Can't seem to finish that book you're reading? This is the solution

The long, sad list of books I’ve started reading over the years but never finished is an ode to my high expectations – and my creeping laziness. I really tried to read Ulysses but didn’t make it past a few pages. I recently bought a book about American history which was really good but somehow it still drifted away from me. Even as a child I never made it through any of the Harry Potter books – still bought every single one though, obviously.

But now we’ve got permission from one of the highest literary authorities in the land, The Reading Agency, who say that if you’re suffering from this type of ‘book-block’ then there’s a very simple solution: just give up. What a wonderfully refreshing and freeing way to look at it! Unburden yourself of that inky guilt.

A survey from charity, commissioned to mark World Book Night, which is today, reveals more than half of Brits (54%) are stuck reading the same book for up to three months, preventing the nation from reading more.

Read more: 40 Famous Authors On Reading

The book most Brits say they have started but never finished is E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey, followed by J.R.R Tolkein’s The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling.

According to the survey, more than half of people in the UK (51%) say the biggest barrier to finishing a book is if they aren’t enjoying it - which makes sense really, doesn’t it.

So now the Reading Agency is encouraging Brits to ditch the burdensome books you’re not enjoying and try something new instead.

Sue Wilkinson, Chief Executive of The Reading Agency said: “At a time when so many brilliant books are being written and published, you should never force yourself to read something you’re not enjoying. World Book Night is the chance to find a book that works for you.”

(Images: Unsplash / Getty)