In my attempt to remedy my struggle to put down books I’m not really into at all, I started Reconsider or Release to help me learn to put down books (release them back) or decide it was a case of bad timing and maybe reconsider it. I will sporadically lay out my DNF books on the metaphorical table for my readers and let you help me decide if I should just MOVE ON and release the books or maybe reconsider them. So, vote either reconsider or release and maybe provide some compelling reasons for why I should reconsider or release OR at least just tell me what your general thoughts on the book were that might help me in my decision! Ultimately I know that life is too short to read books I don’t love but sometimes some books take a little bit more to get into!
Stork by Wendy Delsol
Why I Picked It Up: I loved the premise and the prospect of some Norse mythology weaved into contemporary world.
Why I Put It Down: I was listening to this one on audiobooks and just could not have cared less about the story and I found the main character to be seriously irritating. That sort of thing doesn’t always bother me but in this case I was LISTENING to it so it became obnoxious because the narrator’s voice was killing me. I also could NOT handle all of the mentions of really specific brands and things that would make it reallllyyy irrelevant in a few years. Lots of fashion-y name dropping even though I get WHY because the character was from LA and into fashion.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Why I Picked It Up: I had just watched The Walking Dead and wanted something with zombies and had heard pretty decent things about this one!
Why I Put It Down: SUPER BORED. It was choppy and I just really didn’t care at all. I know it wasn’t supposed to be a fast paced zombie story going into it but I couldn’t concentrate on it at all.
The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1) by Stacey Kade
Why I Picked It Up: It sounded really cool — a girl who was an experiment (was made from part human and extraterrestrial) was broken free by a man who is now her dad and he tries to keep her safe and integrated into normal society without being found out by those now looking for her. I liked that she already KNEW she was different before the book starts.
Why I Put It Down: It was my gym read and I just felt bored by it. I feel like this one could have been a matter of “this shouldn’t be my gym read” so that maybe I could have really immersed myself into it and gotten through the initial part that I was having trouble with.
So let me know if you’ve read either of these and let me know if I should absolutely pick it back up or if you think I’m ok by just letting it remain in the DNF pile!
Scott Pilgrim says
Reconsider The Forest Of Hands And Teeth because it’s a powerful, emotional story about hope and determination. The love story is really sweet and the zombies are just epic!
Hana Brown says
The only one of these I’ve read is “The Forest of Hands and Teeth” and I didn’t care for it much!
Mary @ BookSwarm says
I liked these but didn’t love them. They’re probably fine in your DNF pile — I have several like that in mine myself. Hate not finishing books but there are so many good ones out there, you know?
Jessica R says
The only one I’ve read is The Forest of Hands and Teeth and I think I’m on the less popular side with this but I’d say don’t bother. I despised the main character. DESPISED. And not like, you need some redeeming; you’re kind of a bad person; I hope you get better. It was more like I cannot stand you or the way you talk or act or or or… Plus she only got worse as the book went on, in my opinion. Had I allowed myself to DNF back when I read it, I definitely would have. I wish I had.
Alexia says
Haven’t read any other them BUT all you had to say was that The Forest of Hands & Teeth was choppy and that is a big deal for me so I would release that one.
Mel@thedailyprophecy says
Oh nooooo, I love the forest of hands and teeth.
Michelle says
Yeah I would release The Forest of Hands and Teeth because your reason for putting it down sounds like genuine dislike. Perhaps try the Stork again but not in audiobook form? I know that if I’m not connecting to an audiobook I seem to take 10x longer to get through it which only makes it worse.
Michelle @ Playing Jokers
Asheley (@BookwormAsheley) says
If I remember correctly you were doing the Carrie Ryan book via audiobook? Maybe try it again in print? I love those books. They’re really interestingly beautiful writing about…zombies. Which sounds weird but somehow really worked for me. Out of these, if I were to pick up one and try it again (which I always give books second chances because I’m a weirdo) I’d pick up Hands and Teeth again. I loved it. I didn’t think it fast paced. xo
Lenore Appelhans says
Oh THE RULES is a lot of fun once you get into it. I’d definitely say give it another chance.
Bonnie says
I’ve been super interested in checking out The Forest of Hands and Teeth too but I’ve heard some not so fab things about it either. I haven’t even picked it up but I’ve already decided against it.
