In the bookish world, the acronym ‘DNF’ stands for Do Not Finish – it means that you got part way through a book and decided to put it down. Today I thought I’d discuss about how often I DNF books, and perhaps if I should be DNF’ing more often.
I very rarely DNF books, and I record on Goodreads if I decide to not finish a book. So far, that shelf has only 9 titles. Considering I have nearly 650 books on my ‘read’ shelf, I think that’s quite a good ratio.
However, I currently have 8 titles on my ‘currently reading’ shelf, and I am actually thinking of DNF’ing some. On my shelf is one masters book, my current read, one non-fiction book, and then there are 3 that I’ve just put down and have no desire to pick back up again. Should I just DNF these?
To me, the idea of DNF’ing fills me with dread. I know it’s dramatic to get so upset about not finishing a book, but it really feels like I’ve been defeated by a piece of shaved up tree. I am also worried that I might be missing out on something good. What if I miss a line that has a great impact on me, or it picks up over half way through?
Personally, I usually DNF about 20% through the novel. If it’s more than 50%, I often just think ‘ah well, I may as well finish it.’ There’s also something largely irritating about getting half way through a book, investing all of that time, and then not actually seeing it through to the end. I feel that I wouldn’t have picked it up if I hadn’t expected to finish it, so it’s almost like being cheated into giving up a fair amount of time that I won’t get back!
Mind you, sometimes when I finish a book I should’ve DNF’d I feel just as frustrated and cheated. I expected a good pay-off and I didn’t get one!
To be honest, though, I would like to DNF books more often. I think it would stop reading slumps more often, and I would be able to spend more time reading books I actually like. There’s a reason I have such a high review average – I normally just read books I really like.
So, what’s your opinion on DNF’ing books? I’m fascinated!
Sprinkled With Words 
This topic has been on mind for the last week or so. I’m usually one to try and persevere through a book. I think I’m more likely to do that so that I give the book a chance or maybe I’m just hoping that I’ll be proved wrong. Like you, I don’t have many books on my DNF list.
Yes, considering how much I’ve been able to read in lockdown, it’s been a question on my mind a lot too. It’s hard to know whether to give a book a chance in the hope it’ll improve, or just to give up.