Comments on: The Sunday Salon: A Bad Reading Streak

By: Tracey

Tracey — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:54:45 +0000

I don’t think you should write a review on the DNF books because you didn’t read them to the end. Having said that, I’d be interested in what made you decide to put them aside. How long do you spend with a book before you decide it’s not worth it? Do you feel guilty? I’m surprised when I don’t enjoy a book, but I’m quick to put it aside when it does happen and I’m glad to embrace the next in my pile.

By: Kailana

Kailana — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 18:26:24 +0000

I am having the same streak! For me it is only 3 books, but they were books I thought I was going to love and then had to force myself to finish. This very rarely happens to me, so I am very disappointed!

By: diana mack

diana mack — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:41:18 +0000

of course you have to write about the dnf’s…they are part of your reading experience and it could save someone with similiar reading tastes the time!
if i hit a slump i always reread a favorite…..it helps!

By: kay

kay — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:33:28 +0000

When bad reading streak happen, I’ll try to turn to an author or a series I know I enjoy. Or a different type of books. Sometimes I’ll just completely set books aside and read magazines for a day or two. That usually do the trick!
You could definitely review them, even briefly. I always find interesting to know why someone didn’t finish a book.

By: Carrie C.

Carrie C. — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 01:25:55 +0000

I’m glad you made it out of the swamp! It’d be interesting to hear why the two DNF’s did not keep your attention – and how far you got before giving up. Maybe other readers out there will have different perspectives, too. Have a lovely week!

By: heidenkind

heidenkind — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 23:19:07 +0000

I just keep going through books until I hit on one that captures my interest finally. Bad reading streaks are great for reducing the TBR pile, I’ll say that much for them. Maybe you’re just in the winter blahs and things will pick up in spring.

I say if the reasons you didn’t finish the books are interesting, you should totally review them!

By: Amused

Amused — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 18:27:48 +0000

I agree about writing about your DNF’s. If your reader’s take their advice from you about what to read next, which I am sure they do, then I am guessing they would want to know what to steer clear of too!

By: unfinishedperson

unfinishedperson — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 16:59:33 +0000

Whew. I’m glad I’m not the only one. I had a really bad start to this year with several DNFs, and I did write about them collectively — and briefly. I think it would be good for you to do the same. I’m sure your readers would be interested in hearing why you didn’t like a book even if it’s the “next big thing.”

How I’ve gotten out of it is to just keep plugging away. Now the problem is last night I finished what probably will be the best book I will read this year and now I’m wondering what to read next, because whatever I read, it’s going to be a let down. I just know it.

By: bermudaonion (Kathy)

bermudaonion (Kathy) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 16:11:54 +0000

I pick up something light – like chick lit, a graphic novel or YA. You’ll get through this and find plenty of books to love.

By: Fyrefly

Fyrefly — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 14:04:58 +0000

Depends on how bad the reading streak is – if it’s not so bad, I’ll pick up a book I’m sure I’ll like; if it’s really bad, I’ll reread old favorites for a while until I start to want something new again.

And I think you should write about your DNFs, even briefly. It’ll help you get clear what you did and didn’t like about them so you’ll be better able to remember and pick in the future, and it might help people shorten their TBR stacks. Consider it readers advisory!