Books That Are Hard to Finish

Reader Beware: 20 Books You Couldn't Finish

January 5, 2011

Books That Are Hard to Finish

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It takes determination, probably pride, and lots of time to persevere through a book you don't hit it off with. Sometimes we finish and it's worth it; other times, it's not. So I asked what books you cut loose, and you were full of answers. Some regret it and want to try again and others haven't looked back, but you all have one thing in common. Quitting.

Source: Flickr User randomduck

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by Colleen Barrett 18

Source: Flickr User randomduck

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18 Comments

Susi May 2 years 19 weeks

A few of my favorite books are on this list. I loved Catch 22, the first 50 pages were rough but once you get into it, the book is great. Also, I think I am the only person the didn't know the ending of Anna Karenina before I finished it. I was shocked. Also, really enjoyed Life of Pi. Now, The Brothers Karamazov, this one I couldn't finish.

Susi May 2 years 19 weeks

A few of my favorite books are on this list. I loved Catch 22, the first 50 pages were rough but once you get into it, the book is great. Also, I think I am the only person the didn't know the ending of Anna Karenina before I finished it. I was shocked. Also, really enjoyed Life of Pi. Now, The Brothers Karamazov, this one I couldn't finish.

whats her name 2 years 19 weeks

Maybe I'm just one for drudgy books or something, but i was fascinated by Wicked, loved The Lovely Bones, and I really liked ( SOME Not all) of Shakespeare's work. Maybe I'll go back to my nerdy corner now...

atripp 2 years 31 weeks

I absolutely cannot start a book and not finish it. Sometimes it's a blessing, other times I would say it's a curse. :) But of the 14 books I've read on this list, I would say definitely give Wicked, Atonement, Catch-22, Twilight, Life of Pi, Anna Karenina, and The Lovely Bones another shot... haha I'm not the pickiest read, I'm an English teacher, but you are really missing out on some good books. Wicked took me a long time to get through, but after I finished, I was really happy I stuck it out. Atonement is hard to read, but well-written... Catch-22 is just a classic, and it's pretty hysterical if you pick up on some of the running commentary hidden within it. Twilight is good, the other 3 books in the series are terrible. But I would say finish Twilight. Life of Pi is one of my all-time favorite books... the ending... makes your mouth just drop. It comes out of nowhere and kicks you in the gut. It is brilliant! Anna Karenina means a lot more if you read it in your twenties or later... but reading it as a teenager is killer. And The Lovely Bones is VERY hard to read, probably more so if you have kids, but it is a good book. I also LOVE Wuthering Heights, the psychology of the characters is simply brilliant and I definitely do not believe in the conspiracy theory behind Heathcliff ;)

zuke 2 years 31 weeks

Another book that I couldn't finish was Citizen Girl by the authors of the Nanny Diaries. It was awful, I wish I never would have picked it up.

2 years 31 weeks

From those I haven't finished Wicked... yet, but I do want to finish it. Other book I haven't been able to finish is the Ulysses by James Joyce. I will try to do it one day, and I hope I get to finish it.

Miss Bree 2 years 32 weeks

Love Love Love the Lovely Bones. Horribly depressing though. I picked it up in an airport before a long flight and the flight attendant asked me if I was okay, because I was bawling so much! Don't bother with Almost Moon (her latest). It's terrible. I've been trying to read the complete Bronte series for a while now, and I can't ever seem to get through it. That, and Steinbeck. I know he's a classic and all, but ugh, I can't stand Steinbeck.

Miss Bree 2 years 32 weeks

Love Love Love the Lovely Bones. Horribly depressing though. I picked it up in an airport before a long flight and the flight attendant asked me if I was okay, because I was bawling so much! Don't bother with Almost Moon (her latest). It's terrible.I've been trying to read the complete Bronte series for a while now, and I can't ever seem to get through it. That, and Steinbeck. I know he's a classic and all, but ugh, I can't stand Steinbeck.

sarasonne 2 years 32 weeks

Oh my gosh THANK YOU. I don't like not finishing a book, and the only four books I just could not finish are on this list!! Label: Don't bother.

Datura2112 2 years 32 weeks

The Lovely Bones is one of my all time favorite books. I didn't ruin it by watching the film. If you thought The Hobbit was bad don't even try the long winded The Lord Of The Rings trilogy. I loved The Hobbit though. I could never get through Dragonriders Of Pern. I have made it to page 5 numerous times then I am done. I have owned the book for over 20 years and still can't do it.

Datura2112 2 years 32 weeks

Lawrah 2 years 32 weeks

I couldn't finish Lovely Bones. I got through the first three chapters. The first two were so vivid in their description of Susie being kidnapped, I couldn't bring myself to continue reading.

2 years 32 weeks

Wow. Whoever couldn't finish Wicked needs to learn a thing or two about storywriting and political allegory. Wow.

ymama 2 years 32 weeks

Great Book?

ymama 2 years 32 weeks

Great Book?

kea718 2 years 32 weeks

To the people who didn't like certain books that were originally written in a different language and translated into English, I would say try reading it once more but with a different translation. Sometimes the person translating the book just does a poor job and doesn't do the book justice. Look on Amazon and other book sites and see which translation people like and dislike.

lilegwene 2 years 32 weeks

I would suggest giving Tolkien another try. His writing style is old-fashioned, but once you read a chapter or two I feel like you can become immersed in the world. Plus he was, simply put, a genius and there are so many layers to everything he wrote.