I also regularly give up on books and apparently GoodReads is set to introduce a DNF option instead of just 'read' or 'want to read' which I'm very pleased about! Interestingly though, I tried to read Hamnet on two occasions last year and gave up as I wasn't enjoying it all. I picked it back up in January (really determined to read it before seeing the film) and it became one of my favourite books I've ever read!
I’m so glad you found your way in to Hamnet—so worth it! I think that’s my fear when I DNF a book, but sometimes the timing just isn’t right. I did the same recently with I am I am I am by Maggie O’Farrell and so glad I found my way in! Love that GoodReads are introducing a DNF—that will be so interesting!
Me too! I almost knew when I was reading it that I'd enjoy it when I was feeling a different way / in a different place (I originally read it in the depths of the uk winter and then in the mountains in New Zealand so very different experiences!) but now I'm wondering how many other DNF books I need to go back to!
This is brilliant Tom and something very affirming about a hard no thank you, this book is not for me. I love that there are so amazing authors that create amazing books for us all ❤️ the very definition of inclusion is the world of reading!
I love this great big permission slip—thank you! I have also recently noticed that I stop reading altogether if I am struggling with one particular book because I am reluctant to DNF it, so I don’t pick anything else up, as that mean admitting defeat, so this approach would also see me reading more overall. Here for it!
I could not agree more Tom. Life is too short for bad coffee and books you’re not enjoying.
You make me feel much better about my “to be read” pile! The idea of a river, from which to pick a book that matches the moment, is sublime.
Yes it’s such a lovely thought. Check out Oliver Burkeman’s writing if you haven’t: it’s full of clever ideas like that
I also regularly give up on books and apparently GoodReads is set to introduce a DNF option instead of just 'read' or 'want to read' which I'm very pleased about! Interestingly though, I tried to read Hamnet on two occasions last year and gave up as I wasn't enjoying it all. I picked it back up in January (really determined to read it before seeing the film) and it became one of my favourite books I've ever read!
So interesting how much depends on your mood/receptiveness
I’m so glad you found your way in to Hamnet—so worth it! I think that’s my fear when I DNF a book, but sometimes the timing just isn’t right. I did the same recently with I am I am I am by Maggie O’Farrell and so glad I found my way in! Love that GoodReads are introducing a DNF—that will be so interesting!
Me too! I almost knew when I was reading it that I'd enjoy it when I was feeling a different way / in a different place (I originally read it in the depths of the uk winter and then in the mountains in New Zealand so very different experiences!) but now I'm wondering how many other DNF books I need to go back to!
This is brilliant Tom and something very affirming about a hard no thank you, this book is not for me. I love that there are so amazing authors that create amazing books for us all ❤️ the very definition of inclusion is the world of reading!
I love this great big permission slip—thank you! I have also recently noticed that I stop reading altogether if I am struggling with one particular book because I am reluctant to DNF it, so I don’t pick anything else up, as that mean admitting defeat, so this approach would also see me reading more overall. Here for it!
Aha I am here to write permission slips anytime… especially if they lead to people buying more books!!
Hope to see you for Dominic Gregory event
Charlie’s ITW? is really fabulous isn’t it? Studs Terkl in a Citroen Berlingo.
Thanks for the permission slip, Professor!-- I needed that!!
But now I'm gonna fret about all those unread books in the British Library... 😕💦
Agree!