I can't finish a book

[Usernumber12356]

I just seem to lose interest. Or I can figure out what I think is likely to happen atthe end so don't bother reading any more.

I'm reading The Names by Florence Knapp. It's about 3 alternative realities depending on which name she chooses for her baby. So there are basically 3 stories running through the book. I'm maybe half way through and I've got the gist now of how each main character reacts to each name so I don't see the point of reading any more.

I'm trying to think of other examples but there have been loads recently. It's like I read so much and either figure out or imagine an ending for myself so I don't read to the end.

I can be really enjoying the first part of the story, I think The Names is a really interesting idea for a book and I enjoyed the first half. But now I've had enough and I can't be bothered getting to the end.

Am I broken? Why is this happening to me? Am I just reading the wrong books?

I'm also in a phase like this at the moment. I've had 4 DNF's out of my last 5 books. All of them were by authors I'd read before, so I expected to enjoy them, but I just couldn't generate any interest by 100 - 200 pages in.

I used to be a voracious reader but my concentration isn't great lately.
No idea if it's the weather, menopause brain or just the state of the world.
Maybe it's just not the right time for a particular book - I keep reminding myself that it took me 8 years and several attempts before I finally managed to read (and enjoy) The Night Circus. So all my recent DNF's have been set aside to come back to.

It is bothering me. By the halfway point of the year I have normally finished 40 or 50 books. This year I'm on 11. That doesn't feel good.

Sorry you're struggling with this also. I hope it changes and we can get back to reading and enjoying our books properly.

Wrong books! Frankly, I've abandoned so many contemporary novels recently (Including the aforementioned Ishtar Circus) and am rereading older stuff that I've forgotten which I'm enjoying much more. This maybe just because I'm an old fart, but who cares? Reading is meant to be enjoyable!

Try some non fiction? Or try an analytical approach. See how the author got to the ending not just what the ending is. Look up some book group questions to get you interested in the themes.

Baby name alternate realities sounds deathly dull. You need a good murder!

I’m the same, I have tried and failed on a few now, I just don’t seem to have the attention span or inclination?

I think all of us have had our attention eroded by the internet, but it sounds as if it may have been an overly complex book. Maybe try something short. Or a book of short stories. Or an older book that not deliberately convoluted.

Have a good at short stories or novellas. That way it's quicker paced and you're less likely to lose interest

I am also trying to read that book. I actually started reading another book when I got half way through. I think its just a rubbish book and very clichéd, of COURSE Gordon is horrible, and Bear is just a joy. Give me strength!

I'm exactly the same! I have a stack of half read books on my side table. I definitely struggle with newer books but can't seem to get into anything at all. Tried murder, adventure, fantasy fiction but I get restless after a few chapters. I'm the same with tv series though. By episode 5 I just lose interest. Maybe it is sm, doomscrolling, the internet but it's really annoying.

Why not try a children’s book or à YA one? I read a huge amount of these and there is a staggering amount of well written engaging plots out there.They also seem quicker to read.

I loved The Names. But each to their own. You are experiencing a reading drought. I had one that lasted 18 months. As someone that read at least a book, maybe two, a week for my whole adult life it was a weird feeling to suddenly not be able to read. And hard to fill the time. I did a lot of mindless doom scrolling. Mine started after a period of big change in my life. It ended when I found a copy of a book I loved as a child in a charity shop (Isaac Campion by Janni Howker I think?) and re read and just fell in love with reading again. It was a big relief!

Think we are all a bit damaged by social media stuff in terms of concentration tbh

But..turning the pages of a book should be pleasurable. I think the social media culture/celeb culture/quick moving has got into everything and it'hard to find very good literature at times. So I'd say its the book as much as anything..not written well enough to engage a discerning reader

Hope you find something better soon

I'm struggling too. I'm dyslexic and a slow reader as it is, so I've never really bothered with series or really long books for this reason, but I've read plenty of short/mid length books. I've always had a book on the go.

I've had a lot of DNFs recently. I just get bored or distracted.

This Mark Manson video is quite interesting on the subject:

Late to the thread, but I mainly read detective fiction, love a good murder, and the book the OP is discussing is not dull at all in my opinion. I couldn't put it down and it has stayed with me for weeks after I finished reading it. That was actually what brought me to this thread, I wanted to see if anyone was discussing it.

@Usernumber12356 Maybe the subject matter of the book isn't for you, but if you find you regularly can't be bothered to finish books, maybe your mindset is the problem. It doesn't matter if you guess what's going to happen. A book is a journey, not a destination.

It means having to buy it twice so it's not ideal, but I found that if I listen to a book on audible at the same time as reading it I find it much easier to get immersed in the story. I'd been having trouble focusing my attention on books.

It honestly might just be a phase, you might be more tired then you think, or it could be the weather, alternatively you might be reading the wrong books!

I found short stories helped.

I hate not finishing a book but have 2 DNF so far this year, battled through another one and struggling to get to 50% with my current book (The Bee Sting).