Summer of DNF
Because I’m not a compulsive book finisher, I thought I had no problem with the DNF. However, I also realized that I regularly find myself slogging through books that I’m just not that crazy about.
So I have declared this The Summer of DNF. Between June 15 and August 31, I am not going to read any book that I don’t like.
That may mean that I have to work harder to find books that I DO like, but so be it.
I don’t regularly post reviews about my DNFs – but I do mark them on Goodreads. Here’s a list of recent books that I put on my “setting aside” shelf. This summer I will be posting here about the books I DNF. Since one person’s DNF can be another’s 5-star read, I am including why I didn’t love the book and why YOU might!
If you want to make a case for me picking a book back up, I’m happy to hear it!
Maybe the cover change should have been a sign – I read the first few chapters and just wasn’t hooked.
Why it might be for you: It seems to be a YA Thelma and Louise. Which is all kinds of awesome.
I love thrillers, but this one had a lot of narrators, some of whom spoke in prose that swirled around the page and … I just don’t think I’m up for that.
Why it might be for you: My Goodreads friends who like creative typography have enjoyed this.
I think I’m just weary of YA mean girls stories. I read about 50 pages of this book about a cutthroat competition for homecoming queen and realized … I didn’t care who won.
Why it might be for you: As mean girls stories go, it’s fast-paced and well-written.
I’m a big fan of Sittenfeld’s and I have to say this was the wittiest Pride and Prejudice retelling I’ve read. In the 100 or so pages I read, I delighted in the way this classic was updated. But then I realized that I also knew exactly how everything was going to play out…
Why it might be for you: Seriously, the retelling choices were so apt and amusing. I think Jane would approve!
Should I give any of these a second chance? What book have you set aside recently?
I was excited about the Laeving, but I haven´t really heard great things about it so now I am unsure wether to pick this up or not. Recently I have set Finding the Raven aside, I just really didn´t like it.
I have seen positive reviews of the Leaving. I've become kind of picky about alternating POVs, though. Not sure this would work for me.
Haha I have two of these on my to-read list (Run and Eligible). I think I will be able to finish at least the latter because I'm such a sucker for Austen retellings. Best of luck to you!!!
Hope you enjoy! I always want to like Keplinger's books, but something always gets in the way. And I bet you love Eligible!
I am a compulsive finisher but I'm trying to get better at DNF'ing. The problem becomes I have no reviews to post if I don't finish anything lol
Karen @For What It's Worth
Post DNF reviews! A lot of bloggers do that.
I have seen a lot of DNF for The Leaving. Of these, I've only read Eligible and I would not pick it back up. I did finish it but it left me so sad and kind of angry especially since I really love CS and P&P — it just didn't work!!
Interesting – I did like the part I read, but for some reason I just didn't feel compelled to read on…
I like how you did these DNF reviews of why someone else might like them. I need to learn to DNF because there are too many good books out there to waste time on ones I am not loving. I was excited about The Leaving but haven't heard many good things.
Thanks, Grace. I don't just want to be a complainer. And readers do disagree! Embrace the DNF. It's really liberating. Like learning to say "no" when you don't want to do something!
I thought the same thing about Eligible! While I was very amused by Mr. Bennett'so musings as to why all these adult children live at home, I just couldn'the keep it up for the whole book.
Glad you agree – as soon as I saw who all the characters were going to be, I was impressed by the author's creativity but I didn't feel the need to read on..
I loved this post! It was such a nice touch to see why other people might like it. I'm so bad at marking my reads on Goodreads, I really need to start doing that! The Pride and Prejudice retelling sounds fab!
Steph – http://www.nourishmeblog.co.uk
Goodreads is the only record I have of what I've read, so I like to keep it updated. Also, since I always do a reading challenge, I want to make sure I get credit for all my books.
Ahhhhh I tried reading The Leaving because I got it on Netgalley but I just couldn't get into it. I'm going to try and reread it so hopefully it's better…it's just been FOREVER since I read a book that blew me away :/ hopefully you pick up some good books ^^ sometimes they get better!
I read The Leaving and … well, I did like it? But the ending was like "WOAH THAT AIN'T REALISTIC" so if you didn't like the beginning, I doubt you'd feel differently towards the ending, right? Oh and I admire you for DNF'ing! I can't do it and I waste so much time reading books I hate.😂 But I'd rather have them finished so I don't keep thinking about them. ;D
Hi Jen, I kinda understand about the first 3, but Eligible, really? It's on your DNF list? It's on my TBR pile, since I'm a huge fan of P&P. Hmmm, I'm wondering if I should put it off a bit…It's a purchase and no deadline really. But since I bought it, I think I should read it. Will see my schedule! I will point out that I don't really do DNF, only because I kind of make myself finish a book, hoping that it'll get better. Know what I mean?
I love this idea! Life is too short to read books you aren't enjoying, but I hope you find some good ones this summer and that they aren't all DNF's!
I've read negative thoughts on The Leaving so I ruled that out on my radar but when you said your goodreads friends who like creative typography enjoyed this intrigued me. Now I'm considering this again… hmmmm…
I finished Eligible last week. I really enjoyed it! I hope you'll continue, Jenn.
Awww sorry to hear Eligible didn't work out for you. I really want to give that one a try 🙂
I loved Eligible! I try not to stick with a book that I am not loving though.
I'm sorry that all of these didn't seeem to work out for you… Run and Winning didn't actually look so good so I doubt I would have picked them up anyway.
Oh man, I just read The Leaving and it put me in a reading slump because of how disappointing it was. I definitely know what you mean about YA mean girl stories – I'm completely over them! You're not the first whose declared this the DNF year!
It's so liberating to decide to DNF a book you're struggling to read. I used to make myself finish everything too but not anymore, reading should not feel like a chore (even if it's an ARC for review). Happy for you 🙂
I hate to DNF books, but lately I've been doing it and I just mark them as "to-read" again, because I do like to give second chances sometimes. However, it's really terrible to finish a book you weren't enjoying in the first place, so why bother?
And sorry abour RUN, I really don't like the cover change.
Creative typography – urgh! Give me well crafted sentences in traditional well ordered lines, because that's a book. Oh, Jen, even when you're complaining, you're still super-nice 🙂 Hugs