If you have disliked a book by an author, do you bother to read any further books by the same author?
If you have disliked a book by an author, do you bother to read any further books by the same author?
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Sure. We’re all human, including authors. You can’t please the world.
In a word, no
I’ve given a few authors second chances
I have too and then given up
Generally not. Life’s too short – unless I’ve read plenty more by that author and I think this one was an anomaly.
No definitely not
A lot of people have said no. Why is that?
Because I like to ensure I’m reading only books I know I’ll enjoy. I don’t want to read stuff I don’t like, and reading one I don’t like by that author suggests I may not like another. Also, if I didn’t like it for reasons of lack of editing and proofreading, I’m not going to enjoy the next.
Ah, yeah, I was assuming the dislike was because of style or plot. I didn’t count editing or proofreading into the equation.
Because I assume that the book I read is representative of thst author’s work
What if the author writes different genres? Would you give the other genre a chance?
Yes just to see if it is their writing or my mind.
Yes. I read authors whose style and imagination I enjoy. Those are transferrable.
No.
@Susan Why not?
@Heather Over the years I have read several genres . I now know what I like and what I don’t like. I have recently read books by some authors that I haven’t enjoyed and won’t be reading any more. I have hundreds of books on my TBR pile and I would rather try a new author rather than persevere with one I don’t like
Fair enough 🙂
@Susan I agree. There is so much out there to explore
I give them the benefit of the doubt and will read a second or third just to make sure I hate , like John Sandford.
Yes, but not a third. There is an author around at the moment who mostly receives high praise for his work. Not a best-seller (yet) but a growing reputation. I have now tried two of his much-acclaimed books, but there will be no third attempt. I just don’t get it. Not saying the books are garbage, just not my thing and not my kind of writing style. Pretty much every author has written at least one lame book, and I’d always be concerned I’d somehow managed to try that one first – so yes, definitely a second chance.
no .. I bought two by the same author I didn’t like the first so the next is waiting..
nope
I have so many books in my TBR pile that I probably wouldn’t return to an author if I actively disliked the book although that would depend on the reason for my dislike. However, I might return if I’m ambivalent about the book. I do like to try new authors and I do like to try debut books. 🙂
It depends… The first Jeffrey Deaver book I read, it was a bit of a struggle because of the writing style. However, I started to enjoy it nearer the end once I’d got into it. I read the next one and loved it.
I love Jeffery Deaver books. Love his twists. He always catches me out.
I will try a second and if I still don’t enjoy then I leave alone and move on.. There are plenty of authors out there for all of us to like..
Not usually, no.
I really didn’t enjoy Peter James’s first book but then fancied a later one in the series when I read the blurb so tried it and enjoyed it and went back and read the rest. It depends often I will give an author a second chance, particularly if it is an author that a lot of people who have similar tastes to me have enjoyed. I think probably if I have finished the book bit more really enjoyed it I will try another but if I couldn’t finish the book then I won’t!
I wouldn’t say I disliked it but Robert Bryndza’s first book I found mediocre. Everyone else seemed to be raving about it. Gave his next book a chance and now love the series.
That is interesting. I LOVE that series, but The Girl in the Ice remains my favorite book in the series ?
Interesting as I very nearly didn’t… I read the woman in cabin 10 by Ruth ware and just hated it, one of those books where every word annoyed me?, it put me off trying anything else but I kept hearing good things about her In a dark dark wood and guess What? Utterly loved it! I think it’s hard not to be prejudiced from page 1 but it’s true some books work some don’t, even from the same author ?
I am the complete opposite. Didn’t like Dark Wood, liked Cabin 10. ?
If it was a debut novel then yes. Sometimes it takes an author time to ‘grow’ so I’d prefer to try again and give the author a chance.
I’m with you on that point I like to keep the “debut” book of an author to see how they mature, unless you are John Sandford, sorry cannot go the Prey series the 1st turned my stomach the second I never finished.
