Quit Books You Don’t Enjoy

I read a lot. It informs what I write. It forces me to learn from people smarter than me. I like to challenge my beliefs, assumptions, opinions and mental models. So I make time to read slowly.

I hardly skim great books.

Sometimes I reread books packed with great insight, like Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio, The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson, Daily Rituals by Mason Currey and Great Thinkers by The School of Life.

Philosopher Francis Bacon, “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.” That’s why I don’t use the same approach to read every book I pick.

I’ve learned to quit books.

Reading doesn’t have to feel like a chore. I now approach books with curiosity, not obligation. This simple habit has changed how I read. It’s helping me choose my books carefully.

I pick books with three goals in mind:

  1. Fun
  2. Enjoyable and
  3. Transformational

If it’s not doing any of those goals, I quit.

Reading is no longer a chore. “The minute I was bored with a book or a subject I moved to another one, instead of giving up on reading altogether,”writes Nassim Taleb in Antifragile.

If a book doesn’t teach, inspire, entertain or upgrade my mental models, I let it go. Quitting books seemed lazy or disrespectful at first. But I’ve changed my mind. Quitting books has transformed how I read.

It’s helping me improve my “slow reading” habit.

I am not saying you should quit because it’s difficult at first.

Don’t let initial difficulty deter you from a potentially rewarding read. I understand that some books can be tough at first. You can push through the initial hurdle.

But the moment reading becomes a chore, you can let go.

I choose books with a higher motivation.

When you start a book with a goal, you will know if the author addresses your challenges and problems or provides real value to achieve your goal. An intentional goal changes your engagement with a book.

If you don’t have a goal in mind or don’t understand the content, your motivation drops significantly.

You will spend a lot of time trying to finish it, just for finishing sake.

The good news is that if you start a book, you don’t have to finish it. Quitting a book is not wrong. If it doesn’t serve its purpose, you have every right to move on or pick a different one.

Of course, if the topic is complex (but essential to your growth), and you want to learn or improve your understanding of it, think of it as an investment in your future.

“If it were a film, you’d walk out. If it were a Netflix series, you’d move on and never think on it again. Yet when it’s a book and requires a great deal more time commitment, it’s harder to take out the bookmark and move on.” — James Colley

Reading should feel enjoyable. It should challenge you or teach you something new. It should open your mind. If a book isn’t doing any of that, why keep going? Life is too short to read books out of guilt.

Life’s too short to waste on books that have no real value for your life. So, don’t hesitate to quit if you want to read more books or build a better reading habit.

Reading should feel intentional. If a book feels like a waste, quitting is a way of protecting your time.

Quitting books takes away the pressure to finish. Reading becomes playful. It’s no longer about obligation. It becomes a discovery or fun process. I treat books like conversations.

Some connect with me. Others don’t.

That’s okay. Not every book is meant for me.

It works for me because it encourages curiosity. I read widely now. Each book becomes an experiment, not a commitment.

I don’t have to feel stuck in a book.

Quitting books teaches me something else: not everything is meant for everyone. A book might be brilliant, but not for me. Or it might not work for me right now. That’s fine. I can always return later.

Quitting books has made reading more joyful.

Not every book deserves to be finished. Some books are not what I expected. Others don’t align with my goals or interests. And that’s fine. A book that doesn’t resonate isn’t a bad book. It’s just not the right book for me right now.

Letting go allows me to find what fits.

Reading should inspire you, challenge you, or move you. If it doesn’t, quitting is an act of wisdom. You have every right to stop. Put your goals first: it’s the art of reading with intention.

If you don’t enjoy it, the author has lost you. It’s over.

Letting go is your right!

“There is no friend so faithful as a good book. There is no worse robber than a bad book.” — Italian proverb

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