When I get to the point that I find myself constantly choosing not to read or listen to the book.

Reading/listening to an audiobook is supposed to be something I enjoy doing. When I'm choosing to watch TV over that all the time, I need to move on. I like having a book I'm reading, a book I'm listening to, and at least one TV show that I'm watching at all times. I will also DNF a show if I find that I'm choosing to never watch it. There is enough out there that is so good that I don't have time for things I don't like!

Anonymous wrote:I DNF quite a bit. I used to be like OP and almost never DNF’ed, but now I don’t have a lot of time to read and so I don’t want to waste my time on something I’m not enjoying. Sometimes when the book is mediocre but not bad enough to completely stop reading, I’ll just skim the remainder.

OP here - thank you for this advice, that's what I did for the book yesterday and I finished it. Now the book I'm reading is over 700 pages and I'm worried I won't like it. A Little Life. It's just so long.

A lot. I'm so sick and tried of books screaming they're best sellers and they are pretty much unreadable. So I'd I'm not into by page 50 I'm done. I forgive myself, donate it and move on with my life. Reading shouldn't be a chore or a punishment.

I read more than 100 books a year and so far this year I've DNFed two books. Usually if it's critically-acclaimed or generating lots of buzz in general I keep going even if I hate it as I want to have an informed opinion (I'm looking at you The Bee Sting).

I try to make it 100 pages but my last DNF, All Fours by Miranda July, I gave myself permission to stop at page 87.

I DNF quite a bit. I used to be like OP and almost never DNF’ed, but now I don’t have a lot of time to read and so I don’t want to waste my time on something I’m not enjoying. Sometimes when the book is mediocre but not bad enough to completely stop reading, I’ll just skim the remainder.

Anonymous wrote:Reading for pleasure should not be a chore. I loved that book but it was probably overhyped to you. I give you permission to DNF. Find something you like and enjoy.

Or you are not in the right mind-space for it. Sometimes I have put a book down and picked it up when life feels differently and I can enjoy the book more.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you want to set a precedent where you can quit books if they aren’t working for you? Honest question.

I don’t DNF often but I will when I want. Life is too short to read bad books, especially given that my TBR is out of control.

Because all books have a boring period. Maybe in 10 pages I'll find that I love the book!

When I’m enjoying a book with a boring period, I still want to keep reading to find out what happens.

Reading for pleasure should not be a chore. I loved that book but it was probably overhyped to you. I give you permission to DNF. Find something you like and enjoy.

30-40 pages if it's a chore than it's not a fun hobby anymore and I move on before I lose interest in reading just because of a bad book.

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you want to set a precedent where you can quit books if they aren’t working for you? Honest question.

I don’t DNF often but I will when I want. Life is too short to read bad books, especially given that my TBR is out of control.

Because all books have a boring period. Maybe in 10 pages I'll find that I love the book!

Anonymous wrote:Set a page or % limit. And then DNF as you wish.

Or rather set a page minimum, you can abandon at any point after that

Set a page or % limit. And then DNF as you wish.

Why don’t you want to set a precedent where you can quit books if they aren’t working for you? Honest question.

I don’t DNF often but I will when I want. Life is too short to read bad books, especially given that my TBR is out of control.

I’ve done it more in my 40s than ever in my previous decades. I just don’t have the patience as much to read books I don’t enjoy.
My taste has changed, too. I’m more likely to find easy rom com chick lit than the heavier topics I used to read.

I am reading Wrong Place Wrong Time and it feels like a chore. I am only half way through. I love books and usually it takes me 5-7 days to finish one, but I just can't get into this book. I don't want to start a precedence with myself where I give myself permission to quit a book.

How often do you DNF and how do you decide what to DNF?