I am happy to say that this week’s post was much more difficult for me to put together than last week where we shared the things that make us want to read a book! I am pretty much open to trying anything as long as it isn’t problematic, so I struggled with this because I have enjoyed books that fall into these categories. That said, I think it is a harder sell for me if I hear a book has one of these things!
Plot-Driven
The number one thing to know about my reading taste is that I am a character-driven reader. A book can have very little plot, but if the characters are memorable and stick out to me, I will enjoy it. On the other hand, I don’t care how exciting a plot is, if the characters are bland or underdeveloped, I won’t get invested or care what happens to them.
Fast-Paced Thriller
I am definitely more of a slow-burn mystery person vs a fast-paced thriller one. I want to get to know the characters and the setting and for there to be a lot of foreshadowing. I don’t love cat-and-mouse-type thrillers where we know who the villain is and we are just watching our character try to survive.
Insta Love
I think my dislike for insta-love comes down to the fact that I prefer slow burn in all aspects of my fiction. I want that tension and build up and for our characters to not just jump into a relationship and the rest of the book is them navigate that. I don’t want to first smutty scene to happen until the latter half of the book!
Long Series
I am getting better at finishing series, but it will be difficult to convince me to read a book if it is part of a long series, unless they are cozy mysteries. I have yet to read anything by Brandon Sanderson or Robin Hobb for this reason. I feel like their book universes are just too big and intimidating for me!
Dark Romance
I have tried some dark romance because a lot of people love it, but I have just come to the conclusion that I prefer light romance. That isn’t to say that I don’t appreciate some heavier themes in my romance, because I do, but I will never seek out books that are marketed as dark romance.
“I am pushing you away because I am bad for you”
It is hard to know if a book has this trope until you read it, but it is something I have come across a lot lately and it always gets under my skin. You have spent the entire book making this person fall in love with you only to push them away during the third act breakup because you realized you are bad for them? Um no! Let that person make that decision for themselves or have a conversation about it instead of manipulating them!
Time Travel
I always like the idea of time travel and a lot of books that use time travel sound so good, but I am often left feeling disappointed by them. I think for me it is because the rules of time travel seem to be pretty much set in stone, so a lot of the books end up feeling predictable or repetitive to me!
Groundhog Day Trope
I have read a few books with the groundhog day trope and I just find them tedious! I get so bored reading about the same day over and over again, even if there are slight changes. I have tried this trope in a variety of genres and the only book I have ever loved that has it is The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.
Fated Mates
I am not someone who believes in soulmates and something about the whole idea of fated mates gets under my skin. I think it has to do with the lack of free will and choice! I want to see my characters choose to be together and not just give in to fate. Are there books out there with fated mates where the main characters choose to be with someone else? That I would read! I do have to point out that the Mead Mishaps series is an exception to this because those books are just so ridiculous and fun and the fated mates aspect leads to some hilarious moments!
Journeys
I am not a fan of journey stories in any genre! I don’t like fantasy where the characters are on a quest that leads them on a journey and there is a lot of travelling. It is monotonous! T. Kingfisher is the exception, of course. I also don’t vibe with road trip stories for the same reasons!
What is something that will stop you from reading a book?
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