Comments on: ‘DNF guilt’ – 3 books I did not finish and why

By: nsford

nsford — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 20:04:15 +0000

Indeed, I think a lot of readers felt the same – overhyped first novel, disappointing second novel (does that indicate a really awful third novel?) – but with effective marketing this author has become extremely successful.

By: theorangutanlibrarian

theorangutanlibrarian — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 16:44:47 +0000

I really thought girl on the train was way too overhyped as well- so I didn’t pick up into the water- and to be honest, given how it sounds, I’m glad I didn’t bother. Great post!

By: nsford

nsford — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 18:18:31 +0000

In reply to nualacharlie. Agree, time's too short to waste on books you don't like. I wouldn't recommend Hawkins' second book.

By: nualacharlie

nualacharlie — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 11:24:30 +0000

I found the Girl on the Train not up to the hype at all (although I couldn’t put it down). I won’t bother with her next book then. I think DNFing books is a gift of more time to read better books, definitely a good thing.

By: nsford

nsford — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 17:52:29 +0000

In reply to Jee Wan.

Don’t let me put you off Vox if you were intending to read it – most reviews I’ve seen of it are positive! You might love it.
Thank you Jee 🙂

By: Jee Wan

Jee Wan — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 04:41:49 +0000

Omg I’m so glad I haven’t read VOX for the simple reason you stated! The watered down version of The Handmaid’s Tale! And I’m definitely not gonna even try reading Into the Water..not gonna fall for the hype hahahaha Love this post, NS!

By: nsford

nsford — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:26:48 +0000

In reply to bibliobeth. I agree that reviews should ideally be constructive and try to see any good points if possible! I'm sure that every book will connect with somebody somewhere and it may be that I start a book and it's not what I thought it was. Thanks for your comment :)

By: bibliobeth

bibliobeth — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 17:21:08 +0000

I’m happy to DNF books when I have to, life is too short isn’t it? I don’t write reviews of any I DNF but I found this post really interesting about why you didn’t finish a book. Also I’m quite happy to say in my reviews if I didn’t connect with a particular novel and why – although I try to make it constructive and not like I’m deliberately bashing the author coz that’s never nice. I think that’s why in my more critical reviews I try to find something positive to say as well even if that’s just that I might not be the right kind of reader for this book! ?

By: nsford

nsford — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 16:48:41 +0000

In reply to corkyorky.

Thank you 🙂
We definitely need negative reviews, otherwise there won’t be a true picture of what people thought of the book. However I’m reluctant to write a full review (or what passes for a full review on my blog!) of a book I didn’t finish… but I felt that I needed to write a little about these 3 books.

By: corkyorky

corkyorky — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 21:41:21 +0000

Really interesting post. I think negative reviews are OK as long as the writers are not tagged. Also, its fine not to like books. I recently read a book which was massively hyped, and I had huge issues with the last quarter of the book. I struggled to find another reviewer who had read the book and had similar views to my own. Was so relieved when I did.