Sign in with Facebook
15 of Your Biggest Book Pet Peeves
Last week we asked on Facebook and on Twitter: What's your biggest book pet peeve?* Check out the top answers below!
1. "Peeps who leave crumbs behind between pages!! #ew" (Joyce B)
2. "When publishers change book covers mid-series! Biggest book pet peeve EVER…"(Amanda White)
3. "My Kindle battery dying!" (Hannah DesWonn)
4. "Seeing someone turn a book inside out by folding it in half while they read. The front and back should never meet!" (Mopsy Prewett)
5. "People who forget that they borrowed a book from you." (Nadia Malik)
6. "When someone rips out the pages of a book. How is the book supposed to make any sense when there are missing pages in it?" (Trish Welsh)
7. "Those strange mystery stains that are usually found between the pages of library books. Did someone spill coffee? Or slash their fingers open with a paper cut? Who knows?" (Traci Mccarty)
8. "Highlighting! Who are these savages?" (Anna Moloney)
9. "Library books last read by a nose picker." (Grace Minnick Hickox)
10. "Paperback covers that delaminate and warped hardcovers." (Paul Wichert)
11. "Dropping books in the toilet. Not that it's ever happened to me…" (Devyn Price)
12. "Broken spines are okay, unless it's a SINGLE crack right in the middle of the spine. That's the WORST." (Charlie)
13. "Dog-eared pages drive me crazy." (Elizabeth Newby)
14. "Sand stuck between pages from reading on the beach." (Ellen)
15. "Movie edition book covers…shudder." (Hollie Ruthless)
Did your book pet peeve not make the list? Then share it with us in the comments!
*And for those of you who have zero pet peeves, maybe Chhandra Bewtra can speak for you: "None. A book is precious, even with disfigurements."
Comments Showing 151-200 of 495 (495 new)
Stickers on book covers drive me nuts, especially when it's an older book with brittle paper, so when you finally manage to take off the sticker, you take the top layer of the cover off with it. Grrrrr...Personally, I'm pretty lenient when it comes to movie tie-in book covers, but I draw the line when the movie tie-in cover shows something that was in the movie, but not in the book. It's false advertising, man! It's deceitful!
For example, the How To Train Your Dragon book covers that show Movie Toothless rather than Book Toothless. Movie Toothless and Book Toothless are completely different characters! Those new readers who watch the movie and want to read the book are going to be in for a jarring surprise!
Factual errors, poor grammar, and typos - if the writer doesn't care enough to get it right, why should I take the time to read it?
This one I got over after a while (books should be read!) but... you let someone borrow a book and when you get it back it is in tatters or you find it on their floor in that state.
Claudia the Night Owl wrote: "When all the books in a series aren't the same size or even worse when they switch from paperback to hardcover mid series D:"Oh yeah, nothing worse than the books change size in the middle of a series! I like all my series to be the same size.
Emily wrote: "Stickers on books bugs the crap out of me as well"Trying to remove the glue from the stickers so you can give a book as a present.
Laurie wrote: "seeing someone fold a book in half when they read makes me shudder. or leaving the book open upside down on a desk. Use a freaking bookmark instead of cracking the spine."Makes my eyes water when I see that.
The whole crumbs between pages is the worst! Like, you cannot successfully eat and read at the same time! Believe me, many have tried.
Azur wrote: "Emily wrote: "Stickers on books bugs the crap out of me as well"And when you try to peel them off and the glue is still stuck to the cover."
And then it sticks to the book next to it
Library or used books that smell like cat pee or stale cigarettes yuck! Poor spelling or editing errors, (Especially in ebooks). And libraries or store employees that put stickers over the book synopsis or cover models face. And people who read over my shoulder.
Covers that don't match the characters. So a picture of a redhead on the cover if the main character is a brunette. That sort of thing. Covers that have nothing to do with what the book is about.
Cliffhangers in a series when they're only used to force you to buy the next book.
Meaningless epilogues.
Billionaires.
My biggest pet peeve is very specific: I am a librarian and worked at a public library all during the years when the Twilight series was coming out. The titles for each successive book begin with letters that are alphabetically backwards! So when shelving these books, we either had to put them in alphabetical order, with the series reversed, or in series order, alphabetically reversed. I purposely avoided ever having to shelve any of those books because it drove me nuts.
