I generally know within a few pages whether or not it’s worth the read. I get most of my books from the public library and seldom bring one home that doesn’t grab me with the dustcover and the first few pages. And it it’s by an author I’ve read and enjoyed before, I don’t even need to read the dustcover. I read a lot!
I normally know by the end of the first page if I love it or not, but usually end up reading the whole book anyway, kind of like watching a rubbish film but you feel guilty that you’ve switched channels before it’s finished anyway haha
If I don’t get into a book within about half an hour of reading, I usually pop it back on my shelf, I’m not fantastic at concentrating so if I’m not intrigued after that, I tend to give up and go for something else, but I always have to go back to it, I can never fully give up on a book
Voice plays a big part for me in whether I like a book or not. A story can be unoriginal, but if it’s told in an entertaining way, I’ll still like it. I generally give the book about two chapters to capture me. If by then it still feels droll or annoying, then it’s on to the next.
That’s so true! There’s plenty of books that I loved that had a mediocre plot but the writing style was fantastic. The way the story was told made up for it. For me personally, the writing style of a book is more important than the plot itself.
I do 10 chapters. If I’m not curious to know what happens next it goes back to the pile. Checked out 300 books last round at the library. Only liked 10 of em. Glad I didn’t buy em all.
I am a literary editor by trade and also inveterated reader. “My” authors have to rewrite their sacred-to-them first line prose over and over some times until those pieces work. We usually start with them and end with them. Same for the ending of the book.
Depends on the book. Some, not until it’s over. Some, I know from page one. The Girl With All the Gifts is amazing from the first chapter, for example.
Between 50/100 pages but like other’s I can usually tell within the first couple of chapters if it doesn’t “grab” me then it’s gone and usually not to be returned to.
I usually fall in love within the first paragraph—but if not, I usually give a book about 50 pages
Thats what I do, too. 50 pages is the maximum I give to a book, and if by then it hasn’t captured me, I drop it.
I generally know within a few pages whether or not it’s worth the read. I get most of my books from the public library and seldom bring one home that doesn’t grab me with the dustcover and the first few pages. And it it’s by an author I’ve read and enjoyed before, I don’t even need to read the dustcover. I read a lot!
Page 2. But I also cut a book off after 1/4, usually around 100 pages; if you can’t grab me by then, then it’s not worth it.
I have a 100 page limit also.
Life’s too short for bad coffee or boring books.
I used to never DNF books, but there are too many good books just waiting for me to open!
I normally know by the end of the first page if I love it or not, but usually end up reading the whole book anyway, kind of like watching a rubbish film but you feel guilty that you’ve switched channels before it’s finished anyway haha
Im so looking forward to my next book of the TBR pile.im thinking about it as im reading the few pages of the book im on.
If it’s an amazing book, I’ll figure it out pretty quickly. But if I’m not engaged within 100 pages I drop that book.
First couple of sentences, then the first 2 or 3 pages.
I have OCD so it doesn’t matter if the book is worth reading or not. I will finish it. lol
Haha same!
Me too!
I generally finish the book no matter what
If I don’t get into a book within about half an hour of reading, I usually pop it back on my shelf, I’m not fantastic at concentrating so if I’m not intrigued after that, I tend to give up and go for something else, but I always have to go back to it, I can never fully give up on a book
I like to pick up a random book, flip to a random page and read a few paragraphs. That’s how I decide lol
If the first paragraph doesn’t captivate my attention then I add it to the bottom of my reading pile. Life is too short to read mediocre books.
Voice plays a big part for me in whether I like a book or not. A story can be unoriginal, but if it’s told in an entertaining way, I’ll still like it. I generally give the book about two chapters to capture me. If by then it still feels droll or annoying, then it’s on to the next.
That’s so true! There’s plenty of books that I loved that had a mediocre plot but the writing style was fantastic. The way the story was told made up for it. For me personally, the writing style of a book is more important than the plot itself.
I do 10 chapters. If I’m not curious to know what happens next it goes back to the pile. Checked out 300 books last round at the library. Only liked 10 of em. Glad I didn’t buy em all.
If it has Stephen King’s name on the front, I know it’s going to be a blinder ?
Depends. Sometimes it’s the first sentence, sometimes it’s 100 pages in!
About 20pages ideally
I’ll go one hundred pages, but often can tell by the first sentence and the first paragraph!
Me too! I always read the first page and can tell right away if I’ll like the book!
I am a literary editor by trade and also inveterated reader. “My” authors have to rewrite their sacred-to-them first line prose over and over some times until those pieces work. We usually start with them and end with them. Same for the ending of the book.
inveterate, forgive the d, must be auticirrect
Autocorrect, LOL!
First paragragh.
50-ish pages (or one bus ride home from the library)
50-100 pages in
Depends on the book. Some, not until it’s over. Some, I know from page one. The Girl With All the Gifts is amazing from the first chapter, for example.
I LOVED this book. I literally read the first half of it standing in the middle of barnes and nobles because i couldn’t stop.
I was in a used bookshop, and I got through at least three chapters in the store. It’s wonderful.
Between 50/100 pages but like other’s I can usually tell within the first couple of chapters if it doesn’t “grab” me then it’s gone and usually not to be returned to.
If by the end of chapter one I don’t care about the characters, the book goes back to the library
100 pages
Good or bad…I finish it!!!!
Me too….not a quitter 😉
Some go bad on the first page. Some take longer.
First graph :):):)
when i cant read up too chapter 5
First half page.
I always hope to be grabbed on the very first page, but that is rare. If it hasn’t got me by 10-20% I just get bored and read something else
When I read up too chapter 5
My experience has been all over the place. Some books have taken several chapters. Others have grabbed me from the start.