Things that annoy you in books

[Justin]

The thing that just killed me was the fact that I have been waiting to read the book and I finally did and the endings..one after another just stunk...:/ blahh!

[Michael]

I hate, hate, hate it when artists are more interested in stating their political/cultural/whatever beliefs in their work than telling a story. That isn't to say that hot button issues can't make for exciting fiction, but rather when the author shapes the story to fit their beliefs rather than than dramatizing the full complexity of whatever issue they're writing about.

[Dina]

Michael wrote: "I hate, hate, hate it when artists are more interested in stating their political/cultural/whatever beliefs in their work than telling a story. That isn't to say that hot button issues can't make f..."

I agree, Michael. Books like that end up feeling so didactic. There's been times I've felt so strongly about something, and then thought..."I'll write a book that explains my viewpoint!" Fortunately, I never followed that misguided idea.

I think it's better to be inspired by a situation, premise, character, etc...then if a bit of your feelings slip in. Fine.

[Sara]

One of the last books I read was like that. The story was about giants and the theme was that giants can be anyone in your life. You wouldn't believe how badly the author beat the reader over the head with that. It sounds silly but he did - over and over. I was exhausted reading his book. I couldn't even make it through the second book - maybe three chapters before I said I was done. I can't even read the second set of books from that publisher which aren't even by that author.

[Library Lady 📚]

Michael wrote: "I hate, hate, hate it when artists are more interested in stating their political/cultural/whatever beliefs in their work than telling a story. That isn't to say that hot button issues can't make f..."

Jodi Piccoult is proof that hot-button issues sell. But then, everyone from both sides of the argument can chip in, discuss, have their viewpoint, because she doesn't push her own agenda (at least in the couple i've read).

Nowadays, you can always blog your persuasive essays if you really want people to hear your opinions... you don't have to put it in a NOVEL.

[Virginia]

Lena wrote: "Nowadays, you can always blog your persuasive essays if you really want people to hear your opinions... you don't have to put it in a NOVEL. "

Even better, do a call for submissions to people on both sides of the debate and sell them as one volume. It might be interesting.

[Nicole]

I don't really like it when the sequel/s centre around minor charatcers from the first book. I feel like I fall in love with the charatcers from the first book and get invested in their story and want to know more. Only to be disappointed when they hardly appear in the next book.

I'm also not a big fan of sequels which are pretty much the same story as the first book, just told from another characters perspective (It most often happens in romances). I don't understand the point of this. The readers already know what is going to happen. I don't feel like retelling the same story from another's point of view really enhances anything, and quite frankly I thinks it's a little lazy.

[Mary]

Nicole wrote: "I don't really like it when the sequel/s centre around minor charatcers from the first book. "

That's one of my major ways of keeping a story going. What I hate is when the author has to erase the effects of the last novel, whether in character development or plot, to keep the series going artificially.

[Jojobean]

Unnecessary love triangles and Insta love

[Sara]

I do a lot of insta love sort of things but then I make the characters work hard to keep the relationship. I don't believe love at first sight should be easy.