First, select novels that dovetail with your interests. If you enjoy science fiction, don’t pick up a literary fiction novel. If you prefer psychological thrillers, don’t pick up a satire. You might ultimately enjoy literary fiction and satire, but unless you specifically intend to explore a new genre, it makes sense to stick to your preferences. Second, commit to jumping ship at the 25% mark if a book fails to engage you. If you don’t find a book engaging after a quarter of the way, you’re unlikely to find it engaging later. You might, but you’re better off cutting your losses and moving on.
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