by Yap Away Jay
I usually don’t spend more than a nominal amount of time looking over the spreadsheet I use to track my reading, but after finishing my second book by a particular new-to-me author, I began to wonder about second chances. Looking over the spreadsheet, I realized that out of the 140 or so books I’ve read this year, 59 of them were by new-to-me romance authors. A little more digging revealed that of these 59 authors, for ten of them I’ve gone on to read at least one more of their books, and for another eight, I plan to read a second book, but haven’t gotten to it yet. Unfortunately, that means there are 41 authors I don’t plan on reading again.
Based on the numbers above, it seems I’m pretty hard on my new-to-me authors – less than a third of them got a second chance. Which led me to wonder how I decide whether or not to read another selection from a new-to-me author? In general, if I liked the book, I’ll have no problems with trying the author again. Quite randomly I found myself in possession of Karen L. King’s first book, The Wedding Duel. I loved it and set out to find the next two books in that trilogy. Having loved everything she’s written, Karen L. King is now squarely on my auto-buy list.
Conversely, there were a couple of authors out of the 59 that had books that annoyed me to no end. Some I finished even though reading them was anything but pleasant, and others ended up unfinished and set aside, only to be traded away as soon possible. Needless to say, those authors never got a second chance with me.
But what about the authors who wrote a book that neither moved me, nor annoyed me? The books that end up as average C-level reads? How do I decide whether or not to give those authors a second try? I’m honestly not sure, but I think it has to do with the vibe I get from the author. If I didn’t like the author’s style of writing, or if she used plot devices that I generally find annoying, I probably wouldn’t pick up another book by her, unless it was recommended by someone who has similar reading tastes. If the author’s style wasn’t the problem, and I just wasn’t a fan of the story, I’d be more likely to try another book. Of course, there’s three outcomes for that particular option: I either a) love the book, b) hate the book or c) end up with another ‘meh’ read. If it’s the third outcome, I’m left to wonder how many chances I should give this author? Is it worth it to keep reading her in the hopes that one day I’ll stumble upon a keeper, or should I just cut my losses now and move on to other authors that have fared better with me? Do I continue to read the author – because it’s not that the books are bad, just that for me, they’re not great – but relegate her to the library-only list?
I don’t really have any consistent rules about second chances for new-to-me authors, but I’d like to hear what your experience has been. What do you do with an author for whom you have lukewarm feelings? Does an author automatically get a second chance with you? What about a third? Do you hold out hope for a keeper or is it a one-shot deal with you?
No related posts.
Thanks much for the excuse to waste some time going through my book list for the year. (that was serious, by the way–I needed a distraction.)
Of the 409 books I read this year, 112, or just over a quarter, were by new-to-me authors. 28 I either have bought more of or fully intend to do so. 26 I’ll buy again if I run across them, or need just one more book to get the free shipping. The remaining 58 I have no intention of buying again, ever.
That doesn’t seem too bad–until you realize that most of those in the second group, the “maybe I’ll buy them again” group, I’ll never end up buying. And even some of the ones I fully intend to buy again I’ll end up forgetting about.
I’d feel guiltier if I didn’t have such a huge TBR pile.
I used to be easier to convince. I’d buy whole backlists of authors whose books I found to be average reads. But as my list of Must! Buy! Now! authors grew, and my list of recommendations from friends grew longer, and the TBR pile grew accordingly, I’ve gotten pickier. Now, mostly, a book has to really grab me to move the author into the “definitely buy again” stack.
I don’t feel guilty for not giving new-to-me authors second chances. Partly it’s because I choose books by plot.
But familiarity means I’m more likely to pick up a book by, say, Author X, unless the first Author X book I read was terrible.
Boy, do I need to work on my spreadsheet, I don’t keep track of enough info. And, holy cow, Darla you must read fast–409 books, WOW.
This may sound cold and callus, but I say kick the undesirables to the curb and move on to something new. There are too many books out there to waste your time. Of course, I’m the first to admit I can’t actually do this, but maybe someone out there can–LOL.
Great topic, since I found several new to me authors last year that are now autobuys, but I’m curious how many didn’t get another try–back to the list and see if I can figure it out.
I have very few autobuys. Time isn’t the issue, money is. I buy (or get from the library) based on plot, but if an author hits my pet peeves squarely on the first, I probably won’t get another.
hey!
My article at RTB is up. Thanks to Tara for the head’s up.
…
If I hear/read good buzz about a book or author or back copy intrigues me when I happen to pick up a title, then I’m likely to give an author more than one chance even if I had a lukewarm reaction to a previous title.
I don’t think it’s cold or callous to drop a bad book (and author) like a stone. Personally, I don’t give an author more than one chance. Like someone else said, too many authors too little time. Why waste precious book reading time on a bad author? I’ve also had to stop reading authors that went from writing great books to writing garbage. That’s an automatic “probably won’t be picking up your book anytime soon” for me. I’m okay with giving a previously good author a second chance though. I usually wait for them to write about two books and hopefully get the garbage out of their systems.
I pick up about 5 NTM authors a month. There are badly written books out there, and that will cross an author off my “buy” list. But there are books that are rather– Meh — but the writing is excellent. It must be the harlequin syndrome in me that will forgive a “meh” book and try the next by a writer. How many books has Nora Roberts written? Did anyone love ALL of them? I didn’t. But, I think I’ve read all of them.
I’ve learned, over time, the difference between a bad writer and a book that doesn’t gel with what I want to read right then.
I’m not quite sure how I decide to go about not reading an author again. might have to think about that.
If an author writes a meh book, I’m willing to give her another try, but, I wait for a review next time or buzz on the internet.
Interesting your experience on new to you authors. I’ve had tremendous success with them. AH! The lightbulb goes on! Another thing to track on my spreadsheet – new or previously read authors – going to spreadsheet now
If I’m amused, I’ll check an author out again. If the book doesn’t strike me one way or the other, I’ll probably skip the author next time around. I read far too slow to invest time in books that aren’t what I consider fun.
I was going to say that for the most part I am much like you Jay. Then I am looking at my list and realizing I am much more complicated than that
If a book by a NTM author has lots of buzz and is a ‘meh’ read I usually will avoid their books because I can no longer trust others to key me in to a real keeper.
Meh first books don’t get much consideration afterwards. An excellent first book however, can hook me onto an author for more than just one more book. Ex. JR Ward’s first book was great for me and I can’t wait for the next. If her next is ‘meh’ I will probably buy her next one because I know she can write a great book.
As for author’s whose books I used to love? Julie Garwood. I bought 3 of her contemporary hardcovers even though I only ever read the first one and disliked it. I have never read the other two but she got my money for them because I couldn’t believe it was over. Obviously she has moved on but if she was ever to write another historical, I’m afraid I would be in the line to purchase
CindyS
[...] I read an interesting post on Romancing the Blog today. It was my first real visit to the site and the word spreadsheet in the first sentence caught my interest. (Yes, I’m addicted to spreadsheets.) The post was When do you say when? by Yap Away Jay. [...]