Discussion Question: Do You Ever Intentionally Read a "Bad" Book?
Do you ever intentionally read a book you're almost positive isn't going to be that good? A book that will probably get at most a 3 star rating from you? I do. Why do I do this? Usually it's because I'm just in the mood for a certain type of book. A New Adult romance. An adult romance. A fantasy and the only one that I haven't read hasn't gotten great reviews. Or even a YA that sounded good when I bought it but then I'm not that excited about it anymore. But I still read it anyway. Why? With so many great books out there, books that people are raving about, why do I read a book that I know will just be ok? Have you ever done this?
Posted by: Pam
I can't remember ever doing this, I usually try to stay away from the ones that I know I won't enjoy that much, like historical fiction. But I do understand about buying books and then not being excited about them anymore, I have a few on my shelf that fits that description. I feel obligated to read them but I'm sure I won't enjoy them as much, so I see where you're coming from.
ReplyDeleteI've done this so many times, but more so with the hope that the bad, will in fact be good. Even when it doesn't turn out that way I keep reading. It's like once I start I'm not going to be able to stop.
ReplyDeleteI have definitely done this with arcs before. All those egalleys. I get them, get really excited, then read some not so good reviews from trusted bloggers, know that I'm probably not going to love it (or even like it sometimes) and then I still read it because I feel compelled to read and review all the galleys I request/download. I really should just skip them and let the publisher know I changed my mind, but I feel sooo bad doing that.
ReplyDeleteThe only example of this that I can think of is for the last book in a series that went downhill fast. Like I pretty much knew I wasn't going to like Allegiant or Ignite Me but I read them both anyway just to get closure. But I can't think of any times I have done this for a standalone or first in series. Although I have been tempted to read 50 Shades just so I know what everyone is talking about even though it will probably make my eyes bleed.
ReplyDeleteI've read books that I thought were going to be great when I grabbed them and then found none of my blogger friends liked it, but have read it anyway. Although, sometimes I have put these types of books off for a while because I'm afraid I really won't like them like everyone else. I do avoid reading reviews the couple of weeks before I read them or just see what someone rated them, but don't read the reviews so that my reaction is my own.
ReplyDeleteI have also read some adult romances that I knew weren't going to be great, but like you, was in the mood for that type of book.
A few, I think. Sometimes it's with old ARCs, only now that I've seen other reviews or I've reread the synopsis, I wonder why I'd requested that book since I'm not sure I'd like it. One ARC I requested on the basis of a negative review and since it had Middle Eastern elements, I was pretty sure I was going to be super picky and might not LOVE the book. Terrible decision on my part.
ReplyDelete"Or even a YA that sounded good when I bought it but then I'm not that excited about it anymore. But I still read it anyway. Why?" -- I also actually did this recently too. Heck if we *bought* the books some time ago, we ought to at least read a little bit of them right? I know I wasn't excited for this book because my reading tastes have changed from when I bought it, but at least I'm tackling that TBR. Though it is a bit like how you describe, a compulsion. A sort of eh, why read this when there are so many other good books out. I don't know. I'm glad you've posted this though - it's nice to examine our own habits and now I know I'm not the only one who does this!
It's funny you mention this because I was thinking about it the other day! I think I do it because I know I won't be *too* emotionally involved, so I won't get that drained. And I can usually read them quicker. There's just something about the pressure not being there?
ReplyDeleteI JUST did this this weekend. I NEVER like I Ian McEwan, but I tried again - sucker! I didn't like his work again!
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned, I also do it for the last in a series. Although I sometimes just google the story - I read 50 Shades but could not bring myself to read the next two so I just read the summary online. Good decision!