I do have to put in a note for library books, too. Most libraries have a specific location designated for the library barcode on every book or material. It's really not fun for us to cover anything up on the book, either, when adding barcodes, but it has to be done right or chaos would break out and the mental wellness of many a librarian would be at risk.
I'd have to say that my biggest pet peeve is when the entire book is full of errors, BUT something that bothers the crap out of me, is when the cover doesn't resemble the story at all! Like the heroine is a redhead and the woman on the cover is a blonde, or the story takes place on a ranch but they show a beach. Drives me absolutely bonkers!
I hate it when a friend tries to make me read a book that I really don't want to. I love that they care but we might just and different taste in books....and that's perfectly okay too.
Jessica wrote: "I hate it when a friend tries to make me read a book that I really don't want to. I love that they care but we might just and different taste in books....and that's perfectly okay too."I'm right there with ya. But at the same time admit to being just as guilty of it too. But I feel like I'm a bit biased though cause I feel like when I read various books there is something new or whatever that can be learned along the way from them or something. And not just another "squee! Another vampire story!!!" been there and more than read that. Why not something new?
Dhfan4life wrote: "Jessica wrote: "I hate it when a friend tries to make me read a book that I really don't want to. I love that they care but we might just and different taste in books....and that's perfectly okay t..."I know! I feel guilty too but I guess in the long run, reading is meant to be enjoyed and everyone has the right of selection in reading. I guess the question I ask myself is "Would I be okay if someone didn't read a book I recommended them?" and the answer is yes so I think it's okay! :)
I don't like stickers either but you can remove them by gently heating them up under a hot lamp or with a not too hot hairdryer. They come off then easily enough.I have to agree that I don't like to lend my books to people anymore because I did get one back mangled.
I am more concerned about mistakes and editing and grammar than covers. If I don't like a cover I can cover it up with another book sleeve.
Jessica wrote: "Dhfan4life wrote: "Jessica wrote: "I hate it when a friend tries to make me read a book that I really don't want to. I love that they care but we might just and different taste in books....and that..."Actually I do feel a little bummed when I rec a book and someone hasn't read it yet. But yea I get used to it by now and rarely rec books in the first place now lol.
If you don't like lending out books could you pls help me with something? I lent my copy of the Selection out to my too trusted best friends who also love and respect books and it returned the way I lent it out. My not-so-close friend asked to borrow it as she saw I had lent it out to them. She doesn't like any books except for the Divergent trilogy and I don't think she will treat it well. What do I do? Arrrrgh! Please help me!
"Movie edition book covers…shudder." I admit that I have a pet peeve for movie edition book covers too. I only make rare exceptions if I particularly loved the movie, or if I am desperate for the book and couldn't find any other editions available.
Manuela wrote: "I have to agree that I don't like to lend my books to people anymore because I did get one back mangled."Most (maybe 60%) of the books I read are e-books now. Unless they're an all-time favorite or a signed copy I usually give my traditional books away. I generally tell folks to keep it if they want or pass it on to someone else they think might like it.
There was a bit of a movement a few years ago where people would leave books in public places ... cafes / bus-stops etc in the hope that someone would pick it up and read it. I was right into that.
But I do have precious books that I are for nobody but me. Not many but a few.
Jessica wrote: "If you don't like lending out books could you pls help me with something? I lent my copy of the Selection out to my too trusted best friends who also love and respect books and it returned the way ..."How about pose a fair exchange swap with her. Say since she wants the book for so long. You get to borrow something else that she has and really cherishes too for so long. But don't make it sound like a major deal. But if say it was a particular purse or something that you know she would have a hissy fit over if it got as messed up as your book, then maybe she might treat your book better hopefully?
I'm not a fan of lending either if it's not an e-book. But yea I think the fair exchange idea would make sense with a friend like that.
Jessica wrote: "She doesn't like any books except for the Divergent trilogy and I don't think she will treat it well. What do I do? Arrrrgh! Please help me!"I would probably just say I promised to lend it to someone else first but you'll lend it to her after this person.
