A few weeks ago I DNF'd my first book. I've seen a lot over twitter people speaking up about how you should be able to DNF a book whenever you want; life is too short to spend reading books you dislike and aren't getting on with. And I have always 100% agreed. It was only recently that I actually did it.
Before, I would convince myself that I've already read __%, I may as well finish. You can place any number in that blank space: 20% or 60%. I'd still try and get through it. Sometimes, I'm just interested how a book will end. For example, I wasn't a fan of Eve of Man or The Cruel Prince but finished both books, only to decide not to continue with the series. So, in that sense, I have DNF'd series before, just never a book mid-way through.
That was until I listened to Sadie by Courtney Summers on audiobook. Thriller isn't usually my genre of choice but I've enjoyed exploring new things this summer and thought I'd continue. I'd heard such good things about this book. Publishers Weekly labelled it one of the top 10 YA books published 2018.
However, it wasn't for me.
For those who haven't read Sadie, it follows a young girl who's sister was recently murdered. From a poor background, Sadie runs away in search of her sister's murderer, after being dissatisfied with the police investigation. The story is told from alternating points of view; one is Sadie's, of course, and the other is in the form of a podcast. A journalist is hired by a family friend of Sadie's to try and track her down, and in doing so we can see her progress and movements from an outsider's perspective. I was excited to read it, especially as the podcast chapters ought to have really suited listening to on audiobook. It even had a full cast reading it.
However, while the form was really unique and interesting, the plot was just lacking too much. I think the blurb is slightly misleading; Sadie knows who killed her sister at the very start. It isn't a tale of her trying to figure out who it is, it's a tale of her tracking down the right guy and worming her way into his life. I don't quite understand why she doesn't just enact revenge straight away but I guess that way we wouldn't have a full book.
So, that's the reason I wasn't thrilled by this 'thriller' and put it down after 40%. I had, and still have, such a large TBR shelf and so little time to do it, especially with the added time constraint provided by my University required reading that I really understand now why people say not to waste your time reading books you don't personally like. I googled the ending because I'm the kinda person who just likes to know how things end. I'm definitely glad I didn't continue; the ending didn't seem worth it to me. I understand why people may love the book. It just wasn't one for me.
Let me know if you did or didn't like this book and why. If you haven't read it, what's your most recent DNF?
Happy Reading :)
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