Can I criticize (or hate) a book I haven't read entirely?

[Zcott]

I guess it depends on the type of book you are reading.

If it is fiction then stick with it. For example, George Orwell's '1984' isn't great at the start, drags on, but gets really good.

Non-fictional is where it is different and you cannot have a blanket rule for all. I wouldn't treat a motivational/business book the same way I'd treat a history book. If you understand the synopsis of the book, example being a one about putting money into a savings account for 45 years, then I'd say it's fine to hate the idea of the book. If you are reading something which is going on and on and not making any points then it's reasonable to put it aside.

 

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[samuraijack]

To the title of the thread, it's a definite YES.

If you can't even finish it without forcing yourself to for some external reason, then that by definition means its a shitty book (to you).

I can't remember any book i like that sucked in the beginning and got better later on.

 

[Saavik]

If within the first 45 minutes of the day long seminar you heard "All engineers are introspective idiots who can't see the big picture" and "Women should never own businesses" and a variety of other things that you don't agree with, and can refute quite easily -- do you need to stay and hear the entire seminar?

Exactly.

I'd say for a book, reading half of it before judging is a good heuristic - but I'm probably too generous with my time. As several people before me have pointed out in this thread, you'll never be able to reclaim the time wasted on a bad book.

Also, entrepreneurship is all about making decisions based on incomplete data. When you work with someone who clearly under-delivers, do you wait another year before going separate ways? Or if someone with a great track record wants to work with you, do you keep reading other applications for three more months because you might just be missing the one person who is even a better fit?

 

[Eisenstein]

Putting down books is something that I have a very hard time with.

I don't have problems with this anymore. It's because you invest time reading the book you'll never get back. So make sure it's worth your time!

When the forum decided to read David Goggins, I joined and started reading. I had the expectation to learn something for my life. So the first chapter was a bit "Ok ... you had a bad childhood, I understand ... but what do you want to tell me?" I didn't get it. Then I found the little conclusion at the end of the chapter. That was quite helpful, but I knew that already. Besides that, I didn't find any connection with this conclusion and the first chapter. So I really had the feeling that Goggins just wants to tell his story no matter what. It felt like: "Me first -- you second." I started skipping the chapters and just looked for the notes and then I took a look in the thread in this forum. So after a short while I decided I'm not interested in his biography, so I handed it back to AMZ.

To be fair, Goggins has value to deliver and life lessons to tell. He has achieved a lot. I watched the interviews that were posted in the thread and listening to him was valuable. I learned something for my life. So if anyone is interested, I'd recommend watching the interviews!

I think, you write a lot better, @MJ DeMarco. You have the approach "You first -- Me second". You talk about the lessons first and when it fits, you tell something about your life related to that.

I also handed back books that are written too complicated and books with a lot of text and almost no content (without finishing them). I think reading 10-50% is enough to know whether to continue or to stop.

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

I was inspired to quit by reading Nassim Taleb.

Reading some of his stuff now, it's really a tough read. Great points, but I feel like the points are buried in a superfluous pig-pen of prose.

I think, you write a lot better, @MJ DeMarco. You have the approach "You first -- Me second". You talk about the lessons first and when it fits, you tell something about your life related to that.

Thank you. That is something I always try to remember when writing, you first, me second. At the end of the day, people buy a book to change their life, not to hear about mine.

 

[Deleted50669]

Fun fact, I recommended your book to my mail man, and two weeks later I had a new mail main.. HAHA

 

[G-Man]

Reading some of his stuff now, it's really a tough read. Great points, but I feel like the points are buried in a superfluous pig-pen of prose.

He does that for sure. I'm pretty sure he's very proud of his intelligence.

BTW - currently reading unscripted a second time, so congrats on making stuff that's good enough to read more than once. I can only think of 2 other authors I've bothered to read more than once.