Thanks! That's what I am currently trying but she is asking me every day! Eeeek!
I hate it when people ruin a borrowed book and then some have the audacity to ask for another!! I just ignore or make an excuse, I mean really, you ruined my book, took off the plastic covering and tore off bits of pages and you expect me to lend you another? No way. Someone once ripped out the whole back cover of my book and I was like what the Hell?!
Dipanshi wrote: "I hate it when people ruin a borrowed book and then some have the audacity to ask for another!! I just ignore or make an excuse, I mean really, you ruined my book, took off the plastic covering and..."I know! Books are precious and they cost money too! If someone ruins your book they should be glad you didn't ask them to pay for the replacement. That's crazy! I feel your pain!
Dipanshi wrote: "I hate it when people ruin a borrowed book and then some have the audacity to ask for another!! I just ignore or make an excuse, I mean really, you ruined my book, took off the plastic covering and..."What in the world?! Yea definitely tell that person that they aren't touching anything else of yours until they replace the copy they destroyed. And even then til they earn your trust back in regards to lending them stuff in the future, that is crazy.
I have to admit that I had borrowed the first HP book from friends and it took me almost three quarters of a year to get it back to them because I just couldn't get into the story. I loved the movies but the books just didn't do it for me so I did not read 2-7. Those friends of mine understandably haven't given me any other books anymore either. ;) There is not really a solution to the problem of giving books to friends in the hope they treat them right. Sorry.
Manuela wrote: "I have to admit that I had borrowed the first HP book from friends and it took me almost three quarters of a year to get it back to them because I just couldn't get into the story. I loved the movi..."No truer words have been spoken. Although, I posed the swap ideal. Cause usually if someone else has something in the pot to "lose" or have damaged, I would think they would treat the borrowed item better if they had something that could be harmed too.
I hate mismatched series covers...also when the next one(same publisher) is mysteriously five millimeters higher in format...also what the hell with those huge paperbacks ... with hardback prices, do they take us for idiots. I also hate it when they use price stickers that are sometimes impossible to remove without damaging the covers.
I don't ever highlight, and hate to find it in library books, but I can understand why people do it.
Those stains of unknown origins are the worst....and yes, sometimes is blood.... my sister had a nosebleed when she was little, and my favorite illustrated hardback edition of Perrault's fairytales was ruined for ever.
Ah, and what is the deal with those illustrated signed limited editions that cost up to $300.... dear publishers couldn't we mere mortals buy an illustrated edition of our favorite book for a more reasonable price ... it doesn't have to be signed (http://www.amazon.com/Memories-Ice-Ma...).
Sand and crumbs I can take, but I for sure won't continue to touch a book after I found a short curly hair in between it's pages....yes, it happened... and it was GROSS.
Molly wrote: "I hate mismatched series covers...also when the next one(same publisher) is mysteriously five millimeters higher in format...also what the hell with those huge paperbacks ... with hardback prices, ..."I feel ya! I generally steer away from library books for the gross factor. We do not know where that book has been....
Since I like second-hand books and library books I would say ripped out pages are the worst or a book printed with pages missing or unreadable pages. Otherwise some of the stuff mentioned above just add character to the book. Scribbles in the margins, highlights, coffee stains or dog ears, I don't mind any of it as long as all pages are there and are legible. But I agree that it is very annoying when the battery goes out on a kindle or any other e-reader.
My pet peeve is when stupid people correct proper grammar and/or spelling. They're marking a book that isn't theirs and they're WRONG. *GASP* Drives me nuts! I wish I could find their name and number to correct their heinous mistake, but alas, I'm no criminal. And I'm certainly not the tech savvy library police. (Don't you wish library police existed sometimes?) Lol
I don't even lend my books anymore, because people just don't respect them... And hooray for Kindle, so nobody can even ask for them!!!
I will agree with Nadia (point 5) and Anna (point 8). I don't like when people borrow a book and just simply forget to return it.
Also highlighting in books, c'mon make the notes separately if you really want to.
I saw a meme about some creative highlighting in a library book. It was a book that teenage girls would read....not sure what but might have been Twilight. Someone had highlighted three words on a page. "You are beautiful".I thought that was quite touching.
