Comments on: Know When to Stop Reading a Book http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:53:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: “Futter für die Bestie.” [Essay, BELLA triste 31, 2011] | stefanmesch http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/comment-page-1/#comment-1143319 “Futter für die Bestie.” [Essay, BELLA triste 31, 2011] | stefanmesch Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:21:19 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/#comment-1143319 [...] billige Bestseller und Klassiker im Amazon Marketplace [Weg 16]. Ich verabschiedete mich vom Zwang, jedes Buch zu Ende lesen zu müssen [Weg 17], aber las gerne möglichst viele verschiedene Stimmen [...] [...] billige Bestseller und Klassiker im Amazon Marketplace [Weg 16]. Ich verabschiedete mich vom Zwang, jedes Buch zu Ende lesen zu müssen [Weg 17], aber las gerne möglichst viele verschiedene Stimmen [...]

]]> By: Jeannie http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/comment-page-1/#comment-762337 Jeannie Sat, 23 Apr 2011 18:48:14 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/#comment-762337 This is the best post! You've just answered the most agonizing question I've asked myself for the past year - do I toss boring books? Now I can lay my guilt to rest. :) Thanks!!! This is the best post! You’ve just answered the most agonizing question I’ve asked myself for the past year – do I toss boring books? Now I can lay my guilt to rest. :) Thanks!!!

]]> By: James http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/comment-page-1/#comment-543952 James Tue, 30 Nov 2010 04:11:57 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/#comment-543952 I agree Scott, that there are many times that I've worked through a book with no payoff, and this can feel like a waste of both time and money. But the thing is, the amount of times that I've finished a book that has a lull in the middle, that eventually turns out to be amazing (even life changing) far outweighs this for me. So I agree with Bobby Rio up there. Sometimes I have downright disliked a book completely, only to find on a second (reluctant at first) reading that it has become one of my personal favourites. I'm sure you get this with music, not liking some of your favourite bands the first time you hear them, only to fall completely in love with the exact thing that turned you off, so why should it be any different with books? As a writer myself, if a book does end up being terrible I console myself with the fact that at least I have learnt lessons in how I wouldn't execute it, forming ideas along the way. I enjoyed reading the article Scott, thanks. My only hope is that you will take my advice in that although you might regret wasting a few more hours on a bad book (that you probably wont remember in the end) when you find that acquired taste hidden gem that you eventually love, it will all be worth it. I agree Scott, that there are many times that I’ve worked through a book with no payoff, and this can feel like a waste of both time and money. But the thing is, the amount of times that I’ve finished a book that has a lull in the middle, that eventually turns out to be amazing (even life changing) far outweighs this for me.
So I agree with Bobby Rio up there. Sometimes I have downright disliked a book completely, only to find on a second (reluctant at first) reading that it has become one of my personal favourites. I’m sure you get this with music, not liking some of your favourite bands the first time you hear them, only to fall completely in love with the exact thing that turned you off, so why should it be any different with books?
As a writer myself, if a book does end up being terrible I console myself with the fact that at least I have learnt lessons in how I wouldn’t execute it, forming ideas along the way.
I enjoyed reading the article Scott, thanks. My only hope is that you will take my advice in that although you might regret wasting a few more hours on a bad book (that you probably wont remember in the end) when you find that acquired taste hidden gem that you eventually love, it will all be worth it.

]]> By: garbarble http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/comment-page-1/#comment-540015 garbarble Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:59:53 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/#comment-540015 What the hell is unhealthy about eating a hamburger in five minutes? It would get pretty cold after that. Come to think of it, it should only take about a minute to eat a crappy tiny McDonald's bacon cheeseburger, and five if you're talking about a huge pub burger. What the hell is unhealthy about eating a hamburger in five minutes? It would get pretty cold after that. Come to think of it, it should only take about a minute to eat a crappy tiny McDonald’s bacon cheeseburger, and five if you’re talking about a huge pub burger.

]]> By: The Bookshow Blog » Blog Archive » Life’s too short for boring books http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/comment-page-1/#comment-444950 The Bookshow Blog » Blog Archive » Life’s too short for boring books Wed, 14 Jul 2010 02:48:18 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/#comment-444950 [...] you just have to know when to stop reading a boring book. Unless you’re reading for educational purposes or a book club, is there a need to keep [...] [...] you just have to know when to stop reading a boring book. Unless you’re reading for educational purposes or a book club, is there a need to keep [...]

]]> By: Jenn http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/comment-page-1/#comment-242604 Jenn Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:12:12 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/#comment-242604 Love this post! I struggle with this too, but much less since I got my Kindle last year. I love that I can download the first chapter of any book for free, check it out, and see if I feel like continuing! Often, with the fiction I read, I know what I'm getting into, so sample chapters aren't as important. But, for all the business/idea books I pick up - those sample chapters are crucial! The first chapter is usually a good warm-up for the material ahead, and if my mind wanders in the first chapter, I take a pass. Gripping - click to download the whole thing. Works for me! Love this post! I struggle with this too, but much less since I got my Kindle last year. I love that I can download the first chapter of any book for free, check it out, and see if I feel like continuing! Often, with the fiction I read, I know what I’m getting into, so sample chapters aren’t as important. But, for all the business/idea books I pick up – those sample chapters are crucial! The first chapter is usually a good warm-up for the material ahead, and if my mind wanders in the first chapter, I take a pass. Gripping – click to download the whole thing. Works for me!

]]> By: John http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/comment-page-1/#comment-242406 John Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:30:21 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/#comment-242406 Great post Scott. The sunk cost principle is a very important concept that many are unaware of. Great post Scott. The sunk cost principle is a very important concept that many are unaware of.

]]> By: Bobby Rio http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/comment-page-1/#comment-241003 Bobby Rio Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:50:16 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/#comment-241003 You know... i read this post a couple days ago... and was after being bored through the first three chapters of Joel Comms new book... i was about to take your advice... luckily i didn't... the book picked up speed and is beginning to inspire me. While i don't necessarily disagree with the advice.. i just want to warn people to think twice before just dismissing a book You know… i read this post a couple days ago… and was after being bored through the first three chapters of Joel Comms new book… i was about to take your advice…

luckily i didn’t… the book picked up speed and is beginning to inspire me.

While i don’t necessarily disagree with the advice.. i just want to warn people to think twice before just dismissing a book

]]> By: Life Should Feel GOOD! » Blog Archive » A Laid Back Approach to Goal Setting http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/comment-page-1/#comment-240173 Life Should Feel GOOD! » Blog Archive » A Laid Back Approach to Goal Setting Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:56:15 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/#comment-240173 [...] to work towards. Interestingly, I read a great post last week by Scott Young that teaches us to know when to stop reading a book. I could have done with that advice a few years [...] [...] to work towards. Interestingly, I read a great post last week by Scott Young that teaches us to know when to stop reading a book. I could have done with that advice a few years [...]

]]> By: Brice http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/comment-page-1/#comment-239007 Brice Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:42:07 +0000 http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2008/09/02/know-when-to-stop-reading-a-book/#comment-239007 Definitely toss a bad book and always use a library. Definitely toss a bad book and always use a library.

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