With over 400 books on my to-read list, I feel like life is too short to keep reading books I'm not enjoying. I have a lot to get through! But I can definitely understand the feeling of needing to know what happens. And occasionally I have hate-read books I disliked just so I could rant about them. 😅
If the author hasn't grabbed my attention within the first 100 pages of their book, then the author has failed. Life is too short to read bad/boring books.
100 pages?? Geez. You leave no room for mercy😅 I give the book at least a read until the 40% mark. There have been books that I almost DNF’ed but luckily pushed through, and now they’re some of my top favorites ❤❤
I guess it may depend on the types of books you are reading. I think only for classics do I stick long enough. And I’ve always been happy to have read it. Even if I didn’t like it (which was only one book so far) just cause I want to see what I make of it and then I like seeing all the content on it afterwards.
I agree. Even if the book becomes great later on I still think my time is better spent reading a book that's I think is great from start to finish. And chances of starting to like the book further in are very very slim. The author is not suddenly going to stop being sexist, or change their writing style to something I like, etc.
Thank you so much for your kind shoutout! ❤ You have a great channel, and I appreciate your thoughts on this topic. Nothing can be more frustrating than thinking you'll get one thing from a book and it turns out differently. I think reading-regret is possible, and you brought up some great examples. In many cases, however, we couldn't have known it would be a total waste of time before finishing the book. Then again, maybe DNFing a book has less risk than completing it if we know there's another book we are certain to love. Happy reading!
Thank you for the inspiration! I am so sorry I mispronounced your name. I couldn’t remember if the H was silent as I was recording. 😂 Yes I agree about being frustrated when a book turns out differently to what it purports to be. And I always like to give an author the benefit of the doubt but you can’t know if you wasted your time until you get to the end.
I do not DNF and my reason is simple: I want to know exactly what I'm going to complain about if I end up not liking the book. And then people cannot patronize me by saying "you didn't understand, you didn't even finish the book."
I struggle with DNFing books I purchased and will oftentimes put it to the side to try again later. Library books however, I don’t mind DNFing and actually just returned a popular new release because I just wasn’t getting into it. I do believe that certain books appeal to us more sometimes than others due to being a mood reader. Like you, I’m in the latter years of my life and feel I probably should give up on some more often.😬📚
It makes a difference when it's not a book you own. And I agree that my mood can affect whether I'm enjoying a book which is another reason not to DNF it immediately. But so many books so little time ... 😊
Hi Kathi! 👋 I always love your channel for your warmth and candor. I don’t often DNF books, though I also had to “soft-DNF” Assassin’s Apprentice earlier this year. However, when I came back to it refreshed, I found it was not only good enough to finish, but to continue on to the second book in the series, which I ended up loving. Hobb earned my trust at that point, but it took a book and a half. Now I feel gifted with a new favorite series and world to read through, and am so thankful I finished that first book! If you’re still on the fence with that one, you might try it again on a rainy day 🌱
Hooray! I only found Kathi today, and the Assassin's Apprentice dnf makes me sad. I've read the entire series annually since I discovered it in 2001, hearing you've given Fitz a second chance though, just brought my smile back. I've got a bunch of videos on my channel (both spoiler free and discussions with spoilers 'to' sub-series ends) if you want to know a little more about the journey ahead.
Thank you so much for the kind words, I very much appreciate it. Hmm, you make a good argument for me to re-try it but I’ve also left Ships of Magic in the middle as I didn’t enjoy that either. I intend to finish it one day though. Who knows, perhaps it will also appeal to me when I go back.
Great video as always! The background music is also excellent. For me - after forcing myself through the first 2 mistborn books, I learned that just because something is popular, doesn’t mean it’s for me. Ever since then, I’ve been a bit more open to DNFing. Although most of my DNFs are soft. Sometimes I’m just not in the right mood and will come back to a book at a later time.
Hello Kathi! New subscriber here. I love how you talk about books, clear, never in a hurry, and very relaxing to listen to. I struggle too in DNF'ing a book as I feel like I need to finish it even though I don't like it simply because I know that there's always something there that will pop up in my head suddenly one day that I can use in any possible way. One of my favorite books is The Hunchback Of Notre Dame. Now, if I decided to stop in the first 200 pages or so because it basically talks about architecture, I wouldn't discover one of the best novels ever written.
Hello and welcome. Thank you so much for the kind words. You spelt out exactly why I don't like to DNF. We don't know until we finish what a book holds for us.
I rarely dnf books. However, like you, I have stopped reading a few books over the years. I was glad you mentioned soft dnf. I hadn’t heard of that term before. I always keep my dnf books in the back of my mind and wonder if I should try to read it again.
Thanks for recommending Johanna. I subscribed to her channel. Just like her, I think you're also very well spoken and articulate, and there's something soothing to the way you speak and the pace of your articulations. I might be wrong, but something tells me you are or were a teacher or a professor. Anyway, I also have never DNFed a book. I've always felt a need to finish a book I've already started. I remember suffering through "Titus Groan", but I ultimately finished it.
Thank you very much for the kind words and I’m sure you will love Johanna. And no, I wasn’t a teacher but a lawyer. Suffering through is an accurate description of some books. Thank you for sharing.
Sometimes I am in the mood of “scanning” through multiple books I may want to read. That means i’m reading the first 30 pages or so just to get a sense for the style and the plot. It helps to pick the book again at a later time because I can speed through the first chapters. I then put all those books aside for later and only read one. I have books that i haven’t yet got the time to get back to, but even for the ones that haven’t impressed me in the first section I still intend to read. I think one needs to read many books, even the ones that aren’t too good, in order to develop a good understanding of what makes a great book great. You wouldn’t know a good meal if you haven’t tasted the ones that weren’t that good. Also I think with some books maybe it’s you that needs a bit of growing - it’s not the book’s fault that you are not prepared for it. Come back later to it after more reading (and maybe more life experience) and it hits you on a completely different level.
I agree with all of your points. I too try to read a chapter to see if it’s one I want to read. I don’t consider them DNFS if I decide not to continue with it. It’s as you said, a taste to see whether it agrees with me. The more books one read should lead to us being able to discern if a book is good or not. Hopefully.
I rarely dnf a book. One main reason is description of animal cruelty or depravity and violence. I might try and get past some passages if there is more to recommend the book. In my twenties I read Orwell's Coming Up for Air, I stopped at the boy and the fledgling passage. Never to return to it again. I actually chucked a book in the trash, in disgust only last month. I was not prepared. I had watched a long interview with an unknown new author speaking about her book. She was so nervous and shy during the long interview. The book sounded intriguing, so I purchased it (It was expensive, I remember). I eventually got round to starting the book. I was not expecting images of torture, rape and violence. I couldnt go past a third of the way. I did not want such distressing images lingering in my mind. I couldnt belive such thoughts could emerge from such a mild mannered young woman 😂. It was distressing. The Bones of the Baobab Tree, if you are curious to know. The writing style was utter trash too.
Hi Kathi, I rarely DNF as well. However if an author has disappointed me I would definitely avoid reading anything else by them. I never DNF a book where a friend has convinced me to try. Biggest problem of booktube is FOMO. Happy reading.
Hi Nathan 😊 and yes I'd prefer to finish a disappointing book and not read anything else by that author. Hmm interesting point about FOMO. I hadn't considered that. Enjoy your reading.
For me, when I go through depressive episodes, I sometimes struggle to get through good books that normally would be for me. Sometimes I just have to let them go, at least for the moment. I don't know if others have similar moments.
Thanks for the video! I feel like most book tubers I watch or people I talk to regularly DNF books, which I think is understandable. I typically don’t DNF because I want to give the book a fair chance. There are some books I’ve read where I wasn’t super impressed at the beginning, but by the end, I really loved it. Even if I don’t enjoy a book, I will still finish it because I want to think about what it was I didn’t enjoy about the story so I can build a better understanding of my reading preferences. I’m also a heavy library user, so it gives me more freedom to explore books that are out of my comfort zone. If I don’t like the book, I can just give it back haha. Also, I feel that I’m not entitled to an opinion about the book if I don’t finish it. However, the only book I did DNF was Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind, and it was because the beginning really irritated me. I might go back and give it a second chance though. So many people recommend it.
You make a great point that even if we don’t enjoy a book it is beneficial to think about why. I also think it is important to try books out of our comfort zone. Goodkind’s series has some flaws, and I personally enjoyed it but it may not be for you. Thank you for sharing.
I studied literature in college and I really view each reading as a unique and almost sacred experience. I worry that by not finishing a book I will be unable to capture that original experience if I ever try again, and it won’t be giving the author a fair shot at the art they have created. This video REALLY resonated with me. I have DNF’d very few books in my life and each time I have not enjoyed doing so. Thank you for sharing!
@@kelleydoes We can never truly recapture the first time we read a book and I agree that each book is a unique reading experience. I'm glad you liked the video. 😊
Final thought. I also feel like persevering to the end of a show, movie, or book, helps to develop patience and endurance in this world or ten second videos and mindless scrolling. I noticed when i keep exercising patience I enjoy many more books then i would otherwise and i don’t get bored so easily or quickly.
I understand your stance here, great to see there are other people out there who don't like to DNF books. I think my main reason to read is because I enjoy the process of reading by itself. But I might skim a lot if I'm getting bored. The only book I remember to DNF was "Knights of the Black and White", and I got it from the library around 20 years ago.
I have personally only DNF'd a handful of books and of those, I've gone back and finished half or more. If I spent money on a book, I have to read it at some point, whether I enjoy it or not (whether that's physically or audiobooks), but I will tend to try them in a different format to see if I enjoy it more. The first book I read when I was first getting back into reading was actually a DNF, but I've since gone back and read a physical copy and it turned out to be a 5 star read for me. I've become a lot more selective in what I will buy and what I even give time to try, which I think has helped a lot with finishing books and having a somewhat decent time. This was such a great video and it's sparked some really great conversations in the comments! ♥
I always want to go back and finish those books I’ve left in the middle. That’s a good idea to try a book in a different format. I must admit I’m a little surprised at the reaction to the video. 😊
Hi! Totally new to your channel. Really thrilled I found it. I really enjoy your videos. The last 10 years, I've primarily read mystery/crime novels (many of the authors you mention in your Mystery/thriller video). Having discovered Booktube a couple of months ago, I have been inspired to read more fantasy, and I am loving it! Robin Hobb is now one of my favorite authors. I DNF'd the first Louise Penny book 3 times but really wanted to understand why she was so popular. The 4th time around, I was hooked, and I have all her books now and love her writing style. Looking forward to following your channel
Hello and welcome. Thank you for the kind words. I’m very glad to have you here. That is dedication, trying a book 4 times. I probably would have given up. I love Louise Penny as well.
