We’ve all been there. You crack open a shiny new fantasy romance, get hyped for dragons, danger, and devastatingly attractive enemies… and halfway through, you realize you’d rather fold laundry than read another chapter.
Cue the guilt.
The inner voice whispering, But I already made it this far…
And the mental tug-of-war between stubborn reader pride and your ever-growing TBR stack.
Well, consider this your permission slip: DNF the book. Right now. Without guilt.
The Myth of the “Good Reader”
Somewhere along the line, bookworms got the idea that finishing a book—no matter how painful—is a badge of honor.
Spoiler: it’s not.
You don’t earn extra XP for trudging through a slow plot, flat characters, or a romance with zero chemistry. Reading isn’t homework. It’s supposed to light you up. If you’re forcing yourself to keep going, that’s not dedication, it’s suffering.
When to Officially DNF (No Second Thoughts Required)
📚 You’re skimming instead of reading.
If you’re skipping paragraphs just to get to “the good part,” newsflash: it’s not coming.
💤 You’re bored—and have been for chapters.
A slow start is fine. A slow middle and end? Nope.
😤 You hate everyone.
Not the “I love to hate them” kind. The “if this character speaks one more time, I’m out” kind.
💔 You feel nothing.
No swoon, no tension, no stakes. If you’re emotionally flatlining, it’s not your fault, it’s the book’s.
How to DNF Like a Pro
- Close the book. Seriously, that’s it.
- Mark it as DNF on Goodreads. Because tracking your freedom feels amazing.
- Tell your friends. Misery loves company, and someone else might validate your decision.
- Grab a rebound read. Go find a story that actually gives you butterflies or chills or both.
🕑The NRN Pile
Sometimes it’s not the book, it’s your mood, your season, or your caffeine level. Enter the Not Right Now pile.
Sometimes you just know when it’s a ‘you’ problem. NRN that book. You’re not breaking up forever; you’re just putting it on pause. If you’re not sure if it’s you or the book, NRN it. You can always come back and try again.
But if you never come back? Still valid. Slide that baby on over to the DNF pile and call it a day, babe.
Let Freedom Ring
Life’s too short for books that don’t spark joy, tension, or obsession. If a story isn’t grabbing you, drop it, pick a new one, and keep your TBR happy. No shame. No guilt. Just more time for the books you actually love.
Your turn: What’s the last book you DNF’d? And did you regret it, or celebrate your freedom? Drop your stories in the comments. Let’s swap DNF confessions and revel in the guilty pleasures we didn’t finish.
Found this post helpful? Pin it now and spread DNF freedom to your fellow book babes📌
Leave a Reply