Feminist Reflections is a feature I created on my blog to share my personal thoughts.
So, how long does it take you to decide it's not meant to be with a book?
I usually give most book three chapters before I usually give up on them. If it has some potential, I keep reading hoping it does get better. There's too many great books out there to read crappy ones, I really tried with all of these books - I wanted to like them, some of them are quite popular, however, I couldn't. According to my Goodreads, I have 36 books in the DNF shelf which isn't too bad. This is mostly from this year and mid last year, so .. okay, maybe it is slightly bad.
Before anyone snaps, I really tried with The Raven Boys and Dark Triumph.. but I found them boring. The concept of The Raven Boys was cliche and I wasn't sure how to feel about it, I just felt there is mainly teenage angst. I saw no solution to the premise whatsoever. I've read too many novels of the same concept where the girl's kiss can kill the guy, and they're better. I gave up on Dark Triumph after I started skimming a lot of pages, I might give it another go sometime because I did really love the previous book in the series. I had high expectations with Snow Like Ashes, but I knew with the first chapter - it wasn't going to be meant to be.
The first book I DNF was American Psycho and that was last year, it was just too gruesome and it lacked depth. Before that, I had never stopped reading a book before, even if I didn't like it all - I still finished it. I felt super guilty about not finishing it because they're books and I love books.. I just realized now, I rather give my time to books that I actually like now.
I usually rate the books I DNF'ed, some people might disagree - because you never really finished it and the ending could have been good, and we never read it. The way I see it, I still spent some time reading the book so I should be allowed to judge it. I usually only rate books if I get past the fourth chapter.. I don't count these books as part of my challenges because I never finished them, and I don't review DNF'ed books on my blog - chances are it's going to be more of a rant than an actual review. I do make a note of them on my goodreads reviews of why I couldn't finish them.
If the book is a review copy from a publisher, not just from Netgalley or Edelweiss - I still try to finish the book if I can, but I don't push myself because I can usually tell if I will like the book or not reading about 20% of it. The main reasons I don't finish a book is because the writing is too cheesy, I couldn't connect with the characters, the romance is a fail, I lost interest, or I'm skimming too much because it's boring.
*Updated Note: Due to a demand from fellow blogger & friend Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight, I will write my first DNF review soon :)
What about you guys? Do you DNF books easily? Do you still rate them?
Shukran for reading this! Leave your blog links in the comments & I'll be sure to check them out & follow :) Stay in tuned pretty creatures..
“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” —Nora Ephron
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I've only read three of them (The Raven Boys, The Geography of You and Me and Snow Like Ashes) and they're ones I really liked, though agree with you with The Raven Boys, I was confused for most of it, but I did really like it (and I'm Welsh, so I had to, really). This is bad, but I usually know within the first 10 pages if I'm going to like a book or not, so I usually DNF within the first 10-20%, there are a few that I liked enough to keep going (And then DNF'd 50% in). I like to give them a chance, but some, I'm exactly the same as you, there are so many other books out there that are better, so why waste your time? :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts Kristy, atleast one of us could enjoy those books :) Snow Like Ashes had an interesting concept, but I was let down.
DeleteIt is funny how someone's DNF can be someone else top ten read. ;)
ReplyDeleteBut, I completely hear you on not wanting to waste time on books that just aren't worth it. I don't DNF many books but I have before in the past. I try to give books a good solid try, usually around 20-30% on my kindle because I have found that sometimes those slow books will pick up around the 30% mark but not always.
There really are way too many books out there to waste time on one you are cringing your way through or getting absolutely no enjoyment out of whatsoever.
Yes, that's actually really true. A lot of the books I have listed are quite popular - slow books do pick up sometimes, a lot of the times the writing just bores me to death.
DeleteI've generally heard really good things about The Raven Boys and and The Walls Around Us but I haven't read them myself! Recently I've DNF'd Endgame: The Calling and Seeker. I just didn't like those books whatsoever. I didn't review them on my blog, but I rated them on goodreads!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the one's you have listed, but I have heard The Walls Around Us is quite different, unfortunately it didn't work for me. Maybe you could like it better? & I agree with you, I just make a small note on Goodreads with the rating.
