I will justify your DNF of All You Can Ever Know. I looove memoir and read a lot of it and truly did not understand the hype and accolades the book got. Maybe give Your Two-Year-Old another shot? I did appreciate that series when my oldest was little. I found the advice and guidance reassuring in it's vintage-ness. But also: +1 for bubblegum romance. With Christmas break upon us and my kids home 24/7, it might be all I'm going to read until the new year!
Thank you for your thoughts!! I think I may check out Your Two-Year-Old again! I remember my mother having every single one of those books on her shelves and they seemed to bring her a lot of reassurance.
Kaia, I enjoyed your honest and refreshing take! That is a large DNF list which I can speak to only one book on it: The Most Fun We Ever Had. I liked it, but I can see why it made the DNF. I haven't picked up a single book on that list otherwise. Currently I have only TWO books on my DNF list in its entirety: A Gentleman in Moscow (i know! I've tried three times) and All Fours (everyone loved and I am not getting the hype. I might try again though...)
Thanks, Kristen! I read a lot and am realizing this post probably makes it seem like I finish few books! I probably complete on average around 8 books a month, but I am picky about what I read and have found cutting myself free from books I’m not feeling really, well, freeing! I am able to spend my reading time much more authentically and it has actually allowed me to finish more books because I am excited to pick up the books I’m reading and so I read them faster! Thanks for sharing your post! I have read a good number of the Time 100 books and am interested to see your take! Read on!
My kid can drop a book in a second, but I struggle to DNF a book. I will slog through and then admonish myself about wasting the time on it when I could’ve been doing, reading, enjoying something else. I constantly need the reminder (and maybe permission) to walk away!
I also have frequent panic that I’ll die before getting to finish books I want to read (unfortunately for me I’m kind of slow). I told B this and he was like “… can’t relate.” 😂
Wow, good for B! I cannot relate to that! Also, btw, I think it’s way better to be a slower reader—I’m trying to slow down and savor books more. I often whip through them and then can’t remember them as deeply as I want to later on.
I love the reminder of that life is too short to read books you don't want to read! There is only one book I forced myself to finish haha only because it was so bad I had to know how it ended. I did recently DNF When the Moon Hatched by Sarah Parker and I have been looking SO forward to this but realized I wasn't in the right headspace to give it the attention and time it needed. I have a feeling that I am going to LOVE it but just not right now. I feel like now as a mom I am learning to be more intentional with my time because it is so rare to have "me time." I loved the honesty and message of your post!! :)
It’s so real that becoming a mom has completely shifted my priority structures and ability to be choosier with my time and attention. I love how framed putting down a book you know you’ll like because you weren’t in the right headspace! Super wise.
I will justify your DNF of All You Can Ever Know. I looove memoir and read a lot of it and truly did not understand the hype and accolades the book got. Maybe give Your Two-Year-Old another shot? I did appreciate that series when my oldest was little. I found the advice and guidance reassuring in it's vintage-ness. But also: +1 for bubblegum romance. With Christmas break upon us and my kids home 24/7, it might be all I'm going to read until the new year!
Thank you for your thoughts!! I think I may check out Your Two-Year-Old again! I remember my mother having every single one of those books on her shelves and they seemed to bring her a lot of reassurance.
I love everything you are saying and also the “no regrats” photo which is a personal family favorite! I recognized it immediately- lol!
Hahaha—iconic image for sure. Thank you for reading!!
Kaia, I enjoyed your honest and refreshing take! That is a large DNF list which I can speak to only one book on it: The Most Fun We Ever Had. I liked it, but I can see why it made the DNF. I haven't picked up a single book on that list otherwise. Currently I have only TWO books on my DNF list in its entirety: A Gentleman in Moscow (i know! I've tried three times) and All Fours (everyone loved and I am not getting the hype. I might try again though...)
You might find some finish-able reads in this list: https://kristenluiso.substack.com/p/my-take-on-the-100-best-books-of
xx, Kristen
Thanks, Kristen! I read a lot and am realizing this post probably makes it seem like I finish few books! I probably complete on average around 8 books a month, but I am picky about what I read and have found cutting myself free from books I’m not feeling really, well, freeing! I am able to spend my reading time much more authentically and it has actually allowed me to finish more books because I am excited to pick up the books I’m reading and so I read them faster! Thanks for sharing your post! I have read a good number of the Time 100 books and am interested to see your take! Read on!
Also! I loved Gentlemen and enjoyed All Fours, but I totally get how they might not be for everyone!
good to know, love getting your take on both.
Oh I totally get that, I figured your take was from someone who crushes books and I love that you can discern immediately what is not for you!
I’m so impressed by your follow through! It seems like you really commit to giving books a fair shake, which is great!
My kid can drop a book in a second, but I struggle to DNF a book. I will slog through and then admonish myself about wasting the time on it when I could’ve been doing, reading, enjoying something else. I constantly need the reminder (and maybe permission) to walk away!
Let’s channel your kid!!! There is power in walking away!
I also have frequent panic that I’ll die before getting to finish books I want to read (unfortunately for me I’m kind of slow). I told B this and he was like “… can’t relate.” 😂
Wow, good for B! I cannot relate to that! Also, btw, I think it’s way better to be a slower reader—I’m trying to slow down and savor books more. I often whip through them and then can’t remember them as deeply as I want to later on.
I love the reminder of that life is too short to read books you don't want to read! There is only one book I forced myself to finish haha only because it was so bad I had to know how it ended. I did recently DNF When the Moon Hatched by Sarah Parker and I have been looking SO forward to this but realized I wasn't in the right headspace to give it the attention and time it needed. I have a feeling that I am going to LOVE it but just not right now. I feel like now as a mom I am learning to be more intentional with my time because it is so rare to have "me time." I loved the honesty and message of your post!! :)
It’s so real that becoming a mom has completely shifted my priority structures and ability to be choosier with my time and attention. I love how framed putting down a book you know you’ll like because you weren’t in the right headspace! Super wise.