What do you do if a book isn't interesting?

Alexsandra · Post by **Alexsandra** » 19 May 2014, 22:24

I try to give it a chance because I hate to put a book down but after a few chapters and I still can't get into it I have to put it down.

LittleWilma · Post by **LittleWilma** » 19 May 2014, 23:40

I don't have a problem with quitting a book if it's poorly written or contains content that I have no interest in reading. Otherwise, I will stick it out.

happybook8 · Post by **happybook8** » 20 May 2014, 04:14

I really give a dull book a chance, and when I have read about thirty pages and it hasn't improved, then I give it up, and I really hate that.

stoppoppingtheP · Post by **stoppoppingtheP** » 20 May 2014, 08:15

I used to read it even if I hated it, just to see what happens, or maybe holding a small glimmer of hope that it will get better. But now I think that I have got more selective, and if the book is that bad I stop, or maybe turn to the back page and skim to see what the ending is like.

chicalovestoread · Post by **chicalovestoread** » 20 May 2014, 12:00

I try to read as much as possible, but if its just not getting better I stop

I usually have so many books to read that I just move on to one of those.

kasi33 · Post by **kasi33** » 20 May 2014, 12:14

If a book isn't interesting, I bring a snack and a beverage and try to get into it. I think about why I am reading it, and the ways in which the knowledge and understanding from the book will enrich my life. If, after I've tried to read it a few times, it still can't hold my attention, I put it away, and find a new book. This is the approach I try to take with most things in life!

hahn_s · Post by **hahn_s** » 20 May 2014, 15:36

I stop reading. Thanks.

ReneeCupp · Post by **ReneeCupp** » 21 May 2014, 16:54

Most of the time I stop reading. If a book doesn't grab my attention fairly quickly, then I can't bring myself to continue. However, if the book is a series, then I will read the entire first book before deciding whether or not I want to continue.

LeighBee22 · Post by **LeighBee22** » 21 May 2014, 17:29

I muddle through and finish it, feeling bitter the whole time. Must be my New England upbringing. Never leave anything unfinished, even if you are tortured by it.

sammi8764 · Post by **sammi8764** » 23 May 2014, 15:07

If it was just a pleasure book, I would just stop reading. Why waste time reading something I don't like when I could be reading something I do like? If it's for school, I'll try to make it interesting. Read the dialogue in a weird accent, find one aspect of the story I like, etc etc.

Fireball[1928] · Post by **Fireball[1928]** » 23 May 2014, 15:15

I read it anyway. It usually takes me a bit longer, but I get it done.

David Dawson · Post by **David Dawson** » 23 May 2014, 15:39

One reason why I would persevere is that I have occasionally found that books I don't enjoy while reading have been a lot better in retrospect, once I finish them. Admittedly that is more often applicable to books that are hard work than plain dull but, still, it encourages me to get through it.

Paliden · Post by **Paliden** » 23 May 2014, 15:44

I usually try and plow my way through it anyway. I have been surprised many times about half way through and ended up enjoying it. On the other hand, I have finished some that I regret finishing. It's hit and miss. But it has to be really, REALLY bad for me to not even finish reading it.

ttuso22 · Post by **ttuso22** » 23 May 2014, 16:05

I usually try to stick with it till the end because many a time I have enjoyed a book more at the end then I did in the beginning. There has only been one book I stopped reading halfway and that was not due to it being uninteresting but rather it was too derogatory for my taste. I like to give the authors a little bit of credit by finishing their story and giving it a chance.

laureng · Post by **laureng** » 23 May 2014, 16:34

If a book isn't interesting after I have given it a fair shot, I will usually just stop reading. If it is a short book, I will usually read the entire book. However, if the book is a big one and very long, my interest usually goes out the window. I once knew someone who had a rule that she had to finish reading every book she was reading. For me, life is to short to waste on a book you don't enjoy.