It’s hot here in New Zealand at Christmastime. Well, it is meant to be. So this is kind of a funny topic for me to host.
I am part of a group of book bloggers who share recommendations. In December, I’m taking part in the Holiday Hop, a series of articles with a Christmas theme. Today is all about the books we did not finish (DNF).
If you want to join the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/127759384464964/
A Book That Left You Feeling Cold (DNF)
It is said that writers should read a lot, in order to learn how to write. Not just great books, but the ones that aren’t so great as well. It can be difficult to pinpoint why a book doesn’t hit the mark, but it’s also incredibly useful.
That said, I usually have to finish a book even if I am not enjoying it, or the saggy part in the middle drags a bit too much. I feel guilty if I don’t, especially because I can now appreciate how much work goes into every.darn.word!
This is a book by one of my favourite historical fiction authors, so I gave it a good go. I am sorry to say I didn’t finish On Mystic Lake by Kristin Hannah. I tried, I really did, and got to about 80%. Apart from the fact that the characters were not interesting enough, the print was really small so it was hard work. I guess every single one of her books can’t be as amazing as The Nightingale or The Great Alone.
This is what the other bloggers had to say:
Jo Linsdell www.JoLinsdell.com
I love Dean Koontz books but recently tried reading Dark Rivers of the Heart for the BYOBthon and just couldn’t get into it. I got to page 51 and then put it aside. I think my big problem was not being able to get my head around the character Spencer. I might give it another try in the future as I’ve enjoyed so many other books by the author, but for now it’s a DNF.
About the book:
Spencer Grant is physically and emotionally scarred. An outsider, he often sits for hours in bars just to avoid being alone – and to tell his story to someone who won’t remember it the next morning. But last night he met Valerie and something about her melted his isolation.
Then she doesn’t turn up for work and he finds her home abandoned, with a strange message fixed to the wall. Before he has time to wonder who or what Valerie is, the house is hit by an explosion.
Spencer escapes, only to find himself on the run – not only from his past but also from the conspiracy he has unwittingly stumbled on.
Erica Robyn – www.ericarobynreads.com
See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt was my most anticipated book for August of 2017. Unfortunately, right away I knew this was going to be a miss for me. The writing style for both the layout of the book and overall narrative itself just wasn’t for me.
I have issues with varying perspectives to begin with, but sometimes authors can write them in a way that I enjoy. But here, each one seemed just like the other; there wasn’t a tone or anything that really set them apart. If I set the book down in the middle of a chapter, I had to go back and see who the speaker was.
I didn’t even make it to page 100 before calling this one as a DNF. I was just far too bored and the storyline was all over the place. I won’t be picking this one up again in the future.
Brandy Potter www.brandypotterbooks.com
I am about to be shot by two major fandoms. I know this. I am also about to take a hit for what I am about to say about Twilight by the vampire purists. However, while I enjoyed the originality of the Stephanie Meyer’s books and even found myself laughing at may parts, I was not so enthralled with 50 Shades of Grey, a fanfiction that developed into a 5 book series. I read Twilight to clear them as appropriate reading for Cheyenne who was 12ish when they came out. Then I heard about 50 Shades and in the hype of the book, I bought it. MISTAKE. If Anastasia said, “He’s hot” one more time I was going to rip my hair out. I liked the books from Christian’s point of view better, but even there “Oh Yeah Baby” was ridiculously used. It was just BAD. And no it’s not because I don’t like erotica, it’s because the characters were awful, at least the main ones. Also, I have not been able to finish the first Outlander book. I don’t know why, but I am just not into it. I like the Show, but the book is not better for me.
Laura Morningstar – Loving Life Everyday https://lauramorningstar.com
I have to agree with Brandy here even if it is for slightly different reasons. The Fifty Shades of Grey series is misogynistic, abusive drivel. Written by a writer who obviously had no understanding of BDSM or bothered to research it. If she had then she would have known that what her supposed Dominant character Christian does would never occur in a BDSM relationship. Or if it did, then like in any other relationship type it would be seen as emotionally, physically and sexually abusive. Anastasia would have been encouraged to run from that situation as fast as she can. In addition to that the author relied upon the obvious plot trope of “person is kinky because they have experienced sexual trauma” which is devaluing and insulting to anyone who does follow that type of lifestyle. The book additionally is poorly written with characters that are two dimensional and I can’t believe that this is a series that managed to spawn four more books!
Follow the rest of the Holiday Hop:
1st A book you love so much you want everyone to find under their Christmas tree this year so they can read it too. Hosted by Jo Linsdell www.JoLinsdell.com
2nd A book cover that has a wonderfully Christmas feel to it. Hosted by Jackie Nolan http://thebookwormcafeblog.wordpress.com
3rd A book you’d like to find in your Christmas stocking this year. Hosted by Jackie Nolan http://thebookwormcafeblog.wordpress.com
4th A fictional character you’d like to spend Christmas with. Hosted by Brandy Potter www.brandypotterbooks.com
5th A fictional character you’d like to kiss under the mistletoe. Hosted by Renee Guill https://2turnthepagebookreviews.blogspot.com
6th A fictional creature to replace Rudolph and meet on the roof. Hosted by Eline https://lovelyaudiobooks.info
7th A book set at Christmas. Hosted by Sarah Nowicki https://www.paranormalpeach.com/
8th A book that left you feeling cold (DNF) Hosted by Kim J http://www.writersideoflife.com
9th A fictional place that would be perfect for a winter vacation. Hosted by Brandy Potter www.brandypotterbooks.com
10th Best book(s) you read this year. Hosted by Jackie Nolan http://thebookwormcafeblog.wordpress.com
11th What book release(s) are you most anticipating. Hosted by Laura Morningstar http://lauramorningstar.com/
12th Favourite winter read. Hosted by Kim J https://www.writersideoflife.com
13th A book that would make a great Christmas movie. Hosted by Erica Robyn www.ericarobynreads.com
14th A fictional character that you think would make a great Christmas elf. Hosted by Brandy Potter www.brandypotterbooks.com
15th Fictional characters you’d like to invite to your New Years Eve Party. Hosted by Laura Morningstar http://lauramorningstar.com/
Awesome picks, everyone!
I liked reading Fifty Shades of Grey as I was expecting an interesting story besides the out of the world romance.But soon realised where I have put myself in. I was struggling to finish Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed so much that Christisn Grey’s version is still lying untouched in my book shelf. It’s a DNF for me. Glad to know that I am not the only one who didn’t like the series.
I still haven’t got round to reading Fifty Shades of Grey. It’s been sat on my shelf for ages now.
I read about two chapters and gave it up.
Sounds like there are a lot of us!
Jo save yourself and put that on a “purge” list…. it’s bad.
Christian’s versions show the author’s growth. They aren’t as shallow and juvenile. But even they are hard reads.