4 ms·

I forget which book but a few years ago I ploughed ahead with a (to me) terrible Kim Stanley Robinson book (maybe Red Mars?) as I had enjoyed previous books and

I forget which book but a few years ago I ploughed ahead with a (to me) terrible Kim Stanley Robinson book (maybe Red Mars?) as I had enjoyed previous books and figured it would click eventually. I gave up at about 80%, sadly it was too late and it ruined my desire to read for about 2 to 3 years. Prior to that I would happily do 20 a year and enjoy my time reading. Now if a book isn’t vibing with me I give it one more day and then drop it. I gave up on book 2 of Dwarves just last week, loved the first, second was boring, on to the next book I fancy (Backyard Starship, so far so good)

aaronbrethorst 3y ago
I had a similar experience with the interminably dull Neal Stephenson slog-a-thon "Fall" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall;_or,_Dodge_in_Hell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall;_or,_Dodge_in_Hell) I only made it through the book because I ended up skipping the 75%(?) of the book that took place in the cloud, or whatever.
- TylerE 3y ago
  If ever there was an author who did one or two good things early on and has been coasting oon reputation ever since... What the man needs is a damn editor.
  - digbybk 3y ago
    I really enjoyed Seveneves.
    - TylerE 3y ago
      Fair. Easily the best of the second tier.
      - TylerE 3y ago
        (along with Anathem, although that's another one that could have used a bit of editing).
        simonbarker87 3y ago
        Anathem is my second favourite NS book but boy was it hard work getting through the first 200 pages of describing the buildings, the wall and the town.
    - aaronbrethorst 3y ago
      I really enjoyed the first two thirds of Seveneves. Wish I’d quit then.
      - deleted 3y ago
        [deleted]
TylerE 3y ago
I think a lot of it is drowning in options. Sorta like how 30 years ago you could listen to whatever FM station was a reasonable genre match for your tastes all day. Now we spend hours combing for just the right thing... and usually never find it.

aaronbrethorst 3y ago

I had a similar experience with the interminably dull Neal Stephenson slog-a-thon "Fall" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall;_or,_Dodge_in_Hell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall;_or,_Dodge_in_Hell) I only made it through the book because I ended up skipping the 75%(?) of the book that took place in the cloud, or whatever.

TylerE 3y ago
If ever there was an author who did one or two good things early on and has been coasting oon reputation ever since... What the man needs is a damn editor.
- digbybk 3y ago
  I really enjoyed Seveneves.
  - TylerE 3y ago
    Fair. Easily the best of the second tier.
    - TylerE 3y ago
      (along with Anathem, although that's another one that could have used a bit of editing).
      - simonbarker87 3y ago
        Anathem is my second favourite NS book but boy was it hard work getting through the first 200 pages of describing the buildings, the wall and the town.
  - aaronbrethorst 3y ago
    I really enjoyed the first two thirds of Seveneves. Wish I’d quit then.
    - deleted 3y ago
      [deleted]

TylerE 3y ago

I think a lot of it is drowning in options. Sorta like how 30 years ago you could listen to whatever FM station was a reasonable genre match for your tastes all day. Now we spend hours combing for just the right thing... and usually never find it.