8 Books I Didn't Finish and Why

Burning question: Do you DNF books?

I recently checked my Goodreads Currently Reading shelf and found out that I'm currently reading ten books. Yes, your eyes didn't deceive you. 10 books. That's not exactly true though because out of those ten, I am only actually reading two. The rest are all DNFs (Did Not Finish).

I was not always a DNFer. I used to finish all the books that I started. But last year, when I started taking book blogging seriously, I got busier and I found myself putting down books for various reasons. Today, I'm listing down those eight books that I DNFed and why I didn't finish them.



1. The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White
Stopped at: 4th or 5th chapter
Reason for DNFing: I got a copy of a new release that I've been waiting for (that was Isla and the Happily Ever After, I think) and I had to drop this because Isla couldn't wait. Then I totally forgot about The Chaos of Stars even after I finished Isla.
Will I Get Back to It? Should I? The reviews I've seen for this one were not so encouraging so I doubt I'll get back to it.

2. Game, Set, Match by Nana Malone
Stopped at: 3rd chapter
Reason for DNFing: I'm a mood reader and I just wasn't in the mood for romance at that time.
Will I Get Back to It? Probably, I just don't know when.

3. Guardian of the Underworld by Rachel Tetley
Stopped at: 40%
Reason for DNFing: I don't know, honestly. Which probably means I should get back to it, especially since this is a review copy.
Will I Get Back to It? Yup. Soon, I hope.

4. Flawless by S.M. Lemmon
Stopped at: 60%
Reason for DNFing: It was so slow. I wanted some action and I think I gave it enough time. But I wasn't getting it so I just stopped and moved on to the next book.
Will I Get Back to It? Nope.



5. Baby, It's Cold Outside by Jennifer Probst
Stopped at: 1st chapter
Reason for DNFing: This book was on my holiday reading list. However, I didn't realize that it was a New Adult novel, bordering on erotica, until I started reading. I have read erotica novels before, I have nothing against this kind of books but I want my Christmas books wholesome and even cheesy sometimes. But not sexy.
Will I Get Back to It? Probably no.

6. A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
Stopped at: 70%
Reason for DNFing: Oh, this one was lovely. Not my usual holiday read but still lovely. I wanted to finish it so bad... but a life-altering event happened to me and I couldn't continue with this book. And when I finally wanted to read again, I couldn't bring myself to read something Christmas-y and happy.
Will I Get Back to It? YES! It's going straight to my 2015 Holiday Reading List.

7. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Stopped at: 10%
Reason for DNFing: Reading slump. 'nuff said.
Will I Get Back to It? Yes, and hopefully soon.

8. This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Díaz
Stopped at: 45%
Reason for DNFing: I couldn't sympathize with the main protagonist and that's especially bad because this one was a character-driven book.
Will I Get Back to It? No.

My take-away from this list is this: there are many different reasons for DNFing a book. It probably didn't pique your interest enough, or maybe it was too slow for your taste, or you didn't like the characters. Or it could even be not because of the book but because you're just not in the mood. It could be anything.

I know this question has been asked a lot of times before but for the sake of discussion, when is it okay to not finish a book? And where do you stop? At the first few chapters of the books? Halfway through the book?

I don't know about you guys, but after going through a few slumps and reading books that didn't deserve my attention, I've learned to take this quote to heart.

Life is too short to read bad books or drink bad wine. -- Joy Daniels

How about you? Do you feel compelled to read a book until its last pages? Which books did you recently DNF?

Random PSA: Do you need any advice on love, school, work, or just life in general? Lauren Bjorkman, author of Miss Fortune Cookie, is guesting on The Bookshelf Intruder and she'd love to answer your burning questions! Leave your comments and I will make sure your questions get to her. :)