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How much of a DNF do you read before you review.
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I usually go into the halfway mark. That way I can at least say I tried and put the effort into it. and if a book is going to pick up then it should be at that halfway mark.
100% dependent on the book for me. If I make it to the halfway point, I usually think to myself, screw it, I'll finish it.DNF is rare for me, I could count the number of DNF books on one hand. In each case, the third chapter was the furthest I could go. So around 10 - 25%, rough estimate, before I decided DNF.
it depends on the book. some i slog through or speed read. sometimes i just put it aside and try later in a better mood. but if i cant do it on a bus trip (an hour) and find people watching more interesting then i give up. i try for at least 5 chapters in to start unless its insufferable...
If I make it past 2/3 of the book and I can't finish it, I'll state it in my review. It only happened maybe twice. I try to finish what I start.Now, if I can't make it past the first two or three chapters I don't feel I gave it enough time to judge the book. I'm not going to rate it.
I admit every rule has its exception and I did rate The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy after reading a little over seven chapters. I couldn't write a review. My brain was fried. I don't feel bad though; the author won't suffer because of my review and the publisher got a good part of my 20$ so...
Mod
I'm a power-througher. I usually finish the books that I can't stand. There is plenty of swearing and complaining involved, even some throwing the book down and slamming it on the counter or desk or something. But, I usually feel like if I'm going to judge something I want to have my arsenal full before I rip it.
I never rate DNF, and rarely review. What am I suppose to say? Look, I didn't finish the bloody book lolAnything else could say would be things like, "There's not enough rope in the whole world to hold up my suspension of belief for this book." And that's kinda mean.
Besides, didn't finish, nothing to review. *shrugs*
If I don't finish...I don't review. The DNF says it all.
Mod
I rarely DNF books - over the last few years, I remember just one title I couldn't get through no matter what. Of course it means I cannot do a full review for the book, but least I can do is to write something like "this book is so terrible that I wasn't able to finish it; and I always finish my books". For what it's worth. Oh, and of course, the rating is pretty obvious in such case.
It depends on the book. Mostly it ranges from 15 % to 50-ish, but seldom more. And I'm definitely of the mind that "if you can't push yourself to finish it, it's for a reason". (Although this depends as well : if I put a book on hold because it's not the kind of story I want to read at the moment, I'll mention this as well in my review, and will likely try again later.)
Rachel wrote: "I'm a power-througher. I usually finish the books that I can't stand. There is plenty of swearing and complaining involved, even some throwing the book down and slamming it on the counter or desk..."Yep, this is me too :/
The couple of books I have DNF were dropped pretty early in and I haven't rated (or even added em) on my GR.
Lily wrote: "Anything else could say would be things like, "There's not enough rope in the whole world to hold up my suspension of belief for this book."
Shouldn't that be "my suspension of disbelief" ? :)
Massimo wrote: "Lily wrote: "Anything else could say would be things like, "There's not enough rope in the whole world to hold up my suspension of belief for this book."
Shouldn't that be "my suspension of dis..."
Heh, something like that ;)
This is a cool question :0)It really depends for me. If I couldn't get past, say, page fifty, and it just didn't interest me, generally I'll leave a comment about how it simply didn't hold my interest and move on.
However, if there's something that really bugged me about the book, or I've slogged through two-thirds of it only to grow aggravated/apathetic, generally I'll offer up reasons why.
What really sucks, is if it's a giveaway or I've offered to read a book in exchange for a review, then I feel compelled to finish it. There's no polite way out of that one!
I review DNF books. If I couldn't finish the book for whatever reason, I think that other customers are entitled to know why. I'm not cruel, but I'll explain exactly what it was about the book that made me unable to finish.If I get a book that I just can't stand, on any level, it'll get 1-star if I DNF, but that's only happened once. The rest get two-even if I didn't finish them, I felt like there was some potential in the story.
Justin wrote: "Dare I say this, I'm considering this with a fringe fiction members book. I haven't read it in a while and I'm 20 chapters in and its just not going anywhere for me.."Of course you can say this. :)
Seriously, why force yourself to read something if you aren't enjoying it? You do no one any favors that way.
Randolph wrote: "Depends on the book. I just dropped one at page 48 out of 300 or so. The writing had been bad but then suddenly turned worse. Bad sign."Was it one that had a 10% preview? lol.
Yeah, I won't review a book that I dropped during the first 10% (preview range). Cause I won't be reading it. Amirite?
In general, I don't review books I don't finish,but I made a special exception for Eragon. I got though the first two chapters (the least of any book I've ever failed to finish, by the way)though it took every fiber of my being to control my gag reflex. I suppose I feel bad for new authors who write something abysmal, which leads me to pass on a review, but there is NO excuse for a mass produced, big publishing house novel to suck that bad... I felt a little guilty still. I'm not usually snide, but I have to admit, it was actually a really fun review to write :) .
Jason wrote: "Yeah, I won't review a book that I dropped during the first 10% (preview range). Cause I won't be reading it. Amirite?"Is that so? :P
Jason wrote: "Oh dear./mortified"
LOL no worries. It's all good. :)
No, it's not. I went in and deleted the rating, although I left the comments. Hypocrisy is not something that I'm into. Anyway, any further discussion of this will be carried out privately. For all the rest of you...carry on!
