So, my post today is a bit of a twist. I was challenged to answer these questions about what I DO NOT like. I spend all my time telling y’all about books I love, so this is a bit of a confession of sorts (since a lot of the books I will mention are very popular!) Let me say this up front-I am in no way saying I do not like the authors who wrote the books I mention. That is not the case at all! I simply couldn’t connect with the book. So, hear me now: I am NOT dissing authors! I love authors; sometimes I just don’t love certain books.
Without further qualifications, here we go!
TAG QUESTIONS/CATEGORIES:
- A Popular Book or series that you didn’t like.
Wow, honestly, there are quite a few. First, the obvious-50 shades of Grey. But, really its just because I do not care for the erotica/BDSM genre. Another book that everyone loved that I just didn’t care for-Anna and the French Kiss. Its on like every ‘must read’ list and I couldn’t even finish it!
My final book for this category is Taking Chances by Molly McAdams. There are several reasons for this but first and foremost-I hate love triangles. I despise them. They literally make my skin crawl. I gave up on this book about 40% in but everyone else loves it. My lip curls up every time I see it mentioned somewhere.
- A Popular Book or series that every one else seems to hate but you love.
This is another tough one. Honestly, I will say this-I love Twilight. That’s right, I said it. I like Twilight. It was a hugely popular book and then the tides turned on it. I don’t care. I still like it. #teamEdward forever!
- A Love Triangle where the main character ended up with the person you did NOT want them to end up with (warn ppl for spoilers) OR an OTP (one true pairing) that you don’t like.
As I mentioned in the first category, I loathe love triangles. And they seem really prevelant in YA/NA books for some reason. So, for me, the first one that comes to my mind is Matched. I really felt she should have stuck with Xander. My second pick in this category is on the OTP side. I didn’t like Katsa and Po together in Graceling. I just couldn’t get behind them as a couple.
- A popular book Genre that you hardly reach for.
Again, as I have mentioned before, I do not read erotica. I just don’t. Its become all the rage and I think its great for people who want to read it. I love that there are so many genres in literature now. But, for me, erotic is one genre I just never read. Its okay, you can call me a prude-my friends do! 🙂
- A popular or beloved character that you do not like.
Well, my first choice comes from a classic. I cannot stand Alice from Alice in Wonderland. UGH she makes me crazy! Another example from a classic: Holden from Catcher in the Rye. What a douche bag! I get so irritated when people hold him up like the paragon of teen angst and rebellion because I just think he is an asshole! (and yes, I thought that when i was a teenager too!)
- A popular author that you can’t seem to get into.
Well, we could obviously include E.L. James in this since we have established I just don’t like erotica. And, again, we could include Molly McAdams since I hate love triangles (and seriously, does she have a book that doesn’t have one? If so, let me know and I will read it!). But, none of those compare to the big secret I will share with you now. I am not, nor have I ever been a fan of Nicholas Sparks. Yes, I write a blog devoted to romance books and I can’t stand his books. Don’t even get me started on the movies…
- A popular book trope that you’re tired of seeing. (examples “lost princess”, corrupt ruler, love triangles, etc.)
Ok, we have already establish the 2 I am MOST over: love triangles and BDSM/dom-sub stuff. But, another trope I am kind of over is the classic bad boy alpha asshole who sleeps around like a man whore. Let me be clear-I like the alpha male thing when its done well. An alpha male who is confident, protective, and loyal is a great character. But an alpha-hole is just annoying and I don’t understand why the girls in these books throw themselves at these guys. UGH!
- A popular series that you have no interest in reading.
Again, 50 shades (have I made it clear that I don’t read erotica yet?). But, another one that I have no interest in picking up is the Outlander series. Crazy, right? I mean they even turned it into a TV show. But, honestly, I just don’t understand the hype. I have no desire to read it at all!
- The saying goes “The book is always better than the movie”, but what movie or T.V. show adaptation do you prefer more than the book?
Ok, if you have ever read the actual original book series for the Vampire Diaries you will totally agree with me on this-the TV show is SO much better. The first 2 books weren’t too bad, but by book 4 I was like WTF?!?! Another on for me was Gone Girl. I found the characters in the book so annoying I barely got through it and wasn’t sure I would even watch the movie. But, honestly, I thought the movie was better. I mean, I still thought the characters were horrible people, but it just played out better on screen.
So, what are your thoughts? What should be added to the list? What can’t you believe I included? Share in the comments. Create your own list and share with us as well!
And remember, none of this reflects on the author. In fact, if they managed to write a book so memorable that even though I didn’t like it, I can’t forget it, and that’s pretty good!
I like your angle for this post and how the photos are incorporated…
I completely agree with the “movies/TV show that are better than the books”. I tried to read the Vampire Diaries, and never made it through the first book. But I do enjoy the show!
I read Gone Girl at the urging of some family members, and I thought it was alright. I wasn’t quite sure what all the hubbub was about though. It did convert into a pretty good movie though!
Great post!
Yeah I really struggled with Gone Girl. Everyone raved about it. I will say it is some pretty good writing to make a book whose main characters are the most horrible people I have ever read about! There is like NO hero in that story. Everyone is awful. The movie translated much better for me!
Thanks!!