Stuck on a boring book and can't decide if you should quit it or not?
Here are 3 strategies to help you decide:
Here are 3 strategies to help you decide:
If a book doesn't give you joy or value in exchange for your time, there's no reason to suffer through it.
Forcing yourself to finish a bad book will make you dislike reading and maybe stop reading altogether.
But when should you drop a book?
Here are 3 strategies I've used:
Forcing yourself to finish a bad book will make you dislike reading and maybe stop reading altogether.
But when should you drop a book?
Here are 3 strategies I've used:
1. The 10% Rule
Read 10% of a book as a way of sampling it.
If a book is 400 pages, read the first 40 pages to get an idea of what it's about.
If you don't like the sample, don't buy it or return it for a different book.
Read 10% of a book as a way of sampling it.
If a book is 400 pages, read the first 40 pages to get an idea of what it's about.
If you don't like the sample, don't buy it or return it for a different book.
2. 100 Minus Your Age
Read the first (100 - Your Age) pages of a book.
The older you are, the less time you have to waste on books that are filled with fluff or not enjoyable.
So if you're 75, a book has only 25 pages to convince you it's worth reading. If not, retire it.
Read the first (100 - Your Age) pages of a book.
The older you are, the less time you have to waste on books that are filled with fluff or not enjoyable.
So if you're 75, a book has only 25 pages to convince you it's worth reading. If not, retire it.
3. 3 Strikes & You're out
Give a book 3 strikes (chapters) to impress you.
Read the first 2 chapters then one random chapter that intrigues you.
If you aren't into the book after giving it 3 chances, realize it's probably not a good match for you and drop it.
Give a book 3 strikes (chapters) to impress you.
Read the first 2 chapters then one random chapter that intrigues you.
If you aren't into the book after giving it 3 chances, realize it's probably not a good match for you and drop it.
Pro Tip: Quitting can have a negative association so if you don't like to say "I quit that book" say "I put it on pause."
Sometimes it's a case of right book, wrong time.
It's okay to put a book on pauseβthey will be happy to see you return to them even if it's a decade later.
Sometimes it's a case of right book, wrong time.
It's okay to put a book on pauseβthey will be happy to see you return to them even if it's a decade later.
Wherever your reading journey takes you, always remember this motto:
It's better to quit a book than it is to quit reading altogether.
It's better to quit a book than it is to quit reading altogether.
Strategies for when to quit a book:
1) 10% Rule: Sample the book by reading 10% of it.
2) 100-Age Rule: Read the first (100-Your Age) pages.
3) 3 Strikes Rule: Give a book 3 chances by reading 3 chapters.
If you don't like the book after that, drop it and pick up a new one!
1) 10% Rule: Sample the book by reading 10% of it.
2) 100-Age Rule: Read the first (100-Your Age) pages.
3) 3 Strikes Rule: Give a book 3 chances by reading 3 chapters.
If you don't like the book after that, drop it and pick up a new one!
PS: If you enjoyed this thread and want more reading tips, sign up for my free book newsletter.
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