What happens when adopting someone else's reading list

Surprising good things come from reading what you don't like

For years, I have read almost entirely what appeals to me. If I start a book and do not like it, I abandon it. Life is too short, and there are too many books out there. I joined a book club when we lived in Virginia, and I initially read the selected book whether I enjoyed it or not, but, like many book clubs, it was driven more by social time than book discussion, so I took the permission to skip books that did not appeal to me.

Recently, however, I have filled my bookshelves with other people’s selections. Part of this is for classes—I am the type of student who will always do the assigned reading—and part of this is for another book club. I still have not read every book club pick, but I am making more of an effort to branch out of my comfort zone. Almost all of the book club selections are titles I would never have chosen for myself.

What do I do when I do not like the assigned book?

• I have found it easier to get through audiobooks. Since I am not in control of the speed of reading…