One of the top things readers tend to feel guilty about is not finishing a book, or essentially adding one to their DNF list. It almost feels wrong to put an unfinished book down, like we’re giving up too easily or not giving it a fair chance. That guilt it pretty common for so many readers to share. With everything that I am going to talk about, it is not a rule, it is just my opinion.
How DNF Speaks To Me
As I’ve grown as a reader, DNFing a book has started to feel a lot less guilty, and I find myself more willing to do it. Honestly, my DNF list has gotten pretty long, for a countless number of reasons.
To start, if I am not a fan of an author’s writing style, I’m probably not going to finish the book. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I could not finish “The Summer I Turned Pretty” series by Jenny Han. I loved the show series and actually felt more immersed in that, but for some reason her writing style just didn’t pull me in the same way. I couldn’t fully connect with the characters or fall in love with them like I wanted to (#teamconrad though).
Sometimes, it really is as simple as not loving the story. My schedule is insane, so when I do get the chance to read, I want to completely fall into it. I don’t want to feel forced to read something or feel like another chore of mine. Other times, it’s the pacing that throws me off, whether the story is moving way too fast or way too slow. Believe it or not, but stories can feel like they are dragging on or underdeveloped. I also have put down books that I cannot get into the characters or the plot. Once again, I just want to be able to imagine the book and it truly as simple as that. Timing is everything for me.
Signs I Will DNF A Book
- Cringing every time I pick up the book
- Feeling like the story is dragging on
- Feeling like the story has been put into 2x speed
- Not meeting expectations
- Cannot feel any connection or feelings toward the characters
- Not wanting to pick up the book in general
- Confusing plot
- Plot is something I’ve read a million times already
- I can predict what will happen
- Cannot support the characters decisions or cannot stand them
- Repetitive.
- Not what I was expecting
- Feeling bored or annoyed
- Feeling dramatic for not wanting to read
- I find something more interesting
When Do I Let Myself Walk Away
Honestly, I’ve DNFed books after just 10 pages. I try not to give myself a strict page count or time limit before walking away, because then reading starts to feel like a school assignment. Like I have to finish it even if I am not enjoying it. I’ve gotten to know myself as a reader, and I can usually tell from the first couple of pages if something isn’t going to work for me. Chances are I am not going to suddenly fall in love with a book later.
Walking away doesn’t mean I’m quitting as a reader or sending hate towards the author. I am simply choosing a read that suits me better. Reading is something that should be enjoyable, and there are way too many titles in the world that want to be read to spend time on one that isn’t connecting with you. It is one of the best things about reading and being human! We all have different tastes and interests. A book I don’t enjoy might be someone’s favorite and vice versa. Reading is personal. Reading is unique. And reading should be fun.
The Aftermath
I think one of the most common questions after not finishing a book is, “Do you ever go back to it”? Honestly, the answer is sometimes or depends on the book.
Sometimes I picked up the book at the wrong time. When scrolling through TikTok and I find a good book recommendation, sometimes it is that book that I didn’t finish. Since I was so intrigued, I will give that book a try and sometimes I do finish it or sometimes I DNF it again.
But if I don’t find interest or any peak in it again, I will never look at it again because I almost feel like it is pointless to keep a list of it. Why would I want to keep a list of books that I hate when I could read something that brings me joy.