 

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[Kruiser]

What I struggle with is when I have trouble getting through a book that someone or multiple people I respect strongly recommend. I think "this book freaking sucks" but then I think "well, so and so recommended it, so I must be missing something . . . maybe I hate it because I don't like that I'm reading exactly what I need to read." I still usually stop reading it. But then I wonder if I missed something critical.

 

[KLaw]

Let's use your 1st book as an example. For me, I absolutely loved it. But guess what? I never finished it. Somewhere around the middle of it, I kinda lost interest. Was it because of your writting style? Was it because of the message? It doesn't matter. I got bored with it and didn't finish it. Does that give me the authority to have an opinion on the book? Hell yes it does.
Thinking back and moving forward, I should read it again and skip the chapter that stopped the flow for me.
Again, I only read about half but I still highly recommended it and am probably responsible for 20+ sales of your book.
If I read one chapter and it sucks. Im allowed to claim the book sucks. Again, it's just my opinion. Take it for what it's worth.

 

[SEBASTlAN]

I give it 3 chapters, the same way I give TV shows 3 episodes. If it's not somewhat interesting to me by then, it's gone.

I can't go off others opinions because they don't know what I like/dislike...

 

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[Telamon25346]

In my honest opinion, everyone has the right to express how they feel about a topic or a book, even if they didn't completely read it. It's up to whoever conversing with the person to judge whether or not they trust their opinion.

That being said, I think that there are some books out there where you don't need to read it to understand what people think about it. To this date I have never read fifty shades of grey, but I can understand the main story and the reason why people like it. I can express my opinion on how I feel about it, even if I haven't read it. I can, however, choose to read it to get a full understanding, and form a new opinion. With some books that's just how it is. You can read the first 10 pages of a book and basically get a feel for what the rest of the book is like, and give a review. Whereas some other books you might need to read a few chapters to really understand the book.
I usually try to finish all the books I've read, but there are a handful that I just could. not. stand. One of them being "Rich Kids of Instagram: A Novel" . I don't know how I ended up with the book. But after reading about 2 chapters, I had to put it down. I recommend avoiding it like the plague, the book was a waste of time, and I personally didn't get any value from it.

There will always be different opinions of something, but the good thing is that opinions can change, if you don't like a book you haven't read, go for it, tell everyone. But it would be better if you choose to then read the book and then reach an opinion. It makes your position on the book more trustworthy.

 

[Primeperiwinkle]

The central question is, at what point can you criticize or hate a book?

How many chapters do you need to read in order to say, "This book sucks, I won't continue and add to my sunk cost?

I totes tried to make this well-organized. Take what you will.

At what point in time can I hate a book and choose to stop reading?

Whenever I want. No one’s forcing me to learn. I’m choosing to do it. Giving up on books that are newer is a lot easier than giving up on a classic that has stood the test of time for me personally though. If I hate a book that changed the world or influenced generations of people I should at least finish it to see if I’m changed by the time I get to the end. That’s happened for me a lot on harder books. I loathe them at the beginning and adore them by the end: the joy is in the struggle.

At what point in time can I criticize a book?

Whenever I want. But if I don’t hold the ideas in my mind and assess them through critique am I even really learning?!? Or am I just sucking down somebody else’s idea of Truth? The question really becomes how CAREFUL of a critique do I need?

I think my time is better spent constructing ideas from whatever I did analyze/learn rather than tearing down the unhelpful drivel surrounding it. But we need both kinds of people don’t we? People who plow the hard, stupid earth, people who plant the seeds, people who encourage their growth. MJ I think you excel at breaking up the clods AND providing new ideas. It’s a good thing, a hard work.

How do I want to use my energy? By building up new ideas and carrying them forward or by sifting through and taking out weeds? I like to launch forward, planting.. how do I apply what I did get today? How can I help you go forward with the one thing you learned from this (maybe crappy) book?

My energy is completely drained by certain things. If I had to do it all on my own I’d get nowhere. I need the careful sifters so that my ideas can grow without constant illogical weeds. In other words, I need the careful, thoroughness of great minds. They help me self correct.

