The Read With Us Lounge and the Freedom to DNF

It’s the first Monday of the month and that means something special in The Read With Us Lounge. It means that Bonny, Kym, and I are all addressing the same topic. And today it’s challenging the notion that you have to finish every book you start because it seems that somewhere along the way, many of us decided that was a rule we had to follow.

Maybe it came from school, where every assigned book had a test at the end. Maybe it came from our parents, who taught us not to quit things. Maybe it’s just part of being a “good reader.”

Whatever the reason, a surprising number of people feel guilty about putting a book down before the last page.

I’m here to suggest that maybe we should let go of that guilt.

Reading is one of the few hobbies we voluntarily choose to spend our free time doing. If a television show isn’t grabbing you after a few episodes, you stop watching. If a recipe turns out to be a flop, you probably won’t make it again. If a restaurant disappoints you, you might not go back.

Books deserve the same freedom.

That doesn’t mean every difficult book should be abandoned. Some books ask more of us. They challenge us, stretch us, or unfold slowly before rewarding our patience. Those can become some of our favorite reads.

But there’s a difference between a book that’s asking you to work and a book that simply isn’t working for you.

Sometimes it’s a good book but the wrong time. (Hello, Poisonwood Bible) Sometimes you’re distracted. (Looking at you, Villa Coco) Sometimes you’ve just finished an incredible book and everything else pales in comparison. (Hey there, reading slump after Whistler) And sometimes a book simply doesn’t match your tastes. (I tried Alchemised, I really did)

None of those are failures.

I think one reason people hesitate to stop reading is the feeling that they’ve already invested too much time. “I’ve made it halfway,” they think. “I might as well finish.”

That’s understandable, but those hours are already gone. The real question is whether you want to spend the next five or ten hours with this book—or with one that might completely captivate you.

There are also readers who feel obligated to finish because they purchased the book, borrowed it from the library, chose it for book club, or received it as an advance review copy. Those are all real pressures.

But reading out of obligation can slowly turn reading into work.

As a librarian, I want you to know something: we don’t want you forcing your way through books you aren’t enjoying. We’d much rather see you return a book unfinished and find one that keeps you reading than have you avoid reading altogether because your nightstand has become a pile of guilt.

Life is simply too short, and there are too many wonderful books waiting.

Giving yourself permission to stop reading a book isn’t giving up.

It’s making room for the next great read.

So if you’ve been waiting for someone to tell you it’s okay to DNF a book, consider this your permission slip.

Close the book.

Return it to the library.

Put it in the Little Free Library.

Or tuck it back on the shelf for another day.

And then go find the book you can’t wait to pick up tomorrow.