BOOKS I PROBABLY WOULDN’T FINISH PLUS THE BOOKS I DID NOT FINISH
I think I’ve created a list or filmed a video or something about the books I didn’t finish. I’m not sure, but I have this odd vague memory. If I did, in all likelihood there will be repeat posting in this list. However, since I did look and found that I have created a list like this already (and I don’t think I’ve added any books to the list), I am going to pen a list of books I don’t think I’d finish reading. I’ll also include books I did not finish just because. (Have I thoroughly confused you yet?) There are very few books I haven’t finished though I need to put this reader choice into practice more often. Some books just don’t need to be finished if we don’t love them. There are way too many others for us to find and enjoy.
LIST | 20+ FAIRY TALE FICTION BOOKS THAT SOUND LIKE A GOOD TIME
BOOKS I VERY LIKELY WOULDN’T FINISH PLUS THE BOOKS I DNF’D. #TopTenList #TopTenTuesday #BookList #Reader #Reading #Readers Share on XHere are the books I don’t think I’d finish reading (and I’ll try to add a reason why) plus the books I did try to read and haven’t finished (which is, yes, basically a repeat from a list I put together last year). Let’s see which books make the cut.
BOOKS I DON’T THINK I’D FINISH plus BOOKS I DIDN’T FINISH
PART ONE
IT HAPPENED one SUMMER, TESSA BAILEY
People love Tessa’s books, but again, she’s an author I’ve relied on reviews for to tell me I don’t think her books would be for me. Like anything on this list, that’s totally fine and given the popular ratings many authors on this list boast, I’m sure this is all a “me” issue. Goodreads
THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS, ALI HAZELWOOD
I always think Ali’s books look fun, but I think I’ve read about them a while ago and again more recently too (because everyone loves them), and I just don’t think they’ll suit me. Honestly, I don’t have a problem saying this about certain books because there are so many other readers that this book and others are well suited for. Goodreads
[BOOKS by] VIRGINA HEATH
Historical books aren’t something I lean into anyway, but the cover art for these always made me curious. However, I’ve read reviews and sadly, they just don’t sound like books I’d enjoy. Goodreads
[BOOKS by] MARTHA WATERS
The covers for Martha’s books are so colorful and fun. Which I think is why I was drawn in. However, I’ve read reviews for them (more than once because I keep seeing the covers and I forget that I mentally already decided about them; maybe making this list will help!) and they just don’t sound like “me” books. Goodreads
PART TWO aka THE BOOKS I DIDN’T FINISH
NORTHANGER ABBEY, JANE AUSTEN
This is one I’d actually try to read again. I want to read Jane Austen, I just don’t seem to be teaching myself to have the patience to read classic literature. I think I could learn as long as I’d “force” myself to read a couple, and Austen seems a good one to start this process with. Goodreads
WHERE THE STARS STILL SHINE, TRISH DOLLER
Didn’t finish this one, and I don’t think I’ve picked up anything else by Trish since. Her books sound cute, but having not cared for this title, I guess I just kind of mentally excluded this author as one to add more books by to my shelf. Goodreads
CRAZY RICH ASIANS, KEVIN KWAN
I thought the movie was so cute and fun, but I couldn’t get into the book. I think because it was kind of harried and a little “too much” with all the characters. Goodreads
THE HONEY-DON’T LIST, CHRISTINA LAUREN
After reading one book by this author duo (and feeling pretty “meh” about it), I tried The Honey-Don’t List. It really annoyed me based on my quick little Goodreads recap. Makes me think this just isn’t a writing duo for me. Goodreads
IF I NEVER MET YOU, MHAIRI MCFARLANE
Tried to read this one and just couldn’t get into it. Based on my Goodreads review, the profanity was really heavy and I didn’t care for the leading lady. Goodreads
SEVEN DAYS OF YOU, CECILIA VINESSE
Reading this one was one I was quite excited about. I didn’t end up enjoying it, sadly, and according to Goodreads, it’s one of the five novels I marked DNF, though how reliable that stat is, I don’t know since I rarely update Goodreads anymore. Goodreads
Have you read any of these? Would you? How many do you love? Which ones did you feel similar to me about? Comment all of your thoughts about our “books I didn’t finish” lists. Share all of these thoughts in the comments section below.
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Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl March 25: Books I Did Not Finish (DNFed) (feel free to tell us why, but please no spoilers!)
The Love Hypothesis was the book that made me consider reading Romance as a genre 😂 It Happened One Summer was also good, although I preferred the second one.
I enjoyed Emma by Jane Austen. If you had to force yourself to read a classic then I would say Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is a good one. I personally found the language easier and got quite into it.
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/03/25/top-ten-tuesday-books-that-i-would-like-to-re-read/
So. Fun! I love that one book that doesn’t work for reader A does for reader B! That’s awesome. Who knows! Maybe someday I will give these authors a chance. :) And great to know about classic lit. I do like the Jane Eyre story (I’ve read one or two modern retellings and seen countless films) so that’s one I can add to my list. :)
It’s nice when one knows in advance that a book won’t work for them!
So true. That’s what I try to “figure out” (at least to an extent, I don’t go “overboard” reading reviews :D).
It’s disappointing when the cover totally draws you in but you know the book won’t suit your tastes, but better that you know what you’re most likely to enjoy.
So true. I’ve picked up books for their cover way too often. Trying to get better with that though. :)
I tried reading a Tessa Bailey book to see what all the hype was about. In the end, I gave up after 10 pages. I guess she’s not an author for me.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/books-i-dnfed-in-2024/
That’s my impression of Tessa’s books too. But who knows! Maybe someday I’ll consider one of her books. Until then, I’m with you; she’s not an author for me. :)
Of the books I have read by Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey was my favorite (still a 3-star read), but I kept getting lost. There was an author’s note at the end of the book, and I think if it had been at the beginning, I would have enjoyed it more. All the other authors are ones I either don’t read, or haven’t heard of and probably wouldn’t want to read.
Sometimes we just know a book or author won’t “work” for us as a reader and I think that’s ok. Hopefully it helps us pick better books, too. :) I started reading Northanger Abbey a long time ago and I don’t think I was “hating it,” I just didn’t really get fully into it or something else (like a new book) distracted me. Still I’d like to give it a chance again. :)
Rissi, true. This is one I would like to go back to and read again as well.
It’s definitely handy if you can have a good feeling about what books you probably wouldn’t like – especially if you’re not great at DNF’ing (like me) as you’re then saved the trouble from forcing yourself though a book you’re not really enjoying :)
It sure is, Lindsey! I rely on reviews (which probably has its pros and cons) to help me decide and most of the time, I don’t regret not giving an author a chance. Meaning I don’t still really want to read that author. I think overall there are so many books and there’s always something for everyone, even if we are mistaken about some books. :)
I haven’t read any of these books and I don’t know if I want to read these books.
Sometimes I see lists like this too. :)
Great list, Rissi! I discovered that Tessa Bailey isn’t an author for me, and that’s okay. There are so many other books out there that I’m more likely to enjoy. I’m already not finishing my TBR in this lifetime, so knocking a few off makes me feel better. I do love Christina Lauren books, although I haven’t read this one yet. Here’s to finding books that we like more!
I listened to Crazy Rich Asians on audiobook and the style of the production definitely helped me keep better track of who’s who than otherwise. I will say that I think I preferred the movie though.