Feature for Aug 2, 2013 – How do you handle a book you don’t like? Do you DNF or do you power through?
Rose:
I typically reshelf the book as TBR. I have a hard time giving up on a book and I know that sometimes I might set a book aside due to disinterest only to come back later to it and finish or re read the book and really like it. Books are funny like that. I do not have a DNF shelf. If the books happens to be for a book club I am attending, and I am finding it hard to finish, then I search out the audio book and listen while I am working or driving or cleaning. I find that usually this helps me “get through” a book I would otherwise have trouble completing.
Julie:
I’ve only DNF a few books. I hate giving up, but sometimes you just have to. Sometimes you just don’t have the time to read a book you just can’t get interested in. I actually made an exclusive DNF shelf on Goodreads so I could move those from my currently reading list to their own place. I usually try to power through if something isn’t holding my attention at first. Usually, by the end of the book I’m glad I didn’t give up. But there have been a few that didn’t seem worth continuing.
Here are some reasons why I might consider DNF a book:
- The book was very long and I couldn’t imagine continuing with the level of boredom I felt at the time.
- I kept falling asleep reading the same sections over and over.
- I was reading them on a deadline (book club for example) and knew I wouldn’t finish in time, and didn’t care to keep reading later.
- I didn’t like the way the book was written.
- I didn’t care at all for the characters.
- There was no plot development or the plot was too hard to follow.
Some reasons why I would not DNF a book (but instead power through):
- I made it more than halfway through the book so I might as well finish.
- I will be able to finish on time for a book club meeting and I want to know what happened so I can keep up with the discussion.
- Others I know enjoyed the book so I want to find out why and keep hoping it will get better.
- I don’t want to DNF since it won’t count for my Goodreads annual goal and it would have been a waste of time to get this far.
I have not DNF any books so far in 2013.
The Feature and Follow Friday blog hop is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read.
I hate to not finish a book. It does happen occasionally though. I always give it my best effort before giving up.
New follower!
Laura
http://www.thebooknerd2013.blogspot.com
The “other people think this is good” excuse is why I usually power through. It rarely pays off, though
Good answers. Happy Friday!
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