I love when I’m thinking of gladly putting a book in the dnf pile, but continue reading it anyway. Or finally finishing a book abandoned yrs ago, only to discover how much I love it! Not only are you rewarded with a great book reading experience to think about, but you also feel a huge sense of accomplishment.😅
One example that comes to mind for me is The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence. It was my first book by him, and I was finding it slow to the point of feeling like I was struggling to it, until around 40%? Maybe more. And I thought of DNFing. Still, I wanted to understand why people were liking it so much. Luckily, the book started gripping me around then, and the ending definitely made up for it. It makes you rethink the whole book :)
Hello ! Was intrigued by your title, and after 5 minutes i was hooked. Im like you, i very rarely DNF. I have belonged to a book club for 25 years and feel that finishing the choice, even if i dont like it, is actually part of the club participation. I so agree about Moby Dick, we parted ways half way 😂. My reading is very varied, and i agree that we can intuit if a book will appeal. Thanks for sharing.
I am getting better at DNFing books I’m not enjoying but like you kathi I don’t really like doing it. At first I would be questioning whether I should have dnf’d it but after pushing through some I wasn’t enjoying I’ve said to myself , well was it worth it .. and always the answer was no. So I’ve started to trust my intuition that I am making the right decision when I choose to dnf. I get you though it’s hard to trust you made the right choice especially when you hear people reviewing and saying it was a brilliant book 😂 but yeah I’ve never had one that i pushed through and said well that turned out amazing, I’m glad I pushed through 🤷♀️ I have a few what you call soft dnfs too were I feel I just wasn’t in the right mood or it wasn’t the right time for it , it’s not that I wasn’t enjoying them .. I have them to look forward to again I guess.. and don’t get me started on Moby dick😂. I’m 38 years old now and I remember the first time I attempted to read it , I took it from the library in primary school I must of been about ten and still haven’t manage to get through it! Wishing you a lovely weekend ❤
If at the end of the book we don’t feel it was worth it, it would mean we should have DNF’d it. Mood does play a part for me as well. It might simply be the wrong time to read a particular book. Thank you so much for sharing. ❤
Great video and topic! Just this year I allowed myself to DNF with more frequency, but only contemporary fiction that I checked out of the library or books I otherwise got for free. I give the book maybe 10% in to hook me. If not, I move on. I will, however, always finish a "classic."
LOVE Johanna! Great topic and well articulated thoughts, thanks for this one! These days, I’ve given myself a little more leniency to put a book down but more often I finish books but won’t continue with a series perhaps. I do agree, I’m sucker for an ending and most times need to continue, but every now and then, I pick something that I know just isn’t to my taste. If I do DNF, it’s pretty early.
I had an experience where the first third of the book I was reading was good, got me right into it and then the next two thirds were terrible, but it felt like it was leading somewhere so I had to try to finish it. That author got put on my blacklist. My other tendancy is what I call 'stall out', it's where I put a book down and don't pick it up again for ages, it's not necessarily the books fault, maybe I've been distracted, sometimes I've even forgotten I was reading it and sometimes I can get right back into and sometimes I have to re-read a little. Where other readers have piles of shame, authors they haven't got to. I have a pile of the unread. I am struggling through a book at the moment, the second in a trilogy, even though I'm struggle with it I am still enjoying it in places.
There are times we can be let down by a book which starts well. Your stall outs sound like my soft DNFs, and I don’t want to know how many I have unread. 😂
I think both are bad to a degree: forcing yourself to read through 400 pages you despise and DNF'ing many books immediately in a row. I dnf some books and also read some poor books through to the end, usually when I reached 30-50% already or in cases I *want* to examine certain aspects. When I can't bring myself to pick up a book again for months, there's honestly no point to continue for me personally ^^; I guess it's about ✨balance✨ Nice video, well spoken and honest. Re-trying books is important, too!
Thank you for the kind words. Perhaps it’s a case of tolerance levels. I don’t think I’ve read any books I’ve truly despised though some have come close. And given how we evolve as readers I agree it is important to re-try books.
I am finding books easier to DNF because I am getting most of my physical books from Little Free Libraries therefore I can simply exchange any book I DNF for a new book, it used to be the same when I used the public library. I am more certain to read a book if it cost me money but even then I can exchange it at the Little Free Library. I have no hesitation in DNFing audiobooks I selected from Everand as I pay a flat monthly fee there and I simply choose another. If I get them from Audible am more likely to finish them unless it is from their free catalogue.
Been doing that a lot lately. The "Song of Ice & Fire" series got me back into reading this year, and having finished the fifth book, I've tried _The Pregnant Widow_ but Amis' writing annoyed me (though it's unique and I regret deleting it off Kindle) and _Dune_ which was very tepidly written. I'm capricious by nature but currently doing my best to push through _American Psycho_ which is somewhat similar to Amis's writing, but more accessible
I rarely DNF books, too. I can handle boredom just fine and push through, but certain writing styles gets to me in my case. Many popular books aren't really my type of books, but I want to read so that I can see what the hype is about. Sometimes I regret starting the book, but, as you mentioned, I want to finish what I started.
I started DNFing books about 2 years ago after it finally sunk into my stubborn head that there are a finite number of books left in my life, and I want to read the enjoyable ones! I also have learned to DNF those books that I am only reading based on a recommendation if I find that the book is not my cup of tea. I've learned, too, that many blurbs are not even close to correctly describing a book. On the other hand, parts of some books that I've slogged through have stayed with me long after finishing the book. I intensely dislike gooey romances but have enjoyed some books that have the label of romance when what they mean is love. The words "love" and "romance" are not interchangeable and, for me, are not even close in meaning. I wish I'd DNFd Practical Magic by Hoffman and The Diviners by Bray. Both were ok books, just not for me. I've tried Piranesi two different times and can't get past page 20! I don't think you can even call that a DNF... Maybe CNS - Could not start - lol. I get my books from the library or from the trade-in used bookstore, so the "I bought it so I should read it" does not apply for me. Interesting discussion! Thanks for the video!
Time becomes a precious commodity as we get older so why waste it on things we don't enjoy. It's true some books can start slowly and then turn into something amazing. Like anything they can be unpredictable. Thank you so much for sharing. ❤️
There's a great video on UA-cam about what is called the sunk cost fallacy. Basically it's about knowing when to stop something even when you've invested so much into it already. I've never not finished a book although I have temporarily halted reading even for a number of years but I always finish it eventually.
We should buddy read a book !! I plan on reading “ Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers .. about a psychiatric hospital .. a doctor discovers “ meets” a mute 37year old man .. on a near by house with his aunt .. and then discovers the mute man has special talents and so the book just tells the story of how the doctor helps the mute patient grow to be an artist it sound like a slice of life and a lovely story
I have a pile that I'd label "I haven't finished it yet". Yeah, there are some books that have been in that stack for a very long time, but I do eventually go back to them. Like you - if I've spent the money on a book, I feel compelled to finish it (to justify it to myself?) There are certain authors or genres that I usually avoid. I don't enjoy certain Russian authors, for example. I can see that their books are well-written, but why waste my money on them. (My shelf space and budget are limited.) For a book to go on my absolute DNF pile it has to be so repulsive or disgusting or awful (to me) that I would have no problem dropping it in the trash.
I've never been able to bring myself to throw away a book. I think most of my DNFs are soft as well, the not right now category. Thank you for sharing Julie.
I love the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the unbeliever Series set one and set 2. He isn’t one of the nicest main character,however; I could understand why he was that way.
After reading for many years, I've discovered the type of books that I don't like and use the 'look inside' feature of Amazon to determine if I will like a book or not. If the writing style doesn't grab me, then I know that I won't like it. What is difficult sometimes is that the writing of a book can be done well, but the storytelling isn't quite there, and it usually takes me a while to figure out that the plot isn't going forward - those I end up not finishing. The writing style of a book is quicker to judge and I don't waste a lot of time on them if I don't like it.
I used to feel this way about books I read but then, I read a series of books called "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the unbeliever" It's a fantasy series about a man from our world who suffers from leprosy being transported to a fantasy world called the Land. Now, there is nothing particularly wrong with these books but they are very deep, very complex and not a light read. I finished the first trilogy and I even finished the second trilogy but these books changed the way I read. Before these books I was one of those who had to finish a book I started but after reading them, no more because I didn't really enjoy them. For me the main character was very unlikable. I simply could not relate to him on any level. The more thought about the more I realized, That I had simply slogged through in an effort to be finished. Also, I came to the realization that not only am I not going to live long enough to read everything I want to read, I am not going to live long enough to DO everything I'd like to do. So now if I'm not getting into a book I put it down and move on to something else. In fact I just put a book back on the shelf today only about a third finished because it was just not any fun to read. So don't sweat it. Life is too short to read books you don't enjoy.
I DNF pretty freely. I've always been a relatively slow reader, and when I'm pushing through something I'm not enjoying, that gets even worse. More importantly, I'm a writer, and I find that I almost always learn more from books I enjoy than books I don't. Most of the time, I just think I'll circle back around if I change my mind.
Yes. I've been saying this for awhile. I will almost never DNF fiction or for that matter well-written non-fiction. However, non-fiction where it's obvious to me that the author should be consulting me instead of the other way around is a different story. Even then, if it's short or there's even a glimmer of hope that I will learn even one thing, I'll keep going. Sometimes though it's obvious that a non-fiction book has nothing to offer.
