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Reader survey · first report 1 January 2027

The Abandonment Index

Think of the last book you put down before the end. Thirteen quick questions about where you stopped and why. About two minutes, all anonymous.

Why this exists. The last public survey that asked readers why they quit books and published the numbers was Goodreads, in July 2013 — and those numbers only ever appeared inside a picture. Nobody has published a dataset comparing indie and traditionally published books under the same method. This runs every year, with the same questions in the same order, so the answers can be set side by side.

Nothing here identifies you. No name, no email address, no account — there is nowhere on this page to put one. How this survey works.

Q1 In the past 12 months, did you stop reading a book before finishing it?
Q2 Think of the most recent book you stopped reading. What genre was it?
Q3 Who published it?
Q4 What format?
Q5 How far did you get?
Optional.
Q6 Is that book finished for you?
Q7 What was the main reason you stopped?

Pick one.

Q8 Any other reasons? optional

Pick all that apply, or skip.

Q9 How did you get the book?
Q10 About how many books do you start in a year?
Q11 In your own words, what made you put it down? optional

Optional. Nothing here is published unless you say yes to the last question.

Q12 Where did you find this survey?
Q13 May we quote your answer to Q11 anonymously? optional