u/TeeAntonettePresents

Sometimes I know within the first chapter that a book won‘t pull me in. I like to call it having Reading Spidey Senses.

True to being an avid reader, books tend to resonate with me. There are times when I feel like if I’m in a certain season of my life, or experiencing a certain emotion, then I try not to read the opposite of that at the time.

In my previous post, I mentioned James Patterson as an author that I couldn’t engage with until later on in my life. I was introduced to him at a young age, and couldn’t get into his work because of the short chapters. Now that I am an author myself and understand the craft of reading and writing a whole lot more, I his style of is actually brilliant.

Sometimes, I like to imagine his chapters are my favorite candy. They tend to bite-sized, but long lasting like a box of Buncha Crunch or movie theater popcorn.

Yes, I just paired reading with candy all before 10 AM EST. It’s July 4th, so I’m excusing myself from being a responsible adult today, and you should, too. 😁

I’m curious—what’s the quickest you’ve ever realized a book wasn’t for you?

• Was it the writing style?
• The pacing?
• The characters?
• Something else?
• Do you have Reading Spidey senses?
• Is there a specific time of year that you choose to read your favorite author more than usual?

I’d love to hear your experiences.

I’m curious how other readers approach this.
If you’re not enjoying a book, do you push through and finish it, or do you set it aside and move on to something else?

Some people believe every book deserves to be finished. Others think life is too short to spend time reading something that isn’t connecting with them.
Has your approach changed over the years?

I used to feel bad if I had to DNF (Did Not Finish) a book. Now, though, because I strive to achieve my reading challenge yearly, I DNF a lot quicker if the book loses my attention. I still end up feeling bad, but I rationalize it that I have a goal to finish. My goal this year is to read 130 books, and I have only DNF 3 books thus far.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and what influences your decision.

Some books entertain us for a few days, while others quietly reshape how we see the world, ourselves, or the people around us. Those are the ones that linger—popping back into your thoughts at unexpected moments or influencing decisions long after you’ve turned the last page.
What’s one book that changed the way you think or continues to stay with you—and why? My one book is **The Battle of Jericho by Sharon M. Draper.** It showed the negative impact of peer pressure. Was it a particular idea, a character you couldn’t forget, or a perspective that challenged you in a meaningful way? Maybe it shifted how you approach relationships, work, or even your sense of purpose.
I’m always looking to expand my reading list and would love to hear your recommendations—and what made them meaningful to you.