Every Sunday I pick a bookish topic and create a discussion post around it. If you have an idea for a discussion post, just leave a comment or email me at christinathebookreader@gmail.com.
This week I want to talk about bookish pet peeves.
We all have them. Something that happens in a book and we think: I just can't read this anymore. While I try my very hardest to finish ALL review requests (because I am just like that), when I read a book I chose that has some of these things I just have trouble getting through it.
So for me, I have a couple book pet peeves.
- Over glorification of God or religion (I mean real religion, not fake fantasy religions) that seems to try to make me feel bad about my own religious beliefs
- When the protagonist cheats (particularly if he or she is still made out to be a hero)
This post was actually inspired by the second on this list. Because I recently read a book where the MC cheats and his girlfriend basically forgives him. I'm sorry but what? In my world, cheating is not okay. It's not a forgivable offence because once you do it the first time, it can happen again. It's not just a reaction or an accident. It's a serious choice you make. And still being portrayed as a hero? It hurts me. It really does. Because this is not how relationships should work in the real world.
Most things really don't bother me. I'm sure there are things that if I came upon them I might be like, "WHAAT NO I CAN'T READ THAT!" But these are a few of the things that seem to be commonly found that I know I just hate. And I know it's a matter of personal opinion. Things that bug me that aren't necessarily in this category of plot could be: super slow pacing, an annoying heroine, one dimensional characters (especially the MC), and others.
Most things really don't bother me. I'm sure there are things that if I came upon them I might be like, "WHAAT NO I CAN'T READ THAT!" But these are a few of the things that seem to be commonly found that I know I just hate. And I know it's a matter of personal opinion. Things that bug me that aren't necessarily in this category of plot could be: super slow pacing, an annoying heroine, one dimensional characters (especially the MC), and others.
I know there are some other common things that people shy away from in books.
- Love triangles
- Rape or excessive violence (okay I'm on the fence with this one. If it has a reason to be there, okay. But if it's just there for shock value...)
Author's can't please everyone. I know that. So if there is something that I know is a common pet peeve in a book I'm reviewing, I try to mention that in my review. It's not that I want to spoil the book, but I would be mad if I bought a book and no one warned me something like that was coming.
What are some of the things you hate to read about?
What are some of the things you hate to read about?
I think a lot of us readers share pet peeves so I'd be thankful you warned us if a book contains one. Nice discussion!
ReplyDeleteYeah, when the MC cheats and the girlfriend forgives, that would be a major turn off. I don't mind when it's used as a plot device to move the story forward, like he/she cheats and then learns from the mistake in the end after it's ruined the relationship. I don't mind love triangles so much anymore, really. They used to be so prevalent in books that it was annoying and becoming a rather normal pattern, but in more recent books I feel like the triangle has been either twisted in a new way or just dropped completely. And I agree with the rape/excessive violence thing- I hate when it's just used as a shock factor rather than to move the plot forward or when it's treated more lightly than it should be. I feel the same about character deaths- unless the character's death moves the plot forward it shouldn't be there.
ReplyDeleteI really generally don't mind a good love triangle. Sometimes (a lot) it's done in a stupid way. But as long as it's well done I can get on board with it. I never really thought about character deaths. But I agree. And it's something I need to change about my book. Because a death isn't for shock value, but it doesn't really contribute to the story so yea... Anyway my rambles are done :D
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