Fantasy Aficionados discussion

I thought it would be great to get an idea of what FA members think of DNF'd books and why.

Please feel free to give me some additional questions to add to this list. I'll update the post with questions as they come up.

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Do you DNF books?

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?

If yes, do you state that you DNF’d the book and why? If no, why not?

Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?

What do you think of DNF reviews?

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?

Do you DNF books?

Yes, all the time.

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?

Usually, 75-100 but I stop where I feel comfortable. Poor editing and formatting will kill me withing 15-20 pages.

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?

Yes, if I plan to never read that book again.


If yes, do you state that you DNF’d the book and why? If no, why not?

I always say if I DNF’d the book or not. I even shelve it as a DNF to make sure there is no confusion.

If I just loose interest in a book but I plan to pick it up later I shelve it as “DNF-will try again” and I don’t review it.

Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Yes. I love DNF reviews. I like to get an idea as to why someone didn’t finish the book.


What do you think of DNF reviews?
I think they are important.


Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?

Yes. I wasn’t in the mood at that time (book crankies) but I read and enjoyed it later.

MrsJoseph wrote: "Do you DNF books?

Rarely

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?
It depends. With Little, Big by John Crowley I really wanted to try so I read about half way through before I gave up. I stopped
Guilty Pleasures Laurell K. Hamilton after only a few chapters. Same for Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson. I also stopped Salman Rushdies Midnights Children after only a few chapters....Believe it or not those are the only books I did not finish..oh yes and Artemis Fowl

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF? No


Do you read DNF reviews? Sometimes..
What do you think of DNF reviews? Interesting!

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?
I plan to give Little Big and Midnight's Children a second try some time!

Do you DNF books?

Sometimes, but not often.


How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?

It depends, but I try to give it a fair chance. Roughly 25% or so.

Recently there was one book that I'd only read 14% of, but I just didn't have it in me to be bothered.


Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?

I have done. I've even written a review (though didn't put a rating) for a book that I rejected based on the free excerpt. It sort of depends on whether I stop reading it more 'cause it's just not for me, or because it's kinda crap.


If yes, do you state that you DNF’d the book and why? If no, why not?

Yes, I clearly stated that I hadn't finished or that I'd only read the excerpt.


Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Again, it depends.

I won't reject them just because they're a DNF review so, in that sense, yes, but, like any review, if I start reading it and it's not interesting me in some way, I'll skim or skip.


What do you think of DNF reviews?

I think they're fine.


Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?

Not as of yet.

Do you DNF books?

Only 6 that I can think of offhand. 2 of those I ended up finishing eventually. I have DNF'd Wuthering Heights four times now. I can't explain that one. Just stubborness on my part, I guess.

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?

Varies. The furthest, so far, I was some 75% or so through it before I gave it up. Usually its more like about 40% through.


Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?

As of yet, I have not. Reviews are a lot of work for me, so I haven't bothered with something I couldn't finish.


Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Yes. I like varied opinions, even when I don't agree with them.

What do you think of DNF reviews?

They used to bother me, but since I've DNF'd more often myself lately, I understand better now. Though I do find it sad and frustrating when someone has given up before a crucial point.

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?

Yes. The first was Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch. My feelings were the same - the beginning is busy and kinda boring but I was so very glad I finally finished it.

The second was Graceling. I enjoyed it, but right in the middle I just wasn't in the mood. MrsJ's term "book crankies" is so very perfect a description for what happened with that one.

MrsJoseph wrote: "I thought it would be great to get an idea of what FA members think of DNF'd books and why.

Oooh, a questionnaire! What fun!

Do you DNF books?
Yes, about 5% of my reading terminates with prejudice.

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?
However many pages it takes me to realise that I'm actually reading a vampire romance :-) Yeah, sometimes I buy a book without checking properly. My bad. But if it really ought to be my thing, I'll give it at least 25-30% before giving up. Once it was more than 50%.

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?
Yes. It's an automatic 1* (because, obviously, I didn't like it), but I always explain exactly what it was that put me off, and I try to point out that it's just my opinion.

