I Would Prefer Not To

Bartleby the Scrivener's Contribution to My Reading Philosophy

I still ask my kids if things are “lit.”

So, it’s probably no surprise to you that when I saw the acronym DNF everywhere, I thought someone intended to type DNR (do not resuscitate) and instead made a slight move south on the keyboard and got an “F.”

Turns out DNF means Did Not Finish.

I guess this book lingo has been around a while but I just hadn’t noticed. I was too busy reading.

I used to finish every book I started, but at this point of my life, I just don’t have time to keep reading things I really don’t like.

This is not the same thing as dropping a book that challenges me or makes me question myself — I like books that push me and my thinking.
These books were just bad.

And so, when it comes to lame reads, I side with Bartleby the Scrivener, and say, “I would prefer not to.”

Let’s get down to it, by admitting to all the books I’ve DNF-ed this year.
(Yes! DNF can be a verb!)

2026 DNFs to Date

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

I hated this book. I hated the characters. I hated the writing. But I was willing to hang in there (sort of), because I had it on Audible and that always feels like an obligation. The main character, and her love interest, are absolutely insufferable and nauseously self-serving. I got to Chapter 23 of 30 and just got so annoyed and angry that I did not even care to find out how it ends. For other DNFs, I might look up a summary — but for this one — No.

Do people like this book?

Please weigh in.

Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen

I got about halfway through before I realized that the characters were going to remain cardboard cutouts, the plot was predictable to the point of utter boredom, and the writing was vapid. I have a feeling there is a giant audience for this type of comfy, formulaic stuff, but it isn’t me.

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

This book broke my heart. I was so excited that Barnhill was writing a novel for adults that included women turning into dragons. Dragons! Her earlier novel, The Girl Who Drank the Moon, is one of my all time favorites: a gorgeous collection of truth and magic and growing up. But this book was so disappointing. The dragon-stuff felt coerced and contorted to fit a political statement. I don’t care that Barnhill has a clear point of view she wants readers to understand, so much, but it was so didactic and so forced that I couldn’t hang with it. Apologies, Kelly. I hope that you decide to rewrite this for children because I think that would be brilliant.

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

Normally Liane Moriarty and I get along pretty well. I know what she’s going to give me, and I generally enjoy it. But I couldn’t finish this one. Violence against women is really hard for me to muscle through, and if the characters aren’t likeable, it’s just a no.

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

This is the moment where you all find out that I’m not much of a romantasy fan. Couldn’t even get through the first chapter of this one.

The Theater of War by Brian Doerries

This entire book mansplains what us humanities majors learned in our first semester of college. So condescending. Nothing revolutionary here.

After all that vitriol, are we still friends? I know writing is difficult, and I know that there are all kinds of readers. I hope these books find their true lifelong admirers.

Your turn. Tell me what you’ve thrown off your book stack this year.