To Quit Or Not Quit a Book? Our Readers Weigh In...

Posted by Marie on February 23, 2018


Reading is a bit like dating. Sometimes a book ignites a spark, and other times it fizzles. So we asked our followers on Twitter and Facebook: Do you stick with it or do you move on? Check out some of the most popular comments below and let us know which camp you fall into.


1."99% of the time I will finish the book. I feel I owe it to the author," says Todd.

2. "I usually stick it out. There's been many times that I've ended up loving something that wasn't initially drawing me in," says Andrew.

3."Move on. Reading should be a pleasure. If it’s not the book for you, it’s not the book for you," says Barbara.

4."I give it the 100 page limit. If I am still not into the book by that page, I put it down and get another book to read. Life is too short to suffer through a book you are not enjoying," says Luci.

5. "I used to stick with it, but I have decided that I only have so many years in my life and it is not worth it! There are so many good books out there to discover," says Tamara.

6. "I always finish them off. I sometimes put them down and pick another book but always come back," says Carola.

7. "It depends on the level of not pulling me in. If I'm not loving it, but still want to know how it ends, I'll stick with it. But if reading it feels like a chore, I'll stop reading it," says Chelsey.

8. "If it’s a book I really want to read, I try the audio before giving up completely," says Dana.

9. "Put it away and try much later on. Tastes and style change over the years," says Brad.

10."Depends on why I'm reading it. For review? For my private students? For research? For pleasure? For the first 3, I stick to it. For the last, I move on," says Elizabeth.

11. "If it's unrecommended I'll give it 2-3 chapters. If it's an author I like or has come with a respected recommendation I'll give it more time," says Danielle.

12. "I always try to stick with it. I feel like there is something to learn in the struggle of getting through a book. I’ve only put down a couple of books, but that was because I developed a strong dislike for the material," says Kira.

13. "I usually move on. For every page I force myself to read that I'm not enjoying, that's time I could be reading pages that I love," says Nicole.

14. "Some books take more time than others to learn the flow of the prose, but more often than not it pays to keep reading until you get there," says Carole.

15. "I leave it alone for a couple days and if the desire to read it doesn't come back then I just don't bother," says Teresa.

16."So much of my reading is for book clubs that I pretty much always stick with it—at least I’ll have people to complain to!" says Megan.




Comments Showing 351-400 of 428 (428 new)


message 351: by Katherine (new)

Katherine You know the quote: so many books...so little time. I give a book 50-100 pages. I truly believe all books should touch you in some memorable way. Either the plot, or characters or the author should leave some indelible mark on your soul as you read. If I'm really not all that interested or don't feel the strong connection I ask myself will my life be changed in any way by not finishing this book? I'll flip ahead through pages, and maybe read the last couple. If the ending isn't enough to entice me to finish, the answer is then NO. The book goes back, time is a'wasting and another book calls.


message 352: by QueenGeek (last edited Mar 02, 2018 07:41PM) (new)

QueenGeek Karatics wrote: "I want to add my two cents on a feature that I think that should be added to GoodReads, a function that allows people to make the book as a DNF. So that way anyone looking an at the book can see th..."

Agreed. This makes so much sense. So I did a little research, and GoodReads already has this feature. It just isn't automatically enabled. Here's how to create your own DNF shelf:

Create a shelf called, "DNF," (or whatever you want to call it), and set it to, "exclusive," which means it's like, "Read," "Currently Reading," or "Want To Read." It becomes 4th option at the top of your shelving list.

For editing shelves, click "My Books," on the top bar, and then the Edit link next to, "Bookshelves," on the top of the left panel. or just go here: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/edit.

For fun, check out what others are shelving as DNF: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/dnf


message 353: by Jason (new)

Jason Robertson QueenGeek wrote: "Karatics wrote: "I want to add my two cents on a feature that I think that should be added to GoodReads, a function that allows people to make the book as a DNF. So that way anyone looking an at th..."

