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

SammyLou37 · Post by **SammyLou37** » 11 Feb 2014, 06:37

There have been a fair few books I have never finished. I only feel guilty if they were books that were meant to be read for my book club! Otherwise, I do not see the point in wasting valuable reading time on books that just aren't hitting the mark for me. Don't feel guilty

Annalisa21 · Post by **Annalisa21** » 11 Feb 2014, 09:16

I'm reading a book at the moment. It started quite well, but the plodding pace hasn't changed. I'm about 3 chapters from the end and have no overwhelming desire to pick it up. I will - I always finish books, but not just yet!

haines_drew · Post by **haines_drew** » 11 Feb 2014, 17:37

I do sometimes. If it is an absoultly terrible book I don't feel guilty at all because I know I have a stack of amazing books that deserve my time more but if I just don't feel like finishing one book before starting another, I feel a little guilty.

monique_wllms · Post by **monique_wllms** » 11 Feb 2014, 17:50

ugh yes. i have the same problem but i think you're right, i always wonder if i'm missing something that i'll love.

randompadley · Post by **randompadley** » 11 Feb 2014, 19:07

tbh i used to be strict with my books, I used to think that if a book couldn't grab you in those first few chapters it wasn't worth reading, but since working in the library and having more time I have broadened my horizons and realised that it was unfair to be like that and that books can get better as it gets deeper into it, so now I at least give it around the 100 page mark but if im still unsure I don't have a problem quitting and moving onto something else

soccerstar95 · Post by **soccerstar95** » 11 Feb 2014, 20:25

Depends on the book. Some books I can really get into and finish in one sitting, but then there are others I just can't get past the first few chapters. There are a few books I have given a 2nd chance and they turned out to be really good, surprisingly.

KLyons1 · Post by **KLyons1** » 11 Feb 2014, 20:32

Less and less as time goes by - there are so many others out there to try! The only time I make more of an effort, or actually finish something that I"m not enjoying, is when the book in question is being read for a discussion group. And even then, I've been known to skim ...

ShellChelle · Post by **ShellChelle** » 11 Feb 2014, 23:49

Not at all! Life's to short to waste on books I don't enjoy. If I am watching a t.v. that I don't like I would turn that off without feeling guilty. It is the same with books. If I don't like it, I don't finish it.

sarah92480 · Post by **sarah92480** » 12 Feb 2014, 09:44

ShellChelle wrote:Not at all! Life's to short to waste on books I don't enjoy. If I am watching a t.v. that I don't like I would turn that off without feeling guilty. It is the same with books. If I don't like it, I don't finish it.

That's a good way to look at it, I never thought about it like that before.

GliddenBooks · Post by **GliddenBooks** » 12 Feb 2014, 09:55

Absolutely Not! Life's too short: read what moves you and leave the rest. There's always an opportunity to go back and read it later.

KLyons1 · Post by **KLyons1** » 14 Feb 2014, 13:40

GliddenBooks wrote:There's always an opportunity to go back and read it later.

That's the good thing about books - they don't generally go bad, and they'll always patiently wait for you to be ready to read them

TheBookMaven · Post by **TheBookMaven** » 14 Feb 2014, 14:41

I sometimes feel guilty, like maybe I am not giving it enough of a chance. That said, not all books are right for every person. What one person loves, another one will hate. I have made myself books that I didn't like, and all I got out of it was the ability to say that I finished it. I would rather spend the free time I have reading books that I actually enjoy.

InconstantMoon · Post by **InconstantMoon** » 15 Feb 2014, 16:03

I used to feel guilty, but now, if I'm spending too much time on a book that I'm not really enjoying, I don't mind putting it down. What's the point of finishing it if at the end, I'm going to say, "Man, that was a waste of time!" ? Life's too short to read books you don't like.

shayna · Post by **shayna** » 17 Feb 2014, 02:00

Yes. I feel as though I owe it to the author to finish it. Or like I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt and that it will pick up towards the end. I hate not finishing things, yet my English teacher told me the other day that the moment he learned to let go of things was the moment he learned to be happy.