Friday, January 17, 2014

I Need Advice About A Book


If a book puts you off at the beginning, what do you do? 

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Do you continue reading/listening in hopes it will get better? Do you jump ahead hoping it will be better and you haven’t lost anything in the missed pages? Do you just put it down and go on to something else? Do you go back later and try again?

Well, I’ve come to this point and I need some advice. This is a book by an author that I have followed for years and loved all the other books in this series.

First, let me say I’m not writing this to put the author (or her writing) down. This problem with this particular book won’t stop me from reading her future books. With your advice, I may even finish this one. This is a protagonist I like and the series has given me many, many hours of enjoyable reading/listening.

Let me explain my problem.

I was anxious to listen to DUST, the latest installment in the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell. The protagonist is always involved in an intriguing murder with suspense and drama at every turn.

Half way through the second disc of DUST, I had to stop. I couldn’t take anymore. The base storyline sounds interesting and I’m curious where it will lead. It’s what I call the side story or back story that has put me off. I don’t see that it adds to the main story or if it does, so much details shouldn’t be needed. In my opinion it’s a bit cruel.

The part that puts me off deals with Scarpetta recalling how she felt and what she saw at the scene of a school shooting where numerous children and adults were murdered. Cornwell inserts Scarpetta into the New Town tragedy aftermath. Now that just seems a bit disingenuous to me. What if one of the family members picked up this book without knowing? She goes into too much detail again and again. Maybe it’s Cornwell’s way of expressing her feelings about the tragedy. I don’t know. It just seems so in appropriate. The ‘poor me feelings’ go on too long.

I’ve always enjoyed the way the various characters in this series work together. The way there are twists and turns that have you thinking one thing and then blindsided with something else.

BTW, my thoughts on this story have nothing to do with the narrator and the way she presents the story.

I need your help and advice. Has anyone read this story? Do I go on and hope this reference to the tragedy ends soon? Do I let it go and wait for the next installment? Have you ever had a problem like this? How did you handle it?

Please know this is not a review of DUST and I’m not trying to influence anyone’s decision to read or not read this book. I’m just discouraged and need advice.

11 comments:

  1. Mason - I'll admit I've not read Dust. But I have read books where I felt about them the way you do about this one. When that happens, honestly, I stop reading and move on to the next book on my TBR. There isn't time in life to stay with a book for too long if it doesn't really draw you in or if something about it pulls you out. If at some other time you'd like to give it another try, you always can. Just my $.02.

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    1. Margot, thanks for you two cents. You make a great point, there really isn't time to stay with a book that doesn't draw you in. There are so many wonderful books out that that do draw you in that it would be a shame to miss one because I was stuck on one that wasn't as good.

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  2. Mason I haven't read that either, but I have had 2 or 3 instances of beginning books that I hated, and couldnt' finish, what I did 1) had my voracious reader husband read the book and write the review (and told my readers it was him) 2) Sent the books to another blogger who loved the genre 3) I have featured the book on my blog as a "Feature" and not a review...gave info but not my opinion about the book

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    1. Caren, I like your suggestions. Maybe featuring the book would be the best way to go. Thanks.

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  3. It's time to move on. I read Dust...it was "wordy", and I got impatient at times. Although I didn't put it down, I probably should have. I love to read, but I don't have a lot of patience. I like my books to be interesting and fast-paced. Slow books wear me out. Move on, my friend, the next book you read may be your favorite!

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    1. Janie, thanks for letting me know I'm not alone in my thoughts on this book. You're right, the next one could be my favorite.

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  4. It's time to move on. I read Dust...it was "wordy", and I got impatient at times. Although I didn't put it down, I probably should have. I love to read, but I don't have a lot of patience. I like my books to be interesting and fast-paced. Slow books wear me out. Move on, my friend, the next book you read may be your favorite!

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  5. In a case like you describe, where I've truly enjoyed all the previous offerings by an author, I'd finish the current book and then evaluate whether to continue with the series. It's gone both ways for me. Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta series became very disappointing for me several years ago and I did drop it. With some authors, I've experienced a "bad" book but then kept reading on and found newer entries were more satisfying. Good luck! And if you're looking for mystery/thriller recommendations, try Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, Robert Crais or Lee Child. All are excellent.

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    1. LSUReader, this has been a good series, especially the early works. I've ran across a couple along the way that were as good as previous ones too. I have read some of Lisa Gardner and Karin Slaughter's works. I'll have to add Lee Child and Robert Crais to my list.

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  6. I'm having the same problem right now. It's a book that is new and is being praised by everyone everywhere on the Internet. But I, and over-50 adult, find this book, THE INVENTION OF WINGS by Sue Monk Kidd, to be below my reading level. This is a book I consider YA. I would have liked this when I was in the 8th grade.

    But I'm continuing to read it because I want to figure out what all the praise is for. (By the way, it's an Oprah book, and I rarely agree with her.)

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  7. techeditor, I haven't read THE INVENTION OF WINGS either. Now you have me wondering what the praise is all about. I have to admit, I don't think I have ever read an of the books Oprah recommended. Best of luck with your reading.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's post. Thanks for dropping by.
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