I do this very frequently (perhaps too much). I think it’s mostly because I usually have a specific goal in mind (learn subject X so I understand Y). If I can’t see how a book is going to help me achieve my goal, I will often put it down. Interestingly, this focus makes me more likely to pay attention to prefaces and introductions since those will often tell me whether the book is useful to me.
I do this very frequently (perhaps too much). I think it’s mostly because I usually have a specific goal in mind (learn subject X so I understand Y). If I can’t see how a book is going to help me achieve my goal, I will often put it down. Interestingly, this focus makes me more likely to pay attention to prefaces and introductions since those will often tell me whether the book is useful to me.