Is It Okay to DNF? The Guilt-Free Guide to Ditching Books You Don’t Love

There it sits on your nightstand, a silent accuser. You started it with high hopes, but now, a hundred pages in, picking it up feels more like a chore than a pleasure. A nagging voice whispers, “You have to finish what you start.” This is the familiar pang of book guilt, a feeling that turns a beloved hobby into a burdensome task. For many avid readers, the idea of not finishing a book, or DNF’ing (Did Not Finish), feels like a personal failure. But what if it isn’t? What if putting a book down is an act of self-respect? This guide is here to help you reframe your thinking and embrace the liberating power of the DNF.

Why do we feel guilty about not finishing a book?

The guilt associated with DNF’ing a book is a surprisingly complex emotion, often rooted in deep-seated beliefs about commitment and value. For many, it starts with the sunk cost fallacy. You’ve already invested time, and maybe money, into this book. Quitting now feels like that investment was a complete waste. It’s the same logic that keeps people watching a bad movie to the end—the feeling that you have to “get your money’s worth” out of the time you’ve already spent.

Then there’s the societal pressure and a healthy dose of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). When a book is a bestseller or everyone in your book club is raving about it, not enjoying it can make you feel like you’re the one with the problem. “What am I not getting that everyone else is?” you might wonder. This transforms a simple matter of taste into a question of your own literary judgment. We’re taught from a young age that quitting is for losers, and this mentality often bleeds into our hobbies, turning what should be a joyful escape into a test of our perseverance.

The case for a guilt-free DNF

Now, let’s dismantle that guilt. The single most compelling reason to DNF a book is simple: life is too short to read books you don’t love. Reading is not a job. It’s not an assignment you have to turn in for a grade. It is a source of joy, knowledge, and escape. The moment it becomes a source of dread, it has lost its primary purpose. Think of the opportunity cost. Every hour you spend slogging through a book that isn’t resonating with you is an hour you could be spending with a story that will change your life, make you laugh, or sweep you off your feet.

Furthermore, it’s crucial to remember that reading is entirely subjective. A book is not universally “good” or “bad”; it’s simply a good or bad fit for you, right now. The concept of “right book, wrong time” is very real. A story you can’t connect with in your twenties might become your favorite a decade later. Ditching a book isn’t a judgment on the author or even the book itself. It is an acknowledgment of your own unique tastes and current needs as a reader. It’s a sign of a mature reader who knows themselves well.

How to know when it’s time to DNF

Deciding to DNF can feel arbitrary, but there are clear signs that a book just isn’t working for you. If you find yourself experiencing any of the following, it might be time to let go:

• You’re actively avoiding it. Are you picking up your phone, tidying the house, or doing literally anything else to avoid reading? That’s a major red flag.
• Reading feels like a chore. Instead of looking forward to your reading time, you feel a sense of obligation or even dread.
• You have no idea what’s happening. If you have to reread the same paragraph multiple times because your mind keeps wandering, or you can’t remember character names or key plot points from the previous chapter, you’re not engaged.
• You’re just not vibing with it. Sometimes there’s no concrete reason. The prose might be beautiful and the plot inventive, but if the story, characters, or themes don’t connect with you on an emotional level, it’s okay to move on.

Some readers follow informal rules to help them decide, like the popular 50-Page Rule (if a book hasn’t grabbed you after 50 pages, you can stop). Others prefer a percentage-based approach, like giving a book 20% of its total length before making a call. These aren’t rigid laws, but they can be helpful guidelines to give a book a fair shot without forcing yourself to endure hundreds of pages of misery.

What to do after you DNF a book

So you’ve made the decision. You’re DNF’ing the book. What now? The post-DNF process is key to making it a positive and guilt-free experience. First, take a moment to reflect on why you didn’t finish it. Was it the slow pacing? A particular writing style? The genre? Identifying the reason helps you understand your own reading taste better and make more informed choices for your next pick. This turns the DNF from a “failure” into a valuable piece of data for your reading life.

Next, let it go. Don’t let the book linger on your nightstand as a monument to your “failure.” Donate it, pass it on to a friend who you think might enjoy it, or return it to the library. Physically removing the book provides a sense of closure. And most importantly, pick up something new immediately. The fastest way to get over a book you didn’t like is to fall in love with one you do. Dive into that book you’ve been excited to read. This reinforces the idea that reading is a source of pleasure, and you’ve just made a smart choice to maximize that pleasure.

Your reading life, your rules

Ultimately, learning to DNF without guilt is about taking ownership of your reading life. You are the curator of your own bookshelf and, more importantly, of your own time. The guilt we feel is often internal, a holdover from outdated ideas about finishing what we start, no matter the cost to our enjoyment. By letting go of that pressure, you aren’t failing. You are making an empowered choice. You are saying that your time is valuable and your joy matters. So the next time you’re struggling with a book, remember this guide. Give it a fair chance, but if it’s not for you, close it with confidence and move on to the next great story waiting for you.

Image by: PNW Production
https://www.pexels.com/@pnw-prod