Worth it? (DNF-ing popular booktok books)

I know DNFing a book can feel like giving up, and for the longest time, I used to feel so guilty about it! But honestly, life's too short to force yourself through a book you're not enjoying. Especially with so many trending reads on BookTok, it's easy to pick up something that just doesn't click, even if everyone else is raving about it. My own DNF list has grown, and I’ve realized it's a completely valid part of the reading journey. Sometimes, the hype just doesn't match the reality. I've been there, picking up a highly recommended BookTok title only to find myself slogging through an uneventful plot or struggling with boring characters who just don't resonate. It's frustrating when you expect an epic adventure or a deeply emotional story, and instead, you get no plot at all, or worse, repetitive scenes that feel like filler. For example, in some of the books I've DNF'd, like *When The Moon Hatched*, I found myself completely lost with confusing glossary terms and a narrative that just didn't hold my attention. It made me question if I was the problem, but then I realized, it's okay for a book not to be for me! Then there are those books that delve into much darker, more controversial themes. Take *Tender Is The Flesh*, for instance. This novel certainly explores intense flesh book themes and cannibalism themes that are designed to be unsettling. While I appreciate challenging literature, there's a line where a story can become gratuitously disturbing or simply not align with what I'm looking for in a reading experience. It’s important to know your boundaries as a reader. For me, some of these dark themes, when presented in certain ways, just make me feel grossed out rather than thought-provoked, making it an easy decision to DNF. Another common point of contention for me, especially in BookTok romances, is the portrayal of male characters. Sometimes, they can be incredibly bland or fall into overly used tropes that make them feel underdeveloped. Or, on the flip side, they can be designed to be 'dark' and 'brooding' but end up being genuinely problematic without any real depth or redemption. This often ties into issues like repetitive smut without a compelling story, or even a 'stupid female character' whose lack of agency makes the whole dynamic feel off. When the character development, particularly for the male lead, doesn't feel authentic or engaging, it seriously impacts my ability to enjoy the story. I've seen books where the so-called 'alpha male' just comes across as controlling, and it makes me want to put the book down immediately. The same goes for themes like female trafficking, which I encountered in *The Ritual*. While authors might aim for shock value, I find it incredibly difficult to continue reading when the core premise feels exploitative or poorly handled. My advice? Don't feel pressured to finish a book just because it's popular or because everyone else loves it. Your reading journey is personal. If a book isn't bringing you joy, making you think, or simply keeping you engaged, it's perfectly fine to set it aside. There are countless other books out there waiting to be discovered that will be perfect for you. So, embrace the DNF, learn what you like and dislike, and keep exploring!