Both I had to read in a college American Lit class. The first time I took the class I didn't enjoy them. I went back to school a few years later and had to take the same class. I loved them both! Maybe it was the way the professor introduced them.

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The first couple of chapters of this fantasy novel seemed a little cliched and predictable, but after the plot started up, I couldn't put it down. Pierce's style is really polished, and her medieval fantasy world is extremely detailed. The character of Beka Cooper is unusual -- she wants to be one of the Provost's guard, called "dogs," so she's in training as a new "puppy": learning how to spot pickpockets, stop fights and so on – but she has to fight her natural shyness. I can't wait for the second book in the series!

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As a newcomer to McCarthys writing and No Country for Old Men on first impression I thought this was just a blood fest and read like a script for a Hollywood thriller. However I am glad I gave it *the rule of 50* as it is the character of Sherrif Bell and his monologues that make this an exceptional book. His thoughtful reflections as he approaches old age on a life lived and the changing attitudes of society make this a thought provoking read.

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I have used a rule of 60 for years... exception: if there is an explicit sex scene in the few pages, the book is a goner for me... I will go beyond 60 pages for a few favorite authors. I usually love the first few chapters of Michener's books but I rarely finish one and it doesn't bother me a bit. I only hurl them when he kills off a favorite character. ( I never buy one of his books either.) I think book buyer have a stronger need to finish a book than those of us who use the library.
Girl Reporter, you gave up to soon on Number of the Beast or perhaps one needs a certain sense of humor for that book.

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I have tried to pick up bee season a few trimes and then my book club read it amd i aonly got 1/2 way throught. And finally I decided to try again. I think it definately depends on your mood. I like the otherd don't like to put a book away. So I said I have to finish it. This is a book I felt for my self you have to savor. I would love now to discuss the book but my book club read this over a yr. ago. So I have no one to discuss the book with. Oh, Well I guess I will have to try to reccommmend it to someone ah=nd hope I cxa remember the book. All I will say the book really upset me and I am so sad about the last 100 pgs. I necer usually have feelings about a book and I usually don't cry.

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Generally, I agree that if you don't care for the book after 50 pages, you probably won't like it. However, many books, especially science fiction, take a while to set up their world and characters. Mystery books also often take a lot of time to set the scene.

If the author is good, though, even the introduction and setup will be done in an interesting way. Some kind of "hook" will be set early to keep the reader wanting to know how things will turn out. A mystery, an interesting character, or curiosity raising event should occur near the beginning to pull the reader in. If this doesn't happen, then there is a good possibility the author's idea of entertainment and interest is different from the reader's and it is time to quit wasting time plowing through words that one doesn't care about.

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i like the idea of the rule of 50 because there have been so many books that i've plodded through when i wish i could just put them away. unfortunately, i have a bit of a guilt complex with literature--i feel incredibly guilty if i don't finish every book i start. silly, i know. does anyone else have my problem??

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.. the 50 page rule. But, otherwise, the rule is about identical. I can't put something down until I've finished 50 pages.

Many books, like Tom Robbins' Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas, were worth it. Others, like Heinlein's The Number of the Beast, I hurled across the room as soon as I hit page 51!

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