Why You Should Allow Yourself To DNF Books

Have you ever been reading a book, but it’s super boring, or the plot doesn’t resonate, or you just can’t stand the main character? If you’re anything like me, maybe you keep pushing on in the determined hope that it’s just a slow opening and things will pick up later on. Wouldn’t it be a shame to miss out on a great story because we didn’t have the willpower to keep on reading? It’s a compelling argument. But honestly, I don’t think this mindset of ‘finish every book at any cost’ is actually a good one. It’s not fair to you, and not fair to the book either.

For one thing, there are many very good reasons why you might not be enjoying the book. Maybe it really is a terribly written book. Maybe it’s a bad book. Just stop. No one needs to put themselves through the experience of reading a truly bad book, whether that is awful, awful writing, or harmful ideas and messages. Reading should be fun and fill you with good experiences. You shouldn’t have to subject yourself to a bad book in the hopes that it turns out to be good in the end. There are so many other, better books out there. Let yourself read something you’ll actually enjoy instead.

But maybe the book isn’t bad exactly, but you just don’t click with it. That’s ok. Not every book is written with you in mind as its reader. There are certain genres and styles of books I really don’t enjoy reading. For example, I’m going to have a more negative experience reading straight romance books. They don’t resonate with me, and the genre tropes irritate me no end. Does that mean it’s a bad book? No. It just means that it’s not meant for me, and if it’s not written with me as a reader in mind, why should I keep pushing through when I’m so obviously not going to like it?

Then there is the fact that there are just so many good books out there, and little enough time to read all of those. Why waste your time on a book that might finally get good three pages from the end, when you could put it down and read something that you’re actually likely to enjoy? It’s time better spent, and you get a much more positive reading experience out of it. It’s so tempting to stick with a book ‘just in case’, but there’s no reason to when you could just be reading something that you’re actually going to like and get a lot of enjoyment out of.

Plus, reading is meant to be fun. The whole point of reading a book is to have an amazing experience submerging yourself in the story and breathlessly turning the pages as you read to see what happens next. The experience of reading is everything. If that isn’t positive, what is the point of reading that book? You’re struggling through something you don’t enjoy, and missing the core point of reading. Good reading experiences are key.

There is also a knock-on effect from reading a book that you’re not enjoying. When you finish a book that left you dissatisfied, it doesn’t tend to make you feel more like jumping into a new book. You feel kind of flat and disappointed, and the whole idea of reading can be tainted for a while. Forcing yourself to finish books you’re not enjoying not only wastes your time while you’re reading them, but can drain all your motivation and excitement for reading anything else afterwards.

It’s ok not to finish books. It’s ok not to finish reading books that other people have adored. If it’s not the right book for you, you’re allowed to shut the cover and move on to reading things that you actually enjoy. There are too many good books in the world for you to waste precious reading time on books that aren’t resonating with you. Leave the dull books on the shelf, and dive into some good books that will get you excited for reading instead. Books are magical. Let’s not tarnish that magic by making reading a chore.

Do you allow yourself to DNF books? If not, why not? I’d be super interested to hear about it! Do you agree with any of my points? What was the last book you DNF-ed? Let’s chat in the comments!

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