If yes, do you state that you DNF’d the book and why? If no, why not?
Of course. I think it would be unethical to write a review based only on part of the book without declaring that, it would be misleading.

Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Yes, it's really useful to know that someone disliked a book enough to give up on it, especially if they say why. It's not much use if they just say 'this is a terrible book'.

What do you think of DNF reviews?
I think all negative reviews are more useful than positive ones, on the whole, and that goes for DNFs too.

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?
I once went back and skimmed to the end to see if I'd missed something vital. There was a twist that addressed one of my criticisms, so I edited the review to reflect that. But generally life's too short to read something you're not enjoying.

Great topic, MrsJ.!

Do you DNF books?
-- Yes indeedy.

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?
-- I don't have any set number of pages. I mentioned in another thread that I "read until I lose the will to live or continue reading, whichever comes first."

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?
-- Yep. If I gave it any of my time, it gets a review. I also rate them. If it was atrociously bad or caused any kind of violent reaction, it gets a 1 star. If I just wasn't enjoying it but there wasn't technically anything wrong with it, it gets a 2 star.

If yes, do you state that you DNF’d the book and why? If no, why not?
-- I don't hide the fact that it was a DNF, but I don't know if I make it a point to specifically state it every single review. I have an "abandoned" shelf for my DNFs, so if it's there, I didn't finish.

Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?
-- In theory, yes. If someone stopped reading because of something that might also make me want to gouge out my eyes, I want to know. But in practice, no, because if there's a chance I'll read a book that I'm really interested in, I don't read reviews so as to avoid spoilers.

What do you think of DNF reviews?
-- Love em.

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?
-- Not that I can recall, but it's possible. If I were to do that, it would be because curiosity won out.

Do you DNF books?
Yes, several times a year.

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?
Typically 50-100 pages, but sometimes I'll read as much as 50% before stopping. If I don't make it past the 1st chapter, it doesn't count as an attempt.

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF? Not usually, but I rarely take the time to write reviews in the first place. I will rate a book if I gave it a fair shot and hated it, but if it was abandoned due to being wrong for my mood, I'll just move it back to my "to-read" list and come back to it later.

Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Yes. If I'm debating whether to try a book or not, they can be very useful. Sometimes they tip me off to a plot-line type or writing style that I usually dislike.

What do you think of DNF reviews?
love them

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?
Yes. Some I've liked on the 2nd try. These were usually cases where the timing was off the first time I attempted to read it (too many library book, over-committed, too much homework, wrong mood, etc).

Do you DNF books?
Yes, but I don't rate them or put them on my shelves for long.

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book? About 150 pages.

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?

No, but I complain about them to anyone who likes to hear me whine, and those who don't.

If yes, do you state that you DNF’d the book and why? If no, why not? Yes.

Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?

No. I like to use my own brain, such as it is.

What do you think of DNF reviews?

It makes no sense to me to rate and review a book you've only read 10% of, but I'm weird that way.

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?

Yes. But 99% of the time, my original impression was correct. I've never stopped reading a book because I didn't like it, and then picked it up later and loved it. I have stopped reading a book through no fault of the book, and picked it up later, but I don't count that as a DNF.

Do you DNF books?

Yes, often

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?

Varies, sometimes as few as 10 pages and occasionally half or more of the way through the book.

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?

Very rarely and only if there was a specific reason for the DNF.

If yes, do you state that you DNF’d the book and why? If no, why not?

Always and it's very specific.

Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Occasionally and only those that specify why it was a DNF, not those that are “hated it” with no specifics.

What do you think of DNF reviews?

If there was a rational reason for the DNF they can be helpful, I don't find that “hated everything about it” types useful in the least.

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?

I can't think of any. I've gone back and tried a few that were earlier DNFs but I can't think of any that I did actually finish and enjoy.

Do you DNF books?
I go back and forth on this. But right now, no. I try not to. It has to be pretty bad for me to give up on.

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?
For me it's time more than any page count. If I'm not feeling a book but can get it read within a few days to a week I will. If I feel it's taking way too long and I don't like it that's when I give up.

