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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not finish a book I'm not enjoying?

92 replies

PlasticPotPlant · 16/09/2023 16:50

I was always taught that if I started a book I had to finish it (Aurora and the little blue car and Miss B when I was 7, I'm looking at you)

Now, after a friend pointed out I have statistically already used over half my allotted weeks on planet earth, I'm wondering if I should abandon books I'm not enjoying, but cracking on through is very engrained in me, and the books I find least enjoyable are often non-fiction ones that do increase my general knowledge, and often I do enjoy them, eventually.

So wise ones, AIBU to start abandoning books or should I carry on persisting to the end?

OP posts:
FluffyCloudsofShit · 16/09/2023 16:51

Finish every other book you don't like

OnAFrolicOfMyOwn · 16/09/2023 16:52

I don't. If I lose interest, it goes to the charity shop unfinished. What is the point of finishing books you're bored by?

whathaveiforgottentoday · 16/09/2023 16:52

Nope. Must read to the very end!

SisterMichaelsHabit · 16/09/2023 16:52

I used to try and finish them all. Now I have two under 4 so I abandon books as soon as I get bored because otherwise I'd never get a chance to read the ones I actually like.

Purpleavocado · 16/09/2023 16:53

Life is too short and the book police are not going to come for you!

Ghostwritersinc · 16/09/2023 16:53

Seriously, life is too short.
Not all books are good or worth sticking with.
Just give them to charity and pick another!

Darkdiamond · 16/09/2023 16:53

I didn't even finish the books I was studying for my A Level English Literature.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 16/09/2023 16:54

Learning to DNF books you don't enjoy is very liberating. I don't do it too often though

VisionsOfSplendour · 16/09/2023 16:55

Do people really make themselves finish books they aren't enjoying? For what purpose?

If course you dont need to do that, there are literally millions of other books to try, your friend is absolutely right.

PurpleSilver · 16/09/2023 17:01

Casting off some of the debilitating dogma that has hung around your neck since childhood is one of the great joys of middle age OP.

You can abandon a book whenever you like from this day forward. Reading is a leisure activity and unless the increase in general knowledge brings you genuine joy, it's not worth it IMHO.

Enjoy your reading henceforth!

(I used to feel like you, and now I abandon ship early doors if I'm finding the book even vaguely boring! Still read loads and now enjoy it far more).

user1846385927482658 · 16/09/2023 17:02

You're not going to get a prize for spending your life reading crap books, so why waste your life on them.

user1846385927482658 · 16/09/2023 17:04

the books I find least enjoyable are often non-fiction ones that do increase my general knowledge

Is that remotely necessary? Is there an end-of-life general knowledge quiz I'm supposed to be cramming for?

MinnieMountain · 16/09/2023 17:05

There are probably millions of unique books available. Life is too short. I generally give books a chapter. The free samples on Kindle are also handy to check if a book is worth borrowing or buying.

Boohooz · 16/09/2023 17:25

Kudos for even being capable of finishing a book you don’t enjoy. I get so bored when i don’t like a book that it’s like my eyes refuse to read the words. And then I end up on mumsnet instead.

BCBird · 16/09/2023 17:28

If I don't like it I stop. My time is precious

neverbeenskiing · 16/09/2023 17:29

Fuck no, life is too short. It doesn't matter what you were told as a child, you're an adult now and reading should be a pleasure. Why would you waste precious time forcing yourself to read something you don't like? There's not going to be an exam at the end!

legalseagull · 16/09/2023 17:31

I've just abandoned "A Little Life". Even half way was a slog. Life is too short.

valadon68 · 16/09/2023 17:33

Eh, I disagree. Pushing yourself is a good thing and unlocks new doors as you familiarise yourself with new concepts & terms. I already watch far too much crap TV to relax on the reading front!

And to add - you'll miss out on higher tiers of enjoyment if you just stick to what you know! So if pleasure is the goal, then putting up with a bit of boredom is probably the way forward...

onthisoccasion · 16/09/2023 17:33

I used to force myself to complete books. Until 12 years or so ago, when I forced myself to complete Shantaram, which I thought utterly, colossally shite and LONG too boot. Afterwards, I realised I felt properly resentful about the time I'd wasted on something I actually despised, and it was a watershed moment. I have gladly abandoned many mediocre or boring books since. One, I even stopped at the very final chapter with no remorse, I just decided I had no interest in any of what the final chapter could offer. I still relish many books though and if anything it's boosted my love of reading not feeling obliged to pursue books that don't bring me joy.

Oneearringlost · 16/09/2023 17:35

PurpleSilver · 16/09/2023 17:01

Casting off some of the debilitating dogma that has hung around your neck since childhood is one of the great joys of middle age OP.

You can abandon a book whenever you like from this day forward. Reading is a leisure activity and unless the increase in general knowledge brings you genuine joy, it's not worth it IMHO.

Enjoy your reading henceforth!

(I used to feel like you, and now I abandon ship early doors if I'm finding the book even vaguely boring! Still read loads and now enjoy it far more).

Edited

Spot on!

the80sweregreat · 16/09/2023 17:36

I've been known to read the last few pages of boring books so I've some kind of idea of what the ending was! ( even if it doesn't make much sense )

Purplewarrior · 16/09/2023 17:36

Nope. I have given up on plenty of boring books. Continuing to read dross is mental self harm.

Chocolatelabradorsarethebest · 16/09/2023 17:39

I’m glad it’s not just me that struggles with this! I have this rule in my head as well that I have to finish every book, I’m not sure where it came from.

I really really try, even if I’m not enjoying it, I think it’s out of a guilt for the author. Sometimes I’ll stop, read another book and then come back to it and tackle a few more chapters, stop, read another book and repeat. I had one book that took me nearly a year to complete.

I need to be able to just give up!

Topseyt123 · 16/09/2023 17:49

Nope, I don't force myself to complete what I am not enjoying. Life's too short to waste it on that.

Who said it was obligatory to complete every book you try even if it is utter shite? There will be no stupid GCSE English Literature or A Level exam at the end.

Far better to go and find something you do enjoy.

tsmainsqueeze · 16/09/2023 17:56

As a prolific reader i no longer finish a book i'm not enjoying even if i'm half way through.
I feel no guilt , for me its like a contract between me and the author and if they don't fulfill their part ,entertaining me with good writing then i don't fulfill mine which is to read to the end.
To read a good book is one of the best things in life for me and there are so many wonderful books to read why waste time reading something your'e not enjoying.