So my mindset is similar to your's regarding this. All the reasons you outlined are familiar. I do not DNF, because I payed for it, I can't judge it without finishing it, it can turn out to be good and it can still surprise me etc. However I sort of started to learn to DNF as with family my time is limited and I have to decide whether I want to invest more into it or not... So there actually started to be some DNF's in last 8 years or so: - Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand - not necessarily bad story and thoughts in it, but too long and repetitive. The author outlines her thoughts, ideas and views and their iterrations in the book way too many times and way too many times she defends them and contemplates on them as the one and only thruth. If it was only half of it's length, it would be still long. - A song of ice and fire by George R.R. Martin - specifically I read to the end A game of thrones, A clash of kings, A storm of swords, but I dumped A feast for Crows in it's half with decision to never to return back to the series as I sort of got fed up by the loose narrative and got bored. - Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien Then there are some books, which I finished to the end, but I wish I'd have DNF them as I don't find them worthy and I regret reading them: - Valis by P. K. Dick - it was just weird stuff and I really forced myself through it, because it was recommended to me and I was eager to find out where and when it starts to be interresting. So I was pushing through it, every day at least 1-2 pages and finished it in some time eventually. I do not say it wasn't interresting at some point, but it wasn't worth the effort as it was not written really accessibly. But I was without family back then and so I went through it. - Starship Troopers by R. A. Heinlein - too boring, full of citizenship propaganda, with only about 2 actions - Moby Dick by H. Melville - If I'd only had another book to read in that 4 days train, I'd have dumped it. But I didn't have any other to read, so I kept reading to the end.
Time is a precious commodity for many of us, so why waste time on something we aren’t enjoying? I hated the film Starship Troopers and you know my thoughts on Moby Dick. You might be in a minority with ASOIF. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences.
I dnf so many books. Most books I start. Maybe because of stress. Maybe because I am a relatively slow reader which makes me feel relatively dumb. Only smart people read books. When I was a kid I always had a book in my hand but over time my love of books was lost but I want to get the love back. Listening to people talk about reading books helps!
Moll Flanders was a good book by Defoe. I've never managed to get into anything else by him. I have DNF'd 2 books this year.. one because it was really bad and the 2nd because I stupidly watched the tv show first and it wasn't surprising enough to spend time on.
@@NerdyKathi I am going to give Robinson Crusoe another try. I have been reading all the 'boy books' that I avoided as a kid so as not to be teased by my brothers. There were a lot of good books I missed out on being a little sister. ;)
i too rarely dnf a book mainly because i do quite a lot of “research” on it beforehand. however, when it comes to nonfiction, i dnf, if in fact it doesn’t what it said it would be or some other valid reasons. genre fiction books are somewhat different for me. the enjoyment of a fiction is rather subjective compared to nonfiction so i tend to push through to the end if i start one and if it were to be dnf’ed, it’s mostly “soft” dnf.
Research is the best way to try to avoid books you won’t like. And I agree non-fiction would be easier to DNF if it’s not delivering. Thanks for sharing.
I rarely DNF a book permanently, though I do have about 80 books that I've set aside for one reason or another. Mostly I'm distracted by shiny new (or ancient) books that look even more promising. I'm definitely a mood reader (or non-reader). Back in school, I always thought the next chapter of a textbook looked more interesting until I HAD to read it; then it was just as boring as the last. While I haven't finished a lot of books in the last few years, I will say that my curation of potential reads has helped in the past. I don't buy entire prize lists; I don't buy books without research (granted, some jacket copy contains spoilers or misinformation); and I don't care what's popular. My hardest dnf's in recent years were social issue books that seemed so poorly written that they were having the opposite of their intended effect on me. I also don't have the budget to regularly dnf $35 hardcovers.
Thank you! Given the number of Booktubers who push DNF'ing, I thought I was part of a tiny minority. Your first reason is very similar to mine, the example I give everyone is my reading of Nick Harkaway's "Gnomon" - I was having such a hard time getting through it, I put it aside at about 2/3 - for 2 years! - but then I picked it back, and finished it in no time. It had transformed itself into a really good, interesting, unusual book. And it wasn't the ending - it was simply getting the whole thing together in my mind and appreciating it. No value judgment on DNF'ing, but for me, it's worth pushing through. Moby Dick, well, I got past the first sentence, but I'm not yet saying I DNF'd it 🙂.
I think everyone has their own threshold with what they can tolerate in a book. Your example shows why sometimes it is worth continuing. Thank you for sharing.
My female coworker always reads the last chapter if she gets bored in the beginning I have adopted this approach and it works for me in continuing if the story meanders but the end has a different feeling
😁 Just the other day I was neatening a large pile of books to read. I turned the pile and saw that most of them had a bookmark in the area of pages 25 to 100. They are my MNR- might not read🤣
I recently DNF a book by my favorite author, something I never thought would ever happen.After two chapters!As I grow older I've become too selective in what I read. Life is too short and patience is not one of my virtues
4:06 i already relate so much! I have probably Dnf’d much less than ten book in my lifetime. And id say every case was because of content issues that I didn’t feel they were at all wholesome. However those are extremely rare for me to find since i read almost exclusively old books from the 1940’s or much earlier (1700’s etc.) (i am now to the point where you mentioned that you have gotten better at gauging if you will ever enjoy the book before starting. I was just about to say the same!) I also rarely DNF movies or shows either!😂 I rarely ever read the description of a book or movie because i hate the spoilers. Another reason why I don’t DNF is because i once did that to Pride & Prejudice and The Keeper of the Bees. When i finally read them i was shocked that I hadn’t read them sooner! They are now two of my favorite books that I had avoided because of their titles and first pages… never again! (Ok I accidentally kept the video playing and now you mentioned Moby Dick, an extremely rare DNF for me that i also tried to read sooooo many times but never got more than 30% through and that was a huge struggle! Part of me really wants to conquer that story someday though…) An excellent video! Thank you!!!❤
15:56 😂i adored this book! I found it before I was ever aware that it was so well done. Well said. “Just because a book is a classic does not make it a good book” I learned that Shakespeare wasn’t an author/playwright that i enjoyed. But I could see myself liking his story’s more later in life. Don Quixote was one I despised and it felt like just an excuse for debauchery. I still don’t understand why it is considered a classic…
😂 We all have different tastes. I personally love Shakespeare but I know many who find him hard to read. I'm a third into Don Quixote and am puzzled as I haven't seen any debauchery.
@@NerdyKathi it has been probably ten years since i read it but i remember that being my impression and really hating Don Quixote and his personality. I could be remembering it more harshly over time but I haven’t wanted to go back and reread it so I don’t know!😂 I think I will like Shakespeare eventually but again I haven’t been very motivated to do a reread with so many other books to read!
I too rarely DNF. Two I wish I had were “classics” 100 Years of Solitude & The Jungle. One was for a book club, one for high school. Both torture for me. I have put some aside & return later. As years go by I know genres I won t touch. Life really is too short when it comes to reading!
I do dnf. Reasons usually include: bad editing, bad marketing, or some fatal flaw that annoyed the crap out of me. One book had “flicker” in the title, so the author unsubtly felt the need to use flick or flicker constantly. Another book had a character making strawberry preserves when berries weren’t in season in a decade when she couldn’t just buy them whenever she wanted them at the grocery store. Another book called a band “The Chicks” at a point in history when they were still the “Dixie Chicks”. It doesn’t take much to take me out of a book. Usually I plug on through a book when it is slow as long as it is interesting, but recently I have soft dnf-ed two books for this reason. Earlier this summer I was reading Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea when Garbaugust came around. I wanted to read some trashy books, so I put it aside, but I do want to finish it this year. A couple weeks ago I began David Copperfield as well as The Shining. I liked both but was more drawn to DC which is a long book, nearly 900 pages. I had some library books due soon so I made the decision to put The Shining aside for the moment. I will get to it before I watch the movie next month. (I don’t always read old books. The library book I am reading was published this month.)
All good reasons to DNF. In the end if we aren’t enjoying the book we should put it aside. Sometimes we may not be in the right mood either for a particular book. Thank you for sharing.
I hardly DNF either. I think also the ones I haven't finished were all non-fiction, which sometimes can just be so boring...for fiction though, it's generally easy enough to get through that I always do.
For novels, I frequently DNF. More often than not -- maybe 70%. Often it is within the first 100 pages. It has nothing to do with "grabbing my attention". Most of all, I want an author to value my time and attention. Tell the story and weave the spell without any self-indulgence. I demand good writing. I won't put up with lazy characterization, weak and artificial plot elements, or shallow tropes.
I don't DNF often. At most, it happens once every two to three years. When I do, it's because something in the book was personally offensive or triggering. The choice to DNF mainly involves the author's intent. For example, if there is a bigoted character it's easy to tell if the author is challenging that behavior or using that character as a self-insert for their own bigotry. There's also a difference between something tapping into my own traumas in a way that feels healing versus exploitative. The only exception to these was Marion Zimmer Bradley. I had started The Mist of Avalon a few days before her daughter revealed some extremely unsettling details about her. I quit reading her books that day and will never read anything from her ever again. If I finish a book that I'm not into I usually find that there's at least one thing mildly interesting like a character, word choice, or setting. Most of the time I'm simply too lazy to start something else.
Obviously there are some genuinely offensive books but there are also some which can trigger one person and not others. I respect each person’s right to make their own choices on whether to read a book or not.
I dnf regularly simply because I'm prone to reading slumps. wich usually follow after I finish smt I didn't like. bigest respect for ppl who finish what they don't like then jump into smt else easily 😅
My main reason for not DNF a book is that I enjoy writing reviews, and I, with respect and honestly, cannot properly review or criticize a book without fully absorbing it. One of my main pet peeves is reading reviews that say ''I just read 15 pages and gave up, 1/5'' from a 500 page book. Hate that lol !
I totally agree it's unfair to review a book if you haven't finished it. I can understand someone saying I read 15 pages and decided it wasn't for me, but it's unjust to then critique the entire book.
When I first started reading, I wouldn't DNF either. But I've been reading regularly for 12+ years now so I know what I like and what I don't. I also have a TBR list that is a million miles long and I only read about 35-40 books a year so I fully understand that I'll never be able to read everything I want to read so why bother wasting that precious time on something i'm not enjoying? Life, simply, is too short. : )
Yes, Maisie Dobbs was really boring, but i got through it because it was quite expensive. The series had been talked about widely; perhaps its following books are better. Now I'm getting more books from the library and that makes DNF easier. I just DNFed Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward, an author highly acclaimed. The reason of DNF is it doesn't have a clear theme and very distracting. Reading the beginning, i thought it was about dog breeding. I hate people making the topic tightly linked with sex. I agree there are so many books that we don't need to stick to those we don't enjoy.
