Why I Don’t DNF Books #DiscussionPost
Hello Readers! Another most discussed topic and my thoughts on it. This has been on my mind for a while and I remember commenting on posts with this topics as well. I’m sure everyone knows DNF means ‘Did Not Finish’ and many readers put down book and never pick it up again for various reasons. DNFing is getting really common and I get it when readers who DNF say, ‘time is precious’ and ‘why waste it on something you’re not enjoying or you’re not liking’. so why I still keep reading a book? Here is Why I Don’t DNF Books –
Why I Don’t DNF Books
I pick a book I’m sure I would like it
Biggest reason I don’t DNF is I’m picky with books and most of the time I enjoy what I decide to read. It’s also a reason my average rating is higher.
I finish the book once I decided to pick it
I don’t like it to leave things in middle. Also if I have committed to read the book to authors or publisher, it doesn’t feel good or professional going back on my commitment.
I’m optimistic when it comes to books
I believe there will be something to like in book. It can’t be total waste and so I keep reading hoping it will get better eventually and in my experience it is the case. Most books manage to surprise me even though it had poor start or I didn’t enjoy it up to certain points.
Curiosity gets better of me
I’m curious creature. Once I start reading a book I feel curious to gets answers, to see what happened to characters and what is happening in the world or at least to see if my guesses turns out right or not.
I feel it unfair to authors
If I’m author I wouldn’t like it if readers would just leave the book at 25% or 50%, without giving it a chance. I would prefer readers read it and rate it low than just leaving it in the middle.
Not DNFing doesn’t mean I haven’t come close to DNFing
I can’t be always lucky with books and there were times I have come across books that highly frustrated me and there were many things I didn’t enjoy in book.
So, what do I do if I’m not enjoying the book
For me, only thing that works for such books is read them simultaneously. I remember it took me a month to finish a book that was extremely slow and some of the things I didn’t like.
Would I ever DNF a book?
I hope not!
‘This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon’
Thank you for reading! Let’s chat…
What do you think about this post? Do you DNF books? Why and why not?
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Just in case you missed…
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The Girl in the Triangle by Joyana Peters – Spotlight
The Beach Reads Book Club by Kathryn Freeman – Book review
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Books Teacup and Reviews
Hi, I'm Yesha, an Indian book blogger. Avid and eclectic reader who loves to read with a cup of tea. Not born reader but I don't think I’m going to stop reading books in this life. “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
50 Comments
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ashley @ socially awkward bookworm
Great post! I used to not ever DNF a book and would force myself to get through it even if it took MONTHS to finish it. But now I do DNF books if I just can’t get into it. I try not to do it with ARCs though. And honestly, I don’t do it often either. Sometimes it happens. There’s so many books I want to read and I don’t want to waste time trying to read a book I don’t like when I could be reading something I’ll love. I think that’s cool that you don’t DNF books though! If you’re able to get through even books that you might not like that much, that’s awesome!
Books Teacup and Reviews
I get it. It’s tiring to when book is dragging and we are not enjoying it. I have come close to DNF often and I rate it really low, I might slaughter the book in review but yes, I can get through it all the time.
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tropicalgirlreads1988
I also don’t DNF books much–even if I don’t really like the book, I try to skim through the book
Books Teacup and Reviews
I’m also same. It helps in writing review and specify why we are not enjoying the book.
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Lu Reviews Books
This is a very interesting topic. I DNF any book that did not bring me in after I’ve read a third of it. Even sooner if I can see clearly it’s not my cuppa. It does not happen very often because, as you, I usually read books in my favorite genres and with intriguing blurbs, but unfortunately it happens once in a while. I don’t post online that I DNF’d, I just do not feature/ review them. Time is too precious and there are too many books to read. 😉
Books Teacup and Reviews
I finish book to at least write a proper review and I have habit of reviewing every book even when I haven’t enjoyed it.
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Lashaan Balasingam @ Bookidote
I never DNF too and it’s just because I want to know the whole story to properly destroy it if I hate it that much. 😛 Great post, Yesha!
Books Teacup and Reviews
haha, that sounds scary. If book has life, I can easily imagine it running away out of your hands. Thank you, Lashaan!
stargazer
I don’t DNF either. Like you I am optimistic and I have experienced struggling with a book, but ending up loving it. So sometimes at least, it’s worth to be persistent. Also, I tend to listen to books on audio, whilst I am doing something else at the same time. So I don’t feel I am wasting time, listening to a book, I am only halfway enjoying. In cases where I really don’t get on with a book, I wished, I knew how to DNF, but haven’t reached that point yet! 😉
Books Teacup and Reviews
That’s great way to easily get in and out of the book. I don’t listen books so for me that is disadvantage but thankfully I didn’t have to DNF book.
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Kaya @ afictionalbookworm
great discussion yesha! dnf-ing books is always so hard because it feels like both a waste of time and unfair to the author for me personally haha.
Books Teacup and Reviews
I feel the same, Kaya! Why to leave it in middle when we already gave it that much time, a little more wouldn’t hurt and I keep hoping rest of the book might change my mind.
WendyW
Another great discussion post Yesha. I have not DNF’d a book that I can remember. I think stubbornness is my main reason for finishing a book. But, I can see how finishing a book you’re not enjoying is a waste of time. So many books…so little time.
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you! I never feel it’s waste of time, in fact leaving book in middle makes it more waste of time for me. But I totally get it why people DNF books. It’s just always have been hard for me to DNF.
WendyW
Good point. I always get something out of a book.
Ravish Mani
Every book teaches something. Some teach how to write while some teach how not to write. No room for DNFing. The knowledge of both is necessary; isn’t it?