DeleteAmerican Phycho was amazing! I thought I was the only one feeling guilty when not finishing a book haha
ReplyDeleteGreat post ♥ xx, Veni
Style with Veni | Fashion Blog
Lol you would be surprised by how many people can relate :)
DeleteI find it very difficult to dnf books, partly because I'm ridiculously curious and I NEED to know if it'll get better and/or how it ends. I've only dnfed a handful of books, although sometimes I probably should dnf more. I can't help it! And like you said, I feel guilty when I don't finish. BUT, at the same time, why torture yourself with a book you're just not clicking with?! I think with time, I've gotten better at judging what books to read and which ones to just avoid altogether. Great post Benish^^ x
ReplyDeleteThat is true, I know right away if it's not meant to be with a book just by reading about the first two chapters & yes to no torture! Thank you Micheline ♥
DeleteI'm right there with you on wanting to spend time reading books you're enjoying versus the ones you're not. Since I'm super curious about how a book ends, I don't DNF, I just skim until I get to the end and "see what happens". The ones I skim are practically DNF since I didn't like them. I'll review a book no matter what, even if I did skim through most of it, because I want to explain what it was that I couldn't get into.
ReplyDeleteI skimmed a lot through Dark Triumph, I got to the point where I skimmed so much, I didn't understand what I was reading so I closed the book lol. That's actually a good idea to still review DNF books though.
DeleteOhh, I've marked so many books as DNF, even more than I've probably had hot dinners. I give a book to at least a third of the way through usually before deciding, but some have been as few as a couple of chapters if I've had an issue with the storyline. I was another who couldn't finish The Raven Boys, I found it super boring too and still wonder why it's such a hyped book. I only feel guilty if they're review copies sent by the publisher, but I figure that by passing them onto another blogger to read, I've spared them a less than stellar review if I haven't enjoyed it. I don't review DNF books on my blog, but will leave a basic comment on Goodreads as to why I wasn't able to get through it. Just my own opinion, but I don't feel I can review a book objectively unless I've gotten the full story, reading the entire book. Wonderful post Benish <3
ReplyDeleteYES, finally someone who can relate to me about The Raven Boys, I don't understand why it's so hyped. Maybe, the story gets better as it goes on but the premise itself is quite dumb. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Kelly, & yes my thought's exactly. I might not have a lot of things to say about a book I have DNF either. ♥
DeleteI've only read Dark Triumph and Snow Like Ashes, and enjoyed them (though I didn't love them). I don't ever DNF review books that I request, but anything else is fair game (though I have yet to DNF any of the other books as well). You have to limit the amount you take in!
ReplyDeleteAlyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Hmm, I've haven't DNF'ed any books I have requested personally either, thank you for sharing your thoughts ♥
DeleteI'm the same as you Benish. If I could tell a book just isn't going to be for me, I don't bother to finish it. Like you so wonderfully said, "there's too many great books out there to read crappy ones." And I'm so glad I'm not the only one who DNF'd The Raven Boys - I just couldn't get into that one either! Everyone seems to absolutely adore it, so I'm glad to find someone who shares my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAnd while I liked both Snow Like Ashes and The Walls Around Us, I can definitely see why you may have not finished them.
And I rate books I DNF too. :) Like you said, if you read them, no matter how much or how little, you've technically "read" the book so you're entitled to an opinion. I know lots of people disagree with that though. *shrugs*
Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous post! ♥
Haha yes to your comment<3 I found the Raven Boys so boring, like honestly the dialogues are so cringe worthy, "Either you're his true love or you have killed him." What kind of CRAP is that?? Anyway I'm done with my little rant here & yes, that's very true as well. We should still be allowed to have a judgment of the book even if we never finished it. Thank you for agreeing Zoe & for sharing your thoughts ♥
DeleteI can't dnf a book. lol I usually skim to at least find out how it ended though.
ReplyDeleteDark Triumph was a slog to get through.
For the rare few that I don't finish (I think there was one this year) I don't rate but instead say why I couldn't finish.
Karen @For What It's Worth
Aaah, yes it's an insanely popular book I try to skim it if I don't want to DNF it, but I give up eventually because it takes up too much of my time lol.
DeleteI'm a huge DNF. Sometimes I DNF before the 10% mark and for ridiculous reasons. I only review a DNF book if I make it to the 40% mark, if I'm in the mood for it. But I don't rate it, I just mark it as DNF.
ReplyDeleteNowadays, I DNF three books back to back and I only liked the fourth book. It can be really hard to find one book that clicks with you.
DeleteI'm a big DNF'er and I have DNF'd some of the books on your list. I want to love what I'm reading and just don't want to slog through a book that I'm not enjoying. Not every book is for everyone and I'd rather move on and read something I love.
ReplyDeletePS I loved Dark Triumph. And I wish I had skimmed American Psycho. I'm still traumatized.
Jen at YA Romantics
American Psycho just wasn't my kind of book, it lacked depth really otherwise I didn't mind the horrifying story as much. Thank you for your thoughts Jen ♥
DeleteI DNF books, and it's not big deal to me if I DNF books. If it's something I really, really don't like, I will DNF it immediately, unless it's an ARC, because in that case I'd be writing a snarky negative review at the end lol. But for books that aren't ARCs, I wouldn't hesitate to DNF them if I'm just not feeling it. Life's too short for those kind of things, you know? BUUUT I don't rate them UNLESS I read at least 50%. That way, I feel justified for giving it a 1 or 2 star because I read most of it to know I just didn't like it.
