Abandoned Books

Slow. Confusing. Tedious. Uninspiring. 

Sometimes a book just doesn’t work. There are few books that I’ve started but couldn’t finish. I thought I would share that list and keep it updated. The abandoned books list may be just as valuable as my regular Book List. These are not bad books. They just didn’t encourage me to keep reading. I’ll make sure to denote how many pages I got through and why I didn’t continue. Please share your thoughts on these entries. Did I miss something? Was the vibe better for you? What did you like about the book?

I invite you to defend these titles.

The Metaphysical Club by Louis Menand

Page 120 is where I stopped. I liked the idea of a biographical collection. However, this one became overwhelming as it shifted from one person to his father and his father’s friend turned mentor. I also wasn’t sensing a forward progression in anything. It was biography after biography without anything really interesting. I understand that all the biographical information is necessary prior to discussing how the people relate, but it was too much, and I found myself forgetting the book’s purpose. The preface was my favorite part. After that, too many side notes. 

This is How You Lose the Time War By Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

Page 30 stopping point. I don’t think I enjoyed the style of this book. I expected the time-warp and budding romance alluded to on the back cover, but I just couldn’t get through it. In general, I’m not into overly poetic language, and this book is 100% lyrical. The language takes me out of the story. I had to reread multiple sections to find the scene again. It’s simply not my taste. Honestly, maybe I’ll try re-reading this one. I hope to read it out loud or with someone who might appreciate the language.

Going to the Wars by Charles Carlton

Page 45 roughly. I was looking forward to an in-depth analysis of the English Civil Wars, but maybe the dry academic language held me back. This is not something to read before bed. I want human stories, and I didn’t think I got many of those. In comparison, I really enjoyed the podcast from “Revolutions” on the same subject. The podcast included specific people and kept a narrative drama going. I’d like to give this book another shot when I have some daytime reading.