Totally agree. I haven't been using the site long, and I tend to read negative reviews more than positive ones (I like dissenting opinions), but one of my pet hates is when people don't finish a book but 'review' it anyway. My position is simple: you didn't FINISH it, you didn't READ it, so don't REVIEW it.

To elaborate on your idea, I'd prefer the DNF option to be added to the star rating system, and a function added to be able to filter out reviews of books marked DNF if one so desires.


message 354: by Brett (new)

Brett Minor Jason wrote: "QueenGeek wrote: "Karatics wrote: "I want to add my two cents on a feature that I think that should be added to GoodReads, a function that allows people to make the book as a DNF. So that way anyon..."

I'm with you. Last year, I came across a review and a low rating. The review was three paragraphs long and in the first sentence she stated that she didn't read past the second page because there was too much cursing.

If you are sensitive to curse words that is fine, but if you didn't read more than 2 pages of a 300-page book, then your 1 star rating only hurts the author who poured her heart into those pages. IT'S BAD READER ETIQUETTE.


message 355: by Stephanie (new)

Stephanie Brett wrote: "Jason wrote: "QueenGeek wrote: "Karatics wrote: "I want to add my two cents on a feature that I think that should be added to GoodReads, a function that allows people to make the book as a DNF. So ..."

Ouch. How does someone write three paragraphs but only read 2 pages?! That is definitely bad reader etiquette.


message 356: by Jennifer (new)

Jennifer Heckel Brett wrote: "Jason wrote: "QueenGeek wrote: "Karatics wrote: "I want to add my two cents on a feature that I think that should be added to GoodReads, a function that allows people to make the book as a DNF. So ..."

I may not finish a book because I can’t get past the first few chapters, but I never review a book unless I finish it. Just because I didn’t like it doesn’t mean others won’t. I don’t want to sully an author’s reputation just because I couldn’t connect with their writing.


message 357: by Mike (new)

Mike Benjamin I think we all should read different books as reading books gives us lots of advantages. Here are few:
1. Gives knowledge
2. Improves your brain
3. Reduces stress
4. Improves memory
5. Improves imagination
6. Develops critical thinking skills
7. Builds vocabulary
8. Improves writing skills
9. Improves communication skills


message 358: by Koreena (new)

Koreena Katherine wrote: "You know the quote: so many books...so little time. I give a book 50-100 pages. I truly believe all books should touch you in some memorable way. Either the plot, or characters or the author should..."
Queengeek, that is a great idea. I just created a DNF shelf. Thank you!


message 359: by Hannah (new)

Hannah Chris, I agree. DNF is the strongest thing you can say as far as "this book was too bad to keep reading." Reading any of the book should qualify as enough to judge from...it's those who rate a book high or low just to make a political point, without ever cracking the cover, that bother me. Once you crack the cover, your opinion counts.


message 360: by [deleted user] (new)

I know how you feel, Chris, I am seriously claustrophobic too. I would have deleted that book so fast. I also give the author props for not attacking you like a certain author, {who shall remain nameless.} I read a book a few years ago, don't remember the name or author. But anyway the prologue was written beautifully, but the first chapter was nothing but politics. I couldn't do it, I dnf it so fast it wasn't funny. Also, pay no mind to the naysayer they're an idiot.


message 361: by Jb (new)

Jb Comments #4 and 5 said it best. I used to just forge ahead no matter what, but now days I just cut em loose and move on.


message 362: by Rachelle (new)

Rachelle I use the Nancy Pearl Rule:
100 minus your age = the number of pages you have to read before giving up. So at 20, you have to read 80 pages and at 80 you have to read 20. So when you turn 100, you can judge a book by it's cover.


message 363: by Di (new)

Di Let’s face it. Not every author is a good writer or a good story teller. Just because they managed to get something published does not mean I have to read it. There are plenty of good books out there to read and life is not long enough to read them all. Why waste my time on a poorly written book or a subject I have no interest in when I could be thoroughly enjoying something else? I LOVE reading a good book. It’s a joy and a pleasure. I won’t waste my time on something in literature that doesn’t give me pleasure.


