I rarely DNF books. However, this month I DNF'd listening to three audiobooks during the first half of November, because they were just NOT for me to say the least. I can't even be bothered to remember the book titles I DNF'd at this point in time or I'd share the titles in this post. By the way, DNFing three books in one month may be a new record for me as I usually finish reading the books I start reading.
I think there's a lot of reasons behind why I either keep reading a book, even if I don't like it, or ditch reading a book if I don't like it. For instance, in school if you're required to read books for a certain course, whether you want to the book or not, you are compelled to read the book in order to pass the course. There's not much you can do in that situation. In other instances, I often feel compelled to finish reading books I spend money on, especially full priced books, even if I am not enjoying the book at all. Or if I'm reading a book for a book club I'm involved with because I want to be able to participate in the discussion of the book with other readers in the book club meet up... And lastly, I will usually finish reading a book that someone else has gifted me that I'd wanted to read. After all, this person was nice enough to buy me a book I had wanted to read. However, if I've received the book for FREE from the public library, a Little Free Library, a free digital download, an ARC, etc., and I end up not liking the book, then by all means, I have no qualms about ditching the book ASAP!!!
Is there a foolproof way to prevent DNFing books? I suppose sticking to authors/genres you already know you enjoy reading would help reduce the amount of books one DNFs greatly... But there's no guarantee this will totally work. Plus, if you want to branch out and read more diversely, then there will always be a risk that you may not enjoy what you're read. I'm always willing to branch out and read widely, even if it means breaking out of my comfort zone. This is how I find new favorite authors, books, genres, and even learn new things or new insights.
How often do you DNF books you are reading? What are your criteria for ditching books you aren't enjoying at all?
I try to vet the books I check out of the library to try and make sure they are books I'll enjoy, but it's always a gamble. And I find I go through periods where I'm not DNFing anything, and then I'll have a month where I can't seem to finish anything. But if I'm not loving a book, then I'm not going to make myself suffer through 'til the end. SO I applaud you for DNFing books you know are not for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was definitely a good feeling to dump books that weren't hitting the mark for me.
DeleteThe older I get, the better I get with selecting books that I will like, though there are sometimes some I read for my book clubs, but I have always finished them, no matter how much I disliked them. But that doesn't mean that I never DNF some others.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed it has been easier to determine which books I will like as I grow older too. However, when I decide to download free e-books or free audiobooks from new to me or unknown authors, this is where I get into trouble the most and DFNF books.
DeleteOkay, I don't have an e-reader, so that temptation is not there. LOL
DeleteIt's so easy to download freebies to my ereader!
DeleteI guess that's the main problem. I don't like reading from a screen, already enough to blog and write e-mails, I like my paper book in my hand. So, that seems to be another advantage. LOL
DeleteI love the feel the paperback or hardback books in my hands too.... However, with aging eyes and left eye issue, I've had to mainly listening to audiobooks or read ebooks on ereaders, where I can change the font size if need be.
DeleteI am heavily short-sighted which means, I can read without glasses, just don't see anything that is further away than a book. I hope I will never need audiobooks, I just can't concentrate. My mind always wanders.
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