Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
When Jana released the summer topics for Top Ten Tuesday, she suggested we include reasons why we didn’t finish the books in this week’s list if we can do so kindly.
I’m going to take her up on that idea, but please don’t let me stop you from checking these titles out for yourself if you’re interested in them.
My literary pet peeves and dislikes might be exactly what you look for in a story and vice versa. Everyone is different, after all, and all of these books had good bones so to speak. I wouldn’t have included them this week if I thought otherwise!
Pageboy by Elliot Page
Why I Stopped Reading It: While I liked Mr. Page’s writing style and was quite interested in his story, I struggled to adjust to how non-linearly he wrote this memoir and how many details about his sex life were included. It is totally fine for people who enjoy that topic to discuss about it amongst themselves so long as all of their sexual partners have consented to it, by the way! I’m simply bored by such talk and would have much rather read something that was written chronologically and focused on the author’s many professional accomplishments instead.
The Annual Migration of Clouds by Premee Mohamed
Why I Stopped Reading It: I enjoyed the science fiction elements of the first few chapters, but the literary fiction elements of it were too slow and meandering for my tastes. I generally prefer stronger plot and character development than what was featured here, but I can also see how this could be a great introduction to science fiction for people who love more ambiguous writing styles.
Vanderbes
Why I Stopped Reading It: There wasn’t much here that I hadn’t already read elsewhere, although it could be a great read for people who aren’t already aware of the tragic, unintended consequences of thalidomide on embryos and fetuses.
Such Kindness by Andre Dubus III
Why I Stopped Reading It: The main character had been in constant, severe pain since a work accident a decade ago that destroyed his health, marriage, finances, ability to work, and more. One reviewer said the storyline remained dark and depressing for the first hundred pages before it improved. I read a little past that point but then could not take any more of his suffering. It was too much for me.
Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Why I Stopped Reading It: It was too scary. My brain needs calmer stuff at the moment.
It’s always a bummer when a book doesn’t work for readers, but I think there is good in DNF-ing books because, well, there’s just too many good ones out there. 🙂
Agreed!
I’m waiting for the audiobook edition of Pageboy from the library. I hope I like it.
I hope you love it!
The fact that you had to stop reading Silver Nitrate because it was too scary makes me want to read it even more. 😅 Different strokes and all that, I suppose.
Thanks for letting us know about Pageboy. I was interested in his story but not too keen on all the sexual content, so I’ll probably avoid that.
My TTT: https://standingtreereads.wordpress.com/2023/07/25/top-ten-tuesday-%f0%9f%97%93%ef%b8%8f-july-25-2023/
Heh, good for you. May it be just as scary as you want it to be!
And you’re welcome.
Lol yes, no thanks to a stranger’s sex life details! Thanks for dropping by my post!
Heh, you’re welcome.
Ooooh, thank you for the warning about Silver Nitrate! I enjoyed the author’s Mexican Gothic, but it was nearly too scary for me. Anything more intense and I think I wouldn’t have finished it.
I also prefer memoirs that are more linear. Good to know that this one isn’t. And Premee Mohamed seems to write in that crossover SFF/lit fic space on a regular basis. I read And What Can We Offer You Tonight but was indifferent toward the style, so that’s probably going to be the only thing of hers I read.
My TTT: https://bookwyrmknits.com/2023/07/25/top-ten-tuesday-recent-dnfs/
You’re welcome. 🙂
That’s good to know about Premee Mohamed.
I keep hearing good things about Pageboy, but it doesn’t sound like somethig that would appeal to me either. Wonder Drug sounds interesting, although I don’t tend to read much non-fiction these days.
Cool.
That is good information to know before starting Page Boy.
Thank you!
It’s such a bummer when a book doesn’t work out especially if you were looking forward to it.
Absolutely!
I was going to read or listen to Pageboy, but I am not want to want details about their sexual encounters. I close books because they are too explicit, so I think I will pass on it now. Thanks for the heads up Lydia. I like your reasoning, they all sound like ones that might get me to DNF as well.
You’re welcome. I hope you find something else to read that better suits your tastes. 🙂
I was considering listening to Pageboy, but it’s good to know what to expect!
Glad to hear it.
I love that you included reasons, because your bit about Silver Nitrate actually makes me more tempted to pick it up! Love that!
