Lol I used to read 3 books a week. But I had a new baby, and she takes up majority of my time along with my 3 other kids (and in watch 3 more) I’m lucky if i finish a book in two weeks.
I used to do that, but not anymore, I now think, why waste my time for a book that might get better, when I can read something that will get my interest on the first 25 pages.
I don’t have an arbitrary limit or line. If a book isn’t grabbing me but I can see how it might be able to, I will give longer. If it is written in a way I don’t care for, I don’t give as long since that is a function of the writer’s style rather than the book itself. An arbitrary line is just, for me, too, well, arbitrary. I’ve been pleased I have gone longer in many books, past many of the lines people draw. I have also been even more disappointed by going further. But in those cases I at least feel pretty certain I both gave the book a chance and didn’t miss out on a good book. For me, kinda like “how many bars do you give a song before deciding you don’t like it.” The first bars might not capture the power of the song any more than the first x-number of pages or chapters do. So rather than making some arbitrary line in the sand I take each book individually.
This is a great point! If I don’t care for the style I tend to give up a lot sooner. Also, I often revisit the books I have set aside to see if maybe I wasn’t in the right mood at the right time. A book I gave up on at page 80 became one of my favorite books when I finally returned to it months later.
Another factor for me is whether I am viewing the book as primarily entertainment or whether it seems like a book that might enrich my life through either giving me completely new perspective or information. Those I will give more time to. Some of the books through my life with a big impact have been borderline “enjoyable” reads but have been tremendous “thinking about afterwards” reads.
I just quit one at 100 pages. I’m actually surprised I made it that long…my attention was not hooked on it, and I kept finding myself reading the same lines over and over
No specific rule as such. There will be something in such books which make me stop reading. This year I stopped reading 2 books, one after about 4 Chapters and the other after reading more than half the book.
Usually a couple of chapters. I think one of the things that frustrates me most is when they introduce too many characters at the beginning of the book and I am trying to figure out who is who.
Usually not until I am halfway through, but I am trying to stop myself earlier these days (around 50pg). I used to always finish, no matter what, but there are just too many books I want to get to.
I love it when they hook me on the first page. Sometimes I am more patient than others. Right now I am approaching page 200 of a book that has not totally won me over.
Maybe 2 or 3 chapters but I stop reading it whenever I’m not connected to the book. I thought I was the only one that stopped reading a book because I wasn’t interested!
If its an ARC, I commented to it, so I will finish it. I may put it down and go to another book..a few times..but I will suffer through it! Lol. Not an ARC.. As soon as it looses my interest and I see I won’t come back.
Years ago I used to give it 100 pgs. That has decreased over the past 10 yr and now I’m down to 25 pages.
I’ve been giving it to about halfway through. Assassin’s heart was recently one of those books
I try and read like 10 chapters
call me crazy but i read the whole thing anyway
I used to do that. But there are soooo many books to be read. It feels like a waste.
i have over 100 books (so far, still sorting) on my TBR pile but cant help mself
I don’t have that many I have about 20. It can be overwhelming lol I just had a friend that was out, then brought me 4 more books!
luckily i read pretty fast usually, today was just a true crime magazine and richard laymon novel
Lol I used to read 3 books a week. But I had a new baby, and she takes up majority of my time along with my 3 other kids (and in watch 3 more) I’m lucky if i finish a book in two weeks.
@Angel sounds like the best kind of chaos though
I finish all of them. Lol.
@Courtney it really is!
If it doesn’t grab mine with in first 2 chapters I but it away and try again later. Many books I didn’t like first try I ended up loving.
4 or 5 pages. Less if foul language.
50ish pages.
I always give it 100 pages
I try at least 100 pages or, several chapters. Maybe one character won’t grab me but another will.
50 pages.
A few chapters
Yeah, 50 pages or so. Although lately I will quit sooner is the writing is just lousy.
70 pages
50 pages or so
50 pages
50-100 pages.
1/3 to halfway. Usually by then I know
About 100 pages if I could tolerate it that long.
