When to stop reading?

So I faced a dilemma about a week or so ago. I had finished reading “The Last Tudor” by Philippa Gregory (you can read my review of it here.) and began a new book: “Origin” by Dan Brown. I have read all of his books, so naturally, I needed to read this one as well.

I began reading it, and about three chapters in I stopped. My issue with the book was that there was a lot of Spanish in it without any translation. Of course, some of it can be guessed at by looking at the context, but not all of it. I was sad because I really wanted to get into this book. After going to another book in my collection, I decided that I should continue reading “Origin,” mostly because I know the book has to be good. My persistence paid off, as more of the foreign language sections were translated the further I went into the book.

While I am glad that I continued reading (and still am reading), it made me wonder: At what point do you stop reading a book? This is nowhere near the first time I’ve stopped a book. I had to re-read “The Constant Princess” by Philippa Gregory because I had given up on it the first time. I still have not finished her book “The Other Queen,” mostly because my mind kept trying to compare the story with the TV show “Reign,” both being about Mary, Queen of Scots. I’ve also stopped reading the “Outlander” series by Diana Gabaldon because it became boring to me.

I hate not finishing a book. I want to know everything that happens in a book, and I want the satisfaction that I completed my task. However, there’s just a point where you have to say that you can’t continue. For me, it’s often that I get bored. When I get bored, I skip paragraphs, then I miss things. One of these days I’ll finish reading these books, but for now, I continue on with “Origin.”

So I wanna know from you guys: At what point do you give up on a book?

books, dan brown, ebooks, give up, origin, Philippa Gregory, reading, The Constant Princess, the last tudor, The Other Queen


Jen D.

Graduate of Rowan University with a Bachelor's Degree in English and a Bachelor's Degree in Writing Arts. Proud bibliophile. Proud mother to 4 cats (Murmur, Junebug, Crowley, and Aziraphale).

Comment

  • I’m the same way. I don’t want to stop reading. Once I start I need to finish.

    I stopped reading “It” by Stephen King because it is a very long book and I just couldn’t find enough time to sit down, read, and make a dent. I stopped at page thirty something and only picked it up about twice in a month. I’m going to attempt it at a later time.

    The only other book I stopped reading was a book of self discovery by the Dalai Lama. Someone leant it to me saying it helped her through tough times. I just couldn’t completely understand it. And half way through I realized I was just reading without getting anything out of it. Reading just the words, not the concept. I couldn’t continue. I was told to finish it and reread it and I would understand, but I couldn’t bring myself to continue. Reading it made me feel dumb because I couldn’t grasp what it wanted me to.

     

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Made with love by JKC Productions. All rights Reserved.