Do I Have to Finish This?

I really do not want to be unappreciative; however, I am really struggling to finish The Winter Rose. I think I have read one too many historical romance and I feel as if I am re-reading something that is not that valuable. I pick it up nearly every evening when I first go to bed and within a short period of time it is too heavy, and not that compelling.

I am not at the point of saying it is not a good book, or could not be a good read for someone, but I think it just isn't my book, at this time.

Should I just post a review based on my having read 212 pages out of 707? What say you, fellow Early Reviewers?

imo: if it's not compelling enough for you to finish it, I'd say there's your review. We're asked to read and review, I don't think we agreed to finish a book if it's just painful. You could check with Abby to clarify.

I'm so glad you posted this question. It took me 2 months to read my last Early Reviewers Book, The Road to Heaven because it was awful. I finished it, but only out of a sense of obligation.

I posted a question to Abby just now and when I get a response, I'll be back with more information.

edit for spelling

I agree with teelgee. If it's that difficult to read, I think I would stop and state in my review that I couldn't finish the book. I'm interested to see what Abby has to say.

I slogged through the first early reviewer book I ever received The River Wife by Jonis Agee -- back in July -- it was truly terrible, but I DID finish because of this sense of obligation. Fortunately the books I have received since then have steadily improved in quality.

You don't need to finish it; I think you only need to give it a good chance, maybe slightly more of a chance than if you hadn't received it for free and to review.

Feel free to write a review along the lines of "This was so terrible, I didn't finish it and here's why." That's data, as they say.

Thank you, Tim. I think I will declare 200+ pages a good try out of a 700 page book.

Thanks for asking this question. I had a similar experience with Globalistan and had been agonizing over what to do. After seeing Tim's response I think I will give it one more try and see if I can get into it, but not feel too guilty if I can't.

I just posted a note to Abby in which I said that if, in the future, I do finish the book, I will post a revised or additional review. For now I have posted a review based on my experience up to now.

> 10 That's what I said in my review when I hit a wall on The Guardians. I feel guilty, but I've yet to finish it. I read all I could and explained why I could read no more. Thanks Tim for easing my burden.

BTW, I would love to see a recycling program for the ARC's I've no wish to keep. Just because it wasn't my cup of tea doesn't mean someone else wouldn't like it. And maybe give a more balanced review. Bulk mail is pretty cheap, I'd mail 2 of mine anywhere just to make some space. I think abby and tim should get first dibs for the LT Library....

Readaholic: did you see the thread at http://www.librarything.com/talktopic.php?topic=26359 ? I suspect that something will self-organize... I've already had one person ask for my ARC, just waiting to hear back an address.

chellerystick,
thanks, I missed that thread, just what I had in mind.

readaholic12 - if you're interested in "recycling" your old books, you should join BookMooch! www.bookmooch.com