Yes, if you use outlook express. You need to make sure the settings are correct. For a start, make sure that the "view" includes an option to read a preview - that is, when the mail is highlighted, a section of the page will show (in my case, below the list of mails, but this may depend on how you have it configured). Go into View, and use Layout to configure.
Secondly, in Tools, options, then read, alter the time "highlighting before being marked as read" to a length of time to suit you - this should give you ample time to decide whether to open or delete.