Does anyone ever finish a book but feel like they didn't 'read' it?

I reach the end of the book. I close it, or I shut the e-reader off. I "finished" the book, but then I feel like there were large chunks of it I either couldn't comprehend, or my brain 'slept' through most of it. Like when your eyes are still following the words and lines, but your mind is on other matters - then you come to and realize you put away three paragraphs and learned nothing from them.

Sometimes that will happen to me...but for MOST of the book! 400+ pages that all felt like mush! So, am I normal?

Voting Results
92% Normal
Based on 13 votes (12 yes)
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Comments ( 8 )
  • idolomantis

    This usually happens to me with books that have tons of needless detail. I love books that have pretty writing styles and symbolic imagery, but some just take it waaay too far. Too much repetition kills it for me too.

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  • ZREBELX

    Happens when you lose interest in the book, IMO. It is ok to reread.

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  • libertybell

    I think that if something's bothering you,and you're preoccupied with something else,this can happen,too.

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  • YE

    Happened to me after reading B.J Novak's "One More Thing".

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  • Tommythecaty

    If it wasn’t a good book, then yes.

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  • RoseIsabella

    This happens to me when a book bores me, it's quite sad really.

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  • 1WeirdGuy

    This is my issue too. Sometimes ill have to go back 2 chapters and it'll just piss me off. Ill just be saying it in my head but it doesnt stick. Its worse when I am not interested in the topic.

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  • KholatKhult

    I don’t finish books. Don’t finish tv shows either. Also won’t finish any story-based video game.
    Always leave an episode or two unwatched or leave a good couple pages left unread or the final battles left unbeaten

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