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato
I agree with your Fate, I don't DNF books I have requested. I still try to make it through the book if I didn't like it, just for that one reason. Your reason for not rating DNF books is pretty reasonable though ♥
DeleteI am so, so bad at DNFing. I have DNFed 2 books, ever. And they were bad, my goodness, they were bad. I gave one until 35%, which is a pretty long way, but I was certain my head would explode if I read another page. The other I didn't give as long, like 12%, because the writing was just so bad I couldn't do it. I wish I DID DNF more, because I really don't need to waste my time!
ReplyDeleteAs for reviewing, I absolutely want to read a DNF review! I mean, I would love to know WHY someone doesn't finish it. I feel like if 90% of people don't finish, and then 3 people give it a 5 star and there aren't DNF reviews... well, that skews everything! Maybe the reasons you DNFed would be reasons for me not to pick up the book, OR maybe they are things I'd be totally fine with- but I like to know! (Also, as a sidenote, good call on The Walls Around Us, because the end was like, the worst part for me).
Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight
Aw, don't push yourself Shannon to read bad books, it's really okay to not like the same book as everyone else. I haven't read too many DNF reviews in the blogosphere though, I always see them goodreads. I barely see them around these days on blogs. As you have demanded a DNF review, I shall write one for you soon ♥
DeleteI don't actually DNF books easily so when I do you can tell it's because I really didn't like it! I also try to see if the book has potential as well because that matters, because it could easily improve. But I do write reviews for the books I DNF because I feel like readers get to know what I usually like and don't like, and therefore can take my reviews in better context because they know my taste as well. I don't give them ratings though, or count them towards my challenges. I was surprised at how many popular books I saw on that list though! I still want to try Snow Like Ashes and The Leveller :3
ReplyDeleteThat's wise of you to still write DNF reviews, it is a good idea to let readers know why you never finished the book. You might like Snow Like Ashes though, it does have an interesting premise.Thank you for your thoughts Olivia ♥
DeleteI struggled so so so hard to finished Snow like Ashes. I wanted to put it down, but I didn't want to DNF it... so I skimmed it, mostly. I wish I enjoyed that one more.... :( It's so hard encountering books you thought you would enjoy, but then don't. But no point reading it if you can't enjoy or connect with it. I also couldn't get into The Raven Boys. I put it down after the first few chapters.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you! I really wanted to Snow Like Ashes - the cover and premise looked amazing, unfortunately, it didn't live up to our expectations. Onto the next book now! :)
DeleteI liked Dark Triumph MUCH more than Grave Mercy, but for some reason I don't feel too passionate about the series as a whole, so I haven't read the last book yet. I have a VERY hard time DNF'ing books and even series, but sometimes I just can't read one. I'm double angry when I don't like a book, because I know it's going to bother me forever if I DNF it, but sometimes it's just not worth the time. Often I abandon them and think I miiiight get back to them later (because again, it really bothers me for some insane reason that makes no sense at all), so my DNF shelf on Goodreads is called "currently abandoned". I don't have a definite number of chapters or pages I read before I DNF - I just do it when I realize I don't want to keep reading at all. Often that happens when I've been reading the same book for two weeks without making any actual progress and no desire to keep reading. I don't rate them unless I skimmed the rest of the book to see what happens, because I don't feel like I'm qualified to, but I do sometimes read DNF reviews of other people. I think it's definitely okay to review a book you DNF'd to say what bothered you and why you DNF'd it!
ReplyDeleteThat's true, I try getting back to DNF books once in a while if the book had potential. I do get into a reading slump here & there, sometimes I might not be the mood to read that book so it can affect my take on it ♥ Thank you for your thoughts Vlora!
DeleteHeeeey, high five! I DNF'd The Raven Boys, too! But I enjoyed The Walls Around Us (although, REALLY it's not for everyone) and Snow Like Ashes. You're so not the only one for Where the Road Takes Me, I'm not even going to give it a chance.. NAAH. Usually, I read at least 50 pages (so 5 chapters) before I DNF, Sometimes even 100 pages or 50% of a book, kinda crazy. It's just that I feel ... lazy DNFing a book :/
ReplyDeleteHaha yesss virtual high five! Where The Road Takes Me is just a stupid book, the heroine plays damsel in distress with secrets and the guy is the hero with the "slutty" girlfriend. I haven't heard of being lazy to stop reading a book though lol usually it's the opposite :)
DeleteI think I read til about 50% and make a judgement call on whether it's grabbing me or not - or if I don't like the direction that it is heading. If it's a review copy, I try and push through to the end but it won't be a favourable review if I really struggled to get there. If it's not a review copy, then a big DNF it is!
