I am back and I’m starting with a couple of books I’ve DNF-ed in the past few weeks. I am gradually getting better at DNF-ing books of late and I don’t always DNF for the best reasons. It’s not because a book is bad or anything, it tends to be simply because I put it down and feel no motivation to go back to until it’s been a few days and I decide to abandon all hope of finishing and just to mark it as done. Especially when I know I won’t be bothered by now knowing how a book ends. That’s the true sign I should DNF if there’s no need to know more.
You might be surprised by my reasons for DNF-ing but considering by my reading slump of late I’m all about reading only the books I can’t put down.
Published: 22nd May 2018
Source: NetgalleyGenre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
My Rating: DNF-ed 20% (approx)
The next heartwarming YA romcom from Sandhya Menon, bestselling author of WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI.Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore - if only the world would listen. So when nerdy classmate and fellow film-obsessive Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a film for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle can't wait.The chance to showcase her artistic voice?Dream come true.The opportunity to get closer to longtime crush, Neil Roy- aka Sahil's twin brother?Dream come even truer.When Twinkle receives an email from a secret admirer - the mysterious 'N' - she is sure it's Neil, finally ready for their happy ending.The only problem is that, in the course of their movie-making, she has found herself falling for Sahil - the wrong brother.Twinkle soon realises that resistance is futile:The romance she's got isn't the one she scripted...But will it be enough?Told through letters Twinkle writes to her favourite female filmmakers, From Twinkle, With Love navigates big truths about friendship, family, and the unexpected places love can find you.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book, or the content of my review.
I know what you’re all thinking, I DNF-ed From Twinkle With Love?! What’s wrong with me? I was just as excited as everyone else for a new Sandhya Menon release. I thought it sounded so interesting and was totally a book I was excited to read.
And then I started it and I was still optimistic.
And then I was about 20% of the way in and I was making excuses to not read and I finally had to accept DNF-ing was the only way forward. I was not enjoying myself and I’ve always believed in DNF-ing when I’m not enjoying it.
I admit, I normally prefer to read a little bit further into a book before DNF-ing as I so believe in giving a book a fair chance… especially as a lot of books can get better the further in you get, they just need a little time to warm up. That might have been the chase for this one, but I wasn’t waiting around to find out.
The biggest problems for me were the characters. I didn’t like Twinkle all that much. I didn’t like her friend. I wasn’t even interested in Neil. And Sahil? He looked like he had the potential to be adorable just like Rishi was in his book… but I didn’t like Twinkle so I didn't stay to find out. I know Twinkle probably would have grown and developed into someone I liked but I just don’t know. I am not known for my patience and I just kept rolling my eyes at Twinkle and thinking ‘seriously’. I was probably too harsh on her really, there were things which I liked about her… but my annoyance at her overshadowed all of that.
I also didn’t like the diary style of writing. It was a diary/letter type storytelling and I didn’t realise that going in (because who has time to read book summaries nowadays?) and I think because I was expecting standard storytelling that threw me a little. And it was cute, but it also made it more difficult to connect with all the characters. Maybe this book would have worked better for me as an audiobook or something? I don’t know, but I think the writing style probably put me off a little too. It just wasn’t for me.
The book wasn’t bad. It’s not like there was anything bad about it, but it was a case of it not being for me. I think a combination of small things all piled together to make it so I simply couldn’t get into the book and had to put it to one side. It sucks, maybe the hype was too high. I’ll still be checking out Menon’s next book, though.
Published: 16th June 2011
Source: Purchased
Genre: Romance, Paranormal Romance
My Rating: Dnf-ed 40%
Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful - and passionate - of the Elder Races.As the most feared and respected of the wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they've ignited in one another.
I read this because it’s been sat unread on my Kindle for about two years and then I discovered that it was on the AAR Top 100 Romance list so I really had to get reading it. I admit, I probably should have waited a little while before reading this one because I wasn’t in the right frame of mind for it but I knew I fancied some kind of romance/fantasy type read. It just sucks this one wasn’t for me.
I DNF-ed at about 40% this time around. It’s safe to say I gave this one plenty of chance. Why did I DNF? Mostly the overbearingness of the love interest, Dragos. Look, being an alpha male is no excuse for being a dick, you know? He wasn’t terrible, I’ve seen worse alpha males in books, but I just got fed up of his general maleness, I think. It’s been a little while since I DNF-ed it so I don’t remember all the specifics on the why, I just remember the alphaness got to me. And the romance was just…meh. Like, I liked Pia and I was interested in her past but I just didn’t care to keep reading.
Apathy to the story, in general, is probably why I stopped reading. It wasn’t anything wrong with it, I just didn’t care to keep trying. I wasn’t interested enough and eventually, I didn’t get back around to picking the book up and finishing it and I’m okay with that. Not every book works for everyone. This one was one of them for me.
Have you read either of these books? What were your thoughts? And what are your reasons for DNF-ing a book?
Posts
Social Icons