In 2014 (or whenever the hell) YouTube got rid of the dislike button there was universal outrage. Riots in the forums, dismay in the threads, hate in our hearts. I was certain they would reinstate the button any day following. But they never did. And who knows the ramifications of that decision on the following social media platforms who followed suit, let alone our society as a whole, that cascaded from such cooperate cowardice. They say what really led to the rise of the Nazi’s was the fear of speaking up early in their formation from regular citizens. Well, when the hammer strikes the tallest nail, when your voice is a drop in the ocean, something something we are utterly powerless in this game. Not pawns, who must be managed lest they grow to queens, but something lesser. Ants maybe. Matrix style organic batteries maybe.

And in the day of our lord 2026 they have now struck again. Rather than removing a useful and righteous feature, they have instead added a devious and unjust one. The ‘Did Not Finish’ shelf on Goodreads. Forcefully added to my lists, without consent, without desire, and without social consciousness. And this time, the masses cheered their own demise.

Let it be known that the books I failed, yes failed, to complete will remain entombed in my ‘Currently Reading’ shelf. When I die, leave them show unfinished. Damn it. Like the goals I still sought, dreams I still harbored, and loved things to remain here without me.

What do you mean you didn’t finish the book? I can imagine a few scenarios in which you would be inclined to stop reading. Though each in turn I morally disagree with.

1. It was outside of your reading comprehension
   Ok buddy that’s a 5th grade reading level Captain Underpants novel, something like Hungry Hungry caterpillar is more your speed. For me this is true of the Dostoevsky books I’ve picked up, or some non-fiction science. The intellectual effort to keep up with them exceeds the relaxation threshold that many seek in the act of reading. So what, you shy from a challenge? Either study up and make yourself understand, or fall into that misunderstanding. Let it surprise you. Continue the work in ignorance and see what questions become answered or are left for you to ponder afterword. At very least skim the textbook. There are countless resources available to you to bolster understanding. And if a book takes you time, who can say that isn’t time well spent developing yourself or engaging with ideas.
2. It was beneath you
   As someone who only started (and finished!) reading both the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series’ two years ago I could tell it was young adult literature. And he who thinks flipping through a childrens book has nothing to offer them I pity. The ideas communicated from adult to adolescent are though provoking in their choice and presentation. Themes and stances. Art and tact. Humor or scenario. And jeez its not like it would take much of your time. Thoughts are there for you to think, it is your choice to ignore them.
3. Misguided expectations about a books contents
   The popular rom smut girlie you are accidently picked up a Jane Eyre book and its got hard concepts, genuine social commentary, and big scary words. Themes other than abs, sex magic, and donkey sized appendages might hurt your undersized cortex. It doesn’t fit your mandatory tags such as happy-ever-after, enemy-to-lover, and cnc-lite. Well branch out damn you! Give it a shot. Inform yourself and find
4. Moral/Political/otherwise disagreement
   Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged his this one for me. Not the whole thing, but it was very interesting to see where I nodded and where I shook my head vehemently. It made me think. Engage with what I believed or not and why. Know thy enemy they say. If you cannot disengage art from artist, contrary ideas from self, then you’re incomplete. Put some yin in your yang. Expose yourself. If you fear your castle walls won’t stand up to something you disagree with, then they were not strong in their foundations and your castle is built in fantasy and sand. Something you ought to know. We do not live in the Warhammer universe where simply reading corrupted material can ruin your soul. Be practical.
5. Sheer Boredom
   Been there. Many a book sits on my ‘to read’ shelf for this fact alone. But sometimes you gotta buck up and get it over with. How many other facets of your life must you clamber over the boredom hurdle? Insert “99% of gamblers stop right before they strike it big” meme.
6. Timing
   You’re in a book club and you value the communal activity more than your own personal read or you set a book down in favor of something more exciting or topical. Leave the book you set down in your ‘to read’ list! Return to it! Once the fun fades, or you reach a time in your life when a read would be more pertinent, leave it in the back of your mind as an option. Why ever close doors, burn bridges, shutter windows, to yourself?
7. Many more
   I can’t think of any reason to just abandon something you bought, picked up, or committed to enough for it to end up on your “currently reading” shelf. Except one.

Valid reasons to stop reading:

A) You realize a human didn’t write it. In the future when they publish AI written BS, then I understand throwing the damned thing in the burn pit. If a thing was published and produced by a person, then it has value and you can sift for connection within it. Positive or negative. But a machine produced item has no value, and only then would it hit the ‘Did NOT Finish’ list for me.