recent dnf's | Goodreads choice winners🪐, horror & romantasy 🧛‍♂️

[@nessaxreads]

Let's keep these good vibes going.... I love looking at what people DNF especially because I'm a DNF girlie 💅

[@Babiebackbooks]

I feel like I need to burn some sage or something! My book choosing skills have been HORRIBLE lately! I just had to start adding DNF's to my book journal so I can keep track of the sheer chaos and disappointment.

[@mk_beau]

Hi 😊 I just saw a clip of you on Booksandlala's channel and I RAN to your channel. The vibes are immaculate

[@Babiebackbooks]

Gah! I'm blushing! Getting recognized at all by another natural red head!? 😭🖤 Also thank you and hello!

[@justwonder1404]

6:23 - I couldn't bring myself to read that book (an excerpt and a review from a respected source were enough), but whenever I hear a Western booktuber addressing this it juuust a little bit restores my faith in humanity. We wake up to air raid sirens, we see our cities razed to the ground and entire families buried, and then we turn around and see high-brow English speaking writers drooling over that mysterious Russian soul with confusing stubborness. Every reminder of reality counts. Thank you from Kyiv.

[@Babiebackbooks]

Thank you for commenting. Truly. My entire heart goes out to you. 🖤 You absolutely deserve MUCH better reads.

[@jadeddiamonds9983]

I kissed the fact that the robot was an imitation of a black woman. You got me looking upside my own head right now. Gotta reread ASAP

[@Babiebackbooks]

The reason I was so stuck on what was going on and how to feel was it was such a one off sentence that was NEVER referenced again. I didn't know if the author was using it as a discussion point or if there were ulterior motives or ANYTHING. Race was never brought up again. But when you read the book with that lens and detail in mind, it makes the entire story very icky (for lack of a better word). It's VERY easy to miss, and I bet a lot of people did just zoom past it with the author not using it as a thematic element. I would be so interested in your reread thoughts. The themes are interesting to think about as a black woman when our bodies are often sexualized, masculinized, and seen as "other". (just maybe get it from the library or used bookstore and don't put money in her pocket until you have some final thoughts 😅)

[@TheMaryweather]

Anniebot: No, I remember the part about the black ex-wife. The author just didn't do anything with it, racial commentary wise. Now I don't remember the embroyes part, which would contradict the robot stuff. I think the novel should've been longer and delved more into possible racial stuff they sidestepped. With feminism it hardly ever reaches Black women hate to see it, especially in a scenario that could've really said something. I liked the story, but I feel almost like certain stuff was put in as passing by commentary. I wonder if many stories be throwing in ideas and pass by conment rhats like what do you mean/say more that the author forgets (or doesn't want) to explore.

[@Babiebackbooks]

Gah! I NEED to talk to someone about the implications of the inclusion of this racial element in the context of feminism! The othering of black bodies along with the systemized sexualization and masculinization. I really thought this could have taken it forward as a VERY interesting thematic element, but to do it in passing and leave it threadbare felt almost icky on the opposite end of the spectrum. So often I just want authors to have editors that REALLY take their time with a work. I know it almost feels like a cop out for me to say "maybe she didn't think about it"--but I also don't want to assume intent. But as a reader, there are moments that stand out and almost need that attention. This s one of them for me.

[@sagathestoryteller7920]

I'm new to your content and I love it! You're wonderful

[@Babiebackbooks]

Gah! Thank you!!! ❤️😭🥰 You're wonderful-er

[@TkTkayy]

girl you are the realest! lol, everyone loved that annie bot book but i had no interest. Glad i dodged it lol

[@Babiebackbooks]

@@TkTkayy I have been so deeply in my own head about if I’m overthinking books! It is almost starting to feel like I’m self sabotaging-if that makes any sense? These were some of the top voted reads of the year and I saw several of them as problematic! I was very excited for Anniebot! I’ve heard a lot amazing things about it and it sounded soooo up my alley!

[@TkTkayy]

@ I understand what you mean! I’m pretty sure you’re not overthinking, sometimes I think everyone just follow what others say lol. And you are not one of them!!

[@floortjepeace]

Loved this video

[@Babiebackbooks]

Thank you 🥰🖤 I desperately needed to vent

[@VampireBuddha77]

The Annie Bot critiques!!! I also DNFed (like 20 pages from the end...) for all the reasons you stated. It felt like very convenient sci fi premise to tell a white feminist story. I was so put off by the racial dynamics too, like his Black friend and all the weird shit that went on with that?? and none of it was addressed? YUCK.

[@Babiebackbooks]

You have me over here reading your comment and snapping my fingers! Gah! My biggest issue with this book was having no idea what the author intended with this! Like in today's social climate I can't honestly see this as an "oopsie". But then again, this book is POPULAR. I know a lot of black readers that loved it and when I brought up the icky feelings they glazed past it. I almost went back to reread because I was convinced I imagined it.

[@jadeddiamonds9983]

I missed it!! Also, I read Annie Bot on audio so I guess I need to order to neow

[@grahamt929]

YES!! immortal dark was terrible 😂 thank you!!!

