How do you get through a hard/boring book?

Question

I am taking my first honors english class for school this year and during summer i am reading a long boring book. I know many people have had to read stuff they didn't want to and have, but how do you get through it as painlessly as possible.

the book is Mythology clasic tales of gods and heros by edith hamilton.........you can laugh if you want but its hard for me, and I was hoping to read a classic or something..this book reads more like a textbook to me than anything else I have ever read. :-/

Answer 1

Assign yourself a certain number of pages every day, and get it done early. Then reward yourself by reading something that you love, or doing something else that's fun. Sometimes, you'll find you actually get interested in the required book.

Answer 2

Your teacher assigned this book for a reason. Try to imagine what the teacher sees in this book. If it is a classic book, realize that many people have read this book before you, and that there must be something valuable in it.

You'll feel better when you're finished, because
a. you have accomplished a difficult task, and
b. you'll be prepared for whatever assignment is coming up for that novel.

Is there anybody from your class that you can talk to about it? Maybe talking to somebody else would help.

Read the book, and THEN read the Sparknotes or Cliff's notes.

Look up the book's reviews on Amazon.com, and see what other people have written about it.

Your honors English class will probably require more reading and writing than you have been used to. Get rid of distractions (music, TV, phone, computer).

Good luck!

p.s. A friendly nudge--Always capitalize the word "English."

Answer 3

I'm convinced that almost any book that is placed on a high school required reading list becomes boring. Also, some "classics" are simply not as relavent today (or perhaps the reader needs more life experience to appreciate them) but teachers insist on carrying on the tradition of inflicting them on students anyway.

Almost any book will be boring unless you can identify with the main character. Try and see things from their perspective, try and find things about them that are like you. If you can do that, you may find it a bit easier.

Sorry, but the purpose of English classes seems to be to make students dislike stories--unless you have a rare teacher. I was very lucky to have already acquired a love of reading, or else high school might have extinguished it. I also had a very good AP English teacher who opened my eyes to some other things that might otherwise have been boring.

Answer 4

If you can find the abridged version of the book first read that. then you have the story in your head while reading the big book. It will be much easier and less boring.
I've tried this and it worked for me. But sometimes even though a great movie has been made out of the book, the book proves to be a disappointment. So better not get the help of movies based on books.

Answer 5

Here are some of my strategies:

I find something about the book to like. I might not like Hemingway's treatment of women in his books, but I do like his descriptions of the scenes. I pay attention to what I like so I'm not so irritated.

If I own the book, I take notes in the margins. It's messy and I'm the only one that understands, but I can write things to remember or even "ha!" in the margin, or how it connects to something else I've read.

I connect the book to something I do care about. How about song lyrics? Many artists allude to books in their songs.

I sometimes look into the time period. There are times that when I read a book, the time period tells me what the author might have been responding to, and I can find clues in the text. I make that a little game.

I look at how long the chapter is and make little goals. For example, if it's a book I really dread reading, I'll only make myself read for 15 minutes. I might have to read the book four times, for 15 minutes each to finish the chapter, but I'm not falling asleep over the book, either.

I get the book on CD or MP3 (some libraries have that format available now for download). I listen to the book while I'm on walks, driving, or other activities where having a book out would be silly or dangerous. A note on this method: make sure the reader is a good one. A good reader won't put you to sleep; you'll get more out the book by listening to which words are stressed and the speed of delivery, as well as characterizations. If you can, get the book read by the author. Then I can skim the same section later.

I do what others have suggested; I treat myself. For example, I rarely take bubble-baths. I'll treat myself to a bubble-bath as long as I take the dreaded book into the tub with me. Then, I get out of the tub when the water's cold and I feel like I've accomplished something.

Answer 6

What book is it? Providing us with more information might help you. I have had to read several boring/hard books, and I find that the reason I can't engage with them is because I am simply not interested.

When this happens, I look online for people who have read the book before and found merit in it. I then ask myself what I am missing that they have seen. Is there a certain style of writing that is unique to book that makes it hard to read? If so, it is perhaps the author's intent to try something new. Or is it that you are unfamiliar with the setting? You could try to familiarize yourself with the time the book is set in, to help make it relevant. It simply depends on the book.

Answer 7

In order to get through this really boring book you have to set a realistic goal for yourself. You're obviously taking honors English because your a bright student so it would behoove you to get though this book get this assignment over with get done with this class and on go to your next honors Eng.

What do you want to really achieve with this book? Are you reading becasue is part of your class of do you want to gain a real life expierence. What resorces do you have available to you? Are you utilizing them? Is it feasalbe you get through this book within the given time?

Cliff notes might help .... but I wouldn't know. I'm a college drop out

Answer 8

No matter how boring a book is, once I start it, I have to finish it. I love to read, though, which makes it easier to do. I normally skim through it the first time, then read it carefully the second time if I can't focus on it completely. Also, take frequent breaks if it gets to the point that you cannot focus on what you're reading. If you don't, you'll probably forget everything.

Answer 9

Edith Hamilton's Mythology is something that you may read later on and actually enjoy--as hard as that is for you to hear now.

Required reading is sometimes more painful than others. Since there is no way to do away with the "requiredness" of it...I suggest you reward yourself. There are many mythology books that are fun...that are geared towards kids and young adults. They summarize. They retell some of the major stories covered by Edith Hamilton...but are often illustrated or use updated reader-friendly text. While this won't take the place of your "boring" book...it might make a "dry" book more interesting if you understood what it was saying.

Second...I think you should definitely reward yourself by reading THE LIGHTNING THIEF by Rick Riordan. I loved that book. It was one of the best books I've ever read...it is set in modern day America. The narrator is a young boy who hates school...who considers himself below average--low grades, adhd, etc.--who finds out he is anything but average. He is shocked on a school field trip when he suddenly vaporizes the teacher he despises most. Turns out, he's a demi-god...(or "half-blood") his mother had a love affair with none other than the god Poseidon! Now he's sent to summer camps with other half-god children and taught how to use his powers. Riordan uses little facts that might seem dry in hamilton's books...and brings them to life with humor and sarcasm in THE LIGHTNING THIEF.

In fact, although the Hamilton book had been assigned to me in school, I took no enjoyment from it until years later after reading The Lightning Thief...then I picked it back up and browsed it...and actually enjoyed it.

You can visit Rick Riordan's site to explore his books (there is a sequel)...and to learn more about Greek mythology in general.

Answer 10

I feel you. This year, I had to read War Of The Worlds, which, though popular for its time, was basically the most boring thing I'd ever read.

For the most part, I struggle through. I do things like tell myself, "Finish this chapter and you get a chocolate," then give myself a chocolate at the end.

I also take breaks...a lot.