That’s great! I hope you love it.
I haven’t read any of your books listed and don’t really think anyone appeals to me. Love how diverse people can love different books!
Elza Reads
It’s wonderful. 🙂
I hope you’re able to come back to SILVER NITRATE at some point!
Thank you!
Lydia, great list as usual! I’m waffling on Silver Nitrate because I was worried it would be too scary, and thanks for noting that, because I’m taking it off my TBR. I’m a huge chicken and probably can’t handle that book.
Thank you, Leah. 🙂
I’m glad I could help. Hehe.
This actually makes me want to pick up Silver Nitrate more, haha.
Heh, that’s great. I hope you love it!
I liked Page in Juno, but that’s about it. Don’t know that I’ve seen `em in anything else. I don’t really do DNFs that much, so I went with Kindle previews this week.
Makes sense. 🙂
Silver Nitrate… everything by that author looks interesting to me but just haven’t tried them yet…
I hope you like it if you read it!
Hmmm…The annual Migration of Clouds was recently recommended to me, I think I will skip it.
Good for you. 🙂
I do not read horror or scary books so I definitely don’t think Silver Nitrate would be for me! I’m not sure if I should try any of their other books though.
I wish you luck as you decide! 🙂
Unrelenting dark and depressing storylines are so difficult for me!
They can be a lot for sure.
I have Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia on my TBR list. Sounds like something to read around Halloween.
Yes, it would be a great Halloween read for sure!
Silvia Moreno-Garcia had cool stories, but same, I’m not in the mood for nitrate, maybe in autumn
It would be a very atmospheric read for then for sure. 🙂
I’ve never heard of any of these, but some of them do sound interesting. WONDER DRUG is one I might pick up since I don’t know anything about that topic.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I hope you like it! It was such a sad chapter in history, but a lot of good came out of it, too.
Oh no, I’ve heard this about Pageboy A LOT and I was so excited to read it too!
I was so disappointed. I hope you like it more if you read it.
Good reasons to stop. You know your own limits.
Thanks. 🙂
I might have to read Silver Nitrate if it’s as scary as you say! I loved Mexican Gothic but I didn’t feel like checking out Silver Nitrate when I heard about it.
I hope you love it!
I would also stop reading books for the same reason you didn’t finish these. It’s hard to DNF a book, but sometimes necessary. Have a great week!
Thank you. You, too!
I love that there are so many books out there that there’s something for everyone and something you loved might not be for someone else and vice versa, though I will admit, I am ever the optimist when it comes to books and often push through when I really should put them down because I keep hoping they’ll get better.
It’s wonderful, isn’t it?
I like your optimism.
Ooh, I didn’t know Page had a memoir! Looks interesting. Even though I do enjoy Moreno-Garcia’s writing, Silver Nitrate sadly does look way too scary for me and I don’t even know what it’s about 😂 Great list, Lydia!
Thank you, Dini. Yeah, I was expecting you to say it was too scary for you, too. 🙂
I’m only familiar with Pageboy from your list this week, I’ve not read it, just heard of it ton Booktube though I’ve not actually checked out the description or anything. Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/10-books-i-recently-marked-as-did-not-finish/
Cool!
while i try not to DNF a book (and most often DNF for lack of time or because of other priorities), i would definitely dnf for many of the reasons you have here..
thanks for visiting my ttt
You’re welcome. And thanks. 🙂
My book reviews focus on the style of writing with a bit of my opinion mixed in because other people might like what I wasn’t so keen on.
An interesting list.
Have a great week!
That makes sense.
You, too!
Your reasons make sense! I saw Silver Nitrate in the horror section when I went to the bookstore last week, I don’t think I’d be able to pick it up if it was that scary
Thanks. 🙂 Yeah, it’s quite scary for sure.
All great reasons to put down a book!
Thank you. 🙂
I think all of your reasons for DNFing each of these makes perfect sense.
Thanks. I appreciate that. 🙂
I can’t stand non-linear memoirs or excessive details on people’s sex lives either…Pageboy was already low priority for me and now it’s even lower. Although I love the “too scary” reason…interest, INCREASED!
All very interesting and understandable reasons for DNFing, though. Great post.
Thank you.
I hope you love Silver Nitrate!