@Patricia I understand you completely :). You always have to trust your instincts.
NO
Sure. What’s the chances you’re going to like EVERY book by an author.
Depends why I disliked it…
No. I don’t chance it!
For me, it depends. I really disliked the roses of may but loved the first and looking forward to the third.
If you have a netgalley account you can download the 3rd book now.
I don’t but I’ll look into it, thank you
Yes and no. If it was a debut book that I didn’t like I might try one again later that catches my eye, as I think all authors improve as they continue writing. And it also depends on what I didn’t like about the first book. Characterization and plot are biggies for me and if there’s a redeeming feature in either I’ll give another book a go.
I’m a big fan of Mo Hayder but I read Tokyo and was unimpressed, Did not stop me devouring her other books. If it had been an author’s new to me book, then I would almost certainly not bother. There are some big names I have tried and just can’t get into, yet many people love them, Horses for courses and all that. 🙂
No
No. I don’t have time to waste. I usually dislike a book because of the writing style or depth of characterisation. I have bought another book from the same author before and disliked it too so I don;t bother any more.
No. I downloaded about 4 books by the same author because they were on special offer only to read the first one and thought that was a big mistake. Now if I can, I download a sample first.
Only if I’ve read one of their books before & enjoyed it.
Probably not. Too many books , too little time x
There was a Reacher that wasn’t up to usual snuff, but read the next one anyway.
Wow! Good question! No, sadly I don’t
Depends on why I disliked it. Now, if I read two and dislike I won’t pick up another by them.
No x
I often give them another try, benefit of the doubt.
It all depends on the author. If I have loved previous books, I give them another shot on a later book. If it is their debut, I will give them time to gain experience and try a much later offering. If it is a new author, it also depends on why I hated it. There are some things inherent in writing style that cannot be molded by experience.
Good question. I loved Jodi Picoult’s books for years, was my favourite author at one point many years back. Then read 2 of hers I couldn’t get on with and have not read one since.
No
No still read others by them.
No
I think I would still keep on trying with an author if they had more than one series of books, as it might be the protagonist I dislike more than the writing. I think I take each case individually although I am definitely done with Tom Thorne.
yes always
I had read a few Chris Brookmyre but just could not get my head round him, or was it, he was doing my head, BUT I picked up Black Widow and low and behold I am enjoying, so will have another go.
I Agreed about Chris Brookmyre P.
He used to sit in front of me at the football bk in the day.
I enjoyed his early books.
Fortunately as I get older I can dip into his bk catalogue as I get older!
Yeah,
They are dead to me.
Kidding..
I allways judge a book by its inside cover sleave synopsis!
It depends. Sometimes the story line just doesn’t appeal. I really enjoy Louise Penny, but I was hugely disappointed with The Long Way Home. That didn’t stop me from reading the next Ganache tale. On the other hand, when I read a new author, I’ll try one or two titles, and move on if they don’t meet my expectations.
Generally no.
It depends on the author, I have given up on Lee child’s reacher series, the last three or four books have been rubbish. The price of books being what they are I am not prepared to waste my hard earned.
That is why a library can be good if you are near one
It depends on why I didn’t like the book. If I don’t like the author’s writing style, I won’t try anymore of theirs. If I like their writing style, but not the story (especially if it’s a debut novel) I will try them one more time.
That’s the case with The Chalk Man. I loved CJ Tudor’s writing style, but did NOT like the story. I will try her next book though.
Good question @Susan ?
Hmm, not normally… although I did read an autobiography by one author, and really enjoyed it. Because of that I then tried one of their fiction books and couldn’t finish it. I think I’d still read their true stuff, but I’m totally put off by their fiction.
I found the first Graham Greene book I read, The Heart of the Matter, hard work. Happily I kept going with his other books.
If I’ve wasted my money once I’m not going to risk wasting any more
Yep, pretty much sums up my view.
