The art of letting go | Avoiding blurbs and putting books down | BOOKS

I mentioned in my previous post reviewing Tara Westover's memoir, Educated, that I went in knowing almost nothing about it, and I preferred it that way. What I didn't elaborate on in that blog post was that it's also the approach I usually use when reading new fiction books. 
Sometimes this applies with new authors, other times when I know and trust an author's ability and am familiar with their previous works. I feel that it cuts out a lot of the white noise and instead of being influenced by what other people think, you can focus more on the story and your thoughts on the work. 

In order to achieve this, I will go out of my way to not read the blurbs or excerpts printed on the inside covers of dust jackets. I feel that in the attempt to try and sell you the story a lot of the time blurbs give too much away, and before you know it the super important scene/fact that makes the entire book has been spoiled for you. I figure that since I've already decided to read the book, it's unnecessary for me to read the pitch, its preaching to the choir at this point.

I don't use this method all the time. Sometimes I do read blurbs and reviews if I'm uncertain on starting a book, or if I'm conflicted on deciding whether it would be something I'd like, that extra information might help me make that decision. But there's also something to be said about just having the story told to you the way the author had intended it to be experienced, without all the distractions. I would liken some book blurbs I've read to movie trailers that give you all those fun tidbits ages in advance, and then months later when you go to actually watch the movie it feels like a let down because you know what's coming (Iron Man 3/ most Marvel trailers, I see you).* 

However, I completely understand that this way of reading is not for everyone. Going into a novel blind, is in a way, taking a leap of faith, putting yourself in the authors' hands and waiting to see where the story goes. Although it may seem daunting, I've found that the benefits of discovering a wonderful book (without being influenced by external factors) far outweighs the potential downfalls. 

I'd also like to note that my approach includes learning to let go of stories that don't interest me and trying to practice that whenever/wherever possible.** (I read for enjoyment. So I understand that this will not relate/be useful to anyone who has required readings and set texts, you have my condolences.) I remember reading a piece a few years ago about not forcing yourself to read books that you have no desire to read or lost interest in and it was a revelation to me. Prior to that, I prided myself on finishing every book I started. Upon reflection, it was stubbornness and trying to abide by the mentality of 'finish what you start'. That way of reading made reading less enjoyable for me, and I realised that by spending my time on books I didn't particularly care about I'd been preventing myself from reading books I would/could have enjoyed, and also decreased my time for new/other books because I tend to read books I don't enjoy, slowly. So for all these reasons and probably a few others, I decided a while ago to stop giving my time to stories that I'm no longer invested in. In case you've not considered it before, it might be something for you to think about regarding to your own approach to reading.

This approach works really well when: you get recommendations from friends who literally won't tell you a thing about the book they're recommending but say "Trust me, you'll love it!", if you're browsing books by genre at the library and the title or cover piques your interest, or if you keep seeing a book popping up all over Instagram/ people's feeds but haven't really found out too much about it. I wouldn't recommend this method for buying new books that you've not read before; I almost never buy books that I've not already read, that's my personal preference (and that could be a topic to examine all on its own). It's definitely worth noting that I access most of the books I read from my local library, so there's no negative monetary consequences if I do decide that a book is not for me. It just gets returned.

Although I think James Joyce was being overly harsh by writing, 'Life is too short to read a bad book' (because much can be learned from 'bad books'!), sometimes a book just isn't for you and that's okay. Rather, I like to think of the process of letting a book go as a gracious literary version of saying 'thank you, next.' There are so many good books in the world to discover, just waiting for us to find and fall in love with them. Some that have been written decades and centuries ago, translated from other languages, others have been published more recently, and there are so many more in the process of being written/ yet to be published. It's wonderful and slightly overwhelming, which is partly why I don't have TBR list anymore, but that's a blog post for another day. 

Let me know if you also read books without knowing too much about them or if that's something you wouldn't do, if you can put down books after you've started when they no longer interest you, or if you're trying to kick the habit of finishing every book you start. I'm curious to hear other people's thoughts and reading habits!

Happy reading!  

x E





* This probably will not a surprise anyone, but I avoid most movie trailers of anticipated films. I particularly avoid superhero movie trailers like the plague, which is a mission in itself. I've been burned too many times, friends, it's not worth it. I know I'm going to see the movie anyway, so I just turn up to cinemas blissfully unaware of largely the entire plot (which is great! 11/10 would recommend) until I get to see the movie.

** This reading approach only works for when you're reading for fun. Unfortunately, when reading for school or work deciding not to read a book isn't something we get to choose to not to do; however, knowing that you're capable of getting through a book you don't like when it's necessary is a skill in itself. So take comfort in that. Thankfully, I'm finally at a stage of my life where I don't have set readings / class novels anymore! 🎉🎉