When To DNF: The Ultimate Guide To Quitting Books That Don’t Spark Joy

Listen baby books are expensive!! And my time? Even more so. So I’m not about to waste my coins, or my sanity, on a book that just doesn’t have that je ne sais quoi–ya know what I mean? Sometimes, no matter how pretty the cover is or how much you spend on it, a book just isn’t worth your time or energy. That’s why I’ve created the ultimate guide for knowing when to DNF a book. While yes, sometimes we need to prioritize every dollar spent, sometimes it’s not worth the torture!

Here’s How To Decide When It’s Time To Let That Boring A** Book Go …

Wait … What Does DNF Mean?

“DNF” stands for Did Not Finish. It’s what the booktokers and bookstagrammers say when they decide to stop reading a book before reaching the end. And guess what? It’s totally okay! DNFing doesn’t mean you’re a bad reader or that the book is bad—it just means the book isn’t right for you! Whether it’s the pacing, the writing, the characters, or even the timing, sometimes it’s best to let go and move on to something more enjoyable.

How Do You Know When You Should DNF A Book?

Rule #1: If You Dread Picking It Up

You know that feeling when you’d rather clean your kitchen or scroll aimlessly on social media than read? Yeah, that’s your first red flag babes. Reading should feel like an escape, not a chore.

If you dread opening the book, it’s time to move on.

Rule #2: If You’re Not Invested By 100 Pages (or 25%)

I try to give every book a fair shot, but if I’m being honest, I usually know from the first page or chapter if I’ll like a book or not. And if I’m not hooked by then, I’m out. A great book for ME grabs me early on, whether through its dialogue, the world-building, or a character filled with personality. If none of those exist, it’s just not for me. And knowing what I love to read, really helps guide me on whether I should DNF or not.

Rule #3: If The Writing Style Just Doesn’t Work For You

Sometimes, the writing style just doesn’t vibe with me, even when the story seems great. *ahem* Sun of Blood and Ruin by Mariely Lares I’m looking at you, baby. Maybe it’s overly flowery, too dense, or riddled with clichés. But if I can’t connect with the words on the page, I’ll never connect with the story–why force it?

Rule #4: If You Can’t Stand The Characters

Characters are the heart of every story, and if I find myself rolling my eyes every time the characters speak—or wishing they’d kick rocks—it’s time to DNF baby. I need to root for someone (or at least hate them in an entertaining way). I love to hate a villainous character, but I can’t hate everybody!

Rule #5: If The Book Is Harmful To Your Mental Health

This one’s a biggie.

If a book contains themes or content that feels harmful, offensive, or triggering to my mental health, I won’t hesitate to let it go. My reading time is meant to be safe and enjoyable!

If I wanted to cringe and cry daily, I’d watch the news baby!

Rule #6: If You’d Rather Be Reading Something Else

This one sneaks up on me, but it’s worth paying attention to. Sometimes, I’ll start reading a book, but my mind will wander off to another one I’m dying to read. (Or, ahem, see rule one.) And that’s usually a sign I’m not fully engaged and should just switch to the book that’s calling my name. And if that one doesn’t work, skip to something else baby! I’ll skip to my f*cking lou if I have to, until I find one that’s worthy of my time!

It Took A Long Time To Understand This, But It’s Okay To DNF

Letting go of a book doesn’t make you a bad reader. It doesn’t mean you’re a failure! The author won’t hate you for not finishing. Hell, they probably don’t even know you bought the damn thing. Unless you tagged them. So who cares! DNFing is part of being an adult! It’s just another one of those boundary things we have to set. Which is probably why it makes some of us feel awful inside.

But not every book is meant for every reader, and that’s totally okay. As a busy single mom with a full-time 9 to 5, and an entire entertainment website to run, my reading time is precious, and I choose to spend it on stories that bring me joy. And you should too! It’s as simple as that.

Do you have personal rules for when to DNF a book? Let me know in the comments or tag me on Instagram (@readingwithtequila) to share your thoughts!