One thing I never did before blogging was not finish a book. I would power through and finish no matter what, even if I wasn't a fan. This year though, I have started to change. I have set rules and limits for myself for how far I will go with a book before I decide I have had enough. And I think this is something we ALL struggle with: the question of when, why, and how we DNF a book -- and then what do we do after? So I'm going to run through how I determine whether I will continue with a story and give you guys some advice for how to come up with your own guidelines (or steal mine, I'm chill with that) and what to do once you actually HAVE DNFed a book.

Jamie DNFs A Book

This still doesn't happen very often, but I do have a shelf dedicated to it on GR. Actually, two sort of. I have an "on hold" shelf where I put books that I'm just not feeling right off the bat (~10% or less) that I think maybe I will come back to and give another chance. And I have my DNF shelf where I put those books that I just couldn't get through.

First In A Series/Standalone

But you don't care about that, lbr. So to the goodies. First up, a "checklist" for when to DNF a First In A Series/Standalone. These are always a little tricky because you have to give the book enough time to get past the character introductions and into the actual plot. 

So my thinking is...

• If I'm not enjoying it after 25% of the book (or thereabout)
• If I roll my eyes twice in a way that also make me want to bang my head off the table
• This could be for any reason, but I know my reading style so if the plot is very trope-y but not well written, it will be a quick DNF for me
• Insensitivity for trigger warning things
• I can immediately guess what is going to happen (and I am right)
• Writing style is making it difficult for me to follow the story (a la SHATTER ME)
• I cannot connect to the characters at all (even to dislike them)
• Poor grammar, lots of mistakes, etc. (only in finished copies, though)
• Toxic relationships that are treated as being romantic