DNF'ing books

[StColumbofNavron]

I almost always finish books even if I don't like them. I can think of about 4 exceptions. I am about 40% through a non-fiction book that I was reading for a Reading Group, but we've met now and I wasn't loving it and it doesn't appear I am going to learn anything new from it so wondering whether to call it a day.

And, because I am sad I am trying to decide whether it can count towards my target for the year or because I haven't finished it I shouldn''t really count it.

I know it is my list and I can do what I want, just wondered what others do. I've spent about a month reading this far whilst reading other things.

DNF it, otherwise it might put you in a reading slump. I usually count them to my target if I have read 100+ pages, which is the length of a short novel or novella anyway.

Although, I must admit, more often than not I force myself to finish them… Must take own advice!

That’s a fair point. I’ve invested a month and got almost half way.

I’ve DNF’d only a few books as I feel the same. But, if I’ve got more than 100 pages in I will add them to my list, more as a reminder not to bother again. In the last year I’ve only had 2 in that category, something by Murasaki (so not my thing) and A Little Life, which was misery. But I’m not in a book club so anything I read is my choice. If someone else had chosen it I might have lower standards again!
Nonfiction is a different beast entirely and I have no problem putting that in the DNF box. If it’s not for you then move on. So many books, so little time!

Life’s too short to read bad books, or even books which may be excellent but aren’t to your taste ( hello, complete works of Anita Brookner and Graham Greene).

No! Of course it can't count if you didn't finish it.

But I've finally decided that life is too short to read books without any redeeming aspect.

Each to their own but for me if I didn't finish it I can't count it. But equally life is too short for bad books. Dump it and get a better one!

Ok, I’m definitely DNF’ing. It’s a history book so there is no big reveal etc and I’ve got the gist of it from what was said at reading group anyway.

I’m not going to count it. Just move on.

I wouldn't be able to count it. Because it would feel like cheating. Which is ridiculous really

It is ridiculous, but I feel the same. (Only for me by the way. I don’t have any opinion on what others do).

I’ve made peace with it and ‘removed’ from device.

I always struggle with this. I try and persevere because I've probably spent good money on the book and want it to add to my book count for the year but lately I've been giving myself until the page 100 and if it's still boring me then I'll put it on the charity file 😉

I have several different shelves on my good reads. And one of them is a dnf shelf. They go on there. Someone how that makes me feel better about 😂