I agree to some points here. Although at the moment I do a lot of DNFs because I am a mood reader, not to mention that reading time is now a luxury to those who have jobs. Maybe I'll stop DNFing when I retire-I'll have all the time!! 😂
I just can't dnf a book, I never do it. I have stopped reading a book, to come back later on. And it's been few times that I remember that I have dnf a book forever. But in general, I think that even the book is boring, or I dislike the characters, I still have to continue and finish the book, because there is always something to learn from it. Dnfing a series is a different thing. I read the first book in the Game of Thrones series, I really disliked it, that I just couldn't continue reading the series. After getting spoiled by watching shorts and videos about the series, I felt in giving a second chance, but then I thought, nah. I won't do it.
It is much easier to DNF a series as you’ve already given it a go by reading one or more books. It seems there are more people than I would have thought who don’t like to DNF.
I tend to finish books, movies, and other media that I start. I've read about 40 books this year and just quit on one (Manacled, by SenLinYu). It just wasn't written for me.
Reason 1] YES. Ans so I skimm or jump the book. Like with The King of Battle and Blood....a friend was rading last 100 pages and was "you must read it!" I got e-book and read 6 chapter that SKIPPED TO last ch.20 ....made and audiio for my friend and asked to fill the blanks of the middle part. She told me exactly what I read and NO NEW THING. Like those 14 chapters in the midle didn't mater. End maybe they didn't as it is a romantacy. And my guess FMC had visions was right...😮💨 A book that takes 7 chapter to be understood....why does it habe 500 pages? Reason 2? I felt that way. No more. What if the next 10 book I pick up just like that and are borring, feel like punnishment, why should reading be frustration? Why should reason 2 become the reason I don't enjoy reading? That is why I usually don't know who wrote the book. Even if the book is 5✨️ I don't need to read the next standalone of that autor because of the autor. It is good if I liked one of their books. Because for me it is all about the book and not the autor. That also means nowdays that I don't care "man writing female character" as a criteria...if the STORY INSIDE THE BOOK had my antention than I am a moraly gray reader and I like that book. I resantly dnf the book [booktube made me read it] because I don't like how woman are tretend in the book. Fun fact other woman call it "a guilty plessure" 😑 But I find the story bad. Turns out it was written by a woman. You see my point.
I don't like DNFing books either. Usually if I'm reading a book that's boring me I'll see if my library has the audiobook version available on Libby and listen to in my car at 1.5 maybe 2 times speed.
I buy lots of books, usually from charity shops for pennies so if it doesn't grab me I won't waste my time on it. If I'd spent a lot of money then I might persevere.
I rarely DNF books aswell. I always feel like the monetary investment I put in the book is enough to get me to read it all the way through. I think the only books I've DNF are books I've gotten as gifts or books related to school assignments.
@@NerdyKathi I try to be fair but there was one book, I only read three chapters. It was full of Antisemitism, it was a classic from the 20's and usually I can ignore a glancing blow of bigotry, when it comes from another period, (doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt but I would never read any classics if I hadn't learned to that) But this book was just full of it, page after page of it. Coming out of characters that I really like (it's a mystery series,) I just couldn't deal with it. In fact I marked it to never read again from that series, there was a second one from the series it was full all kinds of bigotry. You can't escape it. So those were Dnf's and books I will never attempt again.
I just DNF'd Omensetter's Luck. I tried to push through but just couldn't take it anymore. Only the 2nd book I remember DNFing. The other is Lolita. Even though it's so short, I just found it so boring.
Hi Kathi. I hate to DNF books especially when I have been looking forward to reading one in particular. This happened a couple of weeks ago, I thought it was going to be a good fantasy read, it was not. The cover of the book gave no clue what was inside, basically it was just porn! So not for me.
If i buy a book i finish and if it's bad i give a bad review lol. I notice that people eho read via ebooks (pirate) they are less probably to be finished since they didn't invested nothing.
I find it really hard to dnf a book, though i am getting a bit better at it as I really do only read for my own enjoyment. Generally a book has to make me cross to dnf it. Either because it is so boring or something in the subject matter of the story that im really disliking.
If I don't like a book I have to discard it. You don't worry about turning a TV channel to a different channel if you don't like a programme, so why should you carry on reading a book you don't like? If you have to know how a book ends...it's a decent, or even good book, so carry on reading by all means.
Perhaps for me it's because a book is a bigger time investment I'm less willing to just switch to another. There are shows that have taken me half a season or more to learn to love them.
I've been reading for decades and read thousands, most probably over 10,000...and I don't DNF books, I probably DNFed less than 10 books in my more than 5 decades of reading books.
@@NerdyKathi like yourself, I always consider the cost of the purchase and the time it took someone to write. I must admit that some books are hard to get into but it’s worth the effort. I have a relative who DNAs after 30 pages then gives it one star on Goodreads. This includes Frankenstein and wuthering heights. It drives me mad lol.
I DNF occasionally. Usually its the writing being too immature or trying to shock with foul language being thrown around unnecessarily. Imagine the kid who shouts "knickers" and runs away, that is the sort of author who winds me up. There are occasions when its fine and appropriate to use foul language but don't tell me you are edgy and subversive in such an obvious way. In my opinion, if your expression and communication is that limited then maybe writing is not for you. For this reason I only buy second hand books and I have a £3 limit for almost every book I buy.
@@NerdyKathi we used to have a neighbour with a shed in their front garden, full of books that you could buy for 20p each and the money went to charity. It closed last year, sadly.
I DNF books more than I should 😂 I do think a book deserves a chance because it takes a lot of time and effort to write a book. So I always read at least 1/3 of a book before I toss it.
I love fantasy fiction and have never paid much attention to identity representation in these books because all's fair in fantasy and many characters aren't human. However, in the last few years, new books are inauthentically placing LGBT characters everywhere, in such an obvious and unusual amount that I'm wondering if authors are being pressured to be "inclusive" if they want to continue being published by certain publishers. I have had many DNF because it feels like an agenda being shoved at me rather than a creative endeavor. I now choose books that were published before 2018, that seems to be a relatively untainted collection.
Political correctness has a lot to answer for. I’m glad to see more inclusion in books but it has to be done authentically. Some older books are the reverse they can lack any kind of representation.
I would agree with you, I don't like to dnf books either, but I did recently with a 400 page book. I had read 190 pages. Several plot lines we're involved. In one of the plot lines i thought if the author goes here I'm going to have to stop. they did and I did. It was such a trite, unbelievable, and well-worn path. 🫤
With over 400 books on my to-read list, I feel like life is too short to keep reading books I'm not enjoying. I have a lot to get through! But I can definitely understand the feeling of needing to know what happens. And occasionally I have hate-read books I disliked just so I could rant about them. 😅
I haven’t even tried to count how many books I want to read.
Ranting is fun and some books deserve it! 😂
If the author hasn't grabbed my attention within the first 100 pages of their book, then the author has failed. Life is too short to read bad/boring books.
Sometimes it takes more than a 100 pages for a book to become interesting. It's the not knowing that makes me persist.
100 pages?? Geez. You leave no room for mercy😅 I give the book at least a read until the 40% mark. There have been books that I almost DNF’ed but luckily pushed through, and now they’re some of my top favorites ❤❤
I guess it may depend on the types of books you are reading. I think only for classics do I stick long enough. And I’ve always been happy to have read it. Even if I didn’t like it (which was only one book so far) just cause I want to see what I make of it and then I like seeing all the content on it afterwards.
Yeah, I'm not sure you're exactly the one to be considered the consensus on the author's failure.
I agree. Even if the book becomes great later on I still think my time is better spent reading a book that's I think is great from start to finish. And chances of starting to like the book further in are very very slim. The author is not suddenly going to stop being sexist, or change their writing style to something I like, etc.
Thank you so much for your kind shoutout! ❤ You have a great channel, and I appreciate your thoughts on this topic. Nothing can be more frustrating than thinking you'll get one thing from a book and it turns out differently. I think reading-regret is possible, and you brought up some great examples. In many cases, however, we couldn't have known it would be a total waste of time before finishing the book. Then again, maybe DNFing a book has less risk than completing it if we know there's another book we are certain to love. Happy reading!
Thank you for the inspiration! I am so sorry I mispronounced your name. I couldn’t remember if the H was silent as I was recording. 😂
Yes I agree about being frustrated when a book turns out differently to what it purports to be. And I always like to give an author the benefit of the doubt but you can’t know if you wasted your time until you get to the end.
I do not DNF and my reason is simple: I want to know exactly what I'm going to complain about if I end up not liking the book. And then people cannot patronize me by saying "you didn't understand, you didn't even finish the book."
I agree it is hard to argue your case when you haven’t finished the book.
I struggle with DNFing books I purchased and will oftentimes put it to the side to try again later. Library books however, I don’t mind DNFing and actually just returned a popular new release because I just wasn’t getting into it. I do believe that certain books appeal to us more sometimes than others due to being a mood reader. Like you, I’m in the latter years of my life and feel I probably should give up on some more often.😬📚
It makes a difference when it's not a book you own. And I agree that my mood can affect whether I'm enjoying a book which is another reason not to DNF it immediately. But so many books so little time ... 😊
Hi Kathi! 👋 I always love your channel for your warmth and candor. I don’t often DNF books, though I also had to “soft-DNF” Assassin’s Apprentice earlier this year. However, when I came back to it refreshed, I found it was not only good enough to finish, but to continue on to the second book in the series, which I ended up loving. Hobb earned my trust at that point, but it took a book and a half. Now I feel gifted with a new favorite series and world to read through, and am so thankful I finished that first book! If you’re still on the fence with that one, you might try it again on a rainy day 🌱
Hooray! I only found Kathi today, and the Assassin's Apprentice dnf makes me sad. I've read the entire series annually since I discovered it in 2001, hearing you've given Fitz a second chance though, just brought my smile back. I've got a bunch of videos on my channel (both spoiler free and discussions with spoilers 'to' sub-series ends) if you want to know a little more about the journey ahead.
Thank you so much for the kind words, I very much appreciate it. Hmm, you make a good argument for me to re-try it but I’ve also left Ships of Magic in the middle as I didn’t enjoy that either. I intend to finish it one day though. Who knows, perhaps it will also appeal to me when I go back.
