I HAVE ALWAYS IMAGINED THAT PARADISE WILL BE A KIND OF LIBRARY

I HAVE ALWAYS IMAGINED THAT PARADISE WILL BE A KIND OF LIBRARY

Thursday, March 5, 2015

ON 'DISCONTINUING' BOOKS



For me one of the most important thing in a book is for the writing to be addictive, engrossing, polished, appealing, entertaining and witty. 

If the writing fails to retain my attention and interest, and does not provide me pleasure, then I will not read the further books by that author.

Other compelling reasons for discontinuing a book or a series would be too much profanity, indecent humour, graphic sexual scenes, vulgar descriptions, gruesome details, prevailing cruelty and nastiness, abusive behaviours, and focus on violent incidences. 

Here I should mention, that I don't mind if there is a little profanity sprinkled here and there throughout the book ...as long as it's not very frequent.

Moreover, I can also accept few intimate scenes, as long as they are not very descriptive and prolonged, and there are not too many of them ...though I very much appreciate it when an author is able to maintain decency by exquisitely manipulating words to imply physical chemistry between the lead characters, without going into intimate details.

In any case, it's basically when the overall ambience becomes unpleasant and uncomfortable for me ...that I will stop reading a certain book and will avoid other books by that author. 


What would be the most compelling reason for you to stop reading a certain book?

Those interested are welcome to answer this question by commenting on this post...! Thanks...!

Those interested can also check out the following discussions on GOODREADS by clicking on the questions...! Moreover, those interested are welcome to share their own thoughts and feelings on these topics by commenting on this post...! Thanks...!

--What would be the most compelling reason for you to stop reading a certain book?

--How much do the main characters in the books influence your reading decisions?

--What would be the most compelling reason for you to stop reading a particular cozy mystery series?

--How much do the main characters in the series influence your reading decisions?

--How much do the 'love-triangles' in the series influence your reading decisions?

--Animals in Cozies: Essential, Preferable or Negligible?

--Mothers in Cozies: Endearing or Annoying?

--How much do profanity, intimate details and graphic violence influence your reading decisions? (No. 1)

--How much do profanity, intimate details and graphic violence influence your reading decisions? (No. 2)

--How much do bad writing, typing errors, spelling inaccuracies and grammatical mistakes influence your reading enjoyment? (No. 1)

--How much do bad writing, typing errors, spelling inaccuracies and grammatical mistakes influence your reading enjoyment? (No. 2)

--What makes your reading experience more enjoyable: quality writing or a good story?

--Writing Style Versus Story Plot?



6 comments:

  1. I have to say that your reasons for discontinuing a series are pretty much the same as mine. I want a book to entertain me without grossing me out. I've read some hard-hitting books, but sometimes they cross a line, at least for me.

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    1. Hi Marja,

      It's a pleasure and an honour to have you comment here :-)

      Well, I agree with your statement, "to entertain me without grossing me out."

      As long as the overall atmosphere remains pleasant, I can even ignore some profanity sprinkled here and there throughout the book.

      However, I remember that once I read a cozy mystery book, that not only contained a lot of profanity, but also provided too much vulgar descriptions ...so much so, that reading the book stopped being a source of pleasure for me . 

      In any case, I was repelled enough not to bother with the rest of the books in the series...! 

      Anyway, thanks for commenting ...and sharing your views on this topic...!

      Regards,
      Ramla Zareen

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  2. I stop reading if the series no longer interests me and I get bored. Other than that, I usually read until the end.

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    Replies
    1. Yes Jenni, I know what you mean. I once discontinued a series because of the flat, monotonous and dull writing tone. The stories weren't bad but they became boring due to the way they were written...! In any case, the writing failed to grab me or provide pleasure ...and so I moved on to other more appealing options...! :-) 

      Anyway, thanks for commenting and sharing your views on this topic...!

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  3. I have to agree, if the story is boring, or if I'm thinking about the writing, rather than being engrossed in the story itself... Or if I get really annoyed with decisions the main character makes (because it looks too much like a naked plot device)... Or if I'm irritated with the characters in general and just don't care about what happens to whom, then I discontinue the series, and possibly even reading the particular book. Life is short. I don't waste it on books that aren't doing it for me.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Denise,

      It's a pleasure and an honour to have you comment here :-)

      Anyway, I feel that sometimes the problem is not with the story itself ...it's the way it is written that makes it boring. On the other hand, even an average story can come across as entertaining if the writing style is wonderful :-) At least, that has been my personal experience so far...!

      As for the characters, well, unless they are extremely unpleasant, with no hope for improvement and development, then I can ignore mildly annoying traits even in the main characters, as long as reading the books continue to make me happy :-)

      Which, I guess is the most important requirement for all the readers...! 

      For whatever reasons, if the books fail to provide pleasure, then basically there appears to be no point in staying on with that particular series.

      Well, thanks for commenting ...and sharing your views on this topic...!

      Regards, 
      Ramla Zareen

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