Spelled out, because these books are doorstops, so long enough for the Rule to apply.
1. There are too many books in the world to spend time reading one that bores or annoys you or inspires malaise for "fun". It's not an assignment, and there won't be a quiz at the end of the week.
2. You don't owe the author anything but honesty.
3. Read a significant portion of the book before passing judgment on it. Some take a while for the plot to get rolling. Read between a fifth and a quarter of a short book. If it's over 250 pages, read 75 pages. If it hasn't grabbed you by your last page, put it down and choose another. You will find no magic in it.
4. If you have achieved the age of 60, one assumes your time is more valuable, as there's less of it left. Also more fragile eyesight. Therefore, take the number 120, subtract your age, and read that number of pages. If it's a book that's 120 pages or less already, read 30 pages. Old people have enough to put up with without self-inflicted torture by book.
Off Topic » in reply to Now I have to read it to see what you are talking about
Don't forget the Out-Of-School Rule of Recreational Reading.
The whole thread (46 posts)
- "What's Right About America"
- Interesting.
- I'm Canadian. Should I bother to read this book? (n/t)
- Depends. It's a campaign document made to "balance" her meaningless affiliations with moderate Republican organizations.
- They used to burn bras.
- Oh, talk to me about idealism.
- I've read countless books of fiction based on...
- "Illigitibus Non Carborundum" read the placard......
- Penguins aren't people. They're reptiles.
- Oh, talk to me about idealism.
- They used to burn bras.
- Depends. It's a campaign document made to "balance" her meaningless affiliations with moderate Republican organizations.