So, you’ve lost interest in that book you’re reading.

I admit, it takes me a long time to ditch a book.

I always get into a story, admiring the prose, until there may be a point three quarters in where I lose interest. But at least I’ve given that novel a decent read. Sometimes I’m still keen to know the ending and skip to the final chapter. Other times the story simply stalls, or I don’t care what happens anymore.

Recently I put down a book I was enjoying because I felt there was nothing else to discover. I admired the writing. Had a passing interest in the characters. But as this novel focussed on themes rather than plot, I understood where it might be heading. I stopped reading and began another novel by the same author. That one, I finished.

Some books don’t entice you to return.

One thing my first editor taught me was to complete each scene with a cliffhanger, otherwise your novel is easy to put down and forget about. My two recent reads had this problem. And while I enjoyed how skilful the writing was, they often sat for days before I picked them up again. I did finish them both, eventually.

I think we all yearn for that page turner. And once we’ve found one, we’re keen to follow it up with another. Yet that rarely happens.

As a writer, what I’m reading at the time influences my work in progress. Right now, I’m experimenting with a story told in present tense and third person. I’ve never done this before, but reading a Liane Moriarty novel, I liked how this style gave me an intimate reader experience. And this was one of the books which often sat on the coffee table for days, waiting for me to turn its pages.

When I started writing seriously, I’d read anything.

It’s something most new authors do. You exchange reviews, reading fellow writers to help each other with social content about each other’s books. But in those early days I’d sometimes struggle to read those stories. One was so poorly written, I stopped after several pages and let the author know.

I told my editor who warned me about being too honest. Then that author contacted me and was very upset. I thought I was being helpful, making him consider honing his craft.

I’m also a slow reader.

I don’t mind admitting that as a high selling author friend recently shared a post with the same confession. I will read a novel fast if it is a page turner, but if it’s not, reading is just one of the things I do between socialising, watching television, gym and swimming, and living life.

I have a large ‘to be read’ list and as always, I’m careful with new authors. I want every novel to be a page turner. But every novel is not.

Reading should be a rewarding experience.

And as a published friend told me, “Life’s too short for bad books.”