/hides his moderator costume from the real mods
Mod
That...sounds awful. "The Sugar Frosted Nutsack?" Really?
David wrote: "In general, I don't review books I don't finish,but I made a special exception for Eragon. I got though the first two chapters (the least of any book I've ever failed to finish, by the way)though i..."I often wander into bookstores and read the first chapter of books that look promising in order to decide if I want to buy them. Back when Eragon first came out (back when I was in university) I picked it up because the cover was enticing (I have a weakness for books about dragons) and I couldn't get past the prologue because the writing was so bad.
Later, when everyone went batshit about the book, I found out that the author was 16 or something when he wrote the first one... which explains a lot, except how a giant publishing house decided to pick that up and publish it without a ton of editing.
Anyway, I just thought it was funny that we had the same reaction to that particular work.
Virginia wrote: "Later, when everyone went batshit about the book, I found out that the author was 16 or something when he wrote the first one... which explains a lot, except how a giant publishing house decided to pick that up and publish it without a ton of editing. "I thought the same thing, then later I discovered that his father was some sort of chief editor or board member or something like that at the publishing house that put it out. Still, I don't know why they didn't edit it more thoroughly. To this day, I don't think I've ever read a more poorly written and ridiculous cliche piece of tripe in my life.
Justin wrote: "I once read 15 pages of a book called The Sugar Frosted Nutsack and it was so bad that I nearly bucked it across the room. I left a rather brutal and lengthy review given I only read 15 pages but I..."Did your review start with "This book left a bad taste in my mouth...like and non-sugar frosted nutsack." ?
David wrote: "To this day, I don't think I've ever read a more poorly written and ridiculous cliche piece of tripe in my life. ..."but... but... it is traditionally published. It must be great by definition, right?
:)
Rachel wrote: "Justin wrote: "I once read 15 pages of a book called The Sugar Frosted Nutsack and it was so bad that I nearly bucked it across the room. I left a rather brutal and lengthy review given I only read...""The girth of this story is hard to swallow beyond the frosted covering."
I figure since everyone is going a little venting nuts, I'd add to the craziness to let you know this is Mod approved. You're welcome
Mod
It depends on context. If I stop reading because the book suffers from lack of editing or polish, then I could see myself posting a negative review. However, if I don’t finish because subject matter isn't my cup of tea or a character rubs me the wrong way, I think it'd be inappropriate to leave a write-up. It’d be like reviewing a restaurant’s entire menu based on only one or two appetizers. That’s not fair. On a different note (unrelated to the DNF thing), I'm wary of writing negative reviews. It's easy for me to badmouth novels/shows/movies in forums or among friends, but I dislike trashing something in such a way that it could negatively impact the human being(s) behind the work (ie leaving a bad rating on a site like Amazon/Yelp/Goodreads).
Lily wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Justin wrote: "I once read 15 pages of a book called The Sugar Frosted Nutsack and it was so bad that I nearly bucked it across the room. ..."The girth of this story is hard to swallow beyond the frosted covering..."
LMAO *gasping slightly to catch breath*
Is ok to go back to topic? I sure can't follow that...
I rarely DNF, but I do 'power skim'. That's when I'm 1/2 way through and have given up on the book, but want a quick look to make sure I'm right that it's going play out the way I think. I pretty much always does. I can't really say I read it - but does that count as a DNF?
I'm more of a power-skimmer too. The one time when I DNF a book is if its part of a larger series that I'm no longer interested in, and even then I usually try to read through the individual novel and just DNF the series.As far as reviews go, I don't usually review DNF novels unless I feel like I read enough to get a real feel for the story. In the example, I think reading the majority of a 150 page novel would fall under that category :)
Mod
I don't do it often because I usually try to read books I know I'll enjoy. When I gamble and take a chance is when there's a 50/50 chance i may not finish it. I'm currently reading my first true steampunk book and loving it. I know a few years back I tried reading a book that was a combo of steampunk and fantasy and mythical but it was boring and got painful to read so I stopped and never even reviewed it, forgot all about it. Sometimes it's just not even worth reviewing.
Oh gosh, that combination sounds a little out there... I've never read much steampunk (I don't think I quite understand it as a genre), but mixing it in with even fantasy by itself seems like it would take a lot of explanation. Was the world fairly straightforward, or did it get convoluted?
Justin wrote: "I'm going to give this one book I'm currently reading one final chance but if I still feel the same I hate to say it's going in my DNF folder.I don't do it often because I usually try to read boo..."
That's interesting. I recently read and enjoyed a Steampunk novel that had lots of fantasy elements (vampires, werewolves, etc.). It was amazingly silly and totally fun. *also a Fringe Fiction Steampunk Rec*
Mod
Justin wrote: "It definitely got convoluted. There were two separate characters back and forth and while one started to pick up the other went no where and then the one good part got dull and after a while I ques..."Ouch. Bad POV transitions. That will kill any book really quickly.
I don't review books I don't finish. My limit is forty pages. If I don't like a book by page 40, it's not worth the work.
50 pages or 5 chapters for me. but it depends on if its for a job (beta reading or editing) or for fun. (im still working on jumper. liked the movie & the game but the book... whew). if
Whew, Amber! I passed your 40 page test.
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (other topics)The 39 Steps (other topics)
How much of a 'did not finish' book do you feel you should read before you rate it? Does the fact that you didn't finish tell you enough? I'd love to know. :-)