50-75 pages. Life’s too short to read a book that doesn’t interest me.
Never give up!!
50 to 100 pages I used to feel like I had to finish a book if I started life is too short!
100 pgs or two hours
Usually 25-50, but sometimes and lately it’s been just after I started the book, if so it’s because I this this book just isn’t for me.
50 pages or so.
Well I give it about 60 pages but by then I’m forced to finish what I started because I wonder if its gonna get better!
I used to do that, but not anymore, I now think, why waste my time for a book that might get better, when I can read something that will get my interest on the first 25 pages.
50 pages. Used to go to 100 but I am either too old now or too impatient. ?
if I get to page 100 I have to fnish
50 pages
Couple if chapters
100 pages
3 chapters
5 chapters
I don’t have an arbitrary limit or line. If a book isn’t grabbing me but I can see how it might be able to, I will give longer. If it is written in a way I don’t care for, I don’t give as long since that is a function of the writer’s style rather than the book itself. An arbitrary line is just, for me, too, well, arbitrary. I’ve been pleased I have gone longer in many books, past many of the lines people draw. I have also been even more disappointed by going further. But in those cases I at least feel pretty certain I both gave the book a chance and didn’t miss out on a good book. For me, kinda like “how many bars do you give a song before deciding you don’t like it.” The first bars might not capture the power of the song any more than the first x-number of pages or chapters do. So rather than making some arbitrary line in the sand I take each book individually.
This is a great point! If I don’t care for the style I tend to give up a lot sooner. Also, I often revisit the books I have set aside to see if maybe I wasn’t in the right mood at the right time. A book I gave up on at page 80 became one of my favorite books when I finally returned to it months later.
Another factor for me is whether I am viewing the book as primarily entertainment or whether it seems like a book that might enrich my life through either giving me completely new perspective or information. Those I will give more time to. Some of the books through my life with a big impact have been borderline “enjoyable” reads but have been tremendous “thinking about afterwards” reads.
Yes, this too! I seem to read half for pleasure and half for enrichment which may be why I put in more effort for some than others.
Usually 100 pages, but, recently, I put down The Forgotten Girl after the first chapter. I might go back to it later on
50 pages
I just quit one at 100 pages. I’m actually surprised I made it that long…my attention was not hooked on it, and I kept finding myself reading the same lines over and over
I always finish a book
A few chapters
50 pages
50 or so pages…no more than 75
Chapter 4
I put it down and come back to it in case it’s just not what I wanted to read at the time. After three tries, I’m done.
Could be the first, could be almost the end. Whenever it strikes me that I’m not invested… I don’t force it.
75 pages
No specific rule as such. There will be something in such books which make me stop reading. This year I stopped reading 2 books, one after about 4 Chapters and the other after reading more than half the book.
50 pages
A few pages.
Usually a couple of chapters. I think one of the things that frustrates me most is when they introduce too many characters at the beginning of the book and I am trying to figure out who is who.
depends . . . if everyone is talking about it – 100. Otherwise 50.
Usually not until I am halfway through, but I am trying to stop myself earlier these days (around 50pg). I used to always finish, no matter what, but there are just too many books I want to get to.
My point of view exactly!
I love it when they hook me on the first page. Sometimes I am more patient than others. Right now I am approaching page 200 of a book that has not totally won me over.
A couple of chapters.
I usually just stop reading after a couple chapters if I’m not interested, I’ll stop reading and move to the next on on my list.
However, I’m seeing ALOT of comments that says 50-75 pages, and I think I’m going to start doing that. Lol
100-150
Maybe 2 or 3 chapters but I stop reading it whenever I’m not connected to the book. I thought I was the only one that stopped reading a book because I wasn’t interested!
If its an ARC, I commented to it, so I will finish it. I may put it down and go to another book..a few times..but I will suffer through it! Lol. Not an ARC.. As soon as it looses my interest and I see I won’t come back.
Sometimes it takes me to the middle of the book, to decide if it is worth reading. Then I either continue…or skip to the end to just see how it ends.
About 100pgs