I feel low, I think it’s my book, what do I do? Try this
You just bought this book. You thought you’d love it. Truly, there are parts you like, but you’ve been noticing you’re a little more bummed than usual, a little too quick to snap at your people, and the world is looking a little darker than usual.
You realize it’s your book’s fault.
The story is darker than you thought it would be. The main character has no redeeming quality you can see. The narrator makes you feel on edge. It’s really bumming you out. But you don’t want to be wasteful. It wasn’t a cheap book. You don’t have any audio credits left this month. What should you do?
Don’t despair or stop reading. You have options ⤵
1 — Skip a chapter
Sometimes skipping a chapter or two can do wonders for a book. Writers are human. We make mistakes. We lose our way from time to time. Editors are also human. They give crappy advice. They mandate page counts when some books really shouldn’t be that long. If you’re feeling bogged down or a certain section of a book isn’t lighting your fire, skip it. You don’t have to feel guilty. Readers do this all the time. (You don’t even have to tell anyone you did it.) Leave the part that’s bumming you out and search for gold in another section. Consider this your permission slip. It’s way better than staying bummed.
2 — Skip to the end
You’re also allowed to skip to the end of a book if you need closure or need to find what it was you bought the book to learn. There’s no teacher or professor to scold you or force you to read the entire book. No one ever has to know. But if you do tell friends or family and they shame you for skipping to the end, just don’t tell them the next time. (My family thinks it’s an unforgivable sin but I still do it.) It’s your book and you can do whatever you like with it. You can even read it back to front if that’s what you want to do. Skipping is allowed.
3 — Power through
Sometimes it’s good to power through a bad book. If you think you might need to learn something from the remaining chapters or you just really want to finish the story, go for it. But get through it FAST. Don’t linger. Get it over with. Cancel something on your calendar so you can finish the book today if you can. Skim if you have to. Read the thing quickly and move on.
4 — Abort!
Admitting a book is just not healthy for you to continue reading is sometimes the best gift you can give yourself. Lay it down. Remove the audio files from your phone. Give it away. Tear out the pages and turn them into an art piece. Throw the whole thing into the recycle bin. Burn it. Forget it ever happened. There are too many good books in the world to get lost in the bad ones. You don’t get points for sticking with sunk costs. Be free.
5 — Request a refund
Lots of bookshops will give refunds or let you exchange books as long as the spine isn’t broken, the pages aren’t dog-eared, and it’s in spotless condition. Especially if you’re a local repeat customer they recognize. Audiobook vendors are especially keen to give refunds to members. If you’ve listened to less than half, you can usually get your money back or exchange it. (I try to use this superpower only once or twice a year, but it’s a life-saver when you need it.)
6 — Whatever you choose, do this next⤵
After you’ve had a bad book experience, it’s important to get back on the horse quickly with something that will lift your spirits. That’s why I HIGHLY recommend this next step no matter which option you choose. . .
Re-read a book you loved in the past.
Don’t risk your mood on another new book right away. Reach for something you know will make you feel happy, hopeful, and more alive because it’s done it for you in the past. Do it right away. Do it right now. (This can be especially delicious if you're re-reading an audiobook you love and you're out of credits for another two weeks because you spent them all on bad books. Trust me, I know from experience.)
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Let’s face it, none of us needs another thing in our lives to bring us low. Especially now. Especially for the days ahead. So if your latest book isn’t helping your mood as of late, I hope this little message helps. I’ve skipped through, skimmed, and abandoned quite a few new books lately. Right now I’m re-reading this light summer-flavored novel. It’s not going to change lives or anything, but it’s lifting my mood and helping me show up a little more fully for myself and my people. So I’m grateful. Wherever you are this morning, I hope you feel lighter too.
Happy reading!
Celeste
