Why finish books?
“Sir—” remarked Samuel Johnson with droll incredulity to someone too eager to know whether he had finished a certain book—“Sir, do you read books through?” Well, do we? Right through to the end? And if we do, are we the suckers Johnson supposed one must be to make a habit of finishing books?
Schopenhauer, who thought and wrote a great deal about reading, is on Johnson’s side. Life is “too short for bad books” and “a few pages” should be quite enough, he claims, for “a provisional estimate of an author’s productions.” After which it is perfectly okay to bail out if you’re not convinced…
But what about those good books? Because Johnson certainly wasn’t just referring to the bad when he tossed out that provocation. Do we need to finish them? Is a good book by definition one that we did finish? Or are there occasions when we might choose to leave off a book before the end, or even only half way through, and nevertheless feel that it was good, even excellent, that we were glad we read what we read, but don’t feel the need to finish it? I ask the question because this is happening to me more and more often. Is it age, wisdom, senility? I start a book. I’m enjoying it thoroughly, and then the moment comes when I just know I’ve had enough. It’s not that I’ve stopped enjoying it. I’m not bored, I don’t even think it’s too long. I just have no desire to go on enjoying it. Can I say then that I’ve read it? Can I recommend it to others and speak of it as a fine book?
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
March 15th, 2012 at 09:20
If it was something that was given to me, as a gift, then I finish the book out of courtesy. I’m sure the giver knows me enough to at least be familiar with the material I enjoy, so I know there’s something worthwhile in between those pages. This is why I always do wish lists because gifts that are shaped like books unnerve me.
If it was something that was given to me, as a prize, then I try to at least browse through several chapters. Or at least smell the bound paper. That weird obsession is always something to look forward to.
If it was something for a reading group, like McCarthy’s Blood Meridian, then I will finish the book because I need to form an opinion. And then I try to find solace in the fact that someone else is experiencing the same head ache. And then I write me a note, on a beautiful piece of paper, to never, ever read McCarthy again. And then I seal that note with the blood that drips from my nose.
If it was something that I purchased, then I have to finish the book. Have to. I know what I like. I’m too old to doubt my judgment.
Muahness from Pasig Cirehhh!
March 15th, 2012 at 12:19
Reminds me of this movie where the main characters never finish movies so they can talk about possible endings afterwards; so that the movie never ends.
March 15th, 2012 at 21:37
A new friend of mine recently gave me a book that was… let’s just say that hindi hiyang sa akin yung specific sub-genre ng Young Adult literature ng librong ito. Like Momelia, I will try to finish it out of courtesy – and an open mind – but otherwise it sounds like an Auntie Janey letter waiting to happen.
Rarely do I ever buy books that sit on the shelf unread. I’m always waiting for the right time to read them – and if that time does not come at all, then that book is ready to be put up for adoption.