Mood Reader Update

As an avid reader, I've come to realize that not every book is meant to be finished immediately—or even at all. There are books that just don’t click with me at a given moment, which I call 'Not Right Now' reads. These aren’t rejections but pauses, a recognition that maybe the timing isn’t perfect to fully appreciate them. On the other hand, there are books that I label as DNFs (Did Not Finish). This isn’t a failure but an important part of respecting my reading preferences and mental space. I've found that learning to differentiate between these two types of non-finished books has improved my reading experience immensely. For example, books like "SCARLEI" by Tara June Winch and "Conviction" by Denise Mina, though highly acclaimed, were DNFs for me not because they lacked quality but because my mood or life circumstances didn’t align with their themes or pacing. On the flip side, books like "Friend 7FOE" by Brice Simpson and "Wells Ranch" by Bailey Hannah I’m still reading patiently because I sense they will resonate more fully down the line. This approach has helped remove the pressure of having to power through every book to the end just because it’s on a bestseller list or recommended by others. It has enhanced my appreciation for the reading journey itself rather than just the outcome. I encourage fellow readers to embrace their mood shifts and acknowledge that a DNF or a 'Not Right Now' is a valid part of reading. It allows us to reframe our reading habits in a way that feels freeing and more connected to what we enjoy and need at the moment. Additionally, engaging with lively discussions about why some books become DNFs can lead to discovering new perspectives and other titles that might be better suited to one's current interests. Ultimately, respecting these reading moods leads to a more fulfilling and less stressful reading life. Remember, it’s perfectly fine to take breaks, swap books, or set some aside temporarily—reading should be a pleasure, not a chore.