I've been slightly overwhelmed lately (real life beckons). The volume of comments on these hops is wonderful. I appreciate every single one of your comments and apologize that I didn't get around to visiting everyone last week.
This week's question is:
My answer: I always try to power through, at least until half the book. Oftentimes the payoff is greater than the slow first pages (or chapters). All DNF's I'd rather classify as on "hold" and over time, a DNF, for me, is rare and the reason is that it probably wasn't the right time for me to read it.
This week's question is:
How do you turn down a review request?
My answer: I email back and say, thank you, but unfortunately I do not {review e-books / am not interested in reviewing erotica/paranormal/books with explicitly sexual covers // am not interested in the subject matter // other reason ...} ... and I wish them the very best. I try to respond to all emails but honestly, some feel spammish and I probably should just ignore some of them. But I keep thinking that there is a real live person behind each email, some of whom probably never even read my review policy or wanting, and I try to give them a chance.
Hope you're having a good Friday ... any weekend plans?
I tend to also consider the books I haven't finished to be on "hold" because a lot of times, I won't finish because I was in a bit of a reader's block (my version of a slump), not because it was a book I didn't like.
ReplyDeleteAs for weekend plans, I'm working on a new discussion feature on my blog and a meme-type thing (but instead of weekly, it'll be a one time thing bloggers can take part in whenever). And of course, I'll be reading too. :)
I will have a FF up this week. It's just not written yet.
I'll be interested to see your new discussion feature! Thanks for the visit, Kaitlin!
DeleteYeah, I always give books a chance because a lot of the best ones start off slow. New follower :)
ReplyDeleteFollow back? http://metaphoricalgirl.blogspot.com/2013/08/ff-friday-1.html
So true ... then we miss out right?
DeleteI like your rule about getting to a halfway point of a book before deciding. I worked with an English teacher who told all of his students to never make a decision about a book until they reached page 100. Ever since I heard that, that has been my silent rule. Although, like you, I rarely DNF!
ReplyDelete100 pages seems awfully short to me, but still, a great rule to go by!
DeleteI hate DNFs being over my head. Sometimes I'll set a book aside with the intention of finishing it, but when I'm definitely never picking up the book again, I delete it from my Kindle or donate it from my bookshelf. I don't want it there to remind me of how I failed to finish it. :(
ReplyDeleteold follower
My FF
I understand the feeling ... if you don't like it, get rid of it. Like old clothes that you love but don't fit :)
DeleteI've reread books that I previously DNF and really enjoyed them. You're right, sometimes it's you, not the book :)
ReplyDeleteNew Follower via Bloglovin
That should be a bumper sticker :)
DeleteFollowing you back on Bloglovin!
I have a few DNFed books that I'd try again, but some of them I'm unwilling to - especially if the reviews are bad.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
My FF
Blogaversary Giveaway
If the reviews are overwhelmingly negative, then maybe it's just not worth it :) Thanks for visiting and Happy Blogoversary! Following you back on Bloglovin!
DeleteYeah setting aside sometimes works for me, I might lose interest but then come back later and it works.
ReplyDeleteNew follower via bloglovin!
It usually does .... though in my experience, sometimes it takes years!
DeleteFollowing you back on Bloglovin!
I love your response! I actually try not to DNF books. :b I'm a Bloglovin follower.
ReplyDeleteThanks Krystianna, lovely to have you here! Following you back on Bloglovin!
DeleteI do the same thing with DNFs...one book that I recently couldn't finish was Joyce's Ulysses. I figured I just wasn't smart or old enough, and I've saved it to read in another couple of years.
ReplyDeleteThe only time I actually put a book away forever is if the writing and story are so horrendous and nonredeemable that I can't handle it.
I'd be interested to find out your abandoned books list :) I wonder what stories/writing are "horrendous and non-redeemable" ;P following you on Bloglovin! (Loving your blog, will be back :))
DeleteNew follower, I try and power through hoping the payoff will come in the end, however if by halfway through I am still zoning out, i will shelve that book!
ReplyDeletekat@http://katloveofbooks.blogspot.com
The halfway mark seems reasonable to me, too.
DeleteFollowing you on Bloglovin!
I try to reply to each email, but sometimes I just delete it.
ReplyDeleteYup .. that sounds like me lately. So many links to e-books and mass emails! Delete!
DeleteI always answer each one whether it be negative or positive.
ReplyDeleteDeclining is tricky, but it can be done graciously as I have seen from many answers today including mine. :)
Happy Hopping!!
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Blog Hop Answer
I'm impressed. I started out the same way. But there is so much more email coming in nowadays. I have a lot to learn in terms of declining graciously :)
DeleteI really enjoyed reading your answers.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I used to try and power through it, but you are right, sometimes I go back to said book years later and actually enjoy it, when I didn't the first time around :D
Thanks! I just popped over and what a sweet looking blog you have :)
DeleteFollowing you on Bloglovin!