- Dan Crook
Head of Library and Information Services
I was talking books with a friend the other day; an avid reader, she had been looking for some light reads in new genre for the holidays, and so had sought out the wisdom of the internet. After watching a few BookToks (Tiktok book recommendations) she’d settled on some titles and begun to read. However after investing a good amount of her time and getting half way through the first and most highly recommended book, she asked herself, and then me “Is it OK to not finish this book?” she was feeling guilty, she’d put in a lot of time; she wasn’t enjoying it even though it seemed everyone else loved it, she didn’t like the characters or the writing and it was really slow. So, “Is it OK to Stop?”
The short answer is Yes, of course it is, and that’s OK.
The slightly longer answer is Yes, of course it is, there are a huge number of amazing books, and time is short, so it’s OK. However, before you do, here are some things to consider and questions to ask yourself if you are thinking of stopping your current book.
Am I enjoying this?
Reading is not supposed to feel like homework (unless of course it is a set homework text…), when I’m reading a book that I’m enjoying, I’ll think about it in my spare time, I’ll grab it when I have the opportunity, I want to find out what happens next; in short, I am invested and enjoying the journey.
If that is not the case, it might be time to look elsewhere.
Is this the right time for this Book?
Sometimes it is simply not the right time for a particular book; this could be due to a number of factors. The book might be too long for the amount of time you have; the tone may not be right for what you currently need in your life, a thriller may not be the best choice if you are feeling anxious, for example. Remember, just because you may stop a book now, doesn’t mean it is forever, books are not ephemeral beings that disappear by the coming dawn; when the time is right, you may give it another go.
Does this Author speak to me?
It took me a little over a page to work out that I didn’t like the way Chuck Wendig writes, and that is a shame since he was writing Star Wars books when I encountered him as an author; and I love Star Wars, I want to find more stories, I am invested; but I just couldn’t bear his writing style, his tone, his descriptions; reading every word was painful, I put the book down and moved on. Others have loved his books, and the publishers obviously liked it, so it is subjective, but that doesn’t mean it is wrong.
Did I give it a fair chance?
I didn’t give Twilight a fair chance; I gave it more of a chance than the book above, but not by much, I don’t even think I got to the sparkly vampire bits. Would I have enjoyed it if I kept going, probably not, but who knows? These days, when I try a new book, particularly if I’m treading into the unknown, I try to follow the “Rule of 50”; Librarian Nancy Pearl suggests ‘If you are under 50, read the first 50 pages (About three chapters) and see if you want to continue; If you are over 50, subtract your age from 100 and read that many pages’. Hopefully, this will give you a sense of the characters and where the story is going, at least enough information to make an informed choice.
What am I moving on to?
If you stop reading one book; that doesn’t mean you need to stop reading; as I said at the outset; there are many great books, and not a lot of time. So, as you put one down; find another, each book is an opportunity to discover a new favourite; but if it isn’t working, don’t feel guilty, put it aside, take what you have learned about yourself as a reader from the whole experience and find something new.
Best of Luck on your reading Journey!
Latest Blog
In memory of Light Horse Field Ambulances
Toowoomba Grammar School would like to acknowledge our admiration for the loyalty, service and bravery exhibited by TGS Old Boys who so valiantly served. We are all the beneficiaries of their sacrifice, and their selfless actions continue to inspire a spirit of service amongst our current students. Today we focus on the contribution of one TGS Old Boy who made a significant contribution to World War I. Here is some of the incredible story of Major Avery, DSO and if you visit the School Museum…
New Caledonia, new horizons and travel through an educational lens
The opportunity to travel not only opens doors to new experiences but also fosters an increased intercultural understanding and empathy, both essential qualities for navigating and existing within our diverse world. For a group of language students travelling to New Caledonia, our recent French Language and Cultural Tour was a unique opportunity for such experiential learning, where language acquisition went beyond just learning vocabulary and grammar - and instead became a gateway to connect…
Erik Sheppard - making TGS Army Cadet Unit history
The 2024 Dining in Night was made even more special with the appointment of the first Toowoomba Grammar School Army Cadet Unit (TGS ACU) Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Erik Sheppard who was awarded his rank and pace stick by the 16th Battalion Commanding officer MAJ (AAC) Gary MacLachlan. WO1 Sheppard enlisted in the TGS ACU just before the COVID shutdown in 2020. Although this was not the ideal way to begin a cadet career, he was able to adapt and overcome the virtual…
The Big Six Reading Tips
Unlocking Literacy - The Big Six Elements for Your Child’s Reading Success Literacy skills are a core component of each day for our students, and parents often ask how they can support this from home. I am delighted to share with our parent community the essential components that underpin successful reading development. These elements, known as the Big Six, provide a solid foundation for your son’s literacy journey. These critical building blocks include: Oral Language: Communication skills are…
Boarding - Building Men of Good Character
Over the past five years, we have found one of the most valuable lessons that boarding can teach teenage boys is the ability to self-navigate and overcome challenges. Entering a boarding house is the first time many boarders have stepped away from the comfort and security of their parents and guardians. Although this can be a daunting experience, one of the things that this unfamiliarity creates is the ability to organise yourself. With a larger workload than previous years, a greater number…
The Learning Pit
Learning is at our core and covers all subject disciplines, co-curricular pursuits, personal development and interest areas. Helping our Toowoomba Grammar School boys view learning as a disposition that goes well beyond the classroom context is incredibly important. Learning has a life-long value in all we do. We also acknowledge that learning can be challenging at times, and it can be uncomfortable, but also wonderfully inspiring and fulfilling. Appreciating the full range of feelings and…
Leap Before You Look
The boarding journey offers students a plethora of opportunities to step outside of their comfort zone and take advantage of new environments, relationships, and opportunities during their time at Toowoomba Grammar School. We often talk about “character education” – a theory that originated in the US and has been increasingly embraced by leading schools globally. It is encouraging all students to develop new approaches to their learning, including aspects of morals and ethics, thinking,…
Literacy at TGS: A research-informed approach
A recent Grattan Institute report has shared that one-third of Australian students are failing to learn to read proficiently, referring to the situation as a ‘preventable tragedy’. In addition, the report identifies evidence-based approaches utilising structured literacy programs with phonics and explicit instruction as the most effective methods of teaching literacy. At Toowoomba Grammar School, we implement a structured synthetic phonics approach to teaching spelling and reading that…
Past Mothers, Present Supporters
Any Old Boy will tell you the Blue and Gold is part of their blood. They love the history, the traditions, the memories, and the lifelong friends they made during their time at Toowoomba Grammar School. Well, it seems the same can be said for many TGS mums. The Past Mothers’ Group was formed in 1979 by Mrs Mary Campbell who contacted as many past mothers as she could and invited them to meet at her home where the Past Mothers’ Group was officially formed with the intention of retaining links…
