MID YEAR CHECK IN: ALL THE BOOKS I DID NOT FINISH SO FAR (2024) [CC]

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Hey hey! Last one for the mid year check in, all the books I've DNF'd (did not finish) so far this year. Let me know what you haven't finished and if you don't DNF, you should start now!
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[@shannonquinn]

I am a champion dnf'er. 😂 I will dnf in a freaking heartbeat! If I'm not liking it, out it goes, no regrets. Like you said, life is too short and there are too many amazing books for me to waste one more hour on a book I'm not enjoying. If I bought it, the money is already gone, there's no point wasting my time too.

[@kelleylovesbooks5688]

It’s official. We are going to need more Jess singing in videos. 😊 I have been DNFing and unhauling like crazy this year. Feels good. I’ve also bought more books than I intended the first half of the year - BUT - we won’t talk about that. Here’s to reading what brings us the most joy for the second half of the year!

[@JessOwens]

LOL I'm not sure you truly want more singing from me hahah abut YES TO DNFing and UNHAULING. Get it outta there!

[@kelleylovesbooks5688]

@@JessOwensyes, I said what I said. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@TiffReadsBooks]

Omg the hype of the romance in Emily Wilde put me off for so long and I read it recently and was like "WHAT ROMANCE!?"

[@JessOwens]

I'm still mad about it!!!

[@yerisus]

i've dnf'd 42 books this year and completed 57. i've really taken to heart the fact that i do NOT need to finish a book to know i dislike it lol

[@heabooktubes]

My little dnf apprentice

[@thebackpackingbookwyrm]

I'm at an all time high for DNFs this year. I think I put down more in the first 6 months than I have in an entire year previously. It's been a mid year...

[@MaryJoHeadrick]

i love the three body problem but I get why it wouldn't be for everyone. I don't know that I could describe it to people concisely because i'm not smart enough for that but i had a great time with the concepts lol. It's certainly not for character driven readers imo

[@katherineeaster5799]

I liked the TV show, but I feel like the book would be intimidating. I want to try it eventually, though.

[@MaryJoHeadrick]

@@katherineeaster5799 intimidating is a great word for it, it certainly is A LOT

[@nicoleymotion]

Space Between Worlds was one of my favorites in 2021! You do have to get through 70-100 pages of set up but then it picks up and delivers. I almost DNFed at the beginning too but decided to keep going and after the first twist it takes off.

[@kitty4407]

I don’t keep track of the ones I pick up and just put down and forget or move on (that reading with the eyeballs thing catches me out 👀) but as far as not liking something… I think I’ve both gotten better at knowing things I know I won’t like and also just enjoying what I’m reading for the time being. I’ve also been far more generous with my 4 stars. Who am I? I don’t recognize myself anymore 😂

[@JessOwens]

I have a habit of picking up physical books, starting them, putting in a bookmark and then they eventually get put back on the shelf LOL. But maybe you're giving out more 4 stars since you're more in tune to what you enjoy, yay!

[@HungryEyes-sl3mu]

Yeah it took me a while to realize that I need to read more than the first chapter to determine if I'm gonna like a book. If the author can keep my attention for three chapters I'll generally give it a go, otherwise I leave it on the shelf.

[@katiec8844]

Your giggle was ADORABLE after the water PSA 🤣

[@avsambart]

I totally understand dnf'ing Three Body Problem. I absolutely ADORED the series but I can think of many reasons why many people would DNF or not like it.

[@LiteratureScienceAlliance]

Really coming for me at the end of this video 😂

[@hitatchiqueen]

I dnf'ed sooo many (I literally cannot force myself to read if it's not working for me). But I can't remember any bc I return them to the library or shove them in a free little library

[@hitatchiqueen]

Oh! Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas. I tried, but nope.

[@amandac3761]

I felt the same way about The Space Between Worlds. I wanted to like it so bad .

[@JessOwens]

such potential!!

