The first book I remember giving up on was Fred Saberhagen's Empire of the East. I'd saved it up as something to read when I had the chance, but after fifty pages I found I just wasn't interested in what happened. I felt guilty that time, but now I'll abandon a book after half a dozen pages if it doesn't grab me -- sometimes with the intention of coming back to it later, but seeing as I must have about five thousand books and maybe fifteen more years to read them in I will only get more ruthless.
It’s actually quite a wonderful feeling when that happens, isn’t it? It’s the same when you listen to music you never liked and suddenly it speaks to you.
When I first started reading as a teenager and into my middle years, I HAD to finish a book I started reading. Badge of honor. Now, I think that's all bullshit for many of the reasons you outline here. At 70, I have limited time, and so if a book doesn't work, I put it aside and move on to a new one.
The first book I remember giving up on was Fred Saberhagen's Empire of the East. I'd saved it up as something to read when I had the chance, but after fifty pages I found I just wasn't interested in what happened. I felt guilty that time, but now I'll abandon a book after half a dozen pages if it doesn't grab me -- sometimes with the intention of coming back to it later, but seeing as I must have about five thousand books and maybe fifteen more years to read them in I will only get more ruthless.
For me that book was John Le Carre’s A Perfect Spy. Tried three times to read it and failed. Fourth time, OMG. One of the best books I’ve ever read…
It’s actually quite a wonderful feeling when that happens, isn’t it? It’s the same when you listen to music you never liked and suddenly it speaks to you.
Absolutely
When I first started reading as a teenager and into my middle years, I HAD to finish a book I started reading. Badge of honor. Now, I think that's all bullshit for many of the reasons you outline here. At 70, I have limited time, and so if a book doesn't work, I put it aside and move on to a new one.
For me, it was the other way round. Badge of Shame if I quit. And I was sure everyone would know.