26 Responses to “Sagging Middles”

1. I dont think it is an age or dumb thing. I think the perfect page count is 350. It doesnt seem so overwhelming to me at that amount of pages. A shorter book I seem cheated for the price but sometimes I pick up a shorter book because I want a quick read.

   With me, it is not always the middle of the book that makes me wander to my tbr, sometimes I just can’t get my mind on the book from the beginning and it is not always the problem with the book. I just read a book that I started to skim thru because I couldnt really see much of a story in it and hated not to finish it as I paid good money for it.

   And size doesnt always matter - lol - sometimes a shorter book is an excellent read - A Rose for Maggie by Kathleen Korbel is a perfect example as well as Linda Howard’s Sarah’s Child which I always tout how these are wondeful books.

   by Pat L. on August 22nd, 2007 at 6:26 am
   
   

2. I prefer longer books which are more substantial and normally I read them from cover to cover, but lately as you mentioned, in many books I have experienced the same thing. Either becoming disenchanted with the characters and where the book is going and having no interest in even finishing the book. I would prefer to finish the novel but at times it seems senseless to bother. Its a pity but why waste time on a book that isn’t enjoyable and an effort to plough through.

   by jenna on August 22nd, 2007 at 8:29 am
   
   

3. I have the most trouble with the beginnings of books. If I’m not interested in the first 15 minutes will I be interested in the rest? Probably not and I have a pile of these pushed behind other TBR. Length varies - short and sweet, long and please-don’t-end, etc.

   by Karen B on August 22nd, 2007 at 10:35 am
   
   

4. I read alot of romantic suspense and mysteries so I stay interested all the way through the book. If I’m losing interest, then the book isn’t that good. To me a good book is the kind that you have to keep reading one more chapter and can not put down. I do look at my TBR pile in anticipation to start a new book too. I think it’s just the satisfaction of finishing a book and starting a new one. We are waiting to finish and start the next, that’s all. I guess this is why some people read more then one book at once. I can’t do that though. I’d perfer to finish one before starting another. My suggestion is not to read for such long periods of time if you’re getting bored. Maybe it’d be better to read smaller portions, like 3 chapters a day. That way you don’t have time to get bored. OR pick better books.

   by RachaelfromNJ on August 22nd, 2007 at 10:37 am
   
   

5. My problem is the beginning of the book. If I am not hooked to the story by page 50 then I go to the next book in my pile. There are to many good books out there and too little time to be wasting on a book so boring I can’t get into the story after reading 50 pages. Once I am hooked, there is no problem finishing the book. You might want to try some of the shorter reads like Desires and Blazes for awhile. I go with shorter reads when I am very short on time like one of the kids is sick or the baby is cranky and teething, I am especially partial to the Nocturnes line since I enjoy paranormals but don’t always have time to read the long ones. Maybe a short read will help with your boredom.

   by Cherie J on August 22nd, 2007 at 11:26 am
   
   

6. When I start a new novel I expect to be enthralled with it immediately. I know if I am not into it by the first chapter then it is a waste of my precious time and I just start a new one. I do not really mind putting it aside perhaps for another try later on, but I know if probably won’t be catching my interest then either.

   by pearl on August 22nd, 2007 at 11:32 am
   
   

7. I look forward to starting a new book with great anticipation. I hope that it can provide me with entertainment but also keep me glued to the story with great characters and a wonderful plot. This is what I require, but if it is isn’t there within a few pages or the first few chapters then I know I might as well not continue. I am disappointed but I would prefer to know sooner than later and not waste time.

   by sharon on August 22nd, 2007 at 11:47 am
   
   

8. Maybe I have been lucky in my choice of books, but I’ve loved everything I have read over the past few months! And it has nothing to do with age because I know I’m older than you. When I do go through those times of feeling weighed down by what I’m reading I switch to Anthologies.

   by Susan on August 22nd, 2007 at 11:47 am
   
   

9. Anthologies and shorter books–Desires and Blazes. Great ideas! Plus, I’ve recently discovered Presents–love ‘em!

   I do also have problems beginning books, especially at the end of the day. It sometimes feels like too much effort to get to know a new character right at bedtime. So I usually try to start new books earlier, when I’m fresher.

   I have, after many years, given myself permission not to finish a book after fifty pages or so, if I can’t get into it. I still feel bad about it, though–I hate giving up on anything.

   And my sagging middle problem isn’t always related to how good the book is. It can be a GREAT book, but the mood strikes me to read something else.

   I dunno…

   by Ann Christopher on August 22nd, 2007 at 12:25 pm
   
   

10. I like longer books. I have picked up a couple of books and couldn’t get in the mood to read them. I would read another book and then when I went back to the first book, I’m thinking why coulnd’t I get into this earlier.

    by Amy S. on August 22nd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
    
    

11. I’m really terrible, I read the end first! If I like the end, I go to the middle, if I like the middle, I start on the first page…very unorthodox I know.:-)

    I get overwhelmed when I see that a book is over 400 pages. But if its a really good book, like the BDB series…I always finish.

    by Carol on August 22nd, 2007 at 12:45 pm
    
    

12. When this happens to me it is usually my fault, not the authors. Sometimes I will get easily bored with many books that I start. When this happens I will sometimes read an older book from my keeper shelf. I know that I will enjoy it so I can relax and read. The length of a book doesn’t matter except when I ‘m not enjoying it and then it seems endless or if I’m loving it then the book never has enough pages.