[@kimberlycook7471]

THANK YOU so much for mentioning the Fever series! One of my favorite series of all time, and I feel like no one talks about it! So underrated!

[@JessOwens]

IT IS SOO GOOOD. Maybe time for another re-read!

[@victoriavega1992]

You’re brave! I love that you DNF! Inspiration♥️so hard for me but trying to do better 😅🤣

[@bhsprinkle]

It's okay to dnf. If you don't enjoy it there's always more books out there. I rarely dnf. I feel bad because I know authors work hard. I only pick out books I think I'll enjoy and rarely get disappointed. Unfortunately, I did have a dnf this year. Interesting to see what you dnf. It gives insight into your personal taste in books which is always fun.

[@edwardsjarje]

LOL these are several of your DNFs that are on my active reading list: How to Murder Your Employer, The Serpent and the Wings of Night, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Fairies. I am a multiple book at a time reader but two of these I started these back in October of last year, just started Serpent last week. I’ll be interested to see if I do finish any of these.

[@nats92lilac]

I Dnf'd my 1st read of the year(escape from Houdini, jack the ripper series) and I'm honestly done with this series all together. And I totally agree with what you said about Emily Wyld'd gauide and map. I started the 1st book and just couldn't finish the very 1st chapter 😅 and don't even get me started on butcher and blackbird, once I read the synopsis I was like Nope.

[@isabellavalentine7268]

According to Cawpile: out of 133 books, 30 were DNF. I’ve read both Lyla Sages Blue Ranch books: Done and Dusted is the best so far. Book 2 was so one dimensional and everything was unbelievable

[@Marie45610]

I've only DNF'd 6 books this year, I also feel like it was more. I've been reading a lot of Manga lately, and reading manga that isn't working for me feels less like a chore. I read The Space Between Worlds, a while ago as a NetGalley eARC, and I DNF'd that one. I got really bored.

[@emroyka]

So many people love The Vanished Birds... I finished it, but it was not for me in the end. Rage Of Dragons is divisive, but I read it, and its sequel, and when I finished them, I was just excited to see what would come next. Hoping Evan Winter publishes book 3 soon!!!✨💖📚

[@louisity]

These kinds of videos help me become hopeful with these books. It helps manage my expectations. I am hopeful for Faebound. Also I am eager to read Rage Of Dragons.

[@ThatsARandomName94]

I really struggle to DNF especially if it’s a book that I feel like I should like or read, but this year I’ve had to be more selective because my reading time has cut down. Think I’m already up to 8 books DNF’d this year 🎉

[@whataprilreads]

I DNFed a book earlier this year off of just 15 pages 😂😂😂

[@9gagHasMySoul]

Same! I just couldnt grt through chapter one lol

[@ashtonreads]

This video was the validation I needed because I just DNFed Ashes and the Star-Cursed King a couple of days ago after only 5 chapters, and was second guessing if I should give it another try because everyone seems to love that series, but I just can't keep pushing through.

[@Milovatsi]

It was not good, I was soooo disappointed and I love the first book.

[@ashtonreads]

@@Milovatsi Thank you for letting me know that because the DNF guilt has been real, especially since I own the series, but life is too short for mediocre sequels.

[@marisagettas]

My 2024 DNF’s: Living Resistance, Remarkably Bright Creatures, Ghost Roast, Spy Family vol. 3

[@HungryEyes-sl3mu]

Murder Your Employer sounds a lot like John Scalzi's Starter Villain, not storywise but the lackluster story with an awesome title (and cover)

[@ourreadinghour]

There are so many books you dnf'd on my tbr 🤣 but maybe that's because I read slow. I did actually really like serpent and the wings of night. Sometimes I just want to reread the same story over and over again 🤣 I'm reading Powerless now and I'm like, this is a mid book but I am having a great time haha

[@lestatsluv317]

