Trying to read Middlemarch. About half through. Second time in 68 years I'm reading this . This time with a Substack group. Although I understand it better I am going to be so glad to finish this
I've reread Middlemarch about every seven or eight years since I was 17 and read it for A level. My feelings and sympathies and the things I find in it change every time. I can't imagine it not being part of my life now!
Of late I’ve felt a greater freedom to leave things unfinished when they just don’t resonate… I’m in a book group which I joined partly because it would encourage me to read things I wouldn’t otherwise have chosen, and although generally that’s worked, there have been times where it really hasn’t. As an “I’ve started so I’ll finish” kind of person it’s been a challenge in itself to allow myself to stop something that is fundamentally unrewarding!
Loved this! I'm guilty of abandoning books at the merest hint of non-enjoyment, but I've also recently reread a book I previously DNF'd and ended up loving it.
I did that with 'The Remains of the Day'. Someone gave it to me years ago, at a time when I very rarely gave up on a book, and I couldn't finish it, it just seemed cold and dull and repellent. Then I tried again a while later and found it utterly absorbing and haunting when I'd finished it.
It's interesting you mentioned about the writing being too small. I don't have any problems with my eyesight for reading but I borrowed a large print library book of The Woman in the Woods by Lisa Hall. They didn't have the standard paperback available. I devoured it very quickly and loved it. It was so satisfying as it felt like I was whizzing through the story and strangely I never had to re-read anything. I do have to borrow The Binding again. I didn't finish it last time and someone had reserved it.
For me, reading is about enjoyment, not perfection. Not every book will become a favourite, and that's part of the experience. Sometimes you're not in the right mood for a book, and it's okay to put it down and potentially pick up back up later. If it's not working for you, move on. There are so many books to choose from.
Trying to read Middlemarch. About half through. Second time in 68 years I'm reading this . This time with a Substack group. Although I understand it better I am going to be so glad to finish this
Offt that is a big book! I've not gotten around to tackling it myself yet :)
I've reread Middlemarch about every seven or eight years since I was 17 and read it for A level. My feelings and sympathies and the things I find in it change every time. I can't imagine it not being part of my life now!
It is also wonderful as an audio book too. It's a long book but one of my favourites.
Of late I’ve felt a greater freedom to leave things unfinished when they just don’t resonate… I’m in a book group which I joined partly because it would encourage me to read things I wouldn’t otherwise have chosen, and although generally that’s worked, there have been times where it really hasn’t. As an “I’ve started so I’ll finish” kind of person it’s been a challenge in itself to allow myself to stop something that is fundamentally unrewarding!
Good for you Carol! I love that mindset :)
Loved this! I'm guilty of abandoning books at the merest hint of non-enjoyment, but I've also recently reread a book I previously DNF'd and ended up loving it.
It's funny how that works out isn't it? I'm a bigger believer in timing when it comes to reading :)
I did that with 'The Remains of the Day'. Someone gave it to me years ago, at a time when I very rarely gave up on a book, and I couldn't finish it, it just seemed cold and dull and repellent. Then I tried again a while later and found it utterly absorbing and haunting when I'd finished it.
Love this for you! I’ve got that on my shelf to be read, and now I think I’m going to aim to read it in the autumn.
Thanks! Thinking of Molly's seasonal reading, I think it might be a good book for autumn, it is quite melancholy and sombre.
It's interesting you mentioned about the writing being too small. I don't have any problems with my eyesight for reading but I borrowed a large print library book of The Woman in the Woods by Lisa Hall. They didn't have the standard paperback available. I devoured it very quickly and loved it. It was so satisfying as it felt like I was whizzing through the story and strangely I never had to re-read anything. I do have to borrow The Binding again. I didn't finish it last time and someone had reserved it.
That's so interesting! Format can really make a difference to the reading experience :)
For me, reading is about enjoyment, not perfection. Not every book will become a favourite, and that's part of the experience. Sometimes you're not in the right mood for a book, and it's okay to put it down and potentially pick up back up later. If it's not working for you, move on. There are so many books to choose from.
Agreed!
Good one. I agree, and have written on this myself earlier this year. There are many ways of approaching reading and it is such an interesting process. https://nataliaclarke.substack.com/p/unfinished-books