Do you write reviews for books you DNF?
Sometimes. If I have something to say. More often than not I'll just quietly take the book off of my currently reading shelf.

If yes, do you state that you DNF'd the book and why? If no, why not?
I don't have a shelf for DNF's but I make sure to put it somewhere in the first few sentences of my reviews that I didn't finish it. And at what page I gave up on.

Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Sure. As much as I read any review. I've had reviews talk me into reading a book but I've never let one talk me out of one I wanted to read. Although maybe I should've.

What do you think of DNF reviews?
I don't mind them as long as the reviewers are honest. And as long as they tried the book. I'm not a great fan of reviewing books you didn't even read a chapter of. But hey, it's not my review. I don't really care what anyone writes. I can choose not to read it.

Have you ever DNF'd a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?
Yeah, I've done this. But not often. The one that comes to mind though is The Way of Kings. I was already a big fan of Sanderson when this book came out so I was very excited to read it. But I couldn't finish it. It was slow and boring to me. I tried twice to get through it and failed. Finally the third time I did it. And by the end I loved it. I kept trying because I loved the author usually and I didn't want to give up. But normally I just remember what I hated about the book to begin with.

Do you DNF books?

I do indeed do-not-finish books. Only 6, officially, but with a few, I finish with heavy, heavy skimming.

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?

Ha! Until I realize the writing is atrocious, until I'm tired of it putting me to sleep every time I pick it up, or until the library sends me an 'overdue' notice.

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?

I do--since my reviews are partly for me, I want to remember why/what was a barrier to finishing.

If yes, do you state that you DNF’d the book and why? If no, why not?

I do state I DNF. Sometimes it's a matter of timing, and I don't want to rate a book badly, so in my review, I want to makes it clear I didn't finish and why. Sometimes it's book incompatibility, which I also want to make clear--might be a quality book, but it's not for me. There's too many books out there to waste time forcing a read.

Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?

I tend to look for reviews that are well-written, and thoughtful, or funny, or both. Doesn't matter to me if they finished or not. A well-written review that explains why they DNF is worth more to me than a "It was awesome" or poorly written review.

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date?

Not that I can think of off hand--as I said above--too many good/interesting books out there to force a read. There were some that I took weeks to get through, which is very rare for me (hello, Jonathan Strange!). That said, most of the ones I shelved as 'DNF' I'm thinking of re-reading some day. Little, Big is an example of one I didn't finish, but would be willing to try again.

Do you DNF books?

I do. I read primarily on the nook, so for the purposes of the following, DNF refers to books I purchased after reading the sample. If I didn't like the sample, the book is stricken from the record because clearly it wasn't for me.

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?

My rule is that if I start questioning why I'm bothering to turn the page, it's time to cut my losses. Usually this happens 1/3 to 1/2 of the way through.

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?

I typically do. I try to be objective, insofar as it's possible, about my reviews, so I don't always leave a star ranking. If I stopped because I thought the book was bad, I'll give it a low star ranking. If I gave up because I realized part of the way through that there was no way I would have liked the book, such as if I find out I've picked up the wrong genre or reading level, I might write a text review but refrain from leaving a star ranking.


If yes, do you state that you DNF’d the book and why? If no, why not?

I do. I'm aware that some people consider DNF reviews as somehow invalid, so full disclosure is in order. More importantly, "I couldn't finish this" is probably the single most important line in such a review.


Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Absolutely. I find that there is more value in negative reviews than positive. They tend to come from more demanding readers and tend to be more detailed. If someone decided to give up on the book, I want to know that they did, and their reasons.

What do you think of DNF reviews?

I think they're important. It all goes back to the mentality that DNF reviews are invalid. What that means is the pool of reviewers is now self-selected to include only people who thought the book was worth finishing. That, then, reduces the number of negative reviews and artificially inflates the average review score. If people don't write DNF reviews, then the worst book in the world might have a five star average rating.

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?

In my younger days, yes, but I can't think of any recent examples.

I usually know about ten pages in whether or not I want to finish the book. I only have so much time in my life and, if I'm going to be reading, I want to be reading good books.