Great video as always! The background music is also excellent.
For me - after forcing myself through the first 2 mistborn books, I learned that just because something is popular, doesn’t mean it’s for me.
Ever since then, I’ve been a bit more open to DNFing. Although most of my DNFs are soft. Sometimes I’m just not in the right mood and will come back to a book at a later time.
Thank you Farhad. ❤
Mood does play a part in whether I enjoy a book as well, which is another reason I’m willing to give books a chance.
Hello Kathi! New subscriber here. I love how you talk about books, clear, never in a hurry, and very relaxing to listen to.
I struggle too in DNF'ing a book as I feel like I need to finish it even though I don't like it simply because I know that there's always something there that will pop up in my head suddenly one day that I can use in any possible way.
One of my favorite books is The Hunchback Of Notre Dame. Now, if I decided to stop in the first 200 pages or so because it basically talks about architecture, I wouldn't discover one of the best novels ever written.
Hello and welcome. Thank you so much for the kind words.
You spelt out exactly why I don't like to DNF. We don't know until we finish what a book holds for us.
I rarely dnf books. However, like you, I have stopped reading a few books over the years. I was glad you mentioned soft dnf. I hadn’t heard of that term before. I always keep my dnf books in the back of my mind and wonder if I should try to read it again.
We are alike in that. It bothers me that some books are unfinished. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for recommending Johanna. I subscribed to her channel. Just like her, I think you're also very well spoken and articulate, and there's something soothing to the way you speak and the pace of your articulations. I might be wrong, but something tells me you are or were a teacher or a professor. Anyway, I also have never DNFed a book. I've always felt a need to finish a book I've already started. I remember suffering through "Titus Groan", but I ultimately finished it.
Thank you very much for the kind words and I’m sure you will love Johanna. And no, I wasn’t a teacher but a lawyer.
Suffering through is an accurate description of some books. Thank you for sharing.
Sometimes I am in the mood of “scanning” through multiple books I may want to read. That means i’m reading the first 30 pages or so just to get a sense for the style and the plot. It helps to pick the book again at a later time because I can speed through the first chapters. I then put all those books aside for later and only read one.
I have books that i haven’t yet got the time to get back to, but even for the ones that haven’t impressed me in the first section I still intend to read. I think one needs to read many books, even the ones that aren’t too good, in order to develop a good understanding of what makes a great book great. You wouldn’t know a good meal if you haven’t tasted the ones that weren’t that good. Also I think with some books maybe it’s you that needs a bit of growing - it’s not the book’s fault that you are not prepared for it. Come back later to it after more reading (and maybe more life experience) and it hits you on a completely different level.
I agree with all of your points. I too try to read a chapter to see if it’s one I want to read. I don’t consider them DNFS if I decide not to continue with it. It’s as you said, a taste to see whether it agrees with me. The more books one read should lead to us being able to discern if a book is good or not. Hopefully.
I rarely dnf a book. One main reason is description of animal cruelty or depravity and violence. I might try and get past some passages if there is more to recommend the book. In my twenties I read Orwell's Coming Up for Air, I stopped at the boy and the fledgling passage. Never to return to it again. I actually chucked a book in the trash, in disgust only last month. I was not prepared. I had watched a long interview with an unknown new author speaking about her book. She was so nervous and shy during the long interview. The book sounded intriguing, so I purchased it (It was expensive, I remember). I eventually got round to starting the book. I was not expecting images of torture, rape and violence. I couldnt go past a third of the way. I did not want such distressing images lingering in my mind. I couldnt belive such thoughts could emerge from such a mild mannered young woman 😂. It was distressing. The Bones of the Baobab Tree, if you are curious to know. The writing style was utter trash too.
There are certain things none of us enjoy reading about and that is a good reason to DNF a book. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Kathi, I rarely DNF as well. However if an author has disappointed me I would definitely avoid reading anything else by them. I never DNF a book where a friend has convinced me to try. Biggest problem of booktube is FOMO. Happy reading.
Hi Nathan 😊 and yes I'd prefer to finish a disappointing book and not read anything else by that author. Hmm interesting point about FOMO. I hadn't considered that. Enjoy your reading.
For me, when I go through depressive episodes, I sometimes struggle to get through good books that normally would be for me. Sometimes I just have to let them go, at least for the moment. I don't know if others have similar moments.
Mood definitely plays a part for me as well. If I’m not in the right frame of mind, I may not enjoy a book which usually works for me.
Thanks for the video! I feel like most book tubers I watch or people I talk to regularly DNF books, which I think is understandable. I typically don’t DNF because I want to give the book a fair chance. There are some books I’ve read where I wasn’t super impressed at the beginning, but by the end, I really loved it. Even if I don’t enjoy a book, I will still finish it because I want to think about what it was I didn’t enjoy about the story so I can build a better understanding of my reading preferences. I’m also a heavy library user, so it gives me more freedom to explore books that are out of my comfort zone. If I don’t like the book, I can just give it back haha. Also, I feel that I’m not entitled to an opinion about the book if I don’t finish it. However, the only book I did DNF was Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind, and it was because the beginning really irritated me. I might go back and give it a second chance though. So many people recommend it.
You make a great point that even if we don’t enjoy a book it is beneficial to think about why. I also think it is important to try books out of our comfort zone.
Goodkind’s series has some flaws, and I personally enjoyed it but it may not be for you.
Thank you for sharing.
I studied literature in college and I really view each reading as a unique and almost sacred experience. I worry that by not finishing a book I will be unable to capture that original experience if I ever try again, and it won’t be giving the author a fair shot at the art they have created.
This video REALLY resonated with me. I have DNF’d very few books in my life and each time I have not enjoyed doing so. Thank you for sharing!
@@kelleydoes We can never truly recapture the first time we read a book and I agree that each book is a unique reading experience. I'm glad you liked the video. 😊
Final thought. I also feel like persevering to the end of a show, movie, or book, helps to develop patience and endurance in this world or ten second videos and mindless scrolling. I noticed when i keep exercising patience I enjoy many more books then i would otherwise and i don’t get bored so easily or quickly.
I agree. It seems we are encouraged to have short attention spans but there is something to be said in learning patience and endurance.
I understand your stance here, great to see there are other people out there who don't like to DNF books. I think my main reason to read is because I enjoy the process of reading by itself. But I might skim a lot if I'm getting bored.
The only book I remember to DNF was "Knights of the Black and White", and I got it from the library around 20 years ago.
Yes that is a good point, enjoying the reading process itself. Even muttering to yourself at how bad it is can be fun. 😊
I have personally only DNF'd a handful of books and of those, I've gone back and finished half or more. If I spent money on a book, I have to read it at some point, whether I enjoy it or not (whether that's physically or audiobooks), but I will tend to try them in a different format to see if I enjoy it more. The first book I read when I was first getting back into reading was actually a DNF, but I've since gone back and read a physical copy and it turned out to be a 5 star read for me. I've become a lot more selective in what I will buy and what I even give time to try, which I think has helped a lot with finishing books and having a somewhat decent time.
This was such a great video and it's sparked some really great conversations in the comments! ♥
I always want to go back and finish those books I’ve left in the middle. That’s a good idea to try a book in a different format.
I must admit I’m a little surprised at the reaction to the video. 😊
Hi! Totally new to your channel. Really thrilled I found it. I really enjoy your videos.
The last 10 years, I've primarily read mystery/crime novels (many of the authors you mention in your Mystery/thriller video).
Having discovered Booktube a couple of months ago, I have been inspired to read more fantasy, and I am loving it! Robin Hobb is now one of my favorite authors.
I DNF'd the first Louise Penny book 3 times but really wanted to understand why she was so popular. The 4th time around, I was hooked, and I have all her books now and love her writing style.
Looking forward to following your channel
Hello and welcome. Thank you for the kind words. I’m very glad to have you here. That is dedication, trying a book 4 times. I probably would have given up. I love Louise Penny as well.
I love when I’m thinking of gladly putting a book in the dnf pile, but continue reading it anyway. Or finally finishing a book abandoned yrs ago, only to discover how much I love it! Not only are you rewarded with a great book reading experience to think about, but you also feel a huge sense of accomplishment.😅
That is a great feeling, finishing a book you don’t think you’ll enjoy only to find you love it.
One example that comes to mind for me is The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence. It was my first book by him, and I was finding it slow to the point of feeling like I was struggling to it, until around 40%? Maybe more. And I thought of DNFing. Still, I wanted to understand why people were liking it so much. Luckily, the book started gripping me around then, and the ending definitely made up for it. It makes you rethink the whole book :)
This one is on my TBR and what you've described is precisely why I persevere. Thank you for sharing.
Hello ! Was intrigued by your title, and after 5 minutes i was hooked. Im like you, i very rarely DNF. I have belonged to a book club for 25 years and feel that finishing the choice, even if i dont like it, is actually part of the club participation.
I so agree about Moby Dick, we parted ways half way 😂.
My reading is very varied, and i agree that we can intuit if a book will appeal. Thanks for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed the video. Committing to reading a book is a good reason to finish it. Ah Moby Dick … just not everyone’s cup of tea. 😂
I am getting better at DNFing books I’m not enjoying but like you kathi I don’t really like doing it. At first I would be questioning whether I should have dnf’d it but after pushing through some I wasn’t enjoying I’ve said to myself , well was it worth it .. and always the answer was no.
So I’ve started to trust my intuition that I am making the right decision when I choose to dnf. I get you though it’s hard to trust you made the right choice especially when you hear people reviewing and saying it was a brilliant book 😂 but yeah I’ve never had one that i pushed through and said well that turned out amazing, I’m glad I pushed through 🤷♀️
I have a few what you call soft dnfs too were I feel I just wasn’t in the right mood or it wasn’t the right time for it , it’s not that I wasn’t enjoying them .. I have them to look forward to again I guess.. and don’t get me started on Moby dick😂. I’m 38 years old now and I remember the first time I attempted to read it , I took it from the library in primary school I must of been about ten and still haven’t manage to get through it! Wishing you a lovely weekend ❤
If at the end of the book we don’t feel it was worth it, it would mean we should have DNF’d it. Mood does play a part for me as well. It might simply be the wrong time to read a particular book.
