Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Here are some of the books I started reading in the last month or two but did not finish. I’m including my reasons for not finishing them in today’s post because of how subjective these things can be.
What I consider to be reasons to stop reading might be the sorts of writing styles, themes, genres, or topics that other readers love, of course! So if something on this list looks good to you, consider it a book recommendation if you wish.
1. Northern Nights by Michael Kelly
Why It was a DNF for Me: Too scary! Since the events of 2020 I have kept thinking I could handle the horror genre again only for it to be too much for me in 95% of cases.
2. When the Ice Is Gone: What a Greenland Ice Core Reveals About Earth’s Tumultuous History and Perilous Future by Paul Bierman
Why It was a DNF for Me: It took way too long to even begin to say anything about what these ice cores say about our possible futures. Maybe someday I will have the patience to try again.
3. Beyond the Sea: The Hidden Life in Lakes, Streams, and Wetlands by David Strayer
Why It was a DNF for Me: I tried to read this one right after #2 and once again found the pacing too slow to keep my interest.
4. Truth, Lies, and the Questions in Between by L.M. Elliott
Why It was a DNF for Me: A relative of mine raved about this book and I expected to love it. I liked the characters but found the rampant sexism and focus on Watergate and other politics a little too much. To clarify, both of these things felt pretty realistic for the time from what I know about this era….I just need happier things to read at the moment. Someday I will revisit it.
5. Black Woods, Blue Sky: A Novel by Eowyn Ivey
Why It was a DNF for Me: The many forms of abuse written about in this book, including the neglect and endangerment of a young child. In no way do I expect protagonists to be squeaky clean, but I’m not really interested in reading about a character who repeatedly harms others without showing any remorse for their actions or intentions to change (at least in the portion of it I read). I don’t have any desire to be a parent, but I would have made sure that kid had all of her basic human needs and at least some of her wants met every single day.
6. The Cure for Women: Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi and the Challenge to Victorian Medicine That Changed Women’s Lives Forever by Lydia Reeder
Why It was a DNF for Me: I already knew most of what the author had to share. If you don’t know the history of women doctors in this era, though, this is a good place to start.
7. It Must Be Beautiful to Be Finished: A Memoir of My Body by Kate Gies
Why It was a DNF for Me: This was an excellent read, but I was dismayed by how poorly her parents and medical providers prepared her for the many surgeries she endured as well as how many painful complications she had as various ear replacements became infected or were rejected by her body. It was heartbreaking. Yes, she was too young to consent to the reconstructive surgeries as a small child and of course her parents needed to decide for her then, but it surprised me that no one ever wondered if all of those surgeries were really in her best interest after the first few failed and she’d endured weeks to months of misery after each one. Eventually, it became too much for me to continue reading.
8. The Black Fantastic: 20 Afrofuturist Stories by André M. Carrington
Why It was a DNF for Me: I struggle with anthologies in general, but I do keep trying them. This one combined so many different writing styles that I just couldn’t get into the flow of it even though I wanted to.
9. All the Water in the World: A Novel by Eiren Caffall
Why It was a DNF for Me: I was irritated by the choppy writing style and, from what little I read, total lack of an explanation for why everything suddenly flooded in New York. I mean, wouldn’t people leave the city and go somewhere dry and safe if your hometown became part of the ocean? I sure would.
10. The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong
Why It was a DNF for Me: Weak character development. I desperately wanted to like this tale more, but I needed stronger descriptions of who the characters were as human beings.
The ear one does sound like it would be difficult to persist in.
For sure!
Interesting selection of books. I never read any of these.
🙂
In fairness to the genre, I’m not sure I’ve ever read a horror novel, but it does not seem like a “me” type of book. I mean I do like a mystery or thriller movie or book sometimes, but “too scary” and I’m out of that story world! 😉 Thanks so much for visiting my list today.
Heh, I’d be very surprised if you ever blogged about a horror book you liked! 🙂 You’re welcome.
I don’t often DNF books but I do find that often they are bunched together. Like the problem isn’t really them but me.
Same here!
Ooh Northern Nights might be something I like.
That’s good to know about Teller. I’ve been thinking of that one…
I hope you like it and that you have better luck with Teller of Small Fortunes!
I really struggle with anthologies too. If not actually DNFing, I do tend to skip through or skim read…
I’m glad you get that.
All really good reasons to DNF!
Thanks. 🙂
They all sound like good reasons for quitting a book.
Thanks. 🙂
Thanks for the explanations! I DNF for many of the same reasons.
You’re welcome. I’m glad we share those things in common.
I’m also still in the mindset since 2020 of needing happier reads so I completely get that!
Cool. 🙂
Great list. I’m not sure I could read any of these, Lydia. The only one I might try is The Cure for Women. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome. 🙂
Sometimes, I find myself getting too irritated with characters (or actual people if it’s nonfiction) to continue reading the book.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/books-i-dnfed-in-2024/
I hear you there!
I did finish The Teller of Small Fortunes but you’re right, it as very lacklustre in terms of character development. I wanted more from it the whole time I was reading it.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I’m sorry these didn’t do it for you–I haven’t heard of any of them, which normally is fun, but in this case I trust your judgement.
Thank you, Lisa! That’s a nice compliment.
Great list, Lydia!
I’m glad you put your reasons, because Black Woods, Blue Sky sounded kind of intriguing to me. After discovering why this was a DNF for you, I can say that this would also be a DNF from me too.
You’re welcome. I’m glad that was helpful for you!
I think Black Woods, Blue Sky is going to be an upcoming selection for one of the book clubs I am in. I can see why you decided against finishing it. I read a spoiler that has me wondering if I should skip that month. The Teller of Small Fortunes is one I would like to read, and I am sorry it didn’t work for you. It’s disappointing to hear it lacked in character development as that is a quality I like to see in books.