"Every book is not for every reader...." Personally, as a writer who first self published twelve or thirteen years ago, I, personally, wish more authors who are thin skinned would get that because it's so damn true! There are authors out there who are legends and there are still people who hate them. So if you think you are going to be the only creator of anything ever who is beloved by all who read your work .... just write for yourself. Please do not make it public. Because you are not ready. Also, I never want anyone to ever read my vampire novels (or the human ones for that matter) and feel so certain that none of the main characters or their love interests will not die by the end. Even I don't know until the novel is finished how that will go. If the story says the main character or the love interest must go, a bitch kills her darlings real quick...😂

[@clinchcoverenthusiast]

I have eight mostly highly rated books marked DNF in StoryGraph this year. The older I get, the less tolerance I have for anything that pulls me out of the story. Excessive typos, bad grammar, lazy/questionable editing, awkward writing styles, annoying names, horrible narrators, I'm OUT. It's usually over when I start reading reviews to justify continuing 😂

[@noelanikaanana]

Leather and Lark (the book that follows Butcher and Blackbird) was completely different, in my opinion. There was more relationship building, and I liked it a bit more.

[@machinegods]

I ended up DNFing a horror book I read 80% of 😔 I was just like, oh okay, I'm pretty sure I know exactly how this is going to end. I wasn't having a good time and I knew exactly where it was going, and that place was extremely uninteresting to me. I usually tend to move books I'm not feeling back into my TBR pile a lot of the time, though :~) That's my personal ADHD curse, sometimes I don't know if I'll never want to read the thing or if it's just not the right time.

[@kellynick408]

I thoroughly enjoy listening to you not liking books 😆

[@roxannehuston6268]

Great 😖 I just bought Serpants & the Wings of Night. I thought Butcher & Blackbird was boring until the last 40%. I only continued because everyone else likes it. 😵‍💫

[@Arisutocrat]

I DNFd Emily Wilde 2 too. Shoulda just stopped after the first one. Also DNFd Murder Your Employer. The cover was amazing, but I got so bored so quickly. Imma just watch the netflix Carmen Sandiego for like almost the same premise.

[@tysbookcorner]

I also tried to read Butcher and Blackbird and that was definite no for me, I only made it about 50 pages before I put that down 😅

[@Ingridreadsalot]

Hiii Jess ❤ The three body problem tv show is soooooo good! I haven’t tried the book, but the show was okay to follow 😂

[@JessOwens]

Hiiiii friend!! I will definitely be watching the show...eventually haha

[@Ingridreadsalot]

@@JessOwens 🤣❤️

[@kiman6]

“Anywhozy… let’s move on…. Like what is this cover??!” I love you 😂

[@catherinecervone]

I also did not like Faebound and I'm so glad I'm not alone.

[@currant7_recommends]

I am surprised by your take on a few of the books. Most of them are in my TBR, so I'm a bit concerned. I will have to rethink and reorganize my book list again because some are not what I would have liked to read also. I liked Dial A for Aunties since I relate my mom and aunties in a few of their quirks in the book. I do hope you revisit it when you can. :)

[@littlefiddlechick1513]

I wonder what he would think about the book ( Mr. Fix It and Miss Sue ). It is. no nonsense coming of age story where the brat dose not get her why. Book overview: This is the poetic tale of Miss Sue, a contentious young woman no matter what a father and mother would do. In trying to raise a proper woman of dignity and respect, what she became as she grew up was something they did not expect. So what are the parents to do when they are down to their last wit, and realize they have no choice but to send for Mr. Fix It. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jennifertrimble5214]

Just DNF'd The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer. I should have looked into the book further before purchasing. I thought it was a fully adult book then I start reading it and I was so confused. I googled to see if it is YA. This popped up "The Wishing Game is a middle grade novel for grown ups". Very annoyed by that. On to the next.

