Have you ever started a book and just given up on it? What happened?

B Natural answer

Yes, I have. A few months ago I began a self-help book that many people recommended, but I stopped halfway through. The ideas were okay, yet the writing felt repetitive, and I found myself finishing it out of obligation instead of enjoyment. After a while, I realized I was just reading to say I had done it, not because I cared. It was not really holding my attention, so I put it aside and moved on to something else. I don't mind doing that if a book is not working for me.

Key phrases in this answer

• repetitive — saying the same thing again and again“The book felt repetitive after the first few chapters.”
• finishing it out of obligation — completing it because you feel you have to“I was finishing it out of obligation, not because I enjoyed it.”
• holding my attention — keeping me focused and interested“The book was not holding my attention, so I stopped.”
• too slow for me — too boring or slow to keep my interest“The plot was too slow for me, so I stopped reading.”
• couldn't get into it — could not start enjoying it“I tried the novel, but I couldn't get into it.”
• felt I should — thought it was expected of me, not something I truly wanted“I felt I should read the classic, but it was not for me.”