Bonnie @ Sweet Tidbits
Janita (Book, Interrupted) says
The Forest of Hands and Teeth was a let down for me as well. Very boring and no good zombie action. I would release that one. I haven’t read the other two, so I couldn’t say reconsider or release, but I’ve been reading really great reviews for The Rules, and it’s one I would personally want to read, so I’d tentatively say Reconsider for that one 🙂
Erin @ YA Book Crush says
I thoroughly enjoyed The Rules, but I wouldn’t read it as a gym book. Probably give it another try when you just want to relax, because it gradually gears up as the story moves along. Plus, I really liked both narrators and the ending. 🙂
I haven’t read the others, but it sounds like Stork needs a second chance in print form (an annoying audio narrator can KILL your enjoyment).
Allie says
Give Carrie Ryan another chance! I wasn’t that interested for the first 50 pages or so, but then the book completely changes. I think her writing improved drastically as it went on, and the ending is just…you need to read it.
Jen @ Pop! Goes The Reader says
I’m not sure I feel qualified giving advice on these three books as the only one I’ve actually read is Carrie Ryan’s The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Surprisingly enough, despite the fact that I ordinarily hate stories that involve zombies, that novel really worked for me for whatever reason. Although it has been a little while now since I read it, I remember reading it in a couple of hours in the middle of the night and I absolutely could not put it down until I was finished. Perhaps you have to be in the right mood for it? I don’t remember finding it the least bit boring. I remember it being quite atmospheric and was reminded a little of The Village. I will say that I was crushed at certain points in the novel as Ryan does not shy away from sacrificing some of her main characters. No-one is safe, and I actually really admire her bravery in doing the unexpected and going out on a bit of a limb in that respect.
As to the other two, Stork doesn’t personally interest me as I’ve never had much interest in Norse mythology and I’m fairly certain all those modern, pop culture references would not only be annoying but are also extremely ill-conceived as it’s that sort of thing that dates a story rather quickly. The Rules, on the other hand, does sound like a really fascinating concept, and although I haven’t read it yet, I just might be adding it to my own TBR list 😛
Stephanie Allen says
It’s been a few years since I’ve read The Forest of Hands and Teeth, but I do remember it getting more suspenseful later on in the book. Also, I’ve read the companion books more recently, and the heroines in those are really strong girls trying to figure themselves out – and I actually liked them more than Mary since they weren’t quite so quiet, too.
I vote reconsider for TFoHaT 🙂
Ashley says
I really enjoyed The Rules. A lot of it read more like a contemporary book than a sci-fi, which I surprisingly enjoyed about it. Parts of it feel a lot like a high school drama.
Laura Ashlee says
Oh my gosh! I thought I was the only one who couldn’t get into The Forest of Hands and Teeth. I just couldn’t do it. I was even driving for like three hours when I tried that book. I was so bored. Do you know how hard it is to be bored by a book when you see nothing but trees for three hours?
Christy says
The Forest of Hands on Teeth is on my DNF pile too. I’m sad to see The Rules on here since it sounds so good.
Sandra says
I’ll second someone else’s comment that The Rules reads more like a contemporary. I thought the story got better as it went along, so I say you should give it another chance.
Sarah @ YA Love says
First, I love this post idea. I’ve been thinking of writing a post like this for a long time because I have the same problem. If I link back to you, would you mind if I follow suit with the title and such? It’s a great idea, and I’m sure we’re not alone!
Second, I couldn’t finish The Forest of Hands and Teeth either. I’m okay with zombies, I love the premise, and the book trailer is really good, but something is missing from the book. I was underwhelmed by the story, and the thought of reading even more books following this one forced me to put it down. I decided that if I was having a tough time getting through the first book, then there was no way I would make it through the rest. I gave it a solid 100 pages.
Jillian says
The Rules was really good. I agre it did have a bit of a sslow start, but once it got going, it was hard to put down.
Syd says
The Forest of Hands and Teeth was definitely a good one. I know what you mean by saying it was choppy; it seemed like a lot happened in a short amount of time with some events lacking real explanations. I read it for the romance and post-apocalyptic setting, and all I can say is I’m not sure I’ve ever cried so hard while reading a book in a public setting. It was a heart-wrencher, but also filled with a good amount of action and zombies.
Alexa Y. says
I really liked The Forest of Hands and Teeth series. It’s not your usual zombie book, as the pacing is a lot slower and I personally find it more contemplative than pumped full of action. It’s such a good series though, so definitely reconsider reading this at a later time.
Bree says
I read The Forest of Hands and Teeth a while back and really liked it – well, I enjoyed the whole series, actually. I’d give it another try.