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Original poster

Do you always finish a book once you've started it?

65 replies

Mumwhensdinnerready · 05/01/2009 12:54

As a child it was a rule at our house that you had to finish a book no matter what. This stood me in good stead when I had to read books for English Lit that were not of my choice. It was a rule I followed unquestioningly until I was in my 20s.
I can't remember what triggered this but I decided that reading was for pleasure and entertainment and why should I make myself finish a book I didn't enjoy?
I usually allow 2 or 3 chapters and if I'm not eager to pick the book up again I move on to the next one.

OP posts:
jennylindinha · 05/01/2009 15:34

I will always try and finish a book once I've started in case it gets better later on. I have very rarely failed to finish one, but in the case of Captain Corelli I wish I never had! Absolutely hated it

Now I have a 3 month old DD and haven't opened a book for ages. Think I'd better make an effort to read whilst she's feeding these days and before she's on the move...

Original poster
Mumwhensdinnerready · 05/01/2009 15:30

My father used to buy me books he thought every child should read. I had to wade through the likes of Lorna Doone and Treasure Island before I could get back to Mallory Towers.( Shows my age)
It's quite liberating to not feel guilty about giving up on a book. I remember so looking forward to reading Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrell and I was ready to throw it in the bin after only a few pages. Imagine wading through that. I haven't got enough reading time as it is.
One book I did persevere with was Time Traveller's Wife.It was a gift from someone who often gives me books which I would not necessarily have chosen.It's on my top ten list now.

OP posts:
MsG · 05/01/2009 15:26

I do occasionally give up, but I try to perservere in case it redeems itself somehow!

Surprised at people not liking We Need To Talk About Kevin...I found it very distressing but I enjoyed it. Well, it just shows you how we all have different taste!

FlossieT · 05/01/2009 15:18

I can clearly remember the first book I decided to give up on - The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning. Got about 60 pages in, decided I hated all the characters and found them totally unconvincing, put it down (and eventually gave it away). Up til then I had ALWAYS finished everything I started.

I do usually try to persevere with stuff for some of the reasons mentioned above - because I have a feeling it might get better, because I kind of want to know what happens plotwise, because I think I'm learning something from it - but if I'm finding something a real drag I will give up. Life is too short...

Niecie · 05/01/2009 14:36

Katisha - that is the only other one I have come close to binning. The first half was awful but the second half was a little better thankfully. But it was a close run thing.

electra · 05/01/2009 14:35

Usually I do, but there have been times when I have got tired of a book and finished it months, or even years later.

Katisha · 05/01/2009 14:33

Couldn't finish We Need to Talk about Kevin and went as far as to bin it.

Niecie · 05/01/2009 14:29

The only book I don't remember finishing is The Blind Assassin by Margaret Attwood.

I feel guilty not finishing books although goodness knows why - it isn't like the author is going to be knocking on the door begging me to tell them why I didn't like their books.

ipanemagirl · 05/01/2009 14:23

lol MKG!

MKG · 05/01/2009 14:22

Yes, I've been known to shout at books saying, "You are my Everest!"

ipanemagirl · 05/01/2009 14:19

lol themoon66

ScottishMummy · 05/01/2009 14:16

hell no if it doesnt interest or compel by 1st chapter i dont proceed.no point trudging on

ScottishMummy · 05/01/2009 14:16

hell no if it doesnt interest or compel by 1st chapter i dont proceed.no point trudging on

rosmerta · 05/01/2009 14:10

Da Vinci Code is one I finished but wished I hadn't bothered!

LOTR & The Stand I love. Though I agree with Iklboo about the last Dark Tower book, I have just started reading the series again so will see what its like 2nd time around.

themoon66 · 05/01/2009 14:06

My cut off point is page 52.

Iklboo · 05/01/2009 14:05

No - LOTR and Da Vinci Code both unread despite several tries at them
And I get bored with The Stand although I usually like Stephen King. And the last book of his Dark Tower series just got a bit silly but I'll probably try and go back to that one since I enjoyed the other 6

Simplysally · 05/01/2009 13:56

No - Captain Correlli's Mandolin and Lord of the Rings are both sat on my bookshelf, partly-read and discarded.

I was recommended to take them on a trip abroad as my only book as that would force me to read them but I'd be just as likely to buy another book instead .

BeckyBendyLegs · 05/01/2009 13:53

Congrats You have lss time for reading at the moment I guess!!!

rosmerta · 05/01/2009 13:50

Becky, I had a boy on 10 Dec. Good luck ttc, I'll keep an eye on the ante-natal threads!

Flamespar · 05/01/2009 13:47

I tend to, I have read a few books that I didn't get into until about half way through

I am stubborn though

piscesmoon · 05/01/2009 13:42

Give Cloud Atlas another go-it is worth it although I had to miss out the middle chapter.
I always read at least 3 chapters before I give up-that comes from childhood when I realised that some of my favourite books took a while to get into.

deanychip · 05/01/2009 13:42

I do my very best to finish a book, but then i always always choose the books that i read very carefully.

I recently had to put down Atonement as i couldnt get much further with it.

But then i have bought a book, thinking that it sounded brill and been really disapointed when i have got to the end.Becaseu it was crap!
I do try to persevere.

BeckyBendyLegs · 05/01/2009 13:41

I'm fine, thanks Rosmerta. How are you? Have you recently had a new addition to your family then? I can be found these days lurking in the 'TTC' page as we're still trying for a baby. No luck so far but persevering.

Ooooh I loved Cloud Atlas! It just goes to show everyone has different tastes.

troutpout · 05/01/2009 13:38

most of the time
I have finished every book which i have started in the last few years or so apart from cloud atlas which was blardy impossible

rosmerta · 05/01/2009 13:38

becky, I was on that thread, I thought your name was familiar! How are you?

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