Books Teacup and Reviews
That’s well said. Thank you for stopping by and comment.
May @ Forever and Everly
great discussion! i’m also someone who doesn’t dnf for a lot of the same reasons as you—i’m definitely curious about the rest of the book, and i’ve definitely read some books in the past that i ended up liking a lot more when i finished them. but i am also super picky with the books i read so it’s already a big commitment for me to pick up book, might as well just read the whole thing haha!
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you, May! It’s great we share the same opinion on this topic. It’s definitely hard to DNF a book when it comes to curiosity and there is no room for DNFing when we are already very picky with books and we know we are going to like it.
kat
I don’t DNF, too, mostly because I read a lot of self-published books at the author’s request and choosing to not finish it after making a commitment just feels wrong to me. Besides, I’m like you and wouldn’t pick up a book unless I’m fairly sure it’s right for me and it sounds like something I’ll enjoy. Authors put a lot of work into their stories, so if I pick up their book, I feel obligated to put the time into it, too.
Books Teacup and Reviews
I agree with you. It’s highly unfair to authors as they invest loads of time with their stories, even more than us readers.
Teri Polen
It’s rare I DNF a book. If it turns out to be something that’s not for me, or there’s another issue, I’ll usually skim through until the end. If I DNF, I never leave a review.
Books Teacup and Reviews
I haven’t skim read a book, even though when I’m not enjoying it. I prefer to review every book I read, skim reading makes it hard to review the book.
happytonic
Excellent question, Yesha! You’ve made such a great case for finishing all books. I totally relate to your reasons as far as ARCs are concerned, but if it’s my own copy or a library book (especially if there is a waiting list and I’m just hogging the book), I put them on my ‘Maybe Later shelf’ and DNF for now. I have come back to some of these when I was in a different state of mind and even given five stars to some.
Great post!
Books Teacup and Reviews
I think putting book aside for a while and DNFing is different. It’s important to be in right mood to enjoy the book. Thank you, Toni! ❤
nickimags @ Secret Library Book Blog
Lovely to see you back doing another discussion post Yesha! I do DNF books, a lot, because I don’t have the patience to read something I’m not enjoying. I also think it’s okay to tell publishers that I’m not enjoying a book, although telling an author is a lot harder. These days I only use NetGalley and Tantor media for my review copies, as they are understand that not everyone is going to like every book.
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you, Nicki! I’m not patient person by nature but surprisingly I can have all patience with books. Yes, telling authors you won’t finish a book would be a lot harder than publishers.
Jo
This is always an interesting topic! I do DNF books that I’m not enjoying. It doesn’t happen often as I am picky about the books I read, but it does happen. I’m less likely to DNF a book that has been sent for review, but the majority of the books I read are ones that I’ve purchased, and so I’m quite happy to leave them if I’m not enjoying it.
I like your approach of reading multiple books at the same time, but it’s something else I don’t do! I like to start one book, read it (or not!), and then move on to the next.
Happy reading!
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you, Jo! I wouldn’t DNF my purchased books either as I have already put my money on them. Luckily, I have enjoyed all books I have purchased.
I don’t read multiple books either only when I start feeling I’m not enjoying the book and story is too dragging or slow. In that case I would like something fast and enjoyable along with it. Happy reading! ❤
plantyofpages
Great post! I also don’t DNF too many books because I only try and pick up books that I know I’d like. I try not to DNF a book because then it feels like I wasted time reading it. So I’d rather also read it over a longer length of time to finish it then drop it completely.
Books Teacup and Reviews
We think alike when it comes to this topic. Thank you! 😃
Anindya
I am slow and intense reader,and I absolutely do not liking a book unfinished. So, I can easily relate to what you are saying here. I am not comfortable with marathon reading, and I can’t simply do it.So, I am miles away from DNFing 🙂
Books Teacup and Reviews
Great to know you could relate to my points. Thank you for reading and comments. 😃
Mischenko
Excellent discussion here, Yesha. You have good points as usual. Personally, I try not to DNF, but I’ve learned that after so far I have to give up on it if I can’t stay connected. So many times books have turned out to be awesome in the end, and it makes me want to hang on. I guess it just depends on the book.
❤️
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you, Mischenko! I get it. Yes it depends on books a lot and also on mood.
confessionsofayareader
It’s really rare for me to dnf a book, mostly for the same reasons you mentioned. I almost did on a couple books and ended up loving the second halves. So I try hard to get at least halfway through before I make that choice.
Books Teacup and Reviews
I also had the same experience. most of the books turns out great in second half or near climax even though they are going to get average rating in the end. It’s better to give books a chance than just leave them.
Sarah Collins
I’m the same, optimistic and curious, generally I’m good at picking books I know I’ll like so fortunately rarely read something I hate
confessionsofayareader
🙂
Lady Tessa
I don’t DNF often. The times I have, the book had surprise content that was sort of triggering-ish in some regard. But, I’m like you in that I pick books I think I’ll like so,I really want to see them through.
Books Teacup and Reviews
That’s great point. Triggering content might make it hard to read the book.
Rae Longest
Rarely do I not finish a book. Like you, I try not to start things I wouldn’t want to finish. When I come across a book I do not like that I have started, I skim ahead, a chapter at a time, getting the jist of the plot, until I reach the end. I call that “using” a book, not reading it.
Great topic for a post, dear friend.
Books Teacup and Reviews
Thank you, Rae! A chapter at a time is great way to finish the book when you’re not enjoying it. ‘Using a book’ is interesting term.
Rae Longest
It comes from my PhD “grandson.” It means you didn’t read every word; you skimmed and skipped. You looked for what was useful and let the rest “go.”
Books Teacup and Reviews
That makes sense and a great way for studies.