[@incuriousgaze]

I love DNFing books like you are not going to make me sit here bored out of my mind or frustrated just to get the reading stat on goodreads 💀

[@JessOwens]

AMEN

[@margar3181]

I have a hard time DNFing books but I wish I had on my last audiobook: How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying....oof, it was bad. I should have learned from Assistant to the Villain that these type books sound good in theory but the execution (pun intended) ends up being shite.

[@sophilozophy]

I haven’t read any of these books, but have DNF a book this year which is hard for me to do. I should really do it more often.

[@momo_brobro]

Swift and Saddled was almost a DNF for me but I got through it 🫣 gonna still read book 3️⃣👀

[@themusicsnob]

Honey & Spice is a really excellent romance and I think reading it physically would be a good call. I also struggle with romance on audiobook and almost always give them worse ratings when I listen to them 😂

[@LorewithouttheE]

at first when i heard the title of Butcher & Blackbird, i thought i'd misremembered the title of The Butcher & The Wren 😆 didn't help they were both about serial killers, in different ways tho (and i didn't like the sound of either of their plots/details lol)

[@9gagHasMySoul]

Idk if I'd call the romance in emily wilde subtle. (Spoilers for book 1 and beginning of book 2) Wendell sets out on a dangerous rescue, after joining a dangerous research expedition, confesses his undying love for her and proposes several times. Emily being oblivious changes how this comes off, but it is a very classic romance structure

[@raquelh7682]

DNF is self-caring! I should apply that to myself though, I would be much happier

[@JessOwens]

LOL, take your own advice, friend! D N F!

[@Breanakechelle]

I’m definitely a DNF’er … I’ve DNF’d 13 books so far out of 45. And a few that I SHOULD have put down and not finished at all! 😂

[@iheartwalle]

I finished Faebound. It was not worth finishing.

[@JessOwens]

😂😂

[@zeesummers]

tbh i dont even bother to keep track of dnfs bc i do it so damn often

[@jaimee-kate]

I've been kinda unintentionally DNFing a lot. I've been so bored by everything I'm reading and I put it down and I'll be like "maybe I'll come back to it". But no. I should move on

[@KristinKravesBooks]

I wanted to love Faebound but it was also a dnf for me, sadly. I always support dnfing!

[@cuppa.books.]

I absolutely DNF - ultimate form of self care 😂💜

[@Sharifa466]

Same with the vampires lol. I avoid any book that revolves around vampires.

[@anikamercier2651]

I read Serpent and the Wings of Night last year and it was okay but I kinda don’t get the hype.

[@musingsofaWIP]

Sounds like Murder Your Employer proves Rupert Holmes peaked with The Pina Colada Song.

[@Maeve_Ever_Books]

I’m a brutal DNFer. There are too many books in the world to slog through something you don’t love.

[@scottgillis7369]

that serpent and wings book has one of the worst cover and title combos i've ever seen

[@JessOwens]

HORRENDOUS COMBO

[@sandeesandwich2180]

I was meh on the first Emily Wilde book. It was convoluted and I did not get the "love" relationship. Like they didn't seem to really like each other much less have any kind of chemistry.

[@JessOwens]

and the little chemistry they did have was completely gone in the second book

[@JFPennywise]

Fanfic recs when? 👀

[@JessOwens]

👀

[@mglarson5936]

The way Emily Wilde treated her niece was so annoying! I loved book 1 and I thought she would have more character development. I get her being kind of a curmudgeon but there’s no reason for her to ask like a 13 year old brat to everyone 🙄

[@JessOwens]

She made me so mad. Like girl, you're grown. She's still a bebe

[@lisahenke5027]

I just started Butcher and Blackbird. I will DNF because it's terrible. Why all the good reviews?

[@JessOwens]

I really don't understand what people see in that book

[@wow.trisha]

I'm forcing myself through a short series just because i love the world built by the writer. The characters and the story are in constant downfall though 🥲

[@JulEnglefaris]

Wayward Children? 😂