if I know they aren't the highest quality writing. Then there are books I both enjoy and appreciate because they have amazing writing. Books I just appreciate are ones that fell short for me in way—either because of my personal taste or issues with the book itself. As a result, it's actually kind of rare that I come across a book that is just truly not for me. When I do, it usually comes down to bad writing or an author's very particular style that I just can't get into.
I always hope to read across all four categories throughout a month—it's often how I avoid getting into reading ruts!
This is a really great perspective. I share a lot of similar reasons for pushing through books I don't enjoy.
I love YA romantasy, but rarely do I ever enjoy contemporary adult romance. I keep reading them and I keep trying because one day I'd love to find one I like! It's kind of a weird pilgrimage, but I keep trudging along. I'm not reading them often, yet if I see one that seems interesting I give it a go. Usually I don't like it, lol. I'll keep trying! I also love the idea that reading books outside your wheelhouse makes you better able to recommend to others.
I feel so seen by this. My reasons for reading widely and generally finishing what I start feel like they’re really about who I want to be and how I want to show up in the world, and your list speaks to many of those reasons!
This makes so much sense! I hadn't thought about it from a writing perspective. Thanks for sharing.