Thank you so much for sharing. ❤
@@NerdyKathi absolutely 💯 thank you for your videos !❤️
Great video and topic! Just this year I allowed myself to DNF with more frequency, but only contemporary fiction that I checked out of the library or books I otherwise got for free. I give the book maybe 10% in to hook me. If not, I move on. I will, however, always finish a "classic."
Thank you! I too have DNF'd more books in the last year than ever before. Part of me wants to go back and finish them. 😂
LOVE Johanna! Great topic and well articulated thoughts, thanks for this one! These days, I’ve given myself a little more leniency to put a book down but more often I finish books but won’t continue with a series perhaps. I do agree, I’m sucker for an ending and most times need to continue, but every now and then, I pick something that I know just isn’t to my taste. If I do DNF, it’s pretty early.
Johanna is wonderful. Thank you for the kind words and yes it is much easier to DNF a series. At least we gave it a shot.
I had an experience where the first third of the book I was reading was good, got me right into it and then the next two thirds were terrible, but it felt like it was leading somewhere so I had to try to finish it. That author got put on my blacklist. My other tendancy is what I call 'stall out', it's where I put a book down and don't pick it up again for ages, it's not necessarily the books fault, maybe I've been distracted, sometimes I've even forgotten I was reading it and sometimes I can get right back into and sometimes I have to re-read a little. Where other readers have piles of shame, authors they haven't got to. I have a pile of the unread. I am struggling through a book at the moment, the second in a trilogy, even though I'm struggle with it I am still enjoying it in places.
There are times we can be let down by a book which starts well. Your stall outs sound like my soft DNFs, and I don’t want to know how many I have unread. 😂
I think both are bad to a degree: forcing yourself to read through 400 pages you despise and DNF'ing many books immediately in a row. I dnf some books and also read some poor books through to the end, usually when I reached 30-50% already or in cases I *want* to examine certain aspects. When I can't bring myself to pick up a book again for months, there's honestly no point to continue for me personally ^^; I guess it's about ✨balance✨ Nice video, well spoken and honest. Re-trying books is important, too!
Thank you for the kind words. Perhaps it’s a case of tolerance levels. I don’t think I’ve read any books I’ve truly despised though some have come close. And given how we evolve as readers I agree it is important to re-try books.
I am finding books easier to DNF because I am getting most of my physical books from Little Free Libraries therefore I can simply exchange any book I DNF for a new book, it used to be the same when I used the public library. I am more certain to read a book if it cost me money but even then I can exchange it at the Little Free Library. I have no hesitation in DNFing audiobooks I selected from Everand as I pay a flat monthly fee there and I simply choose another. If I get them from Audible am more likely to finish them unless it is from their free catalogue.
It is easier to DNF a book we haven't spent money on. I wish I had more street libraries close by.
Been doing that a lot lately. The "Song of Ice & Fire" series got me back into reading this year, and having finished the fifth book, I've tried _The Pregnant Widow_ but Amis' writing annoyed me (though it's unique and I regret deleting it off Kindle) and _Dune_ which was very tepidly written. I'm capricious by nature but currently doing my best to push through _American Psycho_ which is somewhat similar to Amis's writing, but more accessible
Some writers are simply not to our taste. It’s hard to continue with those. Thank you for sharing.
I rarely DNF books, too. I can handle boredom just fine and push through, but certain writing styles gets to me in my case. Many popular books aren't really my type of books, but I want to read so that I can see what the hype is about. Sometimes I regret starting the book, but, as you mentioned, I want to finish what I started.
The writing can truly destroy our enjoyment of a book and I admit to wanting to see what all the fuss is about with certain books.
I started DNFing books about 2 years ago after it finally sunk into my stubborn head that there are a finite number of books left in my life, and I want to read the enjoyable ones! I also have learned to DNF those books that I am only reading based on a recommendation if I find that the book is not my cup of tea. I've learned, too, that many blurbs are not even close to correctly describing a book.
On the other hand, parts of some books that I've slogged through have stayed with me long after finishing the book. I intensely dislike gooey romances but have enjoyed some books that have the label of romance when what they mean is love. The words "love" and "romance" are not interchangeable and, for me, are not even close in meaning.
I wish I'd DNFd Practical Magic by Hoffman and The Diviners by Bray. Both were ok books, just not for me. I've tried Piranesi two different times and can't get past page 20! I don't think you can even call that a DNF... Maybe CNS - Could not start - lol.
I get my books from the library or from the trade-in used bookstore, so the "I bought it so I should read it" does not apply for me.
Interesting discussion! Thanks for the video!
Time becomes a precious commodity as we get older so why waste it on things we don't enjoy.
It's true some books can start slowly and then turn into something amazing. Like anything they can be unpredictable.
Thank you so much for sharing. ❤️
There's a great video on UA-cam about what is called the sunk cost fallacy. Basically it's about knowing when to stop something even when you've invested so much into it already. I've never not finished a book although I have temporarily halted reading even for a number of years but I always finish it eventually.
Hmm now that is an interesting idea. Perhaps because it is only my time that I’ve invested I am willing to continue with a book I’m not enjoying.
We should buddy read a book !! I plan on reading “ Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers .. about a psychiatric hospital .. a doctor discovers “ meets” a mute 37year old man .. on a near by house with his aunt .. and then discovers the mute man has special talents and so the book just tells the story of how the doctor helps the mute patient grow to be an artist it sound like a slice of life and a lovely story
Hi Gus! I have so many buddy reads going on at the moment that I’m not sure when I’ll have time. You should let me know what you think of it though.
@@NerdyKathi will do ✅
I have a pile that I'd label "I haven't finished it yet". Yeah, there are some books that have been in that stack for a very long time, but I do eventually go back to them. Like you - if I've spent the money on a book, I feel compelled to finish it (to justify it to myself?)
There are certain authors or genres that I usually avoid. I don't enjoy certain Russian authors, for example. I can see that their books are well-written, but why waste my money on them. (My shelf space and budget are limited.)
For a book to go on my absolute DNF pile it has to be so repulsive or disgusting or awful (to me) that I would have no problem dropping it in the trash.
I've never been able to bring myself to throw away a book. I think most of my DNFs are soft as well, the not right now category. Thank you for sharing Julie.
I love the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the unbeliever Series set one and set 2. He isn’t one of the nicest main character,however; I could understand why he was that way.
I want to start it again so I guess that was a soft DNF.
After reading for many years, I've discovered the type of books that I don't like and use the 'look inside' feature of Amazon to determine if I will like a book or not. If the writing style doesn't grab me, then I know that I won't like it. What is difficult sometimes is that the writing of a book can be done well, but the storytelling isn't quite there, and it usually takes me a while to figure out that the plot isn't going forward - those I end up not finishing. The writing style of a book is quicker to judge and I don't waste a lot of time on them if I don't like it.
That’s always a good option. I agree it is easier to work out if a writing style doesn’t work for you then the plot or characters.
I used to feel this way about books I read but then, I read a series of books called "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the unbeliever" It's a fantasy series about a man from our world who suffers from leprosy being transported to a fantasy world called the Land. Now, there is nothing particularly wrong with these books but they are very deep, very complex and not a light read.
I finished the first trilogy and I even finished the second trilogy but these books changed the way I read.
Before these books I was one of those who had to finish a book I started but after reading them, no more because I didn't really enjoy them. For me the main character was very unlikable. I simply could not relate to him on any level. The more thought about the more I realized, That I had simply slogged through in an effort to be finished.
Also, I came to the realization that not only am I not going to live long enough to read everything I want to read, I am not going to live long enough to DO everything I'd like to do. So now if I'm not getting into a book I put it down and move on to something else. In fact I just put a book back on the shelf today only about a third finished because it was just not any fun to read.
So don't sweat it. Life is too short to read books you don't enjoy.
Oh I can understand your feelings on Thomas Covenant. Thank you for sharing.
I DNF pretty freely. I've always been a relatively slow reader, and when I'm pushing through something I'm not enjoying, that gets even worse. More importantly, I'm a writer, and I find that I almost always learn more from books I enjoy than books I don't. Most of the time, I just think I'll circle back around if I change my mind.
That makes sense. It's different for everyone as to whether they DNF or not.
I could never DNF.
I’m with you 100%
It seems more people than I realised don't DNF.
Yes. I've been saying this for awhile. I will almost never DNF fiction or for that matter well-written non-fiction. However, non-fiction where it's obvious to me that the author should be consulting me instead of the other way around is a different story. Even then, if it's short or there's even a glimmer of hope that I will learn even one thing, I'll keep going. Sometimes though it's obvious that a non-fiction book has nothing to offer.
I’m surprised at just how many people don’t DNF often. I think non-fiction that adds nothing to your knowledge or perspective would be easier to DNF.
So my mindset is similar to your's regarding this. All the reasons you outlined are familiar. I do not DNF, because I payed for it, I can't judge it without finishing it, it can turn out to be good and it can still surprise me etc. However I sort of started to learn to DNF as with family my time is limited and I have to decide whether I want to invest more into it or not... So there actually started to be some DNF's in last 8 years or so:
- Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand - not necessarily bad story and thoughts in it, but too long and repetitive. The author outlines her thoughts, ideas and views and their iterrations in the book way too many times and way too many times she defends them and contemplates on them as the one and only thruth. If it was only half of it's length, it would be still long.
- A song of ice and fire by George R.R. Martin - specifically I read to the end A game of thrones, A clash of kings, A storm of swords, but I dumped A feast for Crows in it's half with decision to never to return back to the series as I sort of got fed up by the loose narrative and got bored.
- Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien
Then there are some books, which I finished to the end, but I wish I'd have DNF them as I don't find them worthy and I regret reading them:
- Valis by P. K. Dick - it was just weird stuff and I really forced myself through it, because it was recommended to me and I was eager to find out where and when it starts to be interresting. So I was pushing through it, every day at least 1-2 pages and finished it in some time eventually. I do not say it wasn't interresting at some point, but it wasn't worth the effort as it was not written really accessibly. But I was without family back then and so I went through it.
- Starship Troopers by R. A. Heinlein - too boring, full of citizenship propaganda, with only about 2 actions
- Moby Dick by H. Melville - If I'd only had another book to read in that 4 days train, I'd have dumped it. But I didn't have any other to read, so I kept reading to the end.
