It has taken me 20 years to get thru this book.....

Also known as Tess of the d'Ullsvilles to my 12th grade English class.

Pah. I loved that one. 

Pah. I loved that one. 

I'm a The Mayor of Casterbridge girl.

I'm like Tin. Once I've started reading a book, I feel compelled to finish it, regardless of how interesting it is. Lately, I haven't been reading much at all, for reasons I've explained elsewhere.

The Moonstone.

I don't even really know why since I do like it but I've been trying to read it since about 1988 and I have to start at the beginning every time since I manage to forget it between tries and yet something ALWAYS comes up about mid-way through the book and I have to put it aside and the cycle starts all over again.

I used to force myself to finish books all the time, but now I don't worry about it. If it doesn't engage me within the first 60 or so pages (I always see the first chapter as an introduction so I don't like to consider that my test unless it's a long chapter) then I'll put it down.

I managed to read The Hobbitt and I didn't mind it. I could not get through the Lord of the Rings at all. I also never finished White Oleander.

I never read a few books in high school that I was supposed to, but that's what Cliffs Notes and movies were made for! I never Wuthering Heights was torture for me!

I make my class give the book a few chapters. I had a girl want me to read The Secret Garden and the class was begging me to stop. I told them that we had to try the first five chapters and then we would take a vote. By that time, most wanted to keep reading and by the end they all loved it and were sad that it ended!

I used to force myself to finish books all the time, but now I don't worry about it. If it doesn't engage me within the first 60 or so pages

I'm the same. Life's too short to read bad books. But I do give a book a bit more than 60 pages, usually.

The Moonstone.

That's on my TBR list! I hope I have better luck with it than you have!

The Moonstone.

I don't even really know why since I do like it but I've been trying to read it since about 1988 and I have to start at the beginning every time since I manage to forget it between tries and yet something ALWAYS comes up about mid-way through the book and I have to put it aside and the cycle starts all over again.

Agree!  All of his books, I know I should read them, ever single author I currently love says how inspiring Collins is, but I just can't do it.

I could read the LoTR triology but not the Hobbit.  I think I was hobbited out by that point.

That's on my TBR list! I hope I have better luck with it than you have!

It is a good book, really. From what of it I've read, I've enjoyed it.

I've wanted to read that since the movie...

If I don't get sucked in, I'm not reading it. 

Same here