I keep seeing this question pop up in my book groups on Facebook and Instagram. “I’m 2 chapters in and this book isn’t really my cup of tea.” “I just really can’t get into these characters.” “Should I keep reading this or DNF it?”
Here’s the thing – not every book is meant for every reader. What I like, you might hate. What I find fascinating might bore you to death. Take Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow as an example – I really didn’t like it, but friends, and critical reviews, loved it.
When I get asked for a recommendation, I usually ask what books the person has liked recently or what their favorite book is. But I also ask why. Maybe it’s the writing, or the character, or the storyline. If you like historical non-fiction with strong female characters, I might recommend The Bloomsbury Girls. But if I were to recommend Dark Angel, one of my January favorites, you’d say I missed the mark – it might have strong female characters but is set in the current day.
Seeing posts with people asking if they should continue reading is becoming a pet peeve of mine. I can’t answer that without knowing so much more information. And, honestly, if you’re having to ask that question, you should already know the answer. Again, not every book is meant for every reader.
It’s perfectly fine to stop reading a book that doesn’t feel right for you. I logged several books as “did not finish” (aka: DNF) last year. While my goal is to finish every single book I start this year, if I come across ones similar to my DNF list from last year, I’ll probably put them down, too. Overly sexual content, violence against kids, self-help books that blame the reader for EVERYTHING. That’s just a few reasons why I logged a few books as DNF.
So, instead of asking your Facebook groups if they think you should stop reading a book or just “push through”, use your best judgement and your experience to make the decision yourself. You know what you like. You know why the book doesn’t feel right. No need to ask anyone else.
Read With Lindsey 