Time is a precious commodity for many of us, so why waste time on something we aren’t enjoying?
I hated the film Starship Troopers and you know my thoughts on Moby Dick. You might be in a minority with ASOIF.
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences.
I dnf so many books. Most books I start. Maybe because of stress. Maybe because I am a relatively slow reader which makes me feel relatively dumb. Only smart people read books. When I was a kid I always had a book in my hand but over time my love of books was lost but I want to get the love back. Listening to people talk about reading books helps!
Perhaps you haven’t found the right book to catch your interest. It can take some time to find one that will appeal to you.
Moll Flanders was a good book by Defoe. I've never managed to get into anything else by him.
I have DNF'd 2 books this year.. one because it was really bad and the 2nd because I stupidly watched the tv show first and it wasn't surprising enough to spend time on.
Regardless of how good Moll Flanders is I can't bring myself to read Defoe again. I too find it hard to read the book after watching the film or show.
@@NerdyKathi I am going to give Robinson Crusoe another try. I have been reading all the 'boy books' that I avoided as a kid so as not to be teased by my brothers. There were a lot of good books I missed out on being a little sister. ;)
i too rarely dnf a book mainly because i do quite a lot of “research” on it beforehand. however, when it comes to nonfiction, i dnf, if in fact it doesn’t what it said it would be or some other valid reasons. genre fiction books are somewhat different for me. the enjoyment of a fiction is rather subjective compared to nonfiction so i tend to push through to the end if i start one and if it were to be dnf’ed, it’s mostly “soft” dnf.
Research is the best way to try to avoid books you won’t like. And I agree non-fiction would be easier to DNF if it’s not delivering. Thanks for sharing.
I rarely DNF a book permanently, though I do have about 80 books that I've set aside for one reason or another. Mostly I'm distracted by shiny new (or ancient) books that look even more promising. I'm definitely a mood reader (or non-reader). Back in school, I always thought the next chapter of a textbook looked more interesting until I HAD to read it; then it was just as boring as the last. While I haven't finished a lot of books in the last few years, I will say that my curation of potential reads has helped in the past. I don't buy entire prize lists; I don't buy books without research (granted, some jacket copy contains spoilers or misinformation); and I don't care what's popular. My hardest dnf's in recent years were social issue books that seemed so poorly written that they were having the opposite of their intended effect on me. I also don't have the budget to regularly dnf $35 hardcovers.
Being ‘forced’ to read a book can make it hard to enjoy them. Some of my school books I hated. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! Given the number of Booktubers who push DNF'ing, I thought I was part of a tiny minority. Your first reason is very similar to mine, the example I give everyone is my reading of Nick Harkaway's "Gnomon" - I was having such a hard time getting through it, I put it aside at about 2/3 - for 2 years! - but then I picked it back, and finished it in no time. It had transformed itself into a really good, interesting, unusual book. And it wasn't the ending - it was simply getting the whole thing together in my mind and appreciating it. No value judgment on DNF'ing, but for me, it's worth pushing through. Moby Dick, well, I got past the first sentence, but I'm not yet saying I DNF'd it 🙂.
I think everyone has their own threshold with what they can tolerate in a book. Your example shows why sometimes it is worth continuing. Thank you for sharing.
My female coworker always reads the last chapter if she gets bored in the beginning
I have adopted this approach and it works for me in continuing if the story meanders but the end has a different feeling
It can help to know whether it is worth continuing but it doesn’t work for me.
😁 Just the other day I was neatening a large pile of books to read. I turned the pile and saw that most of them had a bookmark in the area of pages 25 to 100. They are my MNR- might not read🤣
😂 I have a few bookmarks in books which is reminding me I need to go back to them.
I recently DNF a book by my favorite author, something I never thought would ever happen.After two chapters!As I grow older I've become too selective in what I read. Life is too short and patience is not one of my virtues
Even our favourite authors can disappoint us. Life is too short to waste time on something we don’t enjoy.
4:06 i already relate so much! I have probably Dnf’d much less than ten book in my lifetime. And id say every case was because of content issues that I didn’t feel they were at all wholesome. However those are extremely rare for me to find since i read almost exclusively old books from the 1940’s or much earlier (1700’s etc.) (i am now to the point where you mentioned that you have gotten better at gauging if you will ever enjoy the book before starting. I was just about to say the same!) I also rarely DNF movies or shows either!😂 I rarely ever read the description of a book or movie because i hate the spoilers. Another reason why I don’t DNF is because i once did that to Pride & Prejudice and The Keeper of the Bees. When i finally read them i was shocked that I hadn’t read them sooner! They are now two of my favorite books that I had avoided because of their titles and first pages… never again! (Ok I accidentally kept the video playing and now you mentioned Moby Dick, an extremely rare DNF for me that i also tried to read sooooo many times but never got more than 30% through and that was a huge struggle! Part of me really wants to conquer that story someday though…) An excellent video! Thank you!!!❤
You've given great examples of why it pays to persevere with some book. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
15:56 😂i adored this book! I found it before I was ever aware that it was so well done. Well said. “Just because a book is a classic does not make it a good book” I learned that Shakespeare wasn’t an author/playwright that i enjoyed. But I could see myself liking his story’s more later in life. Don Quixote was one I despised and it felt like just an excuse for debauchery. I still don’t understand why it is considered a classic…
😂 We all have different tastes. I personally love Shakespeare but I know many who find him hard to read. I'm a third into Don Quixote and am puzzled as I haven't seen any debauchery.
@@NerdyKathi it has been probably ten years since i read it but i remember that being my impression and really hating Don Quixote and his personality. I could be remembering it more harshly over time but I haven’t wanted to go back and reread it so I don’t know!😂 I think I will like Shakespeare eventually but again I haven’t been very motivated to do a reread with so many other books to read!
I too rarely DNF. Two I wish I had were “classics” 100 Years of Solitude & The Jungle. One was for a book club, one for high school. Both torture for me. I have put some aside & return later. As years go by I know genres I won t touch. Life really is too short when it comes to reading!
I think torture is an excellent reason to DNF. 😂
I do dnf. Reasons usually include: bad editing, bad marketing, or some fatal flaw that annoyed the crap out of me. One book had “flicker” in the title, so the author unsubtly felt the need to use flick or flicker constantly. Another book had a character making strawberry preserves when berries weren’t in season in a decade when she couldn’t just buy them whenever she wanted them at the grocery store. Another book called a band “The Chicks” at a point in history when they were still the “Dixie Chicks”. It doesn’t take much to take me out of a book.
Usually I plug on through a book when it is slow as long as it is interesting, but recently I have soft dnf-ed two books for this reason. Earlier this summer I was reading Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea when Garbaugust came around. I wanted to read some trashy books, so I put it aside, but I do want to finish it this year. A couple weeks ago I began David Copperfield as well as The Shining. I liked both but was more drawn to DC which is a long book, nearly 900 pages. I had some library books due soon so I made the decision to put The Shining aside for the moment. I will get to it before I watch the movie next month. (I don’t always read old books. The library book I am reading was published this month.)
All good reasons to DNF. In the end if we aren’t enjoying the book we should put it aside. Sometimes we may not be in the right mood either for a particular book.
Thank you for sharing.
I hardly DNF either. I think also the ones I haven't finished were all non-fiction, which sometimes can just be so boring...for fiction though, it's generally easy enough to get through that I always do.
It is much easier to DNF non-fiction which can be very dry. I agree it is easier to get through fiction.
For novels, I frequently DNF. More often than not -- maybe 70%. Often it is within the first 100 pages. It has nothing to do with "grabbing my attention". Most of all, I want an author to value my time and attention. Tell the story and weave the spell without any self-indulgence. I demand good writing. I won't put up with lazy characterization, weak and artificial plot elements, or shallow tropes.
I don't DNF often. At most, it happens once every two to three years. When I do, it's because something in the book was personally offensive or triggering. The choice to DNF mainly involves the author's intent. For example, if there is a bigoted character it's easy to tell if the author is challenging that behavior or using that character as a self-insert for their own bigotry. There's also a difference between something tapping into my own traumas in a way that feels healing versus exploitative. The only exception to these was Marion Zimmer Bradley. I had started The Mist of Avalon a few days before her daughter revealed some extremely unsettling details about her. I quit reading her books that day and will never read anything from her ever again.
If I finish a book that I'm not into I usually find that there's at least one thing mildly interesting like a character, word choice, or setting. Most of the time I'm simply too lazy to start something else.
Obviously there are some genuinely offensive books but there are also some which can trigger one person and not others. I respect each person’s right to make their own choices on whether to read a book or not.
@@NerdyKathi Agreed!
I dnf regularly simply because I'm prone to reading slumps. wich usually follow after I finish smt I didn't like. bigest respect for ppl who finish what they don't like then jump into smt else easily 😅
A book we’re not enjoying can easily lead to a reading slump so I think it is wise to put it aside and find something else to read.
My main reason for not DNF a book is that I enjoy writing reviews, and I, with respect and honestly, cannot properly review or criticize a book without fully absorbing it. One of my main pet peeves is reading reviews that say ''I just read 15 pages and gave up, 1/5'' from a 500 page book. Hate that lol !
I totally agree it's unfair to review a book if you haven't finished it.
I can understand someone saying I read 15 pages and decided it wasn't for me, but it's unjust to then critique the entire book.
When I first started reading, I wouldn't DNF either. But I've been reading regularly for 12+ years now so I know what I like and what I don't. I also have a TBR list that is a million miles long and I only read about 35-40 books a year so I fully understand that I'll never be able to read everything I want to read so why bother wasting that precious time on something i'm not enjoying? Life, simply, is too short. : )
I've been reading regularly for over 40 years and still struggle to DNF. Whatever works I say.
Totally agree! Same here If I have started the book already & paid good money for it I have to finish it🤭
We want our money's worth. 😊
Yes, Maisie Dobbs was really boring, but i got through it because it was quite expensive. The series had been talked about widely; perhaps its following books are better. Now I'm getting more books from the library and that makes DNF easier. I just DNFed Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward, an author highly acclaimed. The reason of DNF is it doesn't have a clear theme and very distracting. Reading the beginning, i thought it was about dog breeding. I hate people making the topic tightly linked with sex. I agree there are so many books that we don't need to stick to those we don't enjoy.
