I find myself to be a fickle reader sometimes, where I’ll find books that from either the synopsis or a friend’s recommendation interest me, but when I start reading it takes me multiple attempts to get past the first few pages, even if I end up loving the book! I attribute it in large part to ADHD but sometimes a book is just a tough read until it gets its hooks in me.
One book that really is doing this to me right now is Perdido Street Station by China Miéville. I really am fascinated by the world he creates in the story so far but I’ve tried reading it a few times now and I’ve never gotten farther than the first 100 pages. I love Weird Fiction and his writing is very well done, but all the world building, while done well, is hard for me to get super into, and I’m wanting to get on with the plot that he’s started!!
The biggest saving grace is that the world building is reminding me of the Ambergris Trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer and I LOVED those books even though the first book of that trilogy also took some work to get into.
I’m curious, what books have been like this for you and what are your strategies for overcoming this issue?
by Fodgy_Div
6 Comments
Metamorphosis, it has layers of meaning and I learn something new every time I read it
[removed]
The Master & Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov took me three or four tries. Mainly because of the Pontius Pilate time jumps in the earlier parts and the reintroduction of characters. Glad I pushed through though as it is hands down my favorite book now.
House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski was simultaneously the toughest and most rewarding book I’ve ever read.
Reddit has successfully convinced me that I have ADHD
A great American classic—Moby Dick by Herman Melville. I read the first 75-100 pages three or four times before finally getting into enough to get through it. The middle really slows down before picking up again. It is a grind to get through the technical whaling parts. Deserves to be a classic, but not a fun, easy read.