Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten Things That Make Me Not Want to Read a Book.
Last week we talked about the Top Ten Things That Make Me Want to Read a Book, so now let's look at the opposite.
- CHEATING! - This is a no go! I don't mind love triangles that are done right, but crossing the line into cheating is NOT something that I want to read about.
- LGBTQAI - And whatever other XYZ you want to throw in. I'm a Christian. I'm straight. I read for pleasure and to escape. And this is not a subject that allows for escape for me. If there's a hint of this in the subject, I'm out. This isn't about hate at all. It's simply a matter of what I enjoy reading about. Sorry, not sorry.
- Time Travel - I know there are a ton of readers who find this fascinating, but I've just found that I don't usually enjoy these books.
- Mermaids - As much as I'm a fan of mermaids, I've not found a book about mermaids that's been a right fit for me. I'm still hoping to find one that might work, but this subject makes me skeptic that I'll enjoy it because of my past experience.
- Anti-God - I respect everyone's right to decide for themselves whether they believe in God or not, but as I've also chosen, I don't enjoy reading books that put Him down. The most common thing I see is an apathy towards Him, but even that grates on me because of the frequency that I see it.
- Weak Characters - I don't mind if bad things happen to people in books, but what I really want to read about is strong characters who are able to overcome their circumstances, not be defined by them.
- Authors I've not enjoyed in the past - There are a few authors that I've marked down as "not for me." That's not to say that they're "bad writers," but just that their style or subjects are not a good fit for me.
- Unappealing Book Covers - Explaining what I like and don't like in a book cover isn't exactly easy, but I know it when I see it. A cover that doesn't appeal to me usually means I don't even read the book description.
- Political Agenda - Again guys, I read for fun. I cannot stand when the author is using a book to make a political statement. I am perfectly capable of my own thoughts concerning politics. I don't enjoy an author taking this opportunity to force their political opinions down my throat.
- Preaching - Even though I'm a Christian, and I said that I don't like Anti-God books, I also don't like books that feel like you're being preached at. This is similar to a political agenda that I mentioned above. I read my Bible for this. I'm completely fine with a character learning a moral or spiritual lesson as a natural consequence of the events of a story, but to feel like the author is speaking beyond the characters to me as the reader directly is a big no-thank-you.
What about you? What are you reading turn-offs? What things make you immediately decide that a book isn't for you? Let me know!
I'm with you on mermaids. Maybe I just can't suspend my disbelief quite enough for that? I also don't mind Christian/religious books as long as they aren't preachy. Subtlety is more my thing :)
ReplyDeleteHappy TTT!
Hey Sandy, I'm so glad I found your blog through TTT, I can identify with your entire post! I don't like books that are anti-God or even anti Christianity either, but also want faith to shine through the story naturally. I think it's a difficult balance, but when done right it's something special. Ahhh, okay, I'm off to see what other fabulous things you have written about....Excited to get to know you!
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's my problem as well? I like the idea of them, but it's just too much for me to adjust with the whole breathing underwater and growing a tail and all.
ReplyDeleteYes! Subtlety exactly. Thanks so much for stopping by Susan!
Oh yay! I love when I find like-minded readers. It sounds like we have a lot of the same thoughts about what we like and don't like in books! I look forward to getting to know you too Andrea! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
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