It’s quite rare for me to DNF (Did Not Finish) a book. Usually, I'll juggle it with another book and slowly make my way through, since DNFing feels like admitting defeat. Once I’ve invested time in a book, I’m determined to see it through and have it count towards my annual reading goal.
However, I’ve become more lenient with DNFing this year. This doesn't mean I’ve given up on these books forever; I’m simply willing to set them aside for a few months until the timing feels right. This year, I'm embracing mood reading. If a book doesn't match my current mood, I’ll find a better time for it later.
Some books on this list fall into that category. Others, though, I’m fairly certain I’ll never pick up again.
Daisy Haites, Jessa Hastings
I don’t think I’ll finish this series. I didn’t particularly enjoy the first novel, but I heard Daisy’s storyline was more engaging and generally better liked. So, I gave Daisy Haites a shot on Spotify as an audiobook, hoping it would change my mind, but it didn’t. I still don’t like these books.
I can’t quite pinpoint why. They seem to have everything I’d typically enjoy: a lot of dialogue, a UK setting, and intriguing themes. Yet, something about them irks me. Maybe it’s the outlandishness or the characters' wealth that I can’t relate to, though I do like Gossip Girl.
Regardless, this series just doesn’t work for me, which is a shame because the covers are stunning and would look great on my shelf. Maybe I’ll give it one more try, but I just don’t think these books are for me.
Manacled, SenLynYu
I’m not sure what initially enticed me about this book. It was probably the trigger warnings that drew me in, along with the sheer length—how can anyone write a fanfic so long? Yes, it’s a fan fiction about Draco and Hermione. I’ve never been into Harry Potter fanfiction and I’m not particularly fond of Hermione, but the dystopian setting of this novel, as described by emmiereads, piqued my interest.
I decided to give it a shot, and from the 10% I read of this 1000-page giant, I enjoyed it. The world-building, the development of the wizarding world, and the portrayal of the relationship between Draco and Hermione were well done. It reminded me of The Handmaid’s Tale, with its themes of women being used for breeding and wizards struggling to populate.
However, despite how great this book is, I stopped reading it. It’s just too long, and with my limited time, committing to such a big book is hard. But I don’t think it’s a goodbye forever. I hope it gets published commercially because it tackles some important and pressing topics.
Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez
I picked this up at a charity shop, eager to explore more of Márquez’s work after being captivated by One Hundred Years of Solitude. Despite recognising the literary merit of this novel, I just couldn’t get into it. The intricate relationships and political themes didn’t resonate with me as I had hoped.
It’s disappointing because I had high expectations, but sometimes a book just doesn’t click. After giving it a fair shot, I decided to re-donate it. I doubt I’ll ever pick it up again, but I’m glad I gave it a try. Sometimes, even the most acclaimed books aren’t a perfect fit for everyone.
Burning Questions, Margaret Atwood
I remember being thrilled when I purchased this book. It was the first Atwood release I bought as a newly minted fan, having devoured nearly all of her works in the span of a year and becoming completely obsessed with her writing.
This book wasn’t a disappointment, but it’s not meant to be read cover to cover, much like you wouldn’t read the Bible from start to finish. It’s a collection of essays meant to be dipped into as the mood strikes. Trying to read it straight through just didn’t work for me.
So, while this book proudly sits in my Atwood collection, it will likely remain mostly unread, with just a few essays explored. And that’s okay!
It Ends with Us, Colleen Hoover
I read the first page of this book and immediately put it down. I’ll never pick it up again, nor am I likely to try another of Hoover’s books.
I had a feeling it might not be my cup of tea, but I wanted to see what all the hype was about. Unfortunately, the writing on that first page was enough to convince me otherwise.
Lady Oracle, Margaret Atwood
This is the only Atwood novel I haven’t read, and I’m not sure why I haven’t picked it up again! Maybe I’m reluctant to finish my journey of reading an Atwood novel for the first time.
I started it during my final year of university, but I simply didn’t have the brainpower to appreciate it and set it aside. It’s not a definite DNF; I just haven’t gotten around to it again.
I know it won’t be my favourite Atwood work—I'm generally less fond of her older stuff, as you’ll see in my upcoming "Ranking Atwood" article. Still, I’m sure it contains some great elements, and I need to give it a proper read sometime soon.
Ulysses, James Joyce
I now have an MA in English Literature, and I still can't make sense of this book! The literary references fly right over my head, and I struggle to grasp what Joyce is alluding to. And that’s okay!
I’ve probably attempted to read it three times now, just to experience the incredible final chapter, but I still can’t comprehend the rest of the content. All I can say is that if you’ve read and understood this book, you’re amazing.
These are all the books I’ve DNF’ed from memory, though I don’t usually keep track of them—I really should start! It would be interesting to see what I’ve DNF’ed this year with this more conscious approach, and in a year’s time, observe any trends or if I’ve managed to finish any of the books on this list. The only one I might come back to is the Atwood!