    by Maureen on August 22nd, 2007 at 12:49 pm
    
    

13. Recently, I have discovered that I like to read books by Harlequin. I love the length and I can normally finish one in a day. My attention spam seems to have gotten shorter lately.

    by Patty L. on August 22nd, 2007 at 1:39 pm
    
    

14. I have sometimes felt as you do but think it has more to do with a lull during the section of the books that come to my mind with your post. Don’t tend to mind very long books if the pacing and writing is good.

    by Little Lamb Lost on August 22nd, 2007 at 2:12 pm
    
    

15. I like longer books and don’t have a problem with losing interest in the middle of the book.

    by Estella on August 22nd, 2007 at 2:34 pm
    
    

16. I have read books that while they have grabbed me during those crucial 15 minutes, by the middle of the book, I just don’t care anymore. In some cases, the plot is repetitious and I’ve got the ending pegged. Oppossed to those other stories that suck me in from the first page and have me reading non-stop to the end. Now those are the books that make it to my keeper shelf.

    by Cathy on August 22nd, 2007 at 2:48 pm
    
    

17. reading so much has made me become more discriminating about my choices. It really depends upon the writing style as well as the storyline. If it is peaking my interest for a good length then I stick with it. Otherwise it is disappointing and I have to put it away. I love becoming engrossed within the pages and if this cannot happen soon enough then forget it for that book.

    by sabrina on August 22nd, 2007 at 3:52 pm
    
    

18. I usually like longer books because I like to get to know the characters better. If a book is good then I have no problem with any part of it. If a book doesn’t hold my attention, then I will skim through parts of it to get to the end. There are very few books that I won’t finish.

    by Carol M on August 22nd, 2007 at 4:01 pm
    
    

19. I’m happiest reading a book in one sitting and for that reason I prefer the book not to be too thick. But I also like a story to go on longer, and I’m finding both needs get fulfilled through reading connected books, as in series or trilogies. I get a long story, but I also get the satisfaction of finishing a book in about one sitting. I can then take a break before starting the next book in the series.

    I admit I’m not likely to tackle a long book unless it has been highly reccommended, otherwise I feel I’m gambling my time and money.

    by Sue A. on August 22nd, 2007 at 4:03 pm
    
    

20. If you are losing attention in the middle than I am going to guess the book isn’t that good. I used to always read the thickest books and can’t remember being bored in the middle.

    by catslady on August 22nd, 2007 at 4:18 pm
    
    

21. I find that my situation lots of times depends on the book I choose from my TBR stack. If I am relaxing and have nothing planned to take my attention away from my book I prefer a long book I can really get into; if my time is limited I will pick a shorter length story so I can hopefully get thru it. If I am reading too many stories of the same type that I find I am losing interest after the first few chapters, I will switch to a different type of book so the appeal is new and refreshing to me.

    by Shari C on August 22nd, 2007 at 7:11 pm
    
    

22. Sometimes I skim books because of too much description or pages filled with a little bit of nothing and no storyline movement. If it’s in the middle, I keep going. If it’s in the beginning of the book and I’ve reached page 100 and I’m still not interested, I don’t finish it. When I’m really enjoying a storyline and are interested in the characters, I like it to be around 350 pages. The shorter books are good for busy times of the year.

    I was never able to finish Outlander. I tried several times because there is so much talk about it but it fell into that page 100 pattern and I put it aside. lol I don’t think I’ll ever read the entire story.

    by KimW on August 22nd, 2007 at 7:21 pm
    
    

23. Thanks for all the great comments!

    KimW–I don’t remember where 100 pages puts you in OUTLANDER, but if you can make it to the part where Jamie and Claire are forced to get married, the book really takes off.

    I’ve randomly chosen Little Lamb Lost to win the book bundle–LLL, please e-mail your address to me:

    ann@annchristopher.com

    See you next time!

    by Ann Christopher on August 22nd, 2007 at 7:26 pm
    
    

24. Thanks so much!

    by Little Lamb Lost on August 23rd, 2007 at 2:35 pm
    
    

25. 

    When I’m considering buying a new romance novel to read, I read the front and back cover then the inside teaser page. If that grabs me, then I’ll scan the inside of the book for the juicy scenes.

    I don’t like for the books to be too long (250 to 350 pages) is about as long as my attention will last, no matter how good the book is. That’s because my brain is usually all over the place anyway with hobbies and what-not.

    I like the ‘attraction’ to happen instant, however, I don’t like for the sex to happen fast.
    The couple should get to know each other first. To me, mid-book copulation works best. They can be all hot and bothered up to that point. It just adds to the anticipation. But that’s just me.

    If I can get a hold of a book with all of these qualities, then I’m hooked. It will be read within a day’s time. Then I’ll go back and read it three or four more times before finally putting it down.

    I’ve been like this about romance books since I started reading romance novels at 16 so I don’t see having limited attention for a book as an age thing.

    Toodles

    by Donna on August 28th, 2007 at 9:55 am
    
    

26. I loved reading the book The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I have the whole series she wrote. I also enjoy reading Harlequin book that are fast to read through but like to read books that are around 300 or more pages to them.

    by Loretta on September 1st, 2007 at 11:06 pm