Never Finished?

As a reader, I pride myself on finishing the books that I start. Even the books that start slowly, or I don’t love at first, and (especially) the recommended read that the friend didn’t think I would like.

But occasionally, I pick up a non-fiction book with great intentions. I want to learn about a person, or an event, or a system, or history. I want to be exposed to new learning or new thinking.

But here’s my confession. I almost NEVER finish a non-fiction read. Some started, but not finished non-fiction reads are: Becoming by Michelle Obama, Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi, Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow.

And that doesn’t include the books that I’ve always been interested in, but knew in my heart I would never finish, so why even start. What are those books, you ask? Guns, Germs, & Steel by Jared Diamond, a plethora of books to understand parenting neurodiverse and traumatized kids, and anything about marriage (I’m looking at you, Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman.)

To be clear, I start these books with great intentions. Because I want to learn something new. But the truth is, at the end of the day, when I get to sit and read, I don’t want to learn, I want to escape. And for me, at this time, I can’t escape into the brokenness that is our real world. I need a pretend world.

What kinds of books don’t you finish? Is there a category that you want to like, but just don’t? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.