ReplyDeleteI agree, I try to push through the end with review copies - but if it's clearly not working out, I stop reading the book.
DeleteI DNF a lot of books, sad to say. Or I put them down and return to them later if it's just because I'm not in the mood. As a mood reader it's REALLY HARD to read a book that is a genre you enjoy, but aren't "in the mood" for. Sad to say that most of these books are on my TBR list.. I hope I don't hate them too :|
ReplyDeleteI'm a mood reader as well, so I can relate to you. You might like Snow Like Ashes and Dark Triumph though.
DeleteI loved Dark Triumph. It was my favorite of the series. I usually read about 100 pages before DNF'ing. and I agree too many books, too little time etc. I do not rate them, however I do mark them to my DNF pile and state why I chose to stop reading. I also email pub, author or fill out form and explain there as well.
ReplyDeleteI might give Dark Triumph another go soon, thank you for your thoughts Kimba ♥
DeleteI need to get better at DNF-ing - I end up feeling guilty and I have this accomplishment streak where I feel obliged to finish something. I can usually handle a bad plot, but bad writing on the other hand makes it much easier for me to say 'no thanks'. Think I have like 8 on my DNF pile? ARGH!
ReplyDeleteYou shouldn't feel guilty about what you don't like, I've been there as well & yes, it's mainly the cheesing writing that can kill a book for me!
DeleteI used to feel really guilty when I DNF a book but now if it isn't holding my attention by the first few chapters it is put off to the side.
ReplyDeleteThe Raven Boys was one of the books I couldn't get into and I struggled through Dark Triumph but because everyone else loved it I stuck with it. I didn't mind The Leveller.
A nice post! Sharon – Obsession with Books
Thank you Sharon ♥ Yes, a lot of books I have DNF are mostly popular reads, I couldn't get into them either.
DeleteMy first DNF was just a few weeks ago, for a blog tour... I TRIED to read it, but I just couldn't get into it. I read half the book and thought, why am I wasting my time... and requested a excerpt... of well.
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
You're a recent DNF'er xD I hope the next book you find works out for you instead.
DeleteI totally agree with you on The raven Boys. I try to read 50 pages before I give up. I gave raven boys 120 and it was torturous. But Dark Triumph is one of my favorite books of all time! lol Crazy how different readers can be.
ReplyDeleteAahh, yes finally more people who disliked The Raven Boys as well, I thought I might be the only one. I might give Dark Triumph another go, I really liked the first installment Grave Mercy! ♥
DeleteI definitely agree, if I get bored with a book and skim a lot or can't connect with the characters I usually end up putting it down. I'm horrible with keeping track of my DNF's. The only one I can remember is Horns by Joe Hill, I read over half of it and it just started to get terrible!
ReplyDeleteI love what you said about wanting to spend time reading books you actually want to read, I need to keep that in mind the next time I'm forcing myself to read a book.
Awesome post, Benish! :)
ooo I see some big names up there.
ReplyDelete"The main reasons I don't finish a book is because the writing is too cheesy, I couldn't connect with the characters, the romance is a fail, I lost interest, or I'm skimming too much because it's boring."
Me too. I have so little free time to read as it is, I think that in the last few years I have become more and more willing to DNF a book because of that.
I think you should be able to rate any book you DNF with no issue. Some books are boring and just not for you, and others are down right disturbing/horrific/etc. and you should have some way to distinguish between them. Not all DNF books are alike.
Dreams @ Once Upon A Dream Books
Thank you for agreeing <3 Yes, that's true and I do agree. Not all books are alike - I believe, as you gain more experience of reading and what you usually like and dislike, DNF books comes easier.
DeleteI used to hate DNFing books, but I'm getting better at it! If it's boring or I'm just not liking the writing or story, I will quit. Life is too short to waste it on books I don't like. I don't give them a star-rating, however, as a personal choice, just because there have been books that I considered DNFing, but I ploughed through and ended up loving them, so for me, I don't feel it's always accurate.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious, why didn't you like The Walls Around Me? I loved Ms. Suma's Imaginary Girls, but 17 & Gone was not my favorite, so I've been a bit nervous about this one.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Sarah ♥ I thought the concept of The Walls Around Me was pretty good, but I found the the beginning boring. I started skimming a lot, and eventually I DNF'ed it. Maybe, it did get better as the story progressed, however, I don't have much time to wait for the book to get better.
Delete