I’m well aware that my role/gifting in life is only one part of what’s needed in an effective team. I’m a natural born encourager and I’ve honed that in considerable ways but I can be taken in by stuff a bit too easily. I deeply appreciate my critical-thinking friends who weigh ideas carefully and take the time to point out fallacies.

I don’t mind criticizing the ideas, character or the writing in a book but criticizing the author seems.... impolite. It can be hilarious.. truly..but am I a better person for doing it? Prolly not. Which is why it’s a naughty pleasure, for me at least.

 

[Walter Hay]

Today I have had my one and only request for a refund resulting from the purchase of my two books on my Marketplace ad.

The buyer read the labeling book, but says he "skimmed" the importing book. He found the books "not what I expected."

Is that a criticism? I don't doubt its genuineness, but it is very general, and might not be the fault of the books. Anyone who takes up my suggestion before buying to view my book websites including the testimonials, would surely have a very complete picture of what to expect.

I just hope he doesn't tell others that Walter's books suck.

Walter
P.S. Refunded immediately and without question.

 

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[KLaw]

Today I have had my one and only request for a refund resulting from the purchase of my two books on my Marketplace ad.

The buyer read the labeling book, but says he "skimmed" the importing book. He found the books "not what I expected."

Is that a criticism? I don't doubt its genuineness, but it is very general, and might not be the fault of the books. Anyone who takes up my suggestion before buying to view my book websites including the testimonials, would surely have a very complete picture of what to expect.

I just hope he doesn't tell others that Walter's books suck.

Walter
P.S. Refunded immediately and without question.

Gotta take the good with the bad. If they think your book sucks they should be able to voice that. Conversely, if they they think your book rocks, they should promote it.

 

[LuckyPup]

Thought a thread on this was worthwhile, and might be worth a discussion since it has come up on multiple occasions lately...

Both here:
BOOK - Can't Hurt Me: by David Goggins, Review and Discussion

And here:
BOOK - The reason I don't like Think and Grow Rich...

The central question is, at what point can you criticize or hate a book?

How many chapters do you need to read in order to say, "This book sucks, I won't continue and add to my sunk cost?"

2 chapters?
2 hours?
The table of contents?
Referrals from dozens of your peers/friends?

For instance, I haven't read Tony Robbins' book, "Money Master the Game." I have, however, received dozens of emails from people who complained about it, telling me to avoid it and said it was a huge Slowlane junket fest. So, it isn't a book that I recommend and one that I take issue with because Tony (obviously) did not get rich by a Slowlane metric, stockpiling money into his 401(k).

Yes these are judgements formed from third-person narratives and testimony, which does invite potential logic errors into conclusions. Conventional wisdom says, "Don't judge a book by its cover" which isn't something I agree with wholeheartedly. If the house is dilapidated from the outside, advertising "come in here and see how compound interest can make you rich!", I'm not going to care about its imported Italian furniture and silk curtains.

At what point do I get a license to say "Avoid the book" or "I didn't like the book"?

Never, until I read it entirely?
6 chapters?
50 emails from fans?

Or, must you read the ENTIRE book (even if it continues to suck in your opinion) in order to say with confidence, "I hated it"?

And yes, I don't like speaking ill about a book where I haven't read at least a few chapters to "give it a chance".

Likewise, if TMF or UNSCRIPTED didn't grab a reader in an hour or two, I wouldn't expect him/her to continue. He/she would have a license to say, "Meh, don't read it. Couldn't finish it."

Obviously this is a subjective matter and there won't be a right answer.

But I'm interested in hearing everyone's thoughts.

I think one needs to read at least some of a book to form, much less articulate, an opinion of it, even if it's just skimming the contents. Otherwise, we're just outsourcing our beliefs. It's a "What he said" type of lazy thinking that's pervasive today, and online it devolves otherwise substantive debate into sniping and trolling. As is often said, "Opinions are like a$$holes. Everybody has 'em and they usually stink."

