The community of the book uses a handy acronym to describe to renounce a title: DNF, or “did not finish.” For some readers, those three little letters carry a lot of baggage. Instead of running the risk of sacrificing the satisfaction of finishing a reading, the most persistent (read: stubborn) among us slog through a 600-page novel where nothing happens until the bitter, boring end.
Reader, I am here to tell you that you don’t need to finish that book you hate. DNF-ing is not a personal failure. The rescue of a book is reduced to a simple truth: the free time is limited. Embracing the DNF style of life means to recognize the value of that time and not waste it.
That said, the choice to quit on a book that took the time to follow-up of the track is not necessarily easy. You may be surprised to find out that some of the most pro-DNF readers to put serious thought into what books do not deserve your continuing attention. If it is the rule of thirds, the Nancy of the Pearl method, or just a gut feeling, everyone has their own unique DNF decision-making system. We’ve leveraged our POPSUGAR Book Club group members an inside look at how some of the most voracious readers of all decides that it is time to move on to the next title. The read-ahead, and to free himself of any book, out of guilt, while you’re at it.
