Tera - about your 10% rule.

[Mary]

That's hardcore! You're ruthless, woman!

Of course, it wasn't until about a year or 2 ago that I would ever not finish a book. I have completed some pretty hideous books. Then one day I decided that just because I start one doesn't mean I have to torture myself.

I still feel weird about not finishing a book though.

[Viola]

What's the 10% rule?

[Mary]

If she gets 10% into a book and doesn't like it, then she doesn't finish it. lol.

[Viola]

Hm... interesting.

My first thought to this was that I almost never not finish a book. But the more I thought about it, I realized that I read a lot of Kindle samples that I don't continue on and buy. In my mind, it's not that I'm not finishing the book, but I'm deciding to not buy the book. The end result might be the same in that you read the beginning portion of the book, but somehow it makes a difference in how you frame it.

[Sherry]

I sometimes read only part of a before putting it down for good, too. A book is supposed to be engaging from cover to cover! With classic literature, I am better about finishing it, just to find out what the historical value is. But with contemporary fiction- I drop it like a lead cannon if it doesn't hold my interest.

[Neko]

I wish I could just stop reading a book when I'm clearly not enjoying it. I find it difficult to stop even if I loath the book. I never used to really finish any of the books that I read when I was in my teens but now in my 20's it's different.

I think since I got back into reading there has only been 2 books I've stopped reading because they were bad (one was a shocker..the other i lost interest in).

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I get books 50 pages. If I am not interested in it by then, I won't finish it.

[Kat (A Journey In Reading)]

I usually give a book 100-150 pages to decide if I like it or not. There are too many great books out there to waste time on something that I don't like. Have I always been that way? Not at all... it used to bother me to not finish a book.... not anymore.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I'm definitely willing to put a book aside, but I'm also willing to stick with a book that captures less of my attention than others. Perhaps it depends on the mood I'm in, but I have been surprised with a couple of those I've forced myself to stick with that they ended on a very good note.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

If you really dislike the book, you shouldn't torture yourself by reading it.

[Christine]

I saw the 10% rule and thought.. huh that's a good idea. Before this year, there wasn't a book that I didn't finish, now Life of Pi is still on my nightstand and I keep going.
I agree, Life is too short to read books you don't enjoy :)

[Mary]

You know that book Atonement? I started it and put it down several times. I couldn't get past page 23. But EVERYONE was talking about it. Finally, once I forced myself to get past page 23, I really enjoyed it. A lot.

[Tera, First Chick]

I used to stick with a book until then end. Then I thought, "that's like a bad relationship - why stay with it when I'm the one doing all the work and I'm not getting anything out of it?" So I started putting books down. It was hard at first. Then I thought 'okay Ill give it a 100 pages'. But alot of books are only about 300 pages long and if I made it through a 3rd of the book then I could surely make it through the rest. Guilt factor again. I hate guilt. There are so many books out there and so many good books that if I read every day all my life I'd never get to them. Then I decided the 10% rule. If an author cant hook me by 10% of their book it's better to just part ways then. Again, like a relationship, if the first date is torture to get through and the entire time you're thinking about what youll do when it's over why agree to a second one? That's not to say someday down the road I won't pick it up again. I have to say it was a really freeing thing to do. No more guilt and I get to give my reading time to things I actually enjoy reading. I highly recommend giving yourself permission to put a book down.

[Rachelle]

Great explanation, Tera, and great comparison to relationships and dating! I'm definitely guilty of going too far with relationships/dates and books for fear of regretting getting out too early and missing out on something potentially great, but I always end up regretting not listening to my first instinct! Good advice ;-)

[Dianne]

LMBO That is the best statement I have read all week Tera!

[Caitlyn]

Tera, I love your explanation and so true. I've gotten better about letting go of books that don't grab me after my TBR pile had grown to monumental proportions. There are just so many other options although I do tend to stick longer with classic or books recommended by others. I just feel more pressure to try harder with those books.

[Emily]

I'm with Jayme, I give 50 pages - or else if I'm dreading reading more of the book. There are too many good ones out there to read those I don't enjoy! 10% is a good idea, though Tera. I'll have to remember that the next time I'm disliking a book - look at the the number of the last page and see what 10% is!

[Louise]

For me it depends on why, if I think the writing is bad and the story is clichéd (most often happens with crime stories or bad fantasy novels) then I might stop and read something else. If however it's just hard to get into, I feel I have to finish it because
A. I might like it later on, but I can't pass a final verdict before I finish
B. I can't put in on my "read" list if I haven't finished it! (It won't count toward my challenges and it will be stuck in a limbo!:-)
C. If it's for my bookclub I can't really participate if I haven't read it.