My current inability to finish novels

I used to have an inability to leave novels unfinished. I would start one, not enjoy it, and still plow through it, at least skimming, so that I would finish it. If I just put it down, I would feel like I had abandoned it, giving up on it before it had the chance to become something enjoyable.

However, once I got to college, especially this year when I was hit with major senioritis, I became more comfortable with leaving books unfinished. For one class entitled "The Bestseller in 20th Century America," I started reading Pet Sematary and the 3rd Harry Potter, and didn't finish either of them. I knew that we were only going to be discussing them for 1 or 2 days, that I wouldn't have to write a paper on them, and that I'd be perfectly capable of contributing to class discussion without finishing either of the books. So, I prioritized, set them down, and felt no qualms about it.

Lately, I've started books and put them down, possibly to never return to them. I started reading Jodi Picoult's The Pact (see prior blog entry), but when finals hit I was not able to stay engaged in such a tragic plot. I needed something light and amusing to counterbalance my academic stress. A friend then gave me The Illuminatus! trilogy, which is a science-fictiony/fantasy/humorous novel that is, according to the blurb, "filled with sex and violence--in and out of time and space"--this is proving to be true. It's nice because it's fun, but it's also easy to put down since it jumps from plotline to plotline so much. So, when my parents arrived for my graduation, my dad gave me Carl Hiaasen's Nature Girl, and I put down The Illuminatus! in favor of Hiaasen. He always writes hilarious novels that take place in south Florida, which to me is like a mythical place only read about in stories. He always creates these insane eccentric characters who you grow to love or to love to hate--either way, tons of fun.

So, I am not sure what to think (or, if I need to think anything at all) regarding this newfound inability to finish books. I figure I won't put too much pressure on myself, since I'm reading for pleasure, and when I want to finish a novel, I will. We shall see.