Only half-read - skip - being careless (6)
I believe the answer is:
remiss
'careless' is the definition.
(I know that careless can be written as remiss)
'only half-read skip' is the wordplay.
'only half' indicates taking half.
'skip' becomes 'miss' (I've seen this in another clue).
'read' cut in half is 're'.
're'+'miss'='REMISS'
'being' is the link.
(Other definitions for remiss that I've seen before include "Neglectful" , "At fault" , "Lacking care to duty" , "Culpable" , "Not taking care" .)