Book Talk: On DNFing Books

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Do you DNF books (which, in this case, means “Did Not Finish”)? I heartily support this practice for many reasons, as, if a book isn’t for me, the best course of action is not finishing. Numerous aspects factor into whether a book works for me, and mood is paramount. I’m a mood reader, and if I’m not in the proper temper/headspace (which factors in health, stress, fatigue, etc.), a book won’t work for me. It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad, it’s just not for me, or not for me at that time. Taste is also hugely subjective and depends on personal experience (everyone has positive and negative encounters that influence and frame the way they see the world, which includes art), age (stories can resonate differently for the same person at various life stages), language and writing style, pacing, tone, characters, plot points, subjects, and more, including what I think of as compulsion, or page-turning drive. If I don’t feel compelled to keep going, especially early on, it’s time to throw in the towel.

I have long had a DNF shelf on Goodreads, and I never rate titles I don’t finish, as for me, bestowing a star rating necessitates completion. I went through a period years ago where I forced myself to finish everything, and it wasn’t happy or productive, nor was it fair to myself or the books, as you can imagine what my feelings and ratings were in those situations. And while most things blur into the haze of memory, one moment that has stuck with me is my sixth-grade English teacher telling us to give a book 50 pages, and, if we didn’t enjoy it, to abandon it and move onto another (in this instance, she was referencing summer reading). I can still hear her voice, and while I don’t enforce strict rules for myself surrounding DNFing, it often takes me less than 50 pages, and I can usually tell whether it’s a personal issue or a book issue.

For me, DNFing is a valid, sensible, and guilt-free choice; in fact, I find it empowering and incredibly satisfying. After spending years reading books I wouldn’t always have chosen (and often did not like) in school, it’s liberating — not to mention fun — making my own choices, indulging my interests, and recognizing the value of my time and attention. We have an infinite number of titles from which to choose and a finite amount of time in which to read; life is too short (and TBRs too extensive) to waste time on books that aren’t a fit. Reading is my passion, and forcing myself to engage with material that isn’t working for me is not only unpleasant, but can actually put me into a slump.

On the flip side, I can recall instances where I pushed myself past the point where I was tempted to DNF based on compelling synopses, glowing recommendations from trusted sources, etc., and wound up enjoying books and feeling thankful I hadn’t given up. It’s really a toss-up, and the moral here is that it’s not an exact science, but more of an exercise in following your gut and honoring your mood — and being open to giving books another try.

So, now that I’ve satisfied my tradition of talking myself in circles, have I always DNFed books? No. But did force-finishing usually make me feel terrible? Yes. And will I typically finish if I’m ThisClose to the end when things go awry? Yup. But do I also DNF with impunity now (even hundreds of pages in)? Absolutely.

And now, onto some titles! Below are three I’ve started and set aside, and that I’m looking forward to returning to (and that I hope will be new favorites):

• Beloved by Toni Morrison
• The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski
• The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas

And three I initially DNFed but loved when I returned to them later on:

• Coffin Moon by Keith Rosson
• The Mourning of Leone Manor by A.M. Davis
• The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

What are your thoughts on DNFing books, and have you ever DNFed one that eventually turned out to be a favorite?

🖤Amanda

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