9 Books I Started but Did Not Finish in 2020

Like I think most people, I used to slog through books even if I hated them just so I could say I finished them. But in 2020, that changed for me. I realized that there are so many books out there, more than I could ever read. So why waste my time reading something I don't like? That's a waste of time that I could be spending on reading amazing books!

Below is a list of 9 books I started but Did Not Finish (DNF) in 2020. Although I am sure there were more I am not remembering!

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The Chestnut Man by Soren Sveistrup

Book Title: The Chestnut Man

Author: Soren Sveistrup

Why I Didn't Finish: I could not get into this book. I'm not sure if it was the writing or the timeline that I struggled with, or if the case it explored just wasn't interesting to me. Sometimes I have a hard time with police procedurals so that could be it as well. I haven't totally written this book off and may try it again in the future.

Death Notice by Todd Ritter

Book Title: Death Notice

Author: Todd Ritter

Why I Didn't Finish: I picked this book up because I found out it was written by one of my favorite mystery/thriller writers, Riley Sager. Todd Ritter is his real name, and Sager is a pen name. So I had high hopes for this book. However, this book could not be more different that the Sager books I love! I think under the Sager pen name, Ritter has really developed as a writer and storyteller. Death Notice was kind of boring and more traditional mystery which is not my jam. I will definitely stick with Riley Sager!

The Flood Girls by Richard Fifield

Book Title: The Flood Girls

Author: Richard Fifield

Why I Didn't Finish: I tried so so so hard to finish this book but I couldn't do it. It just bored me. This is another book that I may try again in the future, but for now, I've moved on.

The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

Book Title: The Proposal

Author: Jasmine Guillory

Why I Didn't Finish: I really enjoyed The Wedding Date by Guillory so I was excited for this one. But unfortunately it just didn't hold my interest and I couldn't get into it. I didn't like the premise as much and at times the relationships felt forced.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Book Title: Red Queen

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Why I Didn't Finish: Ugh this book. I had it on my TBR for sooooo long. And unfortunately I think I am just too old for this kind of YA book. The premise was dumb, it read too much like The Hunger Games, and I just couldn't stop cringing. Not for me!

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

Book Title: The Escape Room

Author: Megan Goldin

Why I Didn't Finish: The premise and plot of this book was just unbelievable and dumb and the characters were horrible. I just couldn't find myself caring about it at all. I usually like books that take place in a single room but the way this book flipped back and forth between the past and present gave me whiplash.

The Haunting of Brynn Wilder by Wendy Webb

Book Title: The Haunting of Brynn Wilder

Author: Wendy Webb

Why I Didn't Finish: This book sounded so interesting to me and right up my alley. But I could not deal with the way Webb writes dialogue. Her characters conversing was so painful! I also couldn't figure out the relationships between characters. I was just confused all around!

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Book Title: The Cruel Prince

Author: Holly Black

Why I Didn't Finish: Another book I am just too old to read. The characters were so young and immature and I just couldn't do it! I know this series is popular even among older Millennials who read YA, but I'm just not a fan!

Dead to Her by Sarah Pinborough

Book Title: Dead to Her

Author: Sarah Pinborough

Why I Didn't Finish: I don't remember much about this book honestly, but I remember HATING it. I think I actually threw the book down in frustration. It was just annoying rich white people doing annoying rich white people things that I don't particularly care about. I didn't even get to the thriller part of this book.

Which books did you not finish in 2020?