Why I DNF Books (and Why You Won’t See Them Recapped Here)

Let’s get this out of the way: I almost never DNF books. I’m the reader who will power through anything once I’ve started — plot holes, cringe dialogue, you name it. There’s always that little voice saying, “Maybe it gets better.” Spoiler: sometimes it doesn’t.

Every now and then, a book and I just… don’t vibe. And that’s okay.

I won’t name titles (we’re not here to roast anyone), but I will tell you why I occasionally set a book down and walk away before the final chapter:

• The writing style isn’t my thing. Too many metaphors, too much “look at me” prose — it pulls me out faster than a pop quiz I didn’t study for.
• Third person POV. Not always a dealbreaker, but it can make it harder for me to connect. I want to feel what the character feels, not watch from the bleachers.
• The tone feels too young. Sometimes the story leans more teenage melodrama than adult emotional depth — and as a thirty-something who has to stretch before getting out of bed, I just can’t relate.

And here’s the thing — I don’t recap or review books I DNF. Not because I want to hide anything, but because if I can’t finish it, I can’t give it a fair shot. I have a conscience (and a blog name to uphold 😌). If I don’t have anything nice or useful to say, I’d rather move on.

So if you ever notice a gap between what I’m reading and what’s posted here, that’s probably why. Some stories just aren’t for every reader — and that’s not failure, it’s taste.

🗝️ Final Thought:
Reading isn’t a competition, a speedrun, or a guilt trip. It’s supposed to be enjoyable. Life’s too short to force yourself through something that isn’t clicking when there are a thousand other books waiting to blow your mind.

So go ahead — DNF without guilt. Your TBR will forgive you.