I think if we're going to be exchanging opinions about something, the least we should do is inform those opinions with a primary source.

 

[LuckyPup]

I think within a few chapters you should understand the general ideology, and it's perfectly fine to make a recommendation or judgement call! =) Otherwise, the author doesn't do a very good job of clearly laying out their arguments, and I wouldn't recommend the book in that case either.

"CRUSHING IT" by Gary V was in the donation bin after 3 chapters.

I have so little time for reading and so many I want to read that even if I LIKE the ideology of a book I can get sick of it fast if it's not useful.

A good example - around the time I read MFL I bought "How To Get Rich" by Felix Dennis. I didn't learn ANYTHING about "How To Get Rich" in the first half of the book, I hated it. BUT some might like it?

I'm with you on "Crushing It" and "How to Get Rich."

 

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[biophase]

It's interesting as I scroll through my Audible account and I look at the books that I couldn't finish. Here's a list of them and why I think I didn't keep listening to them.

Mastering the Market Cycle - felt kind of boring
Einstein: His Life and Universe - felt kind of boring
12 Rules for Life (jordan peterson) - Just didn't like the style of writing
Finding my Virginity (richard branson) - felt kind of boring

I listen to books while driving so if they put me to sleep while driving, I have to change and switch to another book. Some books, I get to my destination and I sit in the car to listen longer.

I think that's the sign of a good book to me. I rarely think a book is bad, meaning that I can't stand the content. I judge them more by if the kept my attention.

So although I didn't finish any of the above books, I wouldn't ever give them a poor review. But if someone asked me about them, I'd say, I couldn't finish them because they couldn't keep my attention, but you might like them. If they ask why, I'd elaborate.

 

[Jello]

Finding my Virginity (richard branson) - felt kind of boring

Exactly what I felt when reading it.

So although I didn't finish any of the above books, I wouldn't ever give them a poor review. But if someone asked me about them, I'd say, I couldn't finish them because they couldn't keep my attention, but you might like them. If they ask why, I'd elaborate.

And because I've the upmost respect for the man, think he's really sympathetic, knows what he's doing and love his quotes I would also say exact the same thing; it didn't grab me but maybe you might like it.

 

[Saavik]

Thanks for the rep,@MJ DeMarco!

I do have a hard time finishing books whose writing style doesn't appeal to me, even if they contain valuable insight (that's why I never finished a book by "E-Myth" author Michael E. Gerber, his writing is just too esoteric for me). I read all of UNSCRIPTED almost in one go, though, within 3 days - it was both clearly written and very entertaining. I read its predecessor Fastlane a bit later, and even though it's a good book by any standards, if you use it as a baseline it also shows how you have further improved your writing chops in the meantime.

 

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[Deleted50669]

What I struggle with is when I have trouble getting through a book that someone or multiple people I respect strongly recommend. I think "this book freaking sucks" but then I think "well, so and so recommended it, so I must be missing something . . . maybe I hate it because I don't like that I'm reading exactly what I need to read." I still usually stop reading it. But then I wonder if I missed something critical.

They probably lack the perspective of what "good" is.

 

[DonTriumph]

Hello MJ,

Here's my take:

I judge a book based on:

• Reviews from someone I trust (I learned about The Millionaire Fastlane from a blog I trust).
• Amazon preview, check its Table of Contents and first pages. By then I can sense if the book will be worthwhile for me or not.
• Book's sales copy. Usually if I'm in a bookstore and I can't sneak peek the book because it's wrapped.
• Sometimes I background-check the author.

Basically if I buy the book, I deemed it worth reading. So I will make the effort to read it from first to last.

My one rule of thumb, though:

I learned not to buy a book just because it's a "classic" or the author is a big name. Sometimes it's just a hype and the book won't really bring any "new" value.