message 364: by Anne (new)

Anne Williams Di wrote: "Let’s face it. Not every author is a good writer or a good story teller. Just because they managed to get something published does not mean I have to read it. There are plenty of good books out the..."
My thoughts exactly. I can think of one or two books I tried to read in recent months which I wouldn't use to prop a door open...


message 365: by Sally (new)

Sally Inken wrote: "If the book doesn't have me by page 100 I'm done. Life is too short to waste it on books that don't interest me. There are so many excellent books out there that I'm not reading while I'm wading th..."
I have a 50 page rule.


message 366: by Janice (new)

Janice I tend to give it 2 or 3 chapters, at times.


message 367: by Carol (new)

Carol I will put down offensive, vulgar books as well. If an author uses common vulgar words a lot, I figure they don't have a very good vocabulary and I don't want to read it. I don't mean one or two bad words, but I started one book where every other sentence had a very vulgar word in it and for no reason other than I think to shock. Those books do not deserve my time and attention; I would much rather read something where the author has taken the time to describe an event or scene so I can picture myself there and has made me want to see what happens to the characters.


message 368: by Terrie (new)

Terrie I don't finish a book that I'm not liking. I used to finish and not once was I unexpectedly happily surprised. So I quit finishing books "not for me."

I think of it this way... there is actually a finite number of books each of us will read in our lifetime. If you spend 50 of them on books you don't enjoy... you missed out on 50 GOOD books.


message 369: by Jessie (new)

Jessie I read for pleasure and if the book is boring me silly or I don't like the content it will go unfinished. I have a huge list of books to read so I don't give books I don't like much of a chance. Reading is not my only hobby so if I plan to read, then I must enjoy it.


message 370: by Gene (last edited Mar 22, 2018 10:56AM) (new)

Gene Borowski I'm sure it must have happened at one time or another, but at the moment I cannot recall ever bailing out on a book. Reckon I've been kinda lucky in that regard. :)


message 371: by Ralph (new)

Ralph James It's been a long time since I DNF'ed. Tolkien's LOTR is an example of why. I found the first fifty or so pages pretty slow, but then it gripped me, and I finished it in three days., Nearly wept when there was no more.


message 372: by Bice (new)

Bice I used to be in the struggle until you finish camp when I was younger. Now, as a woman of a certain age I have given myself permission to quit a book. It happens rarely. I do sometimes try again. I tried to read Ulysses by James Joyce three times. There will not be a fourth time.


message 373: by Sally (new)

Sally Jason wrote: "QueenGeek wrote: "Karatics wrote: "I want to add my two cents on a feature that I think that should be added to GoodReads, a function that allows people to make the book as a DNF. So that way anyon..."


I love this idea! Too many books, not enough time for me.


message 374: by Wdmoor (new)

Wdmoor I just added another to my Gave Up shelf today. I refuse to waste my time with books I don't enjoy. I don't read as an endurance test...I read for enjoyment.


message 375: by Rachel (new)

Rachel I have too many books on my "to read" shelf to continue reading books I'm not enjoying. I feel no guilt for quitting a book that I'm not enjoying. I've you're reading for pleasure, why would you continue reading something you aren't enjoying?


message 376: by Jenny (new)

Jenny If I can't get into a book I will set it aside and start another. If I don't get back into it in a few days I'm done with it


message 377: by Barbara (new)

Barbara I've never disliked a book enough to not finish it. There have been several that I've wanted to quit reading, but, I'm Italian, & the guilt! But, in the last yr. or so I've seen my "to read" list grow to probably more than I'll ever get to. So I really want to stop reading books I'm not loving to give time to those I will love. At 58 the saying "So many books, so little time" takes on real meaning.


message 378: by Rebecca (new)

Rebecca If I'm struggling to finish a book, I usually will read that last chapter and if I like how it ends, I'll finish it. Or I will just quickly skim the chapters until I get to the end. I like to finish a book. If its not too painful.


message 379: by Ivy (new)

Ivy When I was younger I could not give up on a book. Then I finally allowed myself to abandon one. It was so freeing. Now, I give a book 50 pages, by then I should know. Once I hit age 50 I will take off 1 page per year of age. There are too many books to feel some odd sense of obligation to read it.


message 380: by Parker (new)

Parker As an English major, I was forced to finish way too many books that I didn't like. I'm extremely picky about what I read, so I tend to go with books I'm pretty sure I'll like. I also spot read before I buy or check out a book.

