Yep. That's right. I don't always finish reading a book. You may be thinking, and this is news why? Well, because that's not always been the case. Up until about a year ago, I ALWAYS finished reading. Sometimes it took weeks, months--but eventually, I'd finish reading every single book I started.
Not anymore.
Part of me feels liberated, but another part sad. Even before I'd ever considered writing, I studied literature. I appreciated the toil behind every single word on the page. My fingers couldn't get enough of the paper--that crisp snap of turning a page over in a split second as my eyes devoured the inky words. I still feel that way about reading. But now that I'm writing, well, I only have so much "word time" in my eyeballs for each day. I consider myself a pretty quick reader, but I honestly don't know how agents and editors read as much as they do. I mean, they read MOUNTAINS of words. More words than my poor eyeballs could ever take in.
So I've given myself permission to stop reading if a book doesn't work for me, even though I still feel rotten about it. I like to keep those books in a "maybe later" pile. Seems nicer that way. But as much as I can regret not finishing a book that doesn't work for me, I love that saving the time paves the way for even more AWESOME reads. On that note, here are a few of the best YA books I've read lately!
The 5th Wave by Rick YanceyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The best paced YA novel I've ever read. Swept me off my feet. Loved the world, and the characters even more so. A chillingly rational answer to a familiar hypothesis: when the aliens arrive, what will happen to us?
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja MillayMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A lovely, eloquent story of survival in the face of grief. Millay has a talent for letting the reader into her character's souls. I enjoyed every word.
Legend by Marie LuMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wonderful characters and an interesting world construct make this series stand out in the field of dystopian YAs. If you haven't read Legend, go for it, because the whole series is out this year! No waiting! :)
The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody KeplingerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a great read, with such honest, complicated emotions and incredible chemistry--I couldn't put it down.
View all my reviews
I have a really hard time not finishing books, but now and then I just have to put one aside. I've put The Duff on my TBR list. I hadn't heard of it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI still need to read The 5th Wave - I keep seeing everyone raving about it! I really enjoyed Legend, too.
ReplyDeleteYay! I love sharing books that I love!
ReplyDeleteI'm exactly the same way! I used to read almost every book I started. One even took me four years because I kept putting it down, but by God I bought that book and I was going to FINISH it. Now, though, there are so many amazing books out there and I'll never have time to read them all, so I don't want to spend time with a book I don't like. Not when I could be reading something I love. So, no, you won't hear any booing from me!
ReplyDeleteFOUR YEARS? O_O!!! I can relate. :)
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