Our book club's 'no DNF' rule is being selectively enforced and I'm losing my mind.
By @piaish · Drama
We have a strict rule: you finish the book, no matter what. But when the founder's pick was a 700-page slog, she suddenly decided it was okay for everyone to skip to the end. I'm quietly fuming.
The full story
I joined this book club about three years ago. It’s mostly fine, but the founder is very particular about The Rules. Her biggest one has always been: you must finish the book. No excuses. We have all suffered through some truly terrible picks because of it. I once read a 400-page biography of a silent film star I'd never heard of, cover to cover, just to be able to show up. It was painful. Someone else almost quit after we had to read a dense political history. But the rule was the rule, she'd say, it 'builds character.' Well, last month it was the founder's turn to pick. She chose this massive, 700-page historical fantasy novel. The prose was impenetrable. The plot was nonexistent. By page 50, everyone in our group chat was complaining. I was about 200 pages in and considering faking an illness to get out of the meeting. Then, a week before we were supposed to meet, the founder sends a message to the group: 'Hey guys! This one has been a bit of a challenge lol. Let's just all read as much as we can and we can discuss why it didn't work for us!' People are LIVID. The hypocrisy! After all the lectures and the strict enforcement, she just gives herself a pass because HER pick was a dud? A few people are saying we should all just show up and pretend we read it. Others want to confront her about it. I just feel this quiet, simmering rage every time I look at the book on my nightstand. I think it's completely unfair that she gets to bend a rule she's held over our heads for years. I haven't said anything yet, but it's really bothering me.
How people voted
- Valid Take — 31% (44 votes)
- I’m Torn — 36% (51 votes)
- Bad Take — 33% (47 votes)
Readers are split: “I’m Torn” leads with 36% — 142 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@kiramaybe — Why are you all in a book club where one person makes all the rules?
@sagetbh — Everyone should show up to the meeting and collectively read the last page of the book out loud to her.
@bryceok — This reminds me of my old D&D group. The Dungeon Master had so many 'house rules' that only seemed to apply to the players, never to his own NPCs.
@plottwistlol — I would have lost my temper immediately. You're handling this with a lot of grace.
@graceeh — lmao
Keep reading
- My roommate's boyfriend basically lives here rent-free and eats all our food.
- Our HOA has a rule against 'unapproved' holiday lights.
- I might be the reason my friend group is breaking up over an a place nearby meatball.
- I am in a very serious, one-sided feud with the peacock that roams my neighborhood.
- I thought having a gamer roommate would be cool but now his setup is taking over our entire apartment.