 

[ZF Lee]

Thought a thread on this was worthwhile, and might be worth a discussion since it has come up on multiple occasions lately...

Both here:
BOOK - Can't Hurt Me: by David Goggins, Review and Discussion

And here:
BOOK - The reason I don't like Think and Grow Rich...

The central question is, at what point can you criticize or hate a book?

How many chapters do you need to read in order to say, "This book sucks, I won't continue and add to my sunk cost?"

2 chapters?
2 hours?
The table of contents?
Referrals from dozens of your peers/friends?

For instance, I haven't read Tony Robbins' book, "Money Master the Game." I have, however, received dozens of emails from people who complained about it, telling me to avoid it and said it was a huge Slowlane junket fest. So, it isn't a book that I recommend and one that I take issue with because Tony (obviously) did not get rich by a Slowlane metric, stockpiling money into his 401(k).

Yes these are judgements formed from third-person narratives and testimony, which does invite potential logic errors into conclusions. Conventional wisdom says, "Don't judge a book by its cover" which isn't something I agree with wholeheartedly. If the house is dilapidated from the outside, advertising "come in here and see how compound interest can make you rich!", I'm not going to care about its imported Italian furniture and silk curtains.

At what point do I get a license to say "Avoid the book" or "I didn't like the book"?

Never, until I read it entirely?
6 chapters?
50 emails from fans?

Or, must you read the ENTIRE book (even if it continues to suck in your opinion) in order to say with confidence, "I hated it"?

And yes, I don't like speaking ill about a book where I haven't read at least a few chapters to "give it a chance".

Likewise, if TMF or UNSCRIPTED didn't grab a reader in an hour or two, I wouldn't expect him/her to continue. He/she would have a license to say, "Meh, don't read it. Couldn't finish it."

Obviously this is a subjective matter and there won't be a right answer.

But I'm interested in hearing everyone's thoughts.

Let's make a hypothesis of sorts.

'With ALL readers with the same level of expectations, it is estimated that X will get readers to say the book sucks/rocks'

The main problem for me is of course the ceteris paribus...the differing expectations of readers.

No matter how well written an author can be or how clarifying the sales copy for the book can be, people will still see words differently.

I'll give you an example:

The Sinister Thread title.

How to Make $1,000 a Week with no Degree, no Feedback, & no Portfolio.



Lazy readers think: Easy, lazy money up ahead! Wohooo!

Later at the 2nd page: There's MOOORE. Too long, not worth my time. Netflix coming up!

Sensible hardworking readers: So I don't have a degree or feedback or portfolio...so here's another tool to help me earn money? Cool! What's the next step? I can do it tomorrow!




Taking the POV of the author, he must be able to reach his desired readers of the desired interest, characteristics and longing. That is the best sufficient (if you can call it) benchmark of success. Can't exactly write for all. You don't write Scientific American for lazy college dropouts. You write it for intellectuals and avid learners. Sure, the dropouts could learn from the publication, but less likely, due to factors like discipline and cash to subscribe.


So, going back to the more relevant Can't Hurt Me.

Soft-heart readers (no wrong with that): Oh my! It's too rough! I'll just stop at the SEALS chapter, no more.

Readers interested in development: Oh, here's something that I never did that Goggins did to win at the SEALS!

What do readers expect?

Personally for me, I'll read, scan through or abandon it according to my mood. I'll be more stricter when it comes to books that help me solve my present business problems (e.g. copywriting or accounting books)

 

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[Suzanne Bazemore]

I wonder if this discussion would allow us to come to a definitive conclusion, or a method to follow when a book doesn't perform in a person's initial read of early chapters.

Read all of it? Half?

What would be a "life law" to follow?

Because I definitely agree ... hating the first half of a book (and getting nothing out of it ) does NOT mean that the latter half won't provide great value.

