The dreaded bailout.

DNF – Did Not Finish

For a long time I felt a good amount of guilt over the books that I’ve bailed out on.

I love books.

I love reading.

The fact that I can’t bring myself to finish a book kills me.

But then I had a good heart-to-heart with myself.

It’s okay to stop reading a book that you aren’t enjoying. It’s okay if a certain title, author, or genre turns you off. There’s nothing to be ashamed of!

I always give myself a goal, though. If a book hasn’t captured my attention within 50-100 pages (usually depending on the size of the book) then I’m probably going to bail on it. I may pick it up later on, or I may not, but I gave it a good try.

Book clubs, ARCs, and Review Club books I treat differently. I do my very best to read the entire book, regardless of my feelings on it. I have agreed to read these books, usually in return for an honest review or discussion, and so I will. If I sometimes think of it as a homework assignment, then so be it.