Thursday, May 22, 2014

The Year of the DNF



This year of reading life is turning out to be quite different.  When it's all over, 2014 will probably be my year of the DNF.  It's only May and I've already got a list as long as my arm of books that I have abandoned somewhere around the 50-page mark, but sometimes sooner.

This is not me.  Since reading is my sport, I generally feel duty-bound to struggle through a book even if it is a miserable reading experience.  Why?  I get that feeling of accomplishment as I add another book to my reading journal.  Also, I get the added perk of being able to bitch about it to 1000s 100s 10s of readers and perhaps get some sympathy.

 Although my spirits positively bubble at the thought of writing a scathing review, I just can't be bothered to get along with a book that hasn't immediately engaged me.  Not anymore.  Spring Fling has taken on a whole new meaning.  Just this week, I've said You're Outta Here to 3 books.

There's a new me in town, and I'm not sure I like her.  Am I getting old and cranky?  Have I lost my bookworm mojo?


8 comments:

Care said...

But you must share which books and why! to warn us. right?

Bybee said...

Care,
I flung one book because the author wandered in and out of the present and past tense because of an apparent fear of the present perfect, but most of my flinging seems to stem from sheer cussed moodiness.

Jeane said...

Seems like the older I get, the more easily I abandon books. I figure it gives me more time to find and read the books I will really like (and stick with to the end)!

Vasilly said...

I don't think you've lost your mojo. I'm starting to feel the same way. I don't feel guilty for books that I don't finish or even don't get to (unless I own them).

Unruly Reader said...

This sounds perfectly healthy (says the bail-out master).

Susan said...

I agree with Care! Warn us! lol and, you are not alone, Book-Twin. I've got a string of DNF already, although I did manage to go back and finish one - The Interestings, which turned out all right. Those other DNFs are still sitting there though, accusing me.....I feel guilty and then I think, no, it's just not the right time to read them. Do you think your reading tastes are changing, or is it the big move coming up that is making you impatient with books?

Bybee said...

Susan,
I never thought of that...it could be the big move.

The Relentless Reader said...

Oh man. What is going on this month? This year?? Is there something in the water? It seems that a lot of readers are struggling :(

I hope you get your mojo back!! I hope we all do.