HOW MANY PAGES DO YOU READ BEFORE GIVING A BOOK THE FLICK?
January 14th 2007 00:54
I used to read every book I picked up, front to back, regardless of my enjoyment level. But just like the well-known biological clock, my literary clock is ticking away and time is running out! There are so many books out there I desperately want to read, with more being added daily. So, how many pages do you consider efficient to judge the quality of a book? I’ve been told no more than 20 and no less than 50. Seems a little harsh, doesn’t it? But then again, why spend precious reading time on something you’re obviously not enjoying.
With this in mind, I recently decided to give the limit of 50 pages a go. Surely this would help me get through my ‘to read’ list quicker. So, the other day my reservation for Peter Temple’s The Broken Shore arrived. Now, I don’t usually read crime novels, but I must have placed the reservation at a weak moment (I have them every now and again) and thought it sounded like one I may be able to stomach. I have tried Elizabeth George, Hazel Holt, Peter Corris and a spattering of other crime writers with little success. They just don’t seem to appeal to me. No crime in that! (Sorry about the pun)
I was not surprised therefore, when after 50 pages I found myself very lukewarm to Temple’s writing. I had little interest in Joe Cashin and his myriad of aches and pain, obviously brought on by some past homicide escapade for which I was sure I would learn about later. But I seem to have some inner force in me that refuses to quit early, so I decided to carry on to page 100. I’m glad I did. At page 80-something, things clicked and I started caring.
This is a great little novel that deals with the big and the trivial of small town law enforcing. It is story driven with what little characterization there is evolving through the action and the comings and goings of the many individuals who weave this criminal web of cruelty and deceit. Yes, they’re all there. The good and the bad and its not going to knock your socks off, but if you enjoy a good page-turning crimebuster you won’t be disappointed.
And I’ve made my decision – no less than 100 pages! How about you?
Image: www.fantasticfiction
I was not surprised therefore, when after 50 pages I found myself very lukewarm to Temple’s writing. I had little interest in Joe Cashin and his myriad of aches and pain, obviously brought on by some past homicide escapade for which I was sure I would learn about later. But I seem to have some inner force in me that refuses to quit early, so I decided to carry on to page 100. I’m glad I did. At page 80-something, things clicked and I started caring.
This is a great little novel that deals with the big and the trivial of small town law enforcing. It is story driven with what little characterization there is evolving through the action and the comings and goings of the many individuals who weave this criminal web of cruelty and deceit. Yes, they’re all there. The good and the bad and its not going to knock your socks off, but if you enjoy a good page-turning crimebuster you won’t be disappointed.
And I’ve made my decision – no less than 100 pages! How about you?
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Comment by David my David
Me? One page.
If the first page isn't up to scratch? Not interested.
You post? Put a few more pages on your next one ...
David ...
Comment by Joanne
Open Book
Joanne
Comment by David my David
I'm an extreme person ...
Let me try to write to you analagously, in an effort to explain why I do what I do ...
A book? It's like a woman? ... If I find a woman I like? The only pages of any book I ever open is her pages ...
Once I find the best book in the world? ... I open up the first page of her book ... and just lose myself in the first word ..
Why read another book, EVER? ...
To be arrogantly honest? I don't read much at all .. nowadays ... I'm too busy poring over what I write .. Yep ... that's me ... I love what I write ... Okay .. so no-one pays me for what I write ... Big fucking deal ...
About the only books I read are True-Crime Novels ...
My days? ... This is what my day consists of ..
I get up. I think about a woman. I keep thinking about that woman ... I write about that woman ... to that woman ... or for that woman ... I've got the best book in the world ... I don't need another book EVER in my life .....
The book of her? ... I just re-read it and re-read it .. and look at the cover pic ...
And I just forget that I even exist ...
My life? Food means nothing to me ... I eat about once a week ... a bowl of badly made soup ... Why? When I'm in love with a woman ... nothing else matters ...
Anyway ... I'd better go ...
because when I even start thinking about her ... My chest heaves ... my breathing slows ... I get tingles in my arms and fingers ... and my whole body burns ... for her ...
Me? Give me one woman, one book ... (okay two books ... the Bible and the Dictionary ... but only one woman ...
put me on a desert island ..
and I'll live out my days in the most erotic, sensual and sexual love ...
AND JUST EXPLODE WITH LOVE !!!!!
going now ...
goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooone ...
Comment by Joanne
Open Book
Comment by Aimzster
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