The Sunk Cost of Reading: When It's Time to Abandon a Book

We've all been there: You buy a book with enthusiasm what they have recommended to you with such force that you are unable to let it be. How can it be bad if they are telling me that it is almost a masterpiece? The sunk cost makes its appearance…

You buy it, you sit down to read it And after several pages - it could be several hundred - you come across a tedious, confusing or just plain boring read. Yet you keep reading, turning page after page in hopes that it will get better or feeling guilty for leaving.

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"Maybe it will get better later" you tell yourself…

But no, not only does it not improve, but you also live in a balance between suffering a reading torture from which you cannot escape and the feeling that you have already dedicated several hours to that book, in addition to having spent money on it. Do you leave it or continue reading?

Behind this decision is a psychological phenomenon known as the sunk cost.

This concept It doesn't just apply to reading —or audiobooks—but to many other facets of life, such as personal relationships, financial investments, and even television series that we don't enjoy but continue to watch because we've already finished several seasons.

But here I'm talking about books, so let's go together to learn to identify the sunk cost and make rational decisions that allow you to optimize your time and well-being. I'm telling you right now, It's okay to leave a book half-read.

What is sunk cost?

But anyway, I'll tell you a little about what it consists of. sunk cost It is an economic and psychological concept that refers to the resources (time, money, effort) that we have already invested in something and that cannot be recovered. This investment leads you to continue with an activity, even though it no longer benefits you, only because you feel that giving up would mean wasting what you have already put into it.

In reading, this translates into the idea of "I've already read 100 pages, so I can't stop now" either “I spent 20 euros on this book, I have to finish it”But is that really a good reason to continue? Think of it this way: Accept that the time already invested will not change the future experience of the book, so continuing to read without enjoyment is not a rational decision.

Signs It's Time to Abandon a Book

1. You don't enjoy reading

We came here to have a good time. Nobody wants to read to get boredReading should be a pleasurable activity, or at least an enriching one. If you find yourself forcing yourself to keep reading without any enjoyment, it may be time to stop.

Not all books are for all readers, and there's nothing wrong with admitting that a story or style doesn't fit you.

2. It doesn't bring you value

If the book is not meeting your expectations, it is not teaching you anything new or you feel like you could be reading something more useful or interesting, it's a sign that you could be better spending your time.

Not all books have the same impact on each person, and Sometimes a book that doesn't tell us anything now might be more relevant another time. of your life. It has happened to me several times and perhaps you will really enjoy it later.

3. It bores or confuses you constantly

Maybe it's the writer's fault, not everything is going to be your fault... If you find yourself turning pages without really absorbing the information or you find it difficult to get hooked on the story, that book probably isn't for you.

Sometimes, too complex language or unattractive narrative can make reading a chore rather than a pleasure. And hey, who knows, maybe the author doesn't write well...

4. You feel trapped in the obligation to finish it

The sunk cost to the 100%. If the only reason you are still reading is "because I've already started", you are falling into the trap of the title of this story. Ask yourself: "If I hadn't started this book, would I pick it up now?".

If the answer is no, It might be time to quit and explore other options that you really enjoy. Don't prolong the suffering any longer. You can take it up again whenever you want.

5. There are too many pending readings that you really want to read

You may be a bit of an eater and want to read everything you have—and don’t have—constantly. Reading time is limited, and there are an infinite number of books to discover.

If a book is holding you back from moving on to other stories that excite you more, it may be best to put it aside and move on to something that actually interests you. Leaving a book halfway through can lead you to discover something much better.

Overcoming the guilt of abandoning a book

Don't torture yourself, listen to me. Leaving a book half-read is not a failure, but a conscious decision to manage your time and energy better. It may help to reconsider that feeling of guilt and consider other points of view.

• See it as a smart choice, not as a loss. Choosing what to read is just as important as deciding what not to read and it is in your hands from the beginning and all the time.
• Remember that there are too many good books to waste time on one you don't enjoy. You don't have to finish all the books. In fact, no one in history has ever read everything published.
• Give it a second chance later, if you think the problem is the moment and not the book itself. Sometimes our perception changes over time. It has happened to me with books like Kafka's Metamorphosis either Siddhartha by Herman Hesse and they have ended up being some of my favorite books.
• Read reviews or summaries to see if the story improves before you decide. A look at other readers' reviews can help you make an informed decision. The internet is full of people who have read it before you. Listen to them.
• Adopting the “reading for pleasure” mindset, where the goal is not to complete the book, but to enjoy it while you read it. If you don't like the journey, it doesn't matter where you end up.

Giving up doesn't have to be bad

Reading is an investment of time and energy, and not every book is going to be for you. Giving up on a book that isn't working for you isn't a waste of time, but rather a gain in time for stories and knowledge that you truly enjoy. Learning to let go of what doesn't benefit us is a valuable skill not only in reading, but in life in general. Don't hold on to a sunk cost, hold on to your enjoyment as a reader and allow each book to be an enriching and pleasurable experience!