Do you feel guilty if you don't finish reading a book?

that1blondegirl · Post by **that1blondegirl** » 16 Nov 2013, 15:54

Yes, I try my hardest to finish it, but if I end up buying another book you can pretty much guarantee I won't be finishing the book I didn't like.

Mom2Grey · Post by **Mom2Grey** » 16 Nov 2013, 15:57

Depends on how busy I am.
If I was enjoying it, then of course yes.
But if the book really, really sucks then no I don't.

prican11 · Post by **prican11** » 16 Nov 2013, 16:41

Honestly I feel awful if I have to quit reading a book. I do my very best to make sure that never happens. Even if I don't particularly like a book I still feel like I should honor the story and finish it at least. This does not mean I will finish a series if I decide the series isn't worthwhile.

claire mckay · Post by **claire mckay** » 16 Nov 2013, 16:47

Yes! I end up just skim reading it hoping that it will improve but annoyed with myself for wasting my time when I know I'm bored with it!

everafter09 · Post by **everafter09** » 17 Nov 2013, 13:43

Sometimes I do, yes. But there are some books(rare) that just sound good and when I start reading them, they are absolutely, terribly written that I feel like it's a chore to keep reading. Especially when the story line just jumps all over(like one I tried recently) and gets more ridiculous than ever, I just can't go on reading it!

Casis29 · Post by **Casis29** » 17 Nov 2013, 15:58

My wonderful spouse has discovered that I am OTC and as much as I would like to say I can just put the uninteresting book down, I know I have to pick it back up to finish. I have an issue with not finishing it no matter how much I dislike it. I do complain endlessly though until it is done because a terrific book is out there waiting for me and I feel like I'm stuck reading drivel.

k_ruff · Post by **k_ruff** » 17 Nov 2013, 18:12

I personally haven't bought a book I couldn't get I not, but that is because I read a chapter or two before leaving the bookstore, or buying it online. I have received some as gifts though and just reading about it on the back would bore me to tears I felt guilty knowing I would never touch it. feel so guilty in the fact someone took time to buy it for me hat I still have books from ten years ago that people have bought me that I have yet to get rid of. So I think it depends on who bought it.

heidzelaine · Post by **heidzelaine** » 18 Nov 2013, 00:14

I more feel guilty about not having the time to finish a book!!

Robyn · Post by **Robyn** » 19 Nov 2013, 09:40

I feel like I must finish a book one I've started it; I guess that's just the way I was brought up though! The Host also took me a while to get into but I must admit that I was fascinated by the whole plot, I was genuinely in a world of my own while reading it. I feel there must be a point where it drags me in so I keep going.

arnaleigh · Post by **arnaleigh** » 20 Nov 2013, 07:00

It depends on the book!
If its a book I have come across and after a while I'm still not into it I can easily stop.

However if its something my friend has lent to me and raved about, or a classic book or something else with so many fantastic reviews I feel guilty if I don't enjoy it!

FNAWrite · Post by **FNAWrite** » 20 Nov 2013, 16:21

What? Wow - most responders feel guilty or otherwise bad about not finishing reading writing that they are not enjoying.

I have to say that while it is not a great joy in my life, it is one of the little joys to say to the author "Sorry bub. I just don't care." If I don't care about the characters, if I don't care about the story, it won't bother me to never know what happened to them or how it all came out.

I think that's because it's a relief. I gave it a hack, a chance, spent time reading a book or a story that I didn't like and now I' m done with what turned out to be a distasteful task instead of an enjoyable past-time. Pfft, good riddance.

By the way, what's the word I'm looking for to modify "say to the author" in the second sentence, second paragraph. Plainly I'm not actually saying anything to the author, I need a modifier like 'metaphorically say to the author' but metaphorically is not it. Any ideas?

prisailurophile · Post by **prisailurophile** » 20 Nov 2013, 22:48

Yes! But, what's the point in reading if it sucks? I always tell myself life is too short to read crappy books.

laurali22 · Post by **laurali22** » 03 Dec 2013, 10:12

If I am not enjoying the book then i won't feel guilty if i don't finish it, but if it is a book that I am enjoying, then I will feel both guilty and annoyed. I was reading the book The Beautiful Creatures, and once I saw the movie I did not finish reading it. I feel so guilty but for some reason I have not reached out for it.

-- 03 Dec 2013, 10:13 --

If I am not enjoying the book then i won't feel guilty if i don't finish it, but if it is a book that I am enjoying, then I will feel both guilty and annoyed. I was reading the book The Beautiful Creatures, and once I saw the movie I did not finish reading it. I feel so guilty but for some reason I have not reached out for it.

TrishaAnn92 · Post by **TrishaAnn92** » 03 Dec 2013, 11:26

If a book is so bad I can't finish it, it will usually bug me until I do finish it. I am just usually careful in picking up a book and I try my hardest to not judge a book by its cover. If a book isn't too bad but I find I don't like what I'm reading I will still push through it too the end.

hasmartz · Post by **hasmartz** » 03 Dec 2013, 12:15

It depends. There are some books that are just too awful to finish, and there are too many other books waiting to be read to worry about those. There have been a few frustrating books, though, that had great ideas, even if the writing wasn't the best. I find those interesting to read with the questions in mind, "What went wrong? How could this story be improved?" It's sometimes helpful to see examples of what not to do.