Today we bring you a round of up books that we did not finish. Life is too short to read books that aren’t bringing you joy.
Let us know in the comments what books you DNF so far this year and why.
Now, Then, Always by Mona Shroff– You might be wondering how this could have ended up on my DNF list after I was really excited about it. And I wondered the same thing. Basically it just wasn’t drawing me in. It probably had more to do with external factors like life and the story wasn’t holding my attention. The story goes back and forth from past to present so that may be appealing to some readers. This is probably a perfectly enjoyable story it just wasn’t working for me right now. (pub 1/28)
Grand Theft N.Y.E by Katrina Jackson– I typically don’t read much erotica or erotic romance but I wanted to try something different. The sex was HOT. The story was fun. But I like to see more of a connection between the main characters before they have all the sex. This is a definite case of it was me and not the book. Many of my friends have read and enjoyed this story. As an aside, I highly recommend the episode of Shelf Love Podcast with Katrina Jackson as the guest. I may have fallen a little bit in love with her after that episode.
So Close by Serena Bell– Past me was not paying attention when I accepted this ARC. The hero is a billionaire, which rarely works for me anymore. But I was willing to try. He quickly presents himself as a jerk and then I was no longer interested. Bell will probably have a good redemption ARC for him, but I am just not in a space where I am willing to read that. If someone reads this and can report back that the hero changes in a significant way, please let me know.
The Kissing Game by Marie Harte– This cover is cute and the blurb got me. Early in the book the author seems to set the stage for the external conflict to be centered around racism/racists. I am not convinced that this is story that should be told by non-marginalized authors. I DNF at 5%. Maybe it gets better and is a great story but I am just not in the mood to give it a chance.
I am so glad I’m not the only reader that believes life is too short to spend time reading a book that doesn’t interest you or make you happy. I haven’t DNF’ed this year yet but I did have several last year. What will make me DNF a book the fastest is if there is cheating in the story between main characters or sometimes secondary characters. Also if the hero/heroine is a complete jerk. I also DNF with outside personal factors as well and I do state that fact when giving feedback. And a couple times I’ve gone back to books I’ve DNF’ed when I’m in a better head space. There are other times when I’ll DNF a story that deals with a subject/subjects that strike a hard chord in my personal beliefs/morals/values. One example is I read a book a few years back that the hero runs a workshop for rich men to send their wives to that aren’t making them happy in the bedroom. These wives are to get training to cater to their husbands making THEM happy sexually and otherwise. And the hero is falling for one of the wives. I DNF’ed because I was so disgusted that the wives were the problem and not the misogynistic rich husbands.
Elizabeth, that book sounds gross. I would have DNF’ed too.
I think it is especially important to talk about how personal factors may lead to a DNF. It doesn’t mean the book isn’t good, it just means that whatever might be going on in life is not conducive to reading that particular book at that time. And that is okay.
I’ve gotten into the habit of reading book samples before going to bed; it’s the rare book that I actually continue to read. You could say that I’m constantly not finishing books. Two books that I had in my hands and did not finish were Gideon the Ninth plus The Ten Thousand Doors of January. I think I just wasn’t in the mood for them. I suspect I’m spoiled by choice. If I had access to only one book at a time, I would likely finish more books.
Kareni, when I was just a reader and not a reviewer, I relied heavily on samples to decide if I wanted to read a book. But when I am reviewing it makes it a lot harder. Although I have gotten pretty good at knowing what books/authors/tropes will be for me.
I read So Close and I’m happy to report that the hero does have a redemption arc. I agree, he didn’t have to be a total jerk about his situation (he has to sell the inn to save his company and the jobs of the 100+ people he employs) but his actions go along with the way he’s closed himself off to joy and happiness. In general, I’m pretty tolerant of MCs (both men and women) who are unlikable initially if I think they will redeem themselves, but YMMV.
I am glad to hear that he has a redemption ARC and that it worked for you! I typically like Bell’s work a lot. I may try to circle back to this book at some point. unlikeable characters is not a deal breaker for me. But I just need something early one to tell that they are worth me being a little angry at. :)
I find that I DNF books more frequently if I get them through Kindle Unlimited. KU costs $9.99 a month, so I figure if I read at least three KU books a month all the way through, my subscription fee has paid for itself and anything else I read from KU in a month is gravy. Bad writing—sloppy spelling, lax proofreading and editing, inexplicable plot shifts—will make me DNF faster than anything, but inconsistent characters, telling-not-showing, and heroines who are TSTL are another fast track to DNF.
On the other hand, if I pay money for a book, I always try to finish it—even if I’m gritting my teeth to do it.