WeBuzz

Reader discussion: Family Tree

Public reader discussion about Family Tree in the WeRead Catalog by Charles L. Fontenay.

What is a book you haven't been able to finish, but not because it's bad?

By meadowverse1998

I’m kind of thinking of books you actually like (or at least feel are good), but there’s some other thing stopping you from finishing them, not the writing or anything. For me it was *Dark Places* by Gillian Flynn. It keeps flipping between the lead-up to a family being murdered in the 80s and then the survivor in the present piecing together what really happened. I started it about two years ago, and I was into it at first since I loved *Sharp Objects* and I even liked the first part of *The Grownup*… even though that ending?? lol. But once I hit like the 2/3 or 3/4 mark, I suddenly felt like, “oh no, something terrible is definitely about to happen,” and I just stopped. I meant to go back, but I haven’t. Another one is *The Bell Jar* by Sylvia Plath. I think it’s really good, but it just makes me feel gross while I’m reading it because the whole thing is so depressing. I know I’ll finish it someday, but I’m definitely not there yet.

Does anyone else feel this way about reading? (Social media X books)

By Anchor_Orange

Lately I’ve been struggling a lot with reading, and I don’t really know why. My brain keeps bouncing between trying to read and just mindlessly scrolling social media (for me it’s mostly TikTok). I’m guessing it’s got something to do with that whole “dopamine” thing people keep mentioning in social media detox videos. Like, I get the idea, but still… it’s hard. I know, I know—reading is obviously way better than spending time online. But it’s not like I’m only watching random dumb stuff. Some videos are actually really interesting, and a few have even helped me emotionally or mentally. So it’s not as simple as “just delete it.” I’m not one of those people who thinks social media has to be gone forever. I do think it should be used more wisely and in moderation. But honestly, who makes it easy to just put your phone away and fully get into a book? Anyway, just needed to vent and see what you think. Do you feel the same way? How do you deal with it? And please be nice in the comments—things online have already been way too hateful.