Blog Post

Are You Able To DNF a Book?

Jason BoogOct 20 2023

Few topics are more controversial among readers than the dreaded decision to mark a book DNF, or Did Not Finish. Some people can DNF a book whenever necessary. Other people have to keep reading until the very last page.There’s no right or wrong way to read, but personally, I will DNF a book when necessary. This isn’t a value judgment or even a strategy I’d recommend to anybody else. I just have too many books to read, and I need to keep moving in my reading life.

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The benefits of DNF-ing a book

Some people simply must finish a book, and DNF-ing is not an option. But I would like to suggest a few ways it can improve your life!

You'll know what to avoid next time (Book Riot)
DNF-ing a book will help you read more, ultimately. (Reddit)
You can avoid a reading slump and the bad feelings that come with it. (Your Tita Kate)
You won't waste your finite reading time (Just Plan Books)
You'll have time to start the next book on your list!

DNF isn't forever!

It’s worth remembering that no DNF is ever final.Ever since college, I kept DNF-ing “The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman” by Laurence Sterne. The prose is super challenging and the story always confused me. Then, a couple of years ago, I joined a virtual book club for the book, proudly moving the book from my DNF pile to my Books I Loved But Probably Won’t Recommend To Anybody Else Because They Are Way Too Strange list.But enough about me. I want to hear how and when you decide whether to DNF a book.

Keep reading on Fable

The Fable app is built for social reading, with tools for sharing highlights, comments, insights, links, pictures, and videos as you set measurable reading goals. We also make it easy to launch your free book club, even if you are reading an audiobook. With our platform, you can host every aspect of an online discussion at a single destination to reach readers and build safe online communities regardless of location or time zone.

Start your own book club today!

You can also discover the best audiobook by exploring thousands of book lists on Fable, decoding your personal taste with our guided recommendations. It’s easy to make your own list as well!

Make a great book list.

Just finished reading an audiobook and have the urge to share your thoughts with the world? It’s time to write your review and highlight your favorite sentences! You can also import your Goodreads reviews to your Fable account!Rate and review your favorite books!

By Jason Boog

Jason Boog is a writer living in Los Angeles and part of the editorial team at Fable. OR Books published "The Deep End: The Literary Scene During the Great Depression and Today," his book about how different writers survived the Great Depression. Simon & Schuster’s Touchstone imprint published "Born Reading: Bringing Up Bookworms in a Digital Age," his handbook about how to raise kids who love to read. His work has appeared in The Believer, The Awl, Salon, NPR Books, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Peace Corps Writers, and other outlets. He was the West Coast correspondent for Publishers Weekly.