DNF- how do you feel about this?
I used to be so against this. I needed to push myself through just in case the end of the book redeemed the first part. I needed to give the book a chance and hear the whole story! I have since changed my mind. There are plenty of books I haven’t finished. Sometimes I return to the book; other times, I put it down and never think about it again. Sounds so harsh. It won’t keep me from reading that author again, though. Some books just aren’t for me.
I have been a little haunted by a book. There was a book I started years ago. It dealt with a painter from long ago, back when they would use dead bodies as models. I’m pretty sure there was a lot of grave robbing at this time. I like history and art. I thought I would like this book. As the artist worked on his painting, the bodies started to decompose. It was so detailed, I just couldn’t keep reading. There was a paragraph about the maggots at one point, and I had to stop. I was so close to the end of the book, but it was too much. I told myself I would return when I wasn’t so grossed out, but I never did. At this point, I would have to start the book over, and I don’t want to put myself through that again. I might be fine with this book now and wonder why I was so grossed out, but I am not interested in finding out if I can handle it!
Have you ever stopped reading a book? Did you or will you go back to finish it at some point? Do you feel guilty about not finishing it? Would you skim the rest of the book or read the last few chapters to discover what happened?
Literary Coffee 