I don't write DNF reviews. Ten pages isn't enough for me to write anything comprehensive. Also, I only write reviews of books I really like. If I wrote reviews of books I didn't like, I wouldn't have time for much else.

Do you DNF books?

Yes, I will DNF a book but it is rare for me to do it.

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?

Generally it depends. If I can, I will read at least 50 pages, but I have been known to only read a few pages.

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?

Usually I do not write reviews for them. I also do not rate them, except if I forced myself to read most of it and still didn't like it.

If yes, do you state that you DNF’d the book and why? If no, why not?

If I did review a book that was on my DNF shelf, I would specify that I had been unable to read it. I would specify because I would feel it would be lying to review and not specify that I had not finished it.

Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Sometimes and sometimes not. I generally would read if it was a review by one of my friends or my friend recommended the review to me.

What do you think of DNF reviews?

They can be helpful to make choices of whether or not I wanted to read the book myself.

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?

No. I only DNF books that I will never be reading and generally I will not recommend that book. If I just didn't feel like reading it, I would just move it to the TBR shelf.

What an interesting approach to a discussion.

Do you DNF books?
Yes. When I don’t like the writing or when I disagree with the story. Or when the story turns too dark.

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?
It depends. Usually, a couple of chapters, but once I quit a book after I read half of it. There was lots of hype about that particular book, and I was waiting to get excited, but it never happened.

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?
No. I don’t think it’s fair to the writer, if I write a review to an unfinished book. Maybe the other half, the one I never read, was much better. I just couldn’t get to it. Although I have to admit a couple of times I finished a book I disliked with a specific goal: to trash it in my review. Mean of me, I know.

Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Sometimes, but I take them with skepticism. If the reviewer didn’t finish the book, she can’t give a fully informed opinion, but it's a warning.

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?
So far, it’s happened once. There is one book by one of my favorite writes that I started three times. I love all her other books, some more, some less, but I couldn’t finish this one. It repels me every time I start reading it.

The great editor Damon Knight used to keep a notecard by him, as he read manuscripts. He put the card in where he got bored, so that the author would know when that point was. If he got through the whole ms without using the card, he'd buy it.

Do you DNF books?

Yes! I have 2 kinds, the ones I know I will never finish, and the ones I've set "on the back burner".

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?

My decision depends on my feelings about the story and the patience/desire to finish, not length.

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?

If a DNF turns into a WNF (Will not Finish) then yes, usually with a 1 or 2 star rating and an explanation.
If its a "Back Burner" book then no.

If yes, do you state that you DNF’d the book and why? If no, why not?

Yes, usually as the actual starting point of my review.

Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Sure. I read any review that catches my eye.

What do you think of DNF reviews?

I think they are just like any other review; they're either helpful/insightful/useful or not.

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?

If its a WNF, then no, it means I am 100% sure I'm done.

If its a "back burner" book then "maybe". Some books stay on the back burner longer than others.

Do you DNF books?

All the time. Occasionally it's that the plot just doesn't work or the characters aren't engaging, but increasingly its due to poor quality, mostly with FAMOUS AUTHOR and non-famous-author-who-really-wrote-it books, and sad-to-say, SP books. Sometimes it's just because I have so many to-be-read books on the shelf.

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?

Usually a chapter, occasionally a third of the way or so

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?

No

If yes, do you state that you DNF’d the book and why? If no, why not?

NA

Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Maybe I'm odd but I'm not a fan of crowdsourced reviews in general.

What do you think of DNF reviews?

NA

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?

Brenda wrote: "The great editor Damon Knight used to keep a notecard by him, as he read manuscripts. He put the card in where he got bored, so that the author would know when that point was. If he got through t..."

Oh! What a cool idea. This makes me want to be a book editor! I would do such a good job *...and a card goes here... and here... and here*.

I believe Knight only ever used one card per ms. If you lose your reader, you usually do not get her back.

Oh... *Loopy sadly puts all her cards away* I must say that I have slogged through many a boring part in a book because I love the author. But I do have a few DNF books, I never like to admit defeat, and so often make myself read the books, chapter by chapter. It does make the book a real chore to read, but then I can say that it did not conquer me!

