Read Time: 2 Minutes
We’ve all been there. Starting a new audiobook or series with high hopes, only to find ourselves struggling to stay engaged. Maybe the plot isn’t clicking, the characters feel flat, or the narrator’s voice just isn’t doing it for you. It’s a frustrating experience, but here’s the good news: it’s perfectly okay to give up and move on to something else. Here’s why.
When the Joy Fades
Audiobooks offer a unique, immersive experience. Whether you’re stuck in traffic on your way to work, cooking, or winding down for the day, they can make any activity more enjoyable. But not every book will resonate with you, and that’s completely normal. When you find yourself dreading the next chapter instead of looking forward to it, it might be time to consider letting go.
Red Flags
One of the biggest red flags that it’s time to quit is a lack of connection with the story. If you’re struggling to care about the characters or find the plot dragging, you’re not alone. I’ve lost count of how many times this has happened to me. I spend a lot of time on various forums as well, and see this topic come up multiple times each month. People often sound guilty about giving up or are trapped in the sunk-cost fallacy.
“Well, I’ve already spent money on the first n books in the series, I guess I need to keep going…”
Why? Your time is a finite resource. Life’s too short for bad books, as the saying goes.
Quitting Isn’t Failure
Letting go of a book or series doesn’t mean you’ve failed. On the contrary, it’s a way of being true to yourself and what you like. It makes room for something that truly captivates you. By moving on from a book or even a series that no longer engages you, you’re gifting yourself the opportunity to discover something better.
It can be a liberating experience. Rather than feeling dread or feeling trapped into finishing a series, letting go frees up time and your mental energies for stories that will spark feelings of joy instead of resentment. Regardless of the reason, be it a slow plot, unrelatable characters, a narrator’s voice that doesn’t click quite right, or you’re just not feeling it, quitting can often be the best decision.
Trust Your Instincts
Ultimately, the decision to stop listening to an audiobook or series is a personal one. Trust your instincts. If you’re not enjoying it, it’s okay to move on. There are countless books out there, and life is too short to spend time on something that isn’t bringing you joy.
Embrace the freedom to explore new stories and find the ones that truly resonate with you.