Never Quit on Day One

Why giving any book two tries is the key to finally reading those classics you've been putting off.

Hello! It’s a bright Thursday morning here in Bengaluru, and the wind is cool. We really have the best weather in the country (maybe even the world?).

Anyways, coming back to the topic. Today I’d like to follow up on two of my previously written posts that addressed the challenges we all face when reading a big book. I’ve already written about how a two-step approach of breaking down the page count and reading daily can help you conquer those big books you’ve wanted to read for a long time.

The other thing is being aware that many classic books tend to start slow, but if you keep at it, they open up, and before you know it, you’re hooked into the story and wanting to read more.

And those are some of the best things you can do today to make sure you’re able to read the big classics like Anna Karenina, Jane Eyre, The Iliad and more.

If you go in with realistic expectations and know exactly what you need to do daily, then you’ll be able to get through.

Now, recently, I was reading ‘The Boron Letters’ and found an interesting point that applies well to solving our reading challenges.

The idea? — When we’re trying to do something new, the most important thing we can do is give anything at least two tries. Why? because the first try almost always is going to end in failure. If I’ve never ridden a bike before, then there is no way I’m going to just show up with a bike and start riding it! But trying it again for a second day gives me the chance to be better at it. And maybe, the progress I see on day two is enough to keep me going.

More often than not, we’re usually significantly better at anything we do on the second day than on the first day. It’s amazing how the human mind can learn so quickly and get better in just 24 hours!

So, I genuinely believe following this advice when reading books is also a great idea. If you’ve decided to read 3 pages a day, then don’t give up after the first day itself. Come back again for the second day and see how things go. Maybe the first chapter just didn’t cut it, but the second chapter most likely introduces new things that will reel you in.

A second chance is all it takes to get you in, and once you’ve done that, you’re going to finish the book. And once you’ve finished one big book, the second one feels doable and the third feels breezy.

My goal for 2026 is to read all the books listed in the Hardcore Literature Book Club. To see how far I can go with what I already know, my daily routines and all the challenges I’ll face. But the only way I’ll be able to do it is if I keep coming back religiously, for a second time. Keep trying even when it makes no sense.

Here’s to hoping that things work out. :)

Thanks for reading!