The title caught me immediately, but I haven’t decided how to feel about this book. To be fair, I’m still at the beginning, slowly reading through each chapter. I haven’t been pulled into the story yet. All I know so far is there are Irish immigrants, there’s a girl and her father and her mother. Both parents drink too much, but only the mom goes to rehab (so far). There was a clarinet player who shared the apartment with them, but the dad kicked him out so the mom and daughter could have his room. He leaves the clarinet to the girl in his will.

Obviously, that’s not everything, but there hasn’t been much that stuck with me. I’m going to give this a fair chance, for sure, and once I’ve finished it I will give my complete thoughts. In the event I’m unwilling to finish it, I’ll let you know that as well.

Which makes me wonder how many people regularly abandon books. I’ve always been compelled to finish a book (or movie) once I start it, even if I don’t like it. Why is that? I figure it comes from the “finish what you start” and “don’t ever give up” narratives we get bombarded with from childhood. I’ve got to ask myself (and you)… isn’t it just as important to recognize when something doesn’t work for us anymore and to stop spending our time on that thing?

I’m making a vow to not finish any book or movie or TV show or pretty much anything that doesn’t align with my goals… especially when my goal for that thing is entertainment and joy. If I can’t enjoy my entertainment, what’s the point?

I’m rambling, I know, but I wanted to give you something to think about.

Let me know below what thing you’re forcing yourself to endure just for the sake of finishing it when you’d rather not.

Until next time…

Happy Reading!

♥