17 Comments

I absolutely agree: we should feel free to put down a book that doesn’t grab our attention. There are many books that completely captured me in a very surprising way. Others, were a total disappointment. I personally give some time to the book in case it doesn’t capture me early. But then I reflect on the possibility to not finish it.

Expand full comment
Jul 28Liked by Claire Diaz-Ortiz

I feel so guilty for not finishing books. I feel like failed intelligentsia. Haha. Sometimes you really do get all you need from the first part, especially non-fiction. Yet sometimes I push forward, holding out for a sentence or two that will change my life. Sometimes I find it, making that mostly not worthwhile effort worth it, totally smashing the odds of jumping ship next time! (Just happened last night.) but thank you for this reminder that it’s ok to put down the book and go on to the next. So many to read! No time to waste.

Expand full comment
author

Failed intelligentisa! Ha!

Expand full comment
Jul 28Liked by Claire Diaz-Ortiz

This is so wonderful! Thank you for the permission to be imperfect even in this area of my life! My delight for today …

Expand full comment
author

Ha! Yes -- put down that book!

Expand full comment
Jul 29Liked by Claire Diaz-Ortiz

I'm with you. No to whipping yourself with lit that you don't like.

Expand full comment
author

NO WHIPPING

Expand full comment
Jul 28Liked by Claire Diaz-Ortiz

This is an area I have struggled with in the past as well but I'm learning that it's okay not to finish every book. I've quit 2 this summer that I may or may not ever get back to. Sometimes it is me (not in the right "space" for it) but sometimes it's the book! Thanks for reminding us that it is okay!

Expand full comment
author

Totally!

Expand full comment
Jul 28Liked by Claire Diaz-Ortiz

Agree !!!

Expand full comment
author

;;)

Expand full comment

I can relate, hard to put down a book even if it's boring me...and the same with movies, I feel I gave to finish it. (maybe from my mom telling us to finish our meal, idk 🤷‍♂️)

Actually movies I can stop more easily than putting down a book.

But why is it hard to put down a book we don't like?

I will remember your 5 point process.

My mentor has this thing where there are two types of books/courses/etc.:

1) Just in time

2) Just in case

Just in time is a book based on a new skill or knowledge you seek, or you're really interested. Go for it, often and early, he says.

Just in case is a book that someone recommended, or a friend wrote, etc. but does not interest you. Don't do this type, he says.

Have you thought about it this way?

Expand full comment

Marie Claire porfa recuérdame el título del que recomendaste de Gemma Urraka. Del retiro de escritores 🙏🏻🥰Janine

Expand full comment

Preach!! I wish I abandoned more books. I'm gonna try 💪

Expand full comment

Other alternative: skim it.

Expand full comment

Starting to do the same with TV series. It’s so tempting to find out whodunnit and the investment is real, but recently found it’s so very liberating to just stop, remove from watchlist and gain back several hours (sometimes) that would have been wasted on a poor script with lacklustre dramatisation. Definitely in favour of cutting your losses in all aspects of life.

Expand full comment

Thank you. Somehow, I appreciate being given permission for that!

Expand full comment