[@Babiebackbooks]

This dnf hurt my heart on a PERSONAL level! I was so excited for it!

[@Elnora-i6e]

WTH.. Annie Boi.. That's crazy! That's a hard pass for me. There's a lot of trash out here with hidden agendas. Time to reach for blacklisted books and classics. That's what I'm going to be doing. I'm only looking forward to purchasing 1 book that's expected to come out in March. I could read from my shelves and reread until the end of time.

[@Babiebackbooks]

@@Elnora-i6e my biggest confusion with Anniebot was the fact that it has really pushed itself into popularity but the bits that made me uncomfy just aren’t discussed? I think this is me just a bit lost on how the community is just vibing out with the book? I actually had to sit with myself like “am I overthinking this and ruining my own reading experience?”

[@Elnora-i6e]

@@Babiebackbooks You read with depth..no for numbers.

[@Elnora-i6e]

@@Babiebackbooks You read for depth and understanding,not for numbers.

[@imanimcd]

I thought I was the only one who DNF Ministry of Time

[@Babiebackbooks]

It sounded so up my alley is the thing! I was here for a silly lil cute time!!!

[@pauieeepau]

Your comments on these books are so funny. And insightful. Haven't read these, and I don't think I'm interested in them anyway. But yeah, thanks for confirming I wouldn't care for these books.

[@Babiebackbooks]

😂 I was so wildly bamboozled by my reading experience with these ones! I just kept dnf'ing and shouting "what is going on" into the ether. I'm sure my neighbors are worried about me 😅😭

[@SeairraAnn]

I tried reading orbital and gave up within 10 pages because I can't stand her writing style lmao

[@Babiebackbooks]

It was recommended to me so many times because I am a fan of a long-meandering and reflective work. But this one was NOT my specific taste. It felt try-hard almost. Also LOL at how you only made it to page 10! 😂

[@dontmicrowavecats]

The goodreads awards always lets me down as well... Edit to say- hold up they seemed to want to hold a conversation? Acne dots as pink wafer crumbs? Just write "they boobed boobily" and be done with it atp. I wanted to read this but now I'll save time and sanity instead! Thank you 😂

[@Babiebackbooks]

I think this was the first year I ran to grab some of the nominees. And it was truly alarming how much I disliked my experience. I was prepared to come discuss how average I thought they all were. Woooowwww! It's unfair that I was the guinea pig for The Ministry of Time 😭 Something I'm sure would have bothered you: the implications of time travel weren't explored. Repercussions, ripples, purpose, philosophy, process--none of it. It was a plot point but It wasn't explored? Time travel is one of those narrative insertions that I LOVE--usually... (I laughed outloud at "they boobed boobily" 😂. I have never in my life felt so uncomfy with a boob description the way this book made me feel)

[@dontmicrowavecats]

@Babiebackbooks the GASP I GASPED- No time travel lore in a time travel book? That's a crime! Straight to jail! It must have been harder than I initially thought, thank you for your service 🫡

[@bookwormwithawitchface]

Annie Bot - Even the negative reviews did not mentioned the race aspect. How. Thank you for saving my time Orbital - I wonder, is it love letter to Russia as the whole political entity or is it love letter to the countryside for example? For example I would love to read a book that is a love letter to Polish mountains but I would absolutely hate the love letter to the conservative politics T.T The Ministry of Time - Omg not reading that... but I have a question. Did you read The Time Traveler's Wife? Does it also have grooming vibes? I have it on my shelf and I am wondering if it is for me...

[@blacksirencreates]

OMG....this is so funny. I just filmed a video about how much I liked Immortal Dark. 😂😂😂. You listened to it on audio???? No wonder you were confused. But also... nothing you said was a lie and I liked it anyway??? What does that say about me???

[@Babiebackbooks]

@@blacksirencreates because the vibes are IMMACULATE. The energy and scene and content are all there, and then on top of it it was all black!? Sign me up. I have a feeling the author will settle into her voice and the narrative more as she gains more experience and time with the book. 😂😂😂 not you saying “no wonder you were confused”. Bestie! I was standing there with my headphones on and my mouth HANGING open because I legitimately felt so lost 😂😭 I kept rewinding like “why do we need a rule!?” “Rule!?”

[@blacksirencreates]

​@@Babiebackbooks Even reading physically I had to re read sections multiple times. I had to describe stuff to my husband like " homie, can you help me understand what I just read" It was super muddy but I just chalked it up to debut book syndrome. Also...FMC was dumb. I just laughed at her and called her names.😂😂😂 But the vibes were vibing so I didn't even care lol

[@Babiebackbooks]

@@blacksirencreates 😂😂😭😭😂 okay this made me feel better. You having to sit and work it out with your husband is killing me! 😂 The scene where she slams her head on the wall was so out of pocket! 😭 and I agree with what you said about the audiobook, this specific read definitely needs some page flip-ability because with the audiobook, I’ll be confused about something and it will just keep plodding along 😭

[@blacksirencreates]

@@Babiebackbooks If you think the head thing is outrageous I'm guessing you didn't get to the part where she breaks her own arm trying to get him arrested 😂😭😂