For the purposes of our book discussions, I think read half. I read half of Goggins's book, but I probably won't finish it. It doesn't mean I wouldn't like to participate in the discussion, because we are using the book to prompt discussion in our group for our benefit, and I think I read enough to do that, because I did get a lot out of what I read. The part I read was very thought-provoking and beneficial, but it became somewhat repetitive to me, so I stopped reading it and probably won't re-engage, but I might. I guess my stance views using the book as a launching point for discussion about entrepreneurship, in this group, not as an official book critique.

Now I drop it like a hot snot if it doesn’t get me in the first few pages. Authors know they should get people in the first few pages, and if they haven’t, then I figure “how you do anything is how you do everything”.

I go to Amazon and use the "look inside" feature to read the first few pages. As soon as I am not interested, I stop reading. Whether it is the first sentence or 2/3 of the way through the book.

Taleb talks about not reading "promiscuously". Basically - he says you're better off reading a good book 3 times than 3 mediocre ones, and if you're going to read 3 books, it's better to read "deep" than "wide".

This concept is interesting.

I guess it depends on the type of book you are reading.

If it is fiction then stick with it. For example, George Orwell's '1984' isn't great at the start, drags on, but gets really good.

Non-fictional is where it is different and you cannot have a blanket rule for all. I wouldn't treat a motivational/business book the same way I'd treat a history book.

For me, if it is fiction I am more likely ditch it immediately. With nonfiction, I might skip chapters to ones that interest me more.

 

[Kung Fu Steve]

So although I didn't finish any of the above books, I wouldn't ever give them a poor review. But if someone asked me about them, I'd say, I couldn't finish them because they couldn't keep my attention, but you might like them. If they ask why, I'd elaborate.

This is great ^

You guys know me, I've always been the kind and loving friend who says "include everybody" and "treat everyone how you want to be treated" ...

... but I'll admit when I started seeing as many people as I do these days -- I'd talk about Tony throughout a whole seminar and people would run up to me after and say how inspired they were and how it was so great... and "have I read Dave Ramsey's book? Oh my god -- my husband and I have these envelopes -- look, here it is! We have cash in this one for this and this for this..."

And they'd go on and on... and of course I'm thinking "sooo... you going to buy a ticket to the seminar with those envelopes, lady? Or what?"



But what I saw in myself in those moments -- I didn't like.

I was judging these people for their beliefs.

I was outright upset that they couldn't see what I saw. "You guys are never going to get ahead working this job, if you goal is financial freedom you need to do XYZ ... NOT that!"

And honestly... who the hell am I to tell someone how to live their life?

Ramsey is one I run into a lot -- and from what I knew of him I didn't want to read his books but I picked up 2 of them (I forget what they were at the moment... Money makeover?) -- but my purpose of reading them was simply so I could relate to them because you can't influence someone when you're judging them.

It only took 2 or 3 times.... where I would say something not-so-positive about their favorite book and I could see the utter sadness in their eyes. They trusted me, they connected with me, they opened up to me... and here I came through and just punched them in the face.

These people who were trying so hard to change their lives and they finally found something to latch onto. Some life preserver... and here my dumb a$$ comes along and says "well that life preserver is square, not round like it should be... and don't you think you should've just worn a life jacket?"

SIDE NOTE: This is a conversation for another time... but isn't part of the reason we get so lost and lonely as entrepreneurs is because we feel like someone doesn't understand us? "You should go back to school, get a safe secure job, don't risk anything"

Maybe I'm rambling here but it's different strokes for different folks.

You want to read an entire book? Great.

You want to read a chapter? Great.

You want to read half? Great.

You want to throw it across the room after the first sentence? Great.

I think the only trouble comes in when we start judging people for liking something or not liking something...

And I'm guilty of it.

When we start telling other people something is awful and they should never try it because you didn't like it...

And I'm guilty of that, too.

There are 48,701 members of this forum looking for guidance, advice, ideas, friends, and just outright hope.

I don't think we can give any of those things unless we explore both sides of the coin.

The reason I like biophase's post here so much is because that's the mentality I admire.

