What Does DNF Mean in Books?

DNF stands for "did not finish." Readers use it for a book they started and then stopped reading, with no plans to pick it back up. It works as a noun ("my third DNF this year") and as a verb ("I DNF'd it at page 80").

You'll see it on BookTok and Bookstagram, in reviews, and in book club group chats. Readers often add where they stopped, like "DNF at 40%."

Why Readers DNF a Book

Some common reasons:

• The timing is wrong. It's a book you'd like more in another year or another season of your life
• The first chapters didn't pull you in
• The book has content you don't want to read
• The writing style doesn't work for you
• Your library loan ran out and the holds list is months long
• Your TBR (to be read) pile is long, and other books are calling
• Life happened and you just don't have time

Is It Okay to DNF a Book?

Of course! Plenty of readers decide early how much time they'll give a book. One guideline is librarian Nancy Pearl's Rule of 50: if you're under 50 years old, read 50 pages, and if you're not enjoying it, stop. If you're over 50 (when, as she says "time gets even shorter"), subtract your age from 100 to get your page count. Other readers give a book 10% or a few chapters.

Also, a DNF doesn't have to be permanent. Some books click the second time around.  Or you might just be in a better headspace, or have the opportunity to renew that library loan once the initial buzz around a book has faded.  

What If You Didn't Finish Your Book Club's Pick?

Go to the meeting anyway. Tell the group where you stopped so they know how much you've read. Your reasons for stopping can start a good discussion, especially if other members loved the book.

It helps if your club agrees ahead of time on a policy for members who haven't finished. The two most common:

• Spoilers are fair game. The members who finished can discuss the whole book, ending included. If you come without finishing, you accept that you'll hear spoilers.
• No spoilers. The discussion stays away from the ending, so everyone can take part no matter how far they got.

Either works, as long as everyone knows which one your club uses. For more on setting expectations, see How to Run a Book Club Discussion That Everyone Will Love and our rules of book club etiquette.

How to Track the Books You Didn't Finish on Bookclubs

Bookclubs has a Did Not Finish shelf, so you can remember what you started and when you stopped, and skip the book the next time a friend recommends it.

On the web

1. Go to the book's page and open Add to shelves.
2. Choose Mark as Did Not Finish (DNF).
3. Pick the date under Date DNF (it defaults to today) and click Add.

In the app

1. Go to the book's page and tap Add to my shelves.
2. Choose Mark as Did Not Finish (DNF).
3. Set the date. 

You'll find these books on your profile's Did Not Finish shelf, or under Books I Did Not Finish in the app's My Books. They don't count toward your reading goal or your year-end Bookend. Only you and the readers you've approved to follow you can see this shelf.

If you change your mind, choose Add to Currently Reading Books or Add to Books I've Read, and the book moves off your Did Not Finish shelf automatically.

DNF FAQ

What does DNF stand for in books?

Did not finish. It's a book you started and stopped reading.

What's the difference between DNF and TBR?

TBR (to be read) is the list of books you plan to read. DNF is for books you started and stopped.

How far should you read before you DNF a book?

There's no rule. Many readers use 50 pages, 10%, or the first few chapters.

Do DNF books count toward your reading goal?

Not on Bookclubs. Your reading goal and Bookend count only books on your Books I've Read shelf.

Is it rude to the author to DNF their book?

No. Every book has readers it isn't right for, and being honest about that helps other readers find the books that are right for them.

Start your Did Not Finish shelf on Bookclubs. 📚

Not a Bookclubs member yet? Join Bookclubs and find or start a book club today.

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• Organize Your Shelves Your Way: Custom Shelf Tags and Want to Read Ordering Are Here
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• 35 Short Books to Read for Book Club, Most Under 200 Pages
• Keep Track of Books You Didn't Finish Reading with Bookclubs' DNF Shelf