There's no sense in finishing a book you dislike. One of my mottoes is "So many books, so little time". If a book isn't working for you, leave it!


message 381: by Mim (new)

Mim Duncan There are too many books for me to be reading one that doesn't spark interest. If I try a new food that people rave about and I don't like it I will not finish it. Same with books.


message 382: by Mariann (new)

Mariann Davis a little off topic but.... if i do not finish a book, i don't know how to mark it on Goodreads.

If I mark it as "Read" then it comes up at the end of the year as one of my Read books. If I leave in "To Read" I keep seeing it in my list and have to ignore it. I don't really want to delete it entirely from my list because I want to acknowledge that I had a go at it!

(Of course you can have a DNF "shelf" but that doesn't affect the basic status of the book.)

What do other people do? Should Goodreads provide a separate DNF status?


message 383: by Rachel (new)

Rachel Mariann wrote: "a little off topic but.... if i do not finish a book, i don't know how to mark it on Goodreads.

If I mark it as "Read" then it comes up at the end of the year as one of my Read books. If I leave ..."


If I DNF a book, I mark it as "read" but don't fill in the date read. That way it doesn't show up on the list of books I read that year.


message 384: by Alison (new)

Alison Shellie wrote: "My 1-star reviews are reserved for DNFs. I give an author half of a book. If by halfway through the book it is so bad that I don't even care what happens or if the writing gets better, I quit and g..."

Me too. 1 star = DNF, two stars = awful but I finished it.


message 385: by Heather (new)

Heather Definitely with (4). 100 pages or move on. Seems like a reasonable amount of time for an author to set a scene and invoke interest.


message 386: by Samantha (new)

Samantha Its rare that I can't finish a book, but if it doesn't gel, then onto the next one. Can't like everything.


message 387: by Susan (new)

Susan McIntyre I finish every book as I always think I'm going to learn something new. A word I didn't know, a manner of speaking,etc. Sometimes I integrate these types of things into who I am and it helps me grow as a person and keeps it interesting.


message 388: by Parker (new)

Parker Apushie wrote: "I used to persevere in the hopes that I would end up liking the book and because somehow I felt I owed it to the author to finish the book. However lately I've come to the realization that there is..."

Although, if it's an author I like, I'm more willing to give them a chance.


message 389: by Barb (new)

Barb Olt Most of the time I finish them unless I really am not enjoying it.
With that being said, I've quit reading a lot of books because of the profanities. I really wish they'd rate books like they do movies, so I'd know ahead of time and not have to quit a book that I'm enjoying. If anyone knows of an app that does this, please let me know! I try to skim through before starting but don't always catch them. It's SO unnecessary to include language that adds nothing to the story!


message 390: by Joanne (new)

Joanne If I don't like a book I put it down, I start again the next day in a quiet corner of the house no distractions at all . I will even try this a third time, Sometimes it works, and I fall in love , if not I admit to speed reading skipping whole parts of the book i don't like and then reading the last page.


message 391: by Evelyn (new)

Evelyn Damm I like the 100 page test. Life is too short and there are so many good books available, just move on.


message 392: by Roisin (new)

Roisin Shanahan I used to always finish a book even if I did not particularly like it but now I have so many paperbacks and books on my Kindle waiting to be read that if after 10 chapters I am still hating it I move on. I may sometimes revisit the book and finish it a few months later. However if it is a book I have been sent to review then I read it regardless of whether I like it or not so I can give an honest review.
Only a few times have I actually hated a book so much that I gave it away or deleted it from my Kindle, never to look at it again.


