Sometimes you start a book and it’s not all you hoped it would be. Sometimes you power through and finish it anyway, but sometimes that feels a bit like pulling teeth.
I don’t know what it is, but I always feel bad if I DNF something. It’s like an obligation to the author and all the people that put so much effort into the book that I do my duty as a reader, writer, and reviewer to finish the book. But sometimes, there is a book that’s problematic or boring or just plain bad and it no longer feels worth it to review and promote something that makes you feel like pulling teeth.
After I finished Dream Waters which was something that I didn’t particularly care for, for a lot of reasons, I had a Netgalley review copy to read. I started it. But, right away I didn’t like the vibe. Then I looked into the reviews and I just didn’t have the energy for a book like that one. It was problematic in a lot of ways. The main character wasn’t like able, but that wasn’t the issue. There was weird relationships with older men. A general idealization of men in general. As well as many other negatives that many reviews pointed out.
I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t keep going. I’d read about 4 chapters and I couldn’t read another word. I wanted to read something good and right after the book I read was incredible. Something with great representation and solid history. I loved it. I felt good about reviewing it. I dreaded reading and reviewing the other book.
However, you don’t have to have a particular reason to not finish a book. If you don’t want to read something you don’t have to. You don’t have to explain it or give a discussion like mine. You just stop reading and forget about it. It’s ok to DNF. That’s a reminder to myself as much as to all of you.
Thank you all for reading! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
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I used to feel like a quitter if I DNF but it got to the point when I had to question why I was doing it to myself! I’ve taken the approach now to read 100 pages and if I dont like it, it gets put down!!
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That’s a good rule! Idk why it’s so easy to feel guilty about. It took me a while to DNF anything.
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Me too! Even now I’m like, shall I read another 50 pages…..i guilt myself!
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Depending on how many pages are in the book, I’ll give it at least 100 pages before I decide to DNF a book. My philosophy on DNF’ing is that I shouldn’t waste my time reading something I’m not enjoying when I could use that time to read something I know I’ll enjoy.
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That’s a good philosophy! The 100 page rule seems to be pretty popular.
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It’s always hard to DNF a book. I try not to because my brain goes “what if the author redeems that whole horrid thing in the end?? Maybe there’s this ending that will just blow my mind and change my world!!” It’s hard to judge something if it’s not in its completion! But… sometimes it’s a necessary evil. Especially when hundreds of other books are staring at me from my shelf saying “hey, girl. I’ll be SOOO much better than THAT piece of trash!” Ha ha!
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I’ve thought that before while reading a book and it only got worse.. that’s why I tend to also read reviews if I’m not liking something to see if it is redeemable or not. But, sometimes if I’m really dragging it’s just better to put it to the side.
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Nice!!!!
Follow my blog too on book updates!
http://www.readwidme.home.blog
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I’m glad you enjoyed!
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Couldn’t agree with you more! I also feel bad for DNFing, but sometimes a book can be draining or you just don’t want to finish it for whatever reason. And yeah, it doesn’t even matter if you don’t have a strong reason for it- life’s too short to waste time on books you just don’t want to finish! Excellent post!
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I agree – why waste time on a book you dislike when you could be enjoying one instead! Though I do think there’s merit in pushing through a book if you don’t like it, for the experience of it or the cultural edification.
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Yeah, there have been some I’ve pushed through. I’ve been caring more about how I feel and not worrying about being that person that has to push through though. Following my happiness has become more important to me.
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Good for you!
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