Do You Finish Books You’re Not Enjoying?

I used to feel that once I’d started a book, I ought to finish it, regardless of whether the story and characters were engaging. Probably because I can be stubborn at times! These days, I’m far less noble. If I’m not enjoying a book, I’m usually happy to abandon it. Not immediately — I do give books a fair chance. But if I’ve reached the point where reading feels like a chore, or I find myself cleaning my house to avoid picking it up, that’s generally a strong signal.

Life is short. Books are many. Housework can wait.

There are exceptions. I’ve recently joined a monthly book group, and so far, I’ve finished both books even though they weren’t novels I would have chosen. If I’m going to sit in a room and discuss a book with other readers, I think it’s only fair to read it properly first. My fellow group members clearly don’t agree — some happily admit to having abandoned that month’s choice because they disliked it. Each to their own.

As I discussed in last week’s post, I think there’s value in reading new material. Sometimes a book outside our usual taste range surprises us. Maybe it stretches us. Perhaps it simply confirms, that no, actually, we do not want more of that sort of thing, thank you.

Besides book groups, study, or other specific reasons, though, I don’t think finishing every book is a moral virtue. Reading for pleasure should involve at least some… well, pleasure. Not necessarily comfort — I’m happy to be unsettled, suspicious and emotionally toyed with by a novel. Clearly. I write psychological thrillers, after all.

I do want to feel engaged, though. A book might be beautifully written and yet not resonate with me. It might be clever, ambitious, well-reviewed, much-loved by friends — and still not be a book I want to spend time with. That’s fine. Closing a novel and setting it aside is not a failure. Sometimes it’s simply making room for the next great read.

What about you? Do you always finish books once you’ve started them, or are you happy to abandon ship?