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 A Book Group Rogue

3/18/2016

17 Comments

 
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​Tonight I will be a fake. A charlatan. A rogue. I will be meeting with my book group and I have not finished the book. It has happened before (with me and others) and is always OK. No one is scolded or made to feel bad. But I didn’t just not finish the book…yet. I abandoned it.
 
I felt I gave it a fair shot, reading almost half. But it just didn’t pull me in. There have been plenty of books that were introduced to me in my book group – books I never would have picked up otherwise, but ones I fell in love with nonetheless. (Pillars of the Earth, The Red Tent, Year of Wonders), and this book group that I have been a part of for more than twenty-five years is important to me for many reasons. But I feel let down and that I am letting them down.
 
This is certainly not the first book I have ever abandoned. So why do I feel so bad? Maybe because there are many reasons why I should have loved this book. I read other books by this author that I enjoyed (one is mentioned above). The book is full of exquisite writing – rich descriptions and characters that jump off the page. But it wasn’t for me. Maybe just not at this time…but maybe never.
 
My Kindle would call to me when I would go to bed at night and I would look at it and think OK, maybe just one more chapter. But I realized reading was becoming a chore, and I couldn’t let that happen. So I stopped. I turned my attention to something else. And it has made all the difference.
 

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17 Comments
Lynn
3/18/2016 07:20:22 am

I agree whole heartedly with you! Reading should not be a chore. I too am a part of a book club and have abandoned one book so far. That's part of bookclub, to share why it just didn't pull you in! Have your read "The Rent Collector" I think it would make a great book club book!

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Rose
3/18/2016 07:53:33 am

Thanks for the suggestion!

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Judy C
3/18/2016 07:55:41 am

I have experienced this also. Some books just don't do it and when it becomes a chore instead of an enjoyment, who are we punishing? There are so many other books out there that have a pull. I'm sure there are many others in your book club that feel the same way.

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arjeha link
3/18/2016 08:03:14 am

I know how you feel, Rose. We feel that if we start a book we need to finish it. That is not always the case, though. There are too many good books to be read to be bogged down with one that we just don't care about.

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freegriffa link
3/18/2016 08:25:38 am

I'm wondering what book you abandoned!
I too have felt like a jerk for not finishing book club books. I was in one this summer, and I had to leave the group because the books were just not my style. I feel like we have limited time on Earth and we have unlimited mountains of books to read in that time, so we'd better read the best ones while we can! Thanks also for the book suggestions.

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elsie
3/18/2016 08:29:17 am

I don't really see you as a charlatan, you won't be claiming to have completed the book. You have given it a worthy try, you will be able to join in the conversation for the first half. Being a part of a group for twenty-five years is incredible and I can't imagine the camaraderie you all must have. Enjoy your evening, it's not always about the book, sometimes it's the relationships with friends.

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Cindy link
3/18/2016 08:56:42 am

I have always struggled to put a book aside, even if I was the only one who would know. In fact, it wasn't until I was an adult that I gave myself permission to do so. Just last week I gave up on one which gave me the opportunity to pick up the one I fell in love with and quickly devoured. Maybe it gets easier with time?

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lynne dorfman link
3/18/2016 12:21:25 pm

I think it's okay to move on. I just finished Pax and loved it - so good choice. Book clubs are great and work most of the time. You gave this book an honest try!

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Tara link
3/18/2016 02:09:01 pm

This is an ongoing conversation in our classroom - readers fall in love with some books and just can't engage with others. When it comes to reading, going rogue is a good thing.

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Ramona link
3/18/2016 02:27:45 pm

I have to admit to not finishing the book more than once. We're a no guilt kind of book club. I'm reading Pax right now - great book!

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Clare link
3/18/2016 02:38:36 pm

Happens to me all the time....life is too short to have pleasure reading feel like a chore. Enjoy the company and let it go!! (and I am sure you will find a way to use this story to connect with a reader some day).
Clare

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Aileen Hower link
3/18/2016 04:14:46 pm

Am I seeing you tomorrow? I got two books from Random House (donated for Keystones To Reading) that are for your level. They are cool! I still feel guilty about the last book I abandoned by a beloved author. Maybe it was the time of my life. Maybe I will go back to it this summer. Oh, look - a new book!

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Bonnie K. link
3/18/2016 04:40:03 pm

With my Book Club buds we have a rule that if the book isn't working for you let it go and find something that excites you and bring it to us.
Always works for all of us. Only 3 in my group :)
Bonnie K.

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Keith link
3/18/2016 04:46:30 pm

When you're an avid reader, it takes courage to abandon a book due to all the reasons you described. I think we've all been there...I have one I'm struggling to finish right now! Thanks for sharing your journey with the decision. I bet book club will still be a delight!

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PaulaBourque link
3/18/2016 05:38:29 pm

When reading isn't pleasure, but an obligation we SHOULD question whether we should do it. I hate to abandon a book in case I'm missing something others are getting. But I also know there are SO many amazing books I could be reading that I don't want to waste precious reading time. PAX is an incredible book that I would encourage anyone to choose. Hope your book group understands (and reads Pax!)

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Shelly
3/18/2016 05:57:06 pm

Enjoying the book is most important!! Shouldn't be a chore!

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Cathy link
3/19/2016 07:26:41 am

Ha! I have a friend who says, "Life's too short and there are too many good books to push through one that doesn't speak to us. Put it down." I think she's right.

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