I wish I were a better reader, I really do.  But I'm a slow reader, which made me self-conscious as a kid and I suppose somewhat as an adult too.  I have a home office FULL of books (and tables covered with them throughout the house as well) but I couldn't tell you how many I have actually finished.  I do know it's a small percentage.

Katie Jo and I were talking with friends about this months ago, and we were encouraged back then to stop feeling a sense of obligation to finish a book that we weren't enjoying.  It's the author's fault if a reader's attention is not being held, not our's was the message.

O Magazine's July issue is dedicated to Summer Reading and includes a Declaration of Reader Independence that touches upon the topic of being guilt-free about this and other reading issues.  Here are a few of the the things you have a right to do under the declaration:

Not finish a book, whether you've read to page 10, 50, or 250.

See the movie first - especially if you've heard the book is kind of lousy

Reread a childhood favorite

Ignore memoirs by people who have barely cracked their 30's

Be miffed if your friend doesn't like a book you recommend

So I will NOT feel guilty about not finishing a book.  I have not failed as a reader.  And I will continue to visit bookstores often and buy those books - that end up as accessories for my shelves.



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