However many awards the book has picked up, however many celebrities have recommended it, if there are shortcomings or defects, I'll spot them pretty quickly as I'm well attuned to what's good writing and what isn't.
I'll react instantly to one-dimensional characters, an overabundance of characters, implausible plots, irrelevant sub-plots, clunky metaphors, rambling descriptions, high-flown language, confusing flashbacks and flash-forwards, factual inaccuracies and so on. They just leap out at me.
I always wonder why the author couldn't see all these faults when they were writing the book, or why their editor didn't see them and suggest some hefty rewriting. I can't be the only one who sees all the faults and wonders why they weren't corrected.
Not that I would ever stop reading books, however flawed and irritating they may be. I get huge pleasure out of reading. I love interesting characters and original plots and unexpected twists, I love trying to guess the endings, I love quirky oddballs I can easily identify with, I love sad, lonely characters who find love and happiness. And I love being whisked out of my familiar everyday surroundings to a completely different world someone else has imagined.
Books are a bit like people. They may have glaring faults but we overlook them because they also have endearing and inspiring qualities we can't do without. And we know they won't go on a drunken rampage or wreck the car.
Re the pic: I'd thoroughly recommend City of Girls. Beautifully written, very entertaining.
After I finish a really good book I go into mourning, and it then takes me ages to start another! I love reading though, it always makes me feel that I'm improving myself [a hangover from school, I guess].
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Why would reading a book about other people's plight "improve" you? Anyway, Scarlet, you are perfect as you are. And no, despite what others tend to put at my doorstep and on my lips, I actually mean it.
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Thank you, Ursula!
DeleteI meant that reading helped me learn new words.
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Ms Scarlet: Goodness, books must have a very profound emotional effect on you! I don't see books as improving me, just stimulating me in various ways. I use self-reflection to improve myself.
DeleteNick - See above - about learning new words!
DeleteYes, a good bit of fiction does affect me emotionally. I get very involved with it - I kind of think that is the point of a good bit of fiction.
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Ms Scarlet: Oh, I agree fiction should affect you emotionally. Books that don't do that are disappointing. But I don't need a period of mourning afterwards!
DeleteI’ve read Gilbert before, so i will have to look for City Of Girls. Unlike you, I won’t finish a book if I think it’s poorly written. Too many books, too little time!
ReplyDeleteBijoux: I also enjoyed Eat Pray Love and Committed. I do sometimes abandon books if they're a real struggle to read.
DeleteAs long as it holds my interest, I read a book without finding faults in it. If after a few pages, I lose interest, I simply discard the book.
ReplyDeleteRamana: I seldom lose interest in a book because the obvious flaws are usually outweighed by something positive that keeps me reading. But I do sometimes discard a book after 50 pages or so when it simply doesn't engage me.
DeleteI tend to focus on what I like, not on what I don't like. Because of my problem with eye strain I stick to reading books, articles packed with ideas for me to ponder.
ReplyDeleteJean: I don't deliberately focus on what I don't like, but the shortcomings leap out at me as I read. As I said though, the shortcomings don't usually stop me enjoying the book.
DeleteI highly recommend you read Big Lake by Nick Russell. It has all those things you say you like and is the first in a series if you want to continue.
ReplyDeleteLinda: Thanks, will check that one out. I used to read a lot of crime fiction at one time, but I went off it for some reason.
DeleteThere's a lot of humor in Nick's books which makes them not as tense as some mysteries. And some truly lovable characters plus one you love to hate even while laughing at him.
DeleteI read so little fiction. I must give this a try.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: Not sure if it's your sort of thing, but I thought it was a rattling good read!
DeleteMaybe they are faults/flaws only to you? LOL+ That being said, there are books I don't like. Maybe it is that they have flaws and I don't see them as such. I do know that too many characters really bothers me now. I just read a true Crime and all the characters were necessary but it was so confusing. So many were named after relatives that were also in the book. My mind was spinning trying to keep up with everyone.
ReplyDeleteRose: Yes, I guess one person's fault is another's stroke of genius. I share your dismay at the number of characters some books throw at us. I lose track of them pretty quickly!
DeleteI raved about this book on Goodreads. 5 stars. Reading is like breathing to me. Never without a book since I was 4, LOL.
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www: Same here, reading is like breathing. I can't imagine how people can get through life without ever reading a book.
DeleteI did not start reading till I was 6 or 7...I did not go to kindergarten or anything like that. But once I started reading, my mom always had to make me turn out the light. I feel naked if I don't have a book to read. I don't read as many as I used to, but I still always have at least one that I am reading.
ReplyDeleteRose: Yes, I can remember my mum routinely telling me to turn out the light and go to sleep!
DeleteI tend to skim read quite a lot but if there is a typo I pick it up instantly! (Except in my own writing of course - when it would be useful.)
ReplyDeleteBut where would we be without reading?
Liz: Me too, I spot typos instantly. I've done a lot of proof reading for Jenny over the years!
DeleteTo my mind reading is one of life's absolute necessities. I get enormous pleasure out of even the clunkiest of books.
AMEN! late to the party.
ReplyDeletebut totally agree. and with eye problems... I love Kindle because I can easily make the print larger.
but I still own books that are dear to my heart.
plus... I even LOVE many children's books!
how can anyone not just enjoy reading and sharing other worlds?
Tammy: I guess you have to be encouraged at an early age to read regularly, otherwise you never get into the habit.
DeleteI love reading. I read a lot. I've been keeping track and so far this year I've read 80 books.
ReplyDeleteMary: I'm always amazed at how many books you read. You get through them at a colossal speed. I read about 60 books a year if I'm lucky. When I was working it was more like 30 or 40.
DeleteI read all the time. 45 so far this year. But a mix of novels and non-fiction. I also am reactive to unidimensional characters and poor writing. But like you, I keep reading.
ReplyDeleteAbout "City of Girls"- Is it any better than "Eat, Pray, Love," another Elizabeth Gilbert book? Because I loathed that book so thoroughly I couldn't finish it.
Agent: I don't read much non-fiction, though I've read several enlightening books about race and racism recently.
DeleteYes, I'd say City of Girls is better. I can also recommend The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, which I've just read. I couldn't fault it in any way!