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Original poster

Abandoning books - life's too short

127 replies

Kayemm · 11/01/2026 10:40

Last year I started an 'Abandoned ' shelf on my Goodreads account and it's about to get it's first 2026 addition.
It's The Fraud by Zadie Smith, it's my book club book. It's the first I've Abandoned in this incarnation of the group. I'm feeling slightly guilty as I know a couple of others have Abandoned it too.

Do you abandon or plough on?

OP posts:
Duckingpondlake · 11/01/2026 11:16

I abandon about 20% of the books I start. Whether I don't like the writing style, the intro hasn't grabbed me, I realise I've read it before 😳. I used to have a 30 page rule, but that was too prescriptive so I abandon anywhere I fancy now.
Same with podcasts.

CrossPurposes · 11/01/2026 10:58

Abandon. No matter what it is - book, article, film, TV programme, etc - if it's not engaging me I'll find something that does.

I didn't finish it either, btw.