It is much easier for me as well to DNF borrowed books. Glad I wasn’t the only one who didn’t enjoy Maisie Dobbs.
I agree to some points here. Although at the moment I do a lot of DNFs because I am a mood reader, not to mention that reading time is now a luxury to those who have jobs. Maybe I'll stop DNFing when I retire-I'll have all the time!! 😂
Everyone is different though personally I didn’t DNF when I was working.
I just can't dnf a book, I never do it. I have stopped reading a book, to come back later on. And it's been few times that I remember that I have dnf a book forever. But in general, I think that even the book is boring, or I dislike the characters, I still have to continue and finish the book, because there is always something to learn from it. Dnfing a series is a different thing. I read the first book in the Game of Thrones series, I really disliked it, that I just couldn't continue reading the series. After getting spoiled by watching shorts and videos about the series, I felt in giving a second chance, but then I thought, nah. I won't do it.
It is much easier to DNF a series as you’ve already given it a go by reading one or more books.
It seems there are more people than I would have thought who don’t like to DNF.
I tend to finish books, movies, and other media that I start. I've read about 40 books this year and just quit on one (Manacled, by SenLinYu). It just wasn't written for me.
Yes not every book is for every reader. Glad to see others like to complete things.
Reason 1] YES. Ans so I skimm or jump the book. Like with The King of Battle and Blood....a friend was rading last 100 pages and was "you must read it!" I got e-book and read 6 chapter that SKIPPED TO last ch.20 ....made and audiio for my friend and asked to fill the blanks of the middle part.
She told me exactly what I read and NO NEW THING. Like those 14 chapters in the midle didn't mater. End maybe they didn't as it is a romantacy. And my guess FMC had visions was right...😮💨 A book that takes 7 chapter to be understood....why does it habe 500 pages?
Reason 2? I felt that way. No more. What if the next 10 book I pick up just like that and are borring, feel like punnishment, why should reading be frustration? Why should reason 2 become the reason I don't enjoy reading?
That is why I usually don't know who wrote the book. Even if the book is 5✨️ I don't need to read the next standalone of that autor because of the autor. It is good if I liked one of their books. Because for me it is all about the book and not the autor.
That also means nowdays that I don't care "man writing female character" as a criteria...if the STORY INSIDE THE BOOK had my antention than I am a moraly gray reader and I like that book.
I resantly dnf the book [booktube made me read it] because I don't like how woman are tretend in the book. Fun fact other woman call it "a guilty plessure" 😑 But I find the story bad. Turns out it was written by a woman. You see my point.
You make good points as to why you DNF a book. Whatever works for each of us. Thank you for sharing.
I don't like DNFing books either. Usually if I'm reading a book that's boring me I'll see if my library has the audiobook version available on Libby and listen to in my car at 1.5 maybe 2 times speed.
That is a great idea to get through some books.
I don't DNF books either, I TBF em instead. TBF stands for To Be Finished.
I may have created a new term (phrase) for book readers
I like that. 😊
I buy lots of books, usually from charity shops for pennies so if it doesn't grab me I won't waste my time on it. If I'd spent a lot of money then I might persevere.
I’m much more inclined to DNF books which I haven’t bought.
I rarely DNF books aswell. I always feel like the monetary investment I put in the book is enough to get me to read it all the way through. I think the only books I've DNF are books I've gotten as gifts or books related to school assignments.
It would make sense that books you haven’t chosen may not work for you.
I always perfer to read a story all they way through. That way I don't end up throwing away a potential gem of a book.
Yes the not knowing always bothers me too.
The few books I haven't finished come back to haunt me years later in the middle of the night when I can't sleep... What happened? How did it end?!
😂 I'm going to assume you're joking.
just found you!!!!!😊❤😊
Hello and welcome. 😊
Hello I do not DNFed a book... if the books getting boring or getting too absurd.. I read the last few chapter 😂😂😂 and I can say I had finish it...
😂 Whatever works for you.
I do dnf but I only do it forever if it makes me mad or I'm bored. But I always give it a really good try, usually 50 percent.
50% is a generous amount to read before deciding to DNF. Though I think if I get that far I’m more likely to finish it.
@@NerdyKathi I try to be fair but there was one book, I only read three chapters. It was full of Antisemitism, it was a classic from the 20's and usually I can ignore a glancing blow of bigotry, when it comes from another period, (doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt but I would never read any classics if I hadn't learned to that) But this book was just full of it, page after page of it. Coming out of characters that I really like (it's a mystery series,) I just couldn't deal with it. In fact I marked it to never read again from that series, there was a second one from the series it was full all kinds of bigotry. You can't escape it. So those were Dnf's and books I will never attempt again.
I think it’s much easier to DNF a book where you simply cannot ignore an author’s prejudices, or beliefs that are contrary to our own.
@@NerdyKathi oh yes, very easy. I was just very surprised.
I just DNF'd Omensetter's Luck. I tried to push through but just couldn't take it anymore. Only the 2nd book I remember DNFing. The other is Lolita. Even though it's so short, I just found it so boring.
I’m actually curious about the book now, and Lolita is one I think many don’t like.
@NerdyKathi reading Omensetter's Luck is like reading the psychotic ramblings of a madman. Incoherent drivel. Apparently, people like it.
😂 I'm even more curious now.
Hi Kathi. I hate to DNF books especially when I have been looking forward to reading one in particular. This happened a couple of weeks ago, I thought it was going to be a good fantasy read, it was not. The cover of the book gave no clue what was inside, basically it was just porn! So not for me.
Hello! I too hate it when a book I’ve been looking forward to turns out disappointing. Not every book is for every reader. Thank you for sharing.
If i buy a book i finish and if it's bad i give a bad review lol. I notice that people eho read via ebooks (pirate) they are less probably to be finished since they didn't invested nothing.
I think it's easier to DNF a book if you don't own it.
I gave "The DaVinci Code" one paragraph before I gave up.
Some books deserve to be forgotten and dismissed.
@@MrUndersolo One paragraph seems a little lightweight to make a decision but ultimately whatever works for you.
I find it really hard to dnf a book, though i am getting a bit better at it as I really do only read for my own enjoyment. Generally a book has to make me cross to dnf it. Either because it is so boring or something in the subject matter of the story that im really disliking.
All valid reasons to DNF a book.
DNF, baby! 😂
😂🤣
If I don't like a book I have to discard it. You don't worry about turning a TV channel to a different channel if you don't like a programme, so why should you carry on reading a book you don't like? If you have to know how a book ends...it's a decent, or even good book, so carry on reading by all means.
Perhaps for me it's because a book is a bigger time investment I'm less willing to just switch to another. There are shows that have taken me half a season or more to learn to love them.
@@NerdyKathi Perhaps. We're all different.
I've been reading for decades and read thousands, most probably over 10,000...and I don't DNF books, I probably DNFed less than 10 books in my more than 5 decades of reading books.
That's impressive.
@@NerdyKathi Yeah, like you, I finish books even though they're a slog because I still want to know what happens in the end.
In fifty years of reading i only have two DNFs. I intend to finish both this year and both were by Stephen King.
That's a great record. It's making me consider going back to my DNFs.
@@NerdyKathi like yourself, I always consider the cost of the purchase and the time it took someone to write. I must admit that some books are hard to get into but it’s worth the effort. I have a relative who DNAs after 30 pages then gives it one star on Goodreads. This includes Frankenstein and wuthering heights. It drives me mad lol.
Wow. I adore Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights. Just another reason for me to avoid Goodreads. 😂
@@NerdyKathi me too.
I DNF occasionally. Usually its the writing being too immature or trying to shock with foul language being thrown around unnecessarily. Imagine the kid who shouts "knickers" and runs away, that is the sort of author who winds me up. There are occasions when its fine and appropriate to use foul language but don't tell me you are edgy and subversive in such an obvious way. In my opinion, if your expression and communication is that limited then maybe writing is not for you. For this reason I only buy second hand books and I have a £3 limit for almost every book I buy.
Poor writing can put me off a book as well.
You are doing well being able to find books for such a price!
@@NerdyKathi we used to have a neighbour with a shed in their front garden, full of books that you could buy for 20p each and the money went to charity. It closed last year, sadly.
If the book did not grip me by the 15th page, I just move on.
Fair enough. Whatever works for you.
I DNF books more than I should 😂 I do think a book deserves a chance because it takes a lot of time and effort to write a book. So I always read at least 1/3 of a book before I toss it.
A lot of bad movies take a lot of money and time to make. Does that mean you should watch them?
Another great reason for giving a book a chance.
That's a good point. Hmm something to think on.
Because I bought it is my #1 reason to finish a book instead of DNFing it. 😂 I'm going to get my money's worth at the very least!
Oh I can relate to that. 😅
I love fantasy fiction and have never paid much attention to identity representation in these books because all's fair in fantasy and many characters aren't human. However, in the last few years, new books are inauthentically placing LGBT characters everywhere, in such an obvious and unusual amount that I'm wondering if authors are being pressured to be "inclusive" if they want to continue being published by certain publishers. I have had many DNF because it feels like an agenda being shoved at me rather than a creative endeavor. I now choose books that were published before 2018, that seems to be a relatively untainted collection.
Political correctness has a lot to answer for. I’m glad to see more inclusion in books but it has to be done authentically. Some older books are the reverse they can lack any kind of representation.
I'm too old to stick with anything I am not enjoying.
Fair enough.
A writer gets 10% of the book to get me. If not, bye. No sunk-cost fallacy happening here.
Which is fair enough.
let's make Soft DNF and Hard DNF a thing. It's good for thumbnail or title
It certainly reflects how I perceive some time DNFs.
I don't like dnf’ing books I buy😊
Yes, neither do I.
What does DNF mean?
Do not finish (DNF)
@@nenyeo6090 Thank you!👍💕
I would agree with you, I don't like to dnf books either, but I did recently with a 400 page book. I had read 190 pages. Several plot lines we're involved. In one of the plot lines i thought if the author goes here I'm going to have to stop. they did and I did. It was such a trite, unbelievable, and well-worn path. 🫤
Oh I know those books: you warn the author not to go down a certain path and they do. Very tempting to DNF it then.