When a book in a series is released in a different height then the others in the series!
The books which have spoiler,summary of events on the back cover.Such a turn off!Papers when you hold a bit long,there r fingershapes staying on it.
Being dusts on the cover of books when i dont put them on shelves though they stay for a day or less.(or i guess im not a good bookkeeper its not their faults)
I hate it when bookstores put the price tag over the blurb or when books have other peoples reviews on the back instead of the blurb.I don't care who said it was amazing or that the book is $20, I just want to know what it's about!
My pet peeve is w/Audiobooks...no one seems to ever clean the discs & makes you wonder how many germs are left on them!
Terry wrote: "When I check out a library book and can tell the person who had the book before me was a heavy smoker -- as soon as I open the book. Yuck!"Happened to me with a book, which I had been waiting for for a long time, but there was no need to even open the pages. The book just stank!
Am I the only one who doesn't hate movie tie in covers? Some of them are horrible of course, but some are actually nice like the ones for The Lovely Bones, Gone Girl, and Jane Eyre.
15. "Movie edition book covers…shudder." I hate when they do that. Especially when they take sooooo many liberties with the movie. A couple examples: The Percy Jackson books. Not only are the characters in the movie 5+ years older than the characters in the books, one of them is the wrong ethnic background and another one had the wrong hair color. Ella Enchanted... besides some basic plot details the movie and the book is nothing alike.
I also hate watermarks from the book being dropped in the tub or in a swimming pool.
Mold between the pages.
Strange smells.
Pieces of toilet paper left behind that were used as bookmarks.
When my husband would pickup a "new" book that he knew I wanted to read and I could tell that it had been read by someone previously.
I used to work in Borders and you would not believe how many people would leave bookmarks in the books in order to come back and read the next day. Others would break the bindings and we'd have to deal with the damaged book when doing inventory. (Book stores next to hotels are notorious for this. Especially if there are a lot of businesses in the area.) As an employee I was allowed to take books back to the break room and read during my lunch and breaks. And if I wanted to borrow a hardcover book I had to leave the book jacket and get the book inspected by the manager that allowed me to sign it out. (Something I never did, mainly because if it got damaged I didn't want to have to pay for it.
Am I the only one who doesn't mind movie/TV cover editions? I don't get them all the time. Some are prettier than others. I love the "Life of Pi" movie cover edition, and "The Lovely Bones" movie cover edition, and even the "Atonement" movie cover edition. Sometimes original covers are just bland and boring to me. Rather look at sexy actors on the front, haha! Maybe it's just me...
Dog ears and microscopic print...scream!
Kat wrote: "I know I'm a heathen but I actually like finding comments in margins and things written in books (although I don't usually do it), it gives insight into a book's previous owner. I'm not generally s..."I have found books like this before, and either agreeing or disagreeing with said previous owner, have caught myself mid-rant with said book. The previous owner need not be even present for me to have a conversation with them on their views, apparently!
Stacie (MagicOfBooks) wrote: "Am I the only one who doesn't mind movie/TV cover editions? I don't get them all the time."I quite like the movie cover for this one....and I even prefer the changed title....and the rewrite. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep was pretty damned boring.
Emma wrote: "Nərmin wrote: "Why dog-eared pages? İ just memorize the page number XD The thing İ hate most is when people borrow but don't return my books!"That's what I've done since I was a kid (because I co..."
My bookmarks are in a sacred collection somewhere... I have some beautiful ones... but as many as I read these days, I can no longer memorize page numbers. I use the library slips from the hold shelf for library and my own books alike now. When I have too many, they become repurposed into to-do lists.
Thoughtful librarians, providing bookmarks, I say hurrah!
1. authors who can't write books without having animals be hurt in them. I can put up with a nameless dog be run over, but going into sadistic animal cruelty for the sake of a plot is just bad authorship. It's just not entertaining. And it gives me nightmares.
2. Authors who write stuff that
a. just isn't possible. i.e. a salt water bubble bath, or
b. stuff that is a bad example to give to the reader, i.e. having the protagonist feed chocolate to a dog (highly toxic - can kill the dog) or get someone to suck out a snake bite (highly dangerous for the sucker!).