For the month of December, I’m participating in A Month of Favorites hosted by Girlxoxo, Traveling with T and Estella’s Revenge. We’ll be sharing our favorite reading experiences from 2014. Today’s topic is…
5 Books I Almost Put Down, But I’m Glad I Didn’t
Florence Gordon by Brian Morton (review)
Well…I actually did put this one down! But, I obviously picked it back up again and the tight writing made me so glad I did.
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King (review coming soon)
I thought the first chapter focusing on Augie and Patti, two people waiting in the Job Fair line, was inexplicable. Who are these people and why is there a whole chapter devoted to their interactions? And, where are the main characters that were mentioned in the book’s blurb? Obviously, given their presence in the Job Fair line, Augie and Patti turned out to be victims of Mr. Mercedes, but I still thought it was an odd way to begin this story. I would much rather have been inside Brady Hartsfield’s head at that moment.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (review)
When I say I almost put this down, I mean just during the first few paragraphs that were all about the King Lear play. I’m NOT a Shakespeare fan. The direction of the first chapter quickly switched gears to the first hours of the flu epidemic and I ended up thinking it was actually one of the best and most harrowing first chapters of a book that I’d ever read.
The Martian by Andy Weir (review)
Though I loved Mark Watney’s humor from the get-go, I was a little overwhelmed with all the scientific jargon in the beginning of the book. Luckily, the balance shifted to more humor and Earthly goings-on and less science.
We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thomas (review)
The beginning of the book focusing on Eileen’s childhood was slow and overly long. It did set the stage for her character, but it could have gotten the same effect with much less. But, once the focus shifted to Eileen and Ed’s relationship, I was all in.
I put down Florence Gorden, but I’m encouraged to pick it back up. We Are Not Ourselves has moved up to almost the top of my To Read list. I just learned that the author is a distant relative of a friend. I’m familiar with the story locale. Thanks for sharing your list.
This is such an interesting topic! I tend to have more books I wish I put down…I’m still just really bad at not finishing books, even if I’m in the middle and not enjoying them.
I have the same problem – I tend to stick with books no matter what because I’m a “check things off the list” kind of girl. But, one of my 2015 resolutions is to DNF more books…there’s just too much great stuff out there and too little time to waste on books you don’t like!
Also – now that you mentioned books you wish you had put down…I wished I’d added that category to my post! I have a great list of those!!
I’m actually very interested in 4 out 5 books you picked. I already got Mr. Mercedes, so I just need to sit down and read it. But I’m deeply wishing for The Martian and Station Eleven, they are books I definitely don’t want to miss. I’m hoping to get the audiobooks.
I’m still considering We Are Not Ourselves, but I’m interested enough I’ll say.
Definitely give Station Eleven a try…it’s so good! And – I read mixed things about We Are Not Ourselves…seems some people loved it and others not so much.
Also – I’ve tried to comment on a couple of your posts and am having trouble with the login thing for your comments…
Station Eleven has been catching my eye.
I can’t read Stephen King. 🙂
We Are Not Ourselves is such a chunkster.
Glad to hear they all are worth it.
THANKS for sharing…GREAT post.
I just got an email saying Florence Gorden is waiting for me on the holds shelf–so I’m off to the library. Thanks for the review!
Wishing you and your family a lovely Christmas. And all the best for the New Year too! Cheers from Carole’s Chatter
So many good books that are just calling my name! I really need to read Station Eleven and The Martian! And Florence Gordon and….
We Are Not Ourselves is a book I did put down, with only about 75 pages to go…I just didn’t care enough, although I did care in the beginning, about her life and her poor husband’s. Maybe I’ll pick it up again, but I doubt it. Thanks for sharing your list! I hope I do better with Station Eleven. 🙂
The last three you list here are on my list to read! Nice to have a little bit of a warning. It’s hard for me to put a book down once I’ve started it…I’m always like,” what if it gets better and I miss it?” Lol
The last three listed here are on my list to read! I have a hard time quitting a book once I’ve started it. I have the feeling that I might miss out if I do! I have quit a few since blogging though…a matter of time.
Still have to read The Martian and Station Eleven, but enjoyed the rest. Merry Christmas Sarah.
I almost put down Mr. Mercedes too – but switched to the audiobook and it was smooth sailing after that.