First person or third?

Being a writer and being an avid reader go hand in hand I think. I don’t get the time that I used to but being lost in a book is my favorite thing to do. I have a book right now that I loved in the beginning. I am getting closer to the end and I just want to scream at the primary character to get over himself and get out of his own way. He has been angsty for the entire story. but it is starting to get to the point that there is too much angst – like this could have been solved five chapters ago or the story alludes to some mysterious character arch that might be revealed some day. For example, he has a problem with his job and maybe he will talk about it someday or maybe he has a plan but for Pete’s sake – he’s been saying that since page one. I am over halfway through the book and out with it already good sir.

But I digress. My point is this story is told in first person. It’s a romance novel so the chapters alternate from his point of view and hers. I feel like it is easier to write a story this way. Now I will admit that I have not tried to write like this. I am a third person writer. My daughter just told me she read a book written in second person and I cannot fathom how that was accomplished. She said the writer thought it was quirky, but my daughter just found it annoying. It almost feels like first person is a cop out. I wonder if people who write in the first person thing the same about people who write in third?

Do you have a preference to when you read a book – first or third? Do you have a preference when you write and do you think the other way is easier?