When Do You Give Up on a Book? My Struggles and Recommendations

Have you ever found yourself stopping a book before you finish the first chapter? It can be a frustrating experience, especially when you pay for a book you thought would be your next favorite read. In this article, we will explore the reasons why some of us abandon books and share our personal experiences while offering some tips to help you decide whether a book is worth sticking with.

Experience with "Flywheel"

One of my experiences with a book that didn’t quite capture my interest was "Flywheel." Initially, the book was not up to my expectations based on its genre. As a grown-up, I expected more substance and depth from a book marketed as a teenager's high school romance. Despite these initial trepidations, I decided to give it a chance, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Ancient and Legendary: Eragon’s Journey

Another time I undertook a book with high hopes but hit a roadblock was with "Eragon." In the seventh grade, eager to continue my love for the fantasy genre, I purchased this book with great anticipation, only to be confronted by a reading experience that was quite challenging due to its complexity. I had to look up words in the dictionary numerous times and felt incredibly frustrated, making me abandon the book halfway through.

Once I had grown a bit older, I revisited "Eragon." This time, I managed to push through the prologue with more determination and saw it through to the end. The adventure and storytelling that came with the book were far more impressive than I had expected. After reading and re-reading the first book, I dove into the subsequent books. The journey was difficult, but it was definitely rewarding. Nowadays, it remains my favorite series, which often keeps me hooked for months on end.

The Maze Runner: Action or No Action?

I also tried "The Maze Runner" but stopped reading after a couple of chapters for a different reason. I was expecting a faster-paced, action-driven narrative, but found the story to be a bit slow. However, it hasn't put me off entirely. I intend to return to it and finish it one day, as I believe there is still an engaging story waiting to be discovered.

“Dune”: The Writing That Left Me Cold

"Dune" is one of those rare books where the writing style is so convoluted and hard to follow that it leaves you feeling completely disconnected from the story. I gave up on it after only eight pages, unable to engage with the narrative in any meaningful way.

“A Game of Thrones”: Setting Expectations

On the flip side, "A Game of Thrones" was one of those books where my expectations were so high that when they were not met, I found it hard to relate to the characters and the plot. In such cases, it is essential to give the book some more time to settle in, especially when there are numerous characters to introduce and a complex narrative to follow. Sometimes, a second read can completely change your perspective.

Conclusion

Abandoning a book before finishing the first chapter can be a tough decision to make, but it's a choice every reader must face at some point. Whether it's because of the genre, the writing style, or the depth of the plot, deciding to set a book aside can open up a whole new world of other books to explore. Ultimately, it's about finding the right balance between continuing with a challenging book and moving on to something that better suits your tastes and interests.

Have you ever set a book aside? Which one, and why did you choose to do so? Leave a comment to share your experiences and thoughts.