Got book block? Time to try reading something else

It’s a conundrum faced by every reader at some point ditch a book that you are just not enjoying, or see it through with grim determination until the bitter end.

A new poll suggests that manyofusareunwillingtogive up on a book, no matter how much we struggle, while others wait weeks, or even months, before conceding defeat.

And it also indicates that the majority of Britons will avoid reading material that they believe will make them sad, a considerable proportion saying they see reading as a form of escape, and want to be transported to a happy place.

The Reading Agency, which commissioned the survey to mark World Book Night today, suggested that anyone who finds themselves facing “book block” should not force themselves to continue with the book in question.

And the books that adults are most likely to struggle to finish? The poll suggests that readers are more likely to have difficulty with modern-day novels, such as Fifty Shades Of Grey, rather than works by classic authors such as Dickens or Emily Bronte.

Overall, more than a fifth (22 per cent) of the 2,000 people polled said you should always finish a book you have started.

Around one in six (15 per cent) said that they would give up if they were struggling with a book after one to three weeks, with 11 per cent saying they would stop reading after four to six days, 13 per cent after two to three days and 6 per cent would stop up to a day after. In addition, just under one in ten (9 per cent) said they would persevere for one to three months, with smaller proportions saying they would wait longer.

Asked what factors make it hard to finish a book, the most common answer (chosen by 51 per cent) was that they find it boring, or are not enjoying it, with around one in four (24 per cent) saying they find it hard to concentrate when reading, and 20 per cent too tired from work and family life.

The majority said that reading can have a positive effect on mood and wellbeing, and of those that agreed with this, 28 per cent said that they would turn to a book if they felt lonely, and 24 per cent said they would do so if they felt stressed.

One in five (20 per cent) said that they would definitely

0 Reading is a blessing – but not everyone enjoys every book avoid a book if they thought it would make them sad.

Sue Wilkinson, chief executive of The Reading Agency, said: “At a time when one in five of us will experience anxiety or depression, and world events can leave people feeling confused or scared, reading has never been more important. As this research shows, reading can have a hugely positive impact on health and wellbeing; it can build empathy and help us understand the world and the people around us. At a time when so many brilliant books are being published, you should never force yourself to read something you’re not enjoying.”

The Censuswide poll questioned 2,000 British people in March.