Last week, I stayed up way too late reading a book that, looking back, I wasn’t even sure I liked. At one point, I seriously considered DNFing it, and that got me thinking: at what point do you actually decide to put a book down for good?
Personally, I have a lot of unspoken guilt that comes with closing a book before the final page. For the longest time, I couldn’t do it. No matter how bored I felt, how disconnected I was from the main character or story, or how long it sat on my table untouched, I would push through. I told myself it was about commitment and about giving the book a fair chance.
But somewhere along my reading journey, that changed.
I don’t remember the exact book I first DNFed, but I remember a feeling of relief. Relief at not having to spend more time in a story that wasn’t working for me. Relief at realizing that I could stop reading at any time.
So what goes into that decision? Here’s what I think about when I’m on the fence.
The 50-Page Rule
I try to read at least 50 pages before making any decisions. By then, I’ve gotten a feel for the tone, the pacing, and whether the story is pulling me in. The plot should be underway by that point too, and if it isn’t, that’s all I need to know.
Life Is Too Short for Books You’re Not Into
My TBR list is long. My library hold list is longer. So why spend time pushing through something that feels like a chore when there’s a book out there that might genuinely excite me? There are too many beautiful and magical stories in the world to force your way through one that just isn’t clicking. Letting go makes space for something better.
How Much Have I Already Read?
This one is challenging. The more I’ve read, the harder it is to put a book down. It can feel like I’ve invested all that time for nothing. Instead, I tell myself to set the book down for a week and see how I feel. If I haven’t thought about it once or haven’t wondered what happens to the characters, that’s usually my answer.
What If It Gets Better?
This is the fear that keeps me reading longer than I probably should. And sometimes the book does pick up, and I’m glad I stuck with it. But sometimes, it doesn’t, and that’s when I wish I’d DNFed it sooner. Unfortunately, I haven’t found a perfect solution to this dilemma. I have to take it one book at a time.
Some Books Just Aren’t for Me
This might be the most important thing I’ve learned: a book can be well-written, widely loved, and just not for me. That’s not a flaw in the book or in me, it’s just how reading works. What resonates deeply with one person can leave another completely cold, and that’s okay.
Reasons I’ve Actually DNFed a Book
In case you’re curious what finally pushes me over the edge:
- Too much exposition upfront – I kept losing track of who was who and who I was supposed to care about
- I was bored and couldn’t find a reason to keep going
- I felt nothing for the characters
- A line of dialogue made me cringe so hard I couldn’t take the rest of the book seriously
- The writing style just wasn’t for me.
DNFing a book isn’t a failure. It’s a reminder that reading is meant to be enjoyed.
And there’s always another story waiting.
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