What's Your Rule On Finishing Books?

I read 42 books last year. It could have been more.

On several occasions I began a lengthy novel (or biography) that, once 100 pages in, I felt compelled to finish. Sometimes, though, I lost interest part way through some of these texts. Still, I pushed on.

Granted, it paid off. I completed dozens of books in their entirety. Yet, I found myself on many occasions with some time wanting to read but not wanting to read one of the current books I had underway.

What to do? Is it OK to bail on reading a book even though you're 100 pages in?

I used to think bailing was unacceptable, but now I'm not so sure. Here's why.

Over the holidays I began reading Jaroslav Hasek's The Good Soldier Svejk. Some 120 pages later, I found it dark, depressing and just silly for my current mood and taste. So I abandoned the novel in favor of Douglas Coupland's The Gum Thief, and I'm glad I did. I'm finding it much more poignant. And, every time I swing by the table where it sits, I'm reminded I want to steal some time to kick back in the easy chair and open its pages.