For years, I felt an unshakable obligation to finish every book I started. No matter how bored, frustrated, or downright miserable I was, I’d push through to the bitter end—telling myself that maybe it would get better, maybe the ending would be worth it, or maybe I just wasn’t giving it a fair chance. Spoiler alert: most of the time, it wasn’t worth it.

But here’s the thing: reading should be enjoyable, not a chore.

The Myth of the “Good Reader”

Somewhere along the way, many of us were conditioned to believe that abandoning a book is a moral failing. We’ve internalized the idea that being a “good reader” means finishing everything we start, no matter how much we’re suffering. But why? No one forces us to finish a bad TV show or a boring movie—so why do we guilt ourselves over books?

The DNF Epiphany

Once I gave myself permission to DNF (Did Not Finish) books guilt-free, reading became so much more enjoyable. I stopped wasting time on books that weren’t clicking with me and instead focused on ones that excited, inspired, or challenged me in a good way. And you know what? I read more books because of it. Most of the time I read books on Libby these days anyway, so it feels easier to DNF when I haven’t spent any money on it!

Signs It’s Time to DNF a Book

If you’re on the fence about whether to drop a book, here are some signs that it’s time to move on:

• You keep making excuses to do anything but read it.
• You’re actively dreading picking it up.
• You’re skimming just to “get through it.”
• You’re rolling your eyes more than you’re enjoying the story.
• You’re reading out of obligation, not enjoyment.
• There are 10 books on your shelf you’d rather be reading instead.

Give Yourself Permission to Quit

DNF-ing doesn’t mean a book is bad—it just means it’s not for you (or not for you right now). Reading is a personal experience, and forcing yourself through a book you don’t like isn’t proof of dedication—it’s just a waste of precious reading time. It might even put you in a reading rut! Don’t shoot yourself in the foot just for the sake of “finishing”.

So here’s my new philosophy: If I’m not loving a book by page 50, it’s out. No guilt, no second-guessing. Life’s too short for bad books, and there are too many great ones waiting to be read.

What’s the last book you DNF’d, and how did it feel? Let’s normalize quitting books that don’t serve us! 📚✨