I often tell people these days "I didn't get the chance to finish that one... tell me what you liked about it!"

Anyways... I guess my response is "who cares how much you read of a book... the real question is, how are you communicating about the idea, thought, book, or seminar. "

And all communication is either a loving response or a cry for help.

 

[Suzanne Bazemore]

You guys know me, I've always been the kind and loving friend who says "include everybody" and "treat everyone how you want to be treated" ...

I only leave positive reviews. However, if someone asks my opinion (especially if they have something at stake, like at my writing group or here), then I am honest, but I would not want to cut someone down online. If I didn't like the book I would not read it, but I wouldn't leave a bad review. I figure what I like or don't like is my prerogative, but I don't leave negative reviews for restaurants, books, or products. I think negative reviews are helpful, but I don't leave them myself. I just can't bring myself to do it.

 

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[Process]

I agree. Both books are dreamer porn.

People in the dreaming stage should read books like "The Richest Man in Babylon," "Go For No", and "The Greatest Salesman In The World."

Those books are fictional but contain action and process.

 

[John Walker]

@MJ DeMarco

I use some techniques I learned to know if a book is worth my reading time or not.

You should not pick up a book and start reading it.

First you check the summary, then you flip through the entire book page by page looking only for the book's subtitle, do not spend more than 4 minutes throughout the book.

After this you will already have a sense of what the book is about and how it is constructed, that way you will already have an understanding about it when you start to read the truth. If the summary makes sense to you and the subtitle also, you start reading, if not, you return.

You can do this by reading only the first line of each paragraph to get a sense of what you are teaching, before reading the completion of the book.

When you do this "photo reading" before reading a book, your brain understood that you have read it once, and it will be easier to read it again.

 

[artKarolina]

If something doesn't motivate me to keep reading, I will put a book down at 50 pages. That's my personal thing. I'm the same with movies, music. 15 minutes in, if the movie doesn't feel compelling, I turn it off. I listen to 3 or 4 songs on an album, if it's not compelling - I move on. There's a few books I read though that had a great introductory chapter and setup, then by the middle you start seeing the author get bored and run out of good information, relying on filler. That's annoying.

 

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[LaraJF]

I think you need to take a step back and ask "What was my purpose in reading this?"

If I'm reading a book because I want a different insight, I'll read enough to understand where the author is coming from and their point of view. Then I'll decide if it gave me what I needed. And finally, I'll decide if I want to keep reading.

If I'm reading to learn something, I'll read the ToC and scan chapters for what I think I need to know. Then I'll decide if it's the best resource or not.

Mind you, that's all for non-fiction. I often get books on Audible since it's harder for me to put it down than it is to put down an ebook and pretend I've forgotten about it.

For fiction, if you don't grab me in the first two chapters, I'm done

 

[Fassina]

For us to get to a consensus we'd need to argue semantics.. But this time let's avoid arguing what a good or bad book means.

What do you define by reading ? Does reading the 20% that represents 80% of the information count as having read a book? Or does only reading it cover to cover not skipping more than 5-10% of the book?

Imo you should first 'qualify' the book, i.e determine if it's relevant to you or worth reading. The methods for doing this may vary, from checking reviews to checking table of contents.
I can confidently tell if a book is worth reading very quickly, via table of contents, introduction, reviews, skimming chapters..

To me that's a good enough assessment. To some people that's not good enough. The thoroughness necessary will vary from person to person.

Arguments for both perspectives can be clearly seem in this post.

I personally feel I can tell if a meal tastes good or not with one bite, I don't need to eat an entire plate of trash to be able to decide it's bad. Yeah there's a chance that a part of that meal is good and I'll miss out on it by not eating the entire plate, but that's a risk worth taking imo.

At the end of the day I'd rather eat as little trash as I can. Same thing for books, relationships, tv shows, movies, games and anything else..

In a perfect world things would be different, but that's sadly not how things work.