Brenda wrote: "The great editor Damon Knight used to keep a notecard by him, as he read manuscripts. He put the card in where he got bored, so that the author would know when that point was. If he got through t..."

He sounds wonderful. But also a hardass. :-D

I like it!

Another editor, the late Jim Baen (of Baen Books), once fell behind on his slush pile reading, and was confronted with perhaps a hundred mss. He had an intern, and he handed her this pile. He said, "Read the first page of each of these manuscripts, and reject half of them. Of the fifty remaining, read the first chapter of each of them. Reject forty. Read the remaining ten all the way through, and stack them, the best one on the top. Hand that stack to me." This story was told to me by the author of the ms at the top of that stack; Baen bought it.
And this is why authors are told it is important to HANG ON TO YOUR READER, cost what it may. If you cannot grab your reader by the shirt collar and twist, you are doomed.

Brenda wrote: "Another editor, the late Jim Baen (of Baen Books), once fell behind on his slush pile reading, and was confronted with perhaps a hundred mss. He had an intern, and he handed her this pile. He sai..."

While that sounds like a shit job (the intern), I would kill for a job like that. *sigh*

Imagine, to intern for Jim Baen...

Do you DNF books?
Quite frequently.

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?
However long it takes to realize that I can't bear to pick it up and read any more. It seems to usually be around page 80-90. That's giving the author ample time to get a story going.

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?
Yes. It can't be a complete review, but I think an important element of a story is whether it arouses your curiosity and interest -- suspense, in other words. It's the sine qua non. If a story doesn't have that, it doesn't matter what its other virtues are.

If yes, do you state that you DNF’d the book and why? If no, why not?
Of course I'll say I didn't finish it. A review should be honest.

Do you read DNF reviews? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Yes. Same reason as above.

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?
I have tried to read a DNF book more than once. An example is Little, Big. Tried to read it three times. Each time I reached the point of I-can't-bear-this-any-longer. Other people love it; I can't get through it.

Brenda wrote: "Another editor, the late Jim Baen (of Baen Books), once fell behind on his slush pile reading, and was confronted with perhaps a hundred mss. He had an intern, and he handed her this pile. He sai..."

I feel kinda bad for all those "what ifs". Most were probably garbage true, but some books take awhile for me to get into. When I first started Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey I thought I was going to hate it. I even put it down with no intent to pick it back up. But I did and by the first hundred pages loved it! Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb was another. If I went by that mode I'd never have given it a chance.

I hate to think there was a Carey or Hobb who got tossed out because of a slow first page.

If it's a really good book, it will find a home. Baen is famed for its space opera and thrilling SF, for instance. If you have a thinky, Ursula LeGuin kind of SF novel you might do better elsewhere anywa.

Loopy wrote: "I must say that I have slogged through many a boring part in a book because I love the author. "

I will do this to some extent but only authors I like well enough to follow regularly. Any author can produce a book with a plot or theme that doesn't particularly interest me ... I've had the occasional book in almost all of my 'auto-buy' authors and series. Two in a row, however, is often the point where a series/author will get put on my "be sure and read but from the library, don't buy before reading" ...

Do you DNF books?
Yes, expecially library books. It's a luxury.

How many pages do you read before deciding to DNF a book?
It depends from the book. Sometimes the first chapter, sometimes half the book. If I arrive towards the end I try to finish.

Do you write reviews for books that you DNF?
No.

If yes, do you state that you DNF’d the book and why? If no, why not?
I'd feel I was cheating.

Have you ever DNF’d a book only to read the whole thing at a later date? If yes, did something change about you or your feelings towards the book to allow that read?
There are a few books that I tries more than one time, because I thought that maybe the first time it wasn't the right time or I was distracted or it wasn't my kind of book but it was probably a good one. I've never been able to finish Berlin Alexanderplatz, Musil, Robert, Moby-Dick, but from time to time I continue to try the last one. In Fantasy I'm having difficulties withChina Miéville.