When do you decide to stop reading a book? Three book enthusiasts weigh in

We've all done it: paid $35 for a book, or gone on a long waiting list at the library and, full of hope, sat down to read — only to find ourselves knee-deep in disappointment.

The writer's style might be more annoying with each page. Or we might feel like throwing the book across the room. 

Or, if the book is laughably bad, we might hope for the chance to mimic Groucho Marx who once told a writer, "From the moment I picked up your book until I put it down, I was convulsed with laughter. Someday I intend to read it."

So, what to do? Abandon the book...or persevere? 

We decided to consult three avid readers about these urgent life questions.

• Elizabeth Renzetti is a columnist with the Globe and Mail, and author of the novel, Based on a True Story and the forthcoming book of essays, Shrewed. For years, she was the books editor at the Globe.

• Kerry Clare is the editor of the Canadian books website 49thShelf.com. She has been writing about books for more than a decade. You can see her work in many magazines and on her own blog Pickle Me This.  And she's the author of the new novel, Mitzi Bytes.

• Nicole Blades is a Canadian novelist, public speaker, and journalist. She's the author of The Thunder Beneath Us, Earth's Waters and, most recently, Have You Met Nora?  

Click 'listen' above to hear the discussion.