Depends how much I disliked it
Depends on style of writing. I tried reading 3 books by Stephen king and didn’t like any of them
I came across a crime author who was on the best selling list with hundreds of good reviews so I bought one of her books and found it quite mediocre. I then saw another of her books at 99p so I decided to give her another chance. Once again, I found it very ordinary. I read all the good reviews and decided that it must be me at fault so when I noticed another one at 99p. I gave her one more go. The third book was, in my personal opinion, dreadful. The characters were limp, the plot was totally unbelievable and none of the stunning twist that were promised actually materialised. I feel quite irritated with myself for wasting a few quid and several hours of my life on an author who wasn’t to my taste simply because of the good reviews.
So many books like that, Karla. The market is flooded with them. How some of them make the best seller lists is beyond me.
@Louise Very interesting. Paying for reviews doesn’t sound legal
@Susan all the big names do it. But if an Indie author could afford to they’d be outed.
@Louise Shocking!
and the number of journalists and editors and tv people who have decided to have a go at ‘crime’ fiction, thinking they have something new to say. Read the biogs of the authors and you discover they are already in the writing business to a greater or lesser degree and no doubt ‘have friends’ in the publishing world who can make money on the name and probably after a good deal of editing, publish the tosh that’s been written. And of course, along with the ‘name’ deceiving us into thinking ‘credibility’ comes the five star ratings by other ‘friends’ in the business. Last time I read a book with ‘edge of your seat tension’ and ‘the most terryfying read since silence of the lambs’ I drifted off to sleep it was that gripping.
@Brian Spot on!
That’s why I only ever read the one and two star reviews!
Yes I would.
Extremely unlikely
No, too many others to give a try
I will give them one more chance, but, if the second book is as tedious or ridiculously written as the first, then I will stop reading it and not bother with any more.
Hes great !!
Nope
No, once bitten twice shy.
No, Lee Child, was so bored reading the first one, couldn’t read anymore after that ?
Nope
I read The Witnesses by Simon Kernick and couldn’t finish it. So when his next book came out I was a little reluctant to buy it. But once I started reading it I found back to the usual cracking good read. Also reading LJ Ross’s DCI Ryan series I found Cragside to be not as good as the previous books. It didn’t flow as well and not as fast paced. But then Dark Skies was released and again she returned to form. I think most authors have that one book that may be slightly off the mark at some point be it part of a series or a stand alone book. I also thought Origin by Dan Brown fell flat too,, let’s hope his next book is another belter.
*ears burn* good to know! x
I would not discount the next book straight away but see what others say before buying or reading it.
Usually if I try to read a book but can’t get into it I leave it then try again another time. Sometimes the first one is hard to get into but others are easier to read.
It depends on why I didn’t like it. If it was the style or quality of the writing then probably not. If it was the plot, but I liked the characters and the pace, then I wouldn’t rule out reading another by the same author.
Nope, non, nein, het, hapana…
That a NO then Shelagh? ?
Yup! I don’t much like serial killers, and when an author decided to dispatch victims using an apian comestible that was it. Not read one of his since. And just yesterday morning I started the third book in a series by another author. I hadn’t even finished the prologue when I had a look at the one star reviews. They confirmed that the style of writing didn’t get any better. Won’t try again, so I’m now reading my last Hillary Greene, Murder at Work. Aaahh, that’s better. Shame there probably won’t be any more.
There are very many really good authors out there I need to read, For me its move on and find someone new.
Never
I can’t afford to buy everything I want
I don’t have a great deal of time for reading, so I don’t want to waste it, which means I’m quite ruthless.
Not usually but wouldn’t rule it out.
No … my reading life is getting shorter and shorter, and there are so many good books out there.
With the extent of social media in my life..
Especially through Vaping,
I’ve discovered like thousands of others that reviews are pointless.
Especially the professional reviewer..
I block repeat offenders as soon as they show up on this pg I’m afraid.