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Friday, March 5, 2010

I am a Grumpy Bookworm

No, that title is not some sort of odd meme making the rounds on our blogosphere. I'm just kinda grumpy about a book series I've been reading. (And honestly? I'm not that proud of the fact that I've been reading this series, so please don't ask me to name names and such 'cuz I ain't gonna...unless you offer chocolate.)

Believe me; I have my reasons why this book is not even doorstop-worthy. I made it to Book Three of this particular series and decided that was enough torturing my eyeballs (I think the author is up to nine books). The story concept was fascinating and I even liked most of the little twists and turns the plot took. But its the main character that ended it for me. See, she is beautiful. Gorgeous, even. So much so, that every man (and the occasional woman) who meets her, desires her. And even though she's supposedly in a committed relationship (which she just ended in #3, so let the good times roll for the next book!), she gets all swoony over these guys, too. And there's the occasional "innocent and completely without repercussions" make-out/groping session with others characters. If this is how the beautiful people act in real life, then I will thank my average-looking stars!

While I enjoy my various roles as "nose wiper," "airhead in charge," and "meal burner," I'd like to add "published novelist" to the list. So let's consider this research for that future position. What do you hate most in fiction books? What traits/quirks/plot twists get your panties in a bunch? What makes you close a book?

6 comments:

Jules AF said...

Now I just want to know wtf this series is!!!!!!!!

Kristina P. said...

I felt that way about Twilight. I read the first two, and felt like I had to finish them out. And then I realized I didn't, so I stopped reading them. Best decision of my life!

Popcorn House said...

Movies, TV shows and books drive me crazy if I can predict what is going to happen. I just want a little bit of surprise here and there. I have been reading The Hunger Games and then sequal....AMAZING! If you haven't read them, you should. You won't be able to put them down though!

I agree, and am VERY curious about what series this is.

Janell said...

To date there are three books I stopped reading:

"Brave New World" - I was just tired of being _angry_ at the despicable lack of morals in the future world. I still credit that author with being a very good writer. I just didn't like the topic.

"Eragon" - Thin, uncreative plot repeating every major fantasy series of the '80s and '90s as well as a few bits of Star Wars thrown in for good measure. It read like the author was playing Dungeons & Dragons to decide the next plot arch. It was in serious of need of editing and trimming back. What ultimately made me put the book down? I got tired of the main character either crying himself to sleep or being rendered unconscious at the end of every chapter.

"Twilight" - although I only skimmed it in the book store, so maybe this one doesn't count. Too many grammar problems and the vampires weren't vampires.

elesa said...

Ooh, this is such a good question. And I'm not sure what my answer is. I have to like the main character. a lot. Even if they make a bunch of stupid mistakes. I still have to be able to relate.

And I will give up on a book if nothing good ever happens. The good needs to balance the bad or it is just too hard for me to get through.

Annette Lyon said...

Oh, boy. I could rant on this all day, but I'll stick with just a few peeves: characters who don't act in character (like teenagers who talk like old geezers, a mother who doesn't react in a normal way, etc.), plot holes, motivation holes (characters do stuff because the plot says to, but there's no good reason for it), plots that are paper thin (conflict could be resolved with a 30-second conversation).

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