Books · by Kabir Khan · 2026-09-29

do you make yourself finish books you're only sort of enjoying?

Im 62 percent through a well-reviewed novel and every chapter feels like eating celery because it is "good for me." But quitting that late makes me irrationally mad.

Need either permission or discipline, not sure which.

200 sparks · 6 comments

Comments

Urban Runner · 15 likes

Life is too short and libraries are too full. DNF.

Hugo Martin · 0 likes

Counterpoint: I have had two books completely turn around in the last third. Rare, but it happens.

Imogen Clarke · 9 likes

If you are 62 percent in, skim the ending and reclaim your peace.

Luca Bianchi · 1 likes

My cutoff is 100 pages minus age, which I stole from somewhere and now enforce like law.

Kabir Khan · 1 likes

Ive heard that rule and always forget it when a pretty cover is involved

Grace Parker · 0 likes

Sometimes the anger of quitting is smaller than the anger of finishing.