message 393: by Dave (new)

Dave I am impressed and humbled by the above writers who give a book 100 pages to prove its merit. Being 67, I don't have loads of years left. My limit is 10 pages for most books. If it is about a topic I have been itching to understand, I might give it 25. After 25, if I am not enjoying a book, out with it. Being a patron of a very large city library, I don't have to guilt myself into finishing a very expensive book.


message 394: by Robin P (new)

Robin P I don't have a set amount of pages. I could stop anytime if the book becomes too manipulative (author heaping misery on characters for no reason) or inconsistent (character or plot totally out of sync with what came before) or didactic (author has researched the topic or period and shoehorns in information for no other purpose.)

Occasionally I read a whole book, thinking it will get better, because it's by a famous author ( Purity) or it's for a book club, and at the end I am sorry I spent the time on it. That regret of time lost is more than any regret at possibly missing something in the books I don't finish.


message 395: by Kathy (last edited Mar 22, 2018 06:55PM) (new)

Kathy Baker There was a time when I was much younger, that I would always, always finish a book no matter how long it took or how much I disliked it. I thought that if I started a book and didn't finish it, it meant I was not truly a reader and that I was disloyal to the author.

Having grown older and somewhat wiser, I now have given myself permission to not finish a book that I am not enjoying or engaged in. My philosophy is that life is too short and there are too many really good books in the world to read, that no one should feel obligated to finish a book they truly don't like.


message 396: by Juanita (new)

Juanita Adrienne wrote: "I've quit books - I have an entire Goodreads bookshelf titled "Started-couldn't finish". Some were audio books that were digitally downloaded and expired before I could finish - so, hopefully, I ca..."

That is great idea! DNF folder on My Books!


message 397: by Luna (new)

Luna I. I mainly agree with #15. I often read MANY books at once so if I don't like a book I'll leave it alone for a few days and then after that I'll force myself to read two or three chapters. If by then, I still don't like it, I'll leave it alone until it is due or I find another book I want which I can get if I return it. I try to stick to books but once in a while I find myself returning to the library them and feeling increasingly embarrassed and guilty. I'll add them to my Books In Progress even if I've returned them, though I never may read them.


message 398: by Cecile (new)

Cecile There have been a few books here and there that I did not finish due to an unexpected interruption, but I always intend to finish. I have only one book that I could not bear to complete. By chapter two I was done with The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling. Unlike the Harry Potter series, there were no characters to root for.


message 399: by Barbara (new)

Barbara Mariann wrote: "a little off topic but.... if i do not finish a book, i don't know how to mark it on Goodreads.

If I mark it as "Read" then it comes up at the end of the year as one of my Read books. If I leave ..."


Mariann wrote: "a little off topic but.... if i do not finish a book, i don't know how to mark it on Goodreads.

If I mark it as "Read" then it comes up at the end of the year as one of my Read books. If I leave ..."


Cecile wrote: "There have been a few books here and there that I did not finish due to an unexpected interruption, but I always intend to finish. I have only one book that I could not bear to complete. By chapter..."

Mariann wrote: "a little off topic but.... if i do not finish a book, i don't know how to mark it on Goodreads.

If I mark it as "Read" then it comes up at the end of the year as one of my Read books. If I leave ..."


Rachel wrote: "Mariann wrote: "a little off topic but.... if i do not finish a book, i don't know how to mark it on Goodreads.

If I mark it as "Read" then it comes up at the end of the year as one of my Read bo..."


What I did Mariann was make different "read" folders., like"read-cozy", read-romance". You could make one that's read- DNF, & that way you'd know that it was one you didn't like.


message 400: by Carole (new)

Carole I always used to feel that I had to finish any bike I started but now I feel life is too short to read something to which I'm really not feeling any connection. There are so many other books waiting for me to open them and dive in.


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