Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Hi everybody and welcome to a new Top Ten Tuesday! Last week we talked about things that make use instantly WANT to pick up a book – this week, we’re highlighting the opposite: things that make use NOT want to pick up a book. Here are some of mine:
Open endings
Maybe this is an unpopular opinion but I’m sorry, I do not like open endings. I need to know what happens to these characters. I need to close a book with a feeling of satisfaction. I don’t want to imagine things, because I will imagine the worst thing probably, so just tell me they live happily ever after, please and thank you. (Or even a bittersweet ending would be fine, just give me some closure!)
Miscommunication
I absolutely despise the miscommunication trope, which is when two characters have an issue that is prolonged unnecessarily, because everything would be resolved if they just talked. Now, a little bit I’m okay with. But when an entire book is based on this miscommunication? No, thank you.
Not a single likeable character
I need someone to root for in a story. If I dislike every single character, why would I waste time reading about them?
All dark, bleak hopelessness
I read to feel good. Occasionally, I read to get a good cry in and then I can pick up an emotional story, BUT there always needs to be some hope and positivity in there. I’m not gonna read something that is only gonna make me feel down and hopeless.
Lust instead of love
I’m not saying I don’t like steamy reads – in fact, I quite enjoy them (if there is also a plot in there… somewhere). But I do prefer a good build up to the steam, people falling in love and feelings and swooning. If a story only has lust and l’m not feeling the romance aspect? Then my interest quickly fades…
Love cures all
I’m a hopeless romantic, but I do absolutely hate when a character’s issues are suddenly solved just because someone loved them. Nope.
Not like other girls / girl on girl hate
I need to see female friendships, and women hyping up other women and celebrating each other’s accomplishments. Don’t give me that stereotypical ‘I’m not like other girls and I don’t have any female friends and there’s only one other girl in this story but she’s popular and so mean to me’. Hard pass.
Romanticising toxic relationships
Working though issues in romance? I’m all for it. Grumpy bad boys? Love ’em. But when a love interest is toxic and abusive and the main character still chases after them like a lovesick puppy? Ugh, no.
Tell Me:
What makes you instantly NOT want to read a book?
Any reasons we have in common?
With exception to some stories or movies, because I do forgive some tropes in some stories, I’m having less patience for the won’t-say-the-thing trope or miscommunication. I will admit I can like an open ending. Just depends on the story/characters. But most the time I like a wrapped up end. 🙂
I agree that sometimes these things can be forgiven in a story – it’s when they are used as main plot with not much else redeeming about it, that it really annoys me.
I agree with you on every point, especially about toxic relationships and no likable characters.
Thanks!
Ugh at the love cures all and the no communication. If your plot revoles around no communication without a VERY good reason, it is not a good plot.
So true!
Great list, I agree with the I’m the only girl and all girls hate me trope!
My TTT
https://seriesbooklover.wordpress.com/2023/05/30/top-ten-tuesday-things-want-that-make-me-instantly-not-want-to-read-a-book/
Thanks!
Oh that miscommunication is awful as a trope – Sally Rooney’s Normal People was the worst for it for me, just talk to each other!!
These are my turn-offs when it comes to reading.
Oh I have not yet read Normal People but if it has so much miscommunication it’s probably not for me either.
Miscommunication can kill a story for me. I understand if it’s short term miscommunication (you see it happen in the book and they get over it in the next chapter or so), it can help move the plot along. I don’t like it when it comes from something that happened WAY before the story even starts. It can be so frustrating. You’re supposed to be adults, try acting like it.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/how-i-select-books-to-read/
Short term miscommunication can indeed still be ok – but long term is definitely a bookish turn off for me!
Ooh, I like these reasons. Yeah, miscommunications and toxic relationships aren’t things I want to read about either.
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
Thanks!
I completely agree about miscommunication. One conversation would have cleared everything up. It’s a weak premise in my opinion. Here’s my TTT: https://bonniereadsandwrites.com/2023/05/30/top-ten-tuesday-things-that-make-me-instantly-not-want-to-read-a-book/
So true, it’s such a weak premise!
Most of these will undoubtedly be on my list tonight as well!
Glad we have them in common, Sophie!
Miscommunication is the WORST. A lot of things can often be avoided in books if the characters would just communicate.
So true, it’s just such an annoying trope!
Ugh, totally agree with miscommunication! It’s crazy how entire plots could be avoided if people just spoke up.
Indeed! It can be so annoying.
The toxic relationships is a good one! It makes me think of After by Anna Todd.
I’ve never read After, but I heard it’s a really toxic relationship so I’d probably wouldn’t like it.
Very toxic!
Oh, I hate miscommunication in a romance book! It’s so annoying.
It really is!
There are so many open endings now! I LIKE a conclusion lol! And #2. I hate miscommunication as well.
So true, please just give us a conclusion haha 🙂
I’m not a fan of open endings either. So frustrating – I need closure!!! lol
Glad to hear I’m not the only one – give me that closure haha 🙂
I don’t read romance. Even if I did I would like any of these tropes. However I don’t mind unlikable characters, just as long as their interesting.
Sometimes unlikeable characters can indeed still be interesting, I just don’t always like to read about them.
Girl on girl hate really gets me – I don’t read a lot of books with this in it, but when I do it is really off putting. We have enough other things in our lives to be taking other women down.
Here’s my TTT <3
So true!
I like your reasons. The girl on girl hate gets to me, too, sometimes but the last book I read it fight well into the plot.
Thanks! True, if it fits into the plot and is not the only female relationship in the story, it can occasionally be ok.
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I really struggle when a book is supposed to be during a historical time period, but slang or turns of phrase from now appear. Makes me think the author didn’t really do his/her homework before writing the story. Maybe that’s more an editor issue? Regardless, it bugs me.
That’s a good one too!
I agree with you on all of these, but especially on the miscommunication one. I HATE that trope! It’s so dumb. Just have a conversation, already. Sheesh!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
So true, miscommunication is the worst!
Girl on girl hate is a massive one for me too, it’s just perpetuating negative stereotypes, especially in YA about teenage girls and I much prefer to see supportive, positive friendships between women in my books!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2023/05/30/top-ten-tuesday-422/
So true, we need those positive female friendships!
Definitely!