How long do you give a book until you stop reading?

[Nancywitt]

There have only been a handful of books that I just could not get into and had to stop reading. I feel quilty if I do not finish a book, but life is short. I once read that you should give a book at least 50 pages to get into the story. Is that about right for you? Or do you have a different plan?

[knittingknerd]

I've put down The Lord of the Rings (whatever the first book was), after 20 pages. Usually I'm good and force myself to finish a book, figure I will learn something about myself (and what writing styles I like/dislike) or something... that book I just couldn't. And I have a rule if it's hard to get into I sometimes have a drink to relax my brain to help me, that book... 3 drinks later and I still couldn't get into it.

[sir clinksalot]

100 pages.

Sometimes I go back and finish the book, just to say I did.

This happened with the Dark Tower series. I couln't get through The Gunslinger, but kept hearing how good the subsequent books were.

So I fought, and fought, and fought to get through it. And I'm glad I did because I LOVE the rest of the series.

[SummerInFL]

First chapter for me, I have ADD when it comes to reading sometimes so if the book doesn't grab me I just can't read it. It's why I can never get through a Stephen King novel, I can understand them but I glaze over it by the 2nd chapter. LOL

[lazyboy97O]

There are only two books I have so far given up on.

Deliver Us from Evil: Defeating Terrorism, Despotism, and Liberalism by Sean Hannity - Read less than one page and gave up.

The Death of the Grown-up: How America's Arrested Development is Bringing Down Western Civilization by Diana West - About 50 pages in I gave up. It wasn't going anywhere. She just kept bitching about rock 'n roll.

[mycroft16]

I'm stubborn and try to make it to the half way point. I think there have only been a handful of books I simply could not get through.

Lastest casualty was The Pickwick Papers (Dickens). May give it another try though now that life is a bit calmer than when I last tried to read it.

[NeverNeverland]

I think I've read everything... so hard to admit defeat!

[SusieP.]

I don't quit. I can't. But I also always skim the beginning of the book first and if it doesn't hook me I just won't pick it up to begin with.

I also can't turn off crappy movies. Just in case.

[Joshrzmeup]

Usually 50-100 pages in. I try to give it a chance, but sometimes it's just not possible, imo.

[Nancywitt]

I find the older novels like Dickens and Austen are a bit hard for me to get into. I think I will re-try those later in life. (I love all their "movies" so to speak.)

[PrincessY]

I've put down The Lord of the Rings (whatever the first book was), after 20 pages.

Yay! Someone who agrees with me on thhe LOTR's books. I probably got 20 pages into that too and gave up. Usually I give 50-100 pages.

[Lady Stardust]

Yay! Someone who agrees with me on thhe LOTR's books. I probably got 20 pages into that too and gave up. Usually I give 50-100 pages.

Dittos on that. Granted this is going back several years, but I found it terribly over-written. Though I was never a fanatic for the movies either. I never even SAW the last one...

[SCUBAbe]

I will continue to read the slowest of books. It may take me longer, but I finish them. If it's a good book i usually read it in 2 to 3 days.

[SCUBAbe]

Yay! Someone who agrees with me on thhe LOTR's books. I probably got 20 pages into that too and gave up. Usually I give 50-100 pages.

I read the entire series and I agree the were a bit boring in parts and slow.

[SCUBAbe]

100 pages.

Sometimes I go back and finish the book, just to say I did.

This happened with the Dark Tower series. I couln't get through The Gunslinger, but kept hearing how good the subsequent books were.

So I fought, and fought, and fought to get through it. And I'm glad I did because I LOVE the rest of the series.

I loved that series too.