A couple of weeks ago I decided to start with this feature on my blog. I love discussion posts! This week I'm Thinking About...
Bookish Pet Peeves
All readers have things they get irritated about in books. Insta-love, the love triangle, bad writing, etc. It wasn't after I had my internship at a publishing house that I could really say what got me irritated (or not liking) a book. So here's my Top 5 Bookish Pet Peeves.
1. Grammatical errors / spelling mistakes
A grammatical error or spelling mistake can happen to everyone and sometimes you overlook it. But some mistakes are just so bad, it gets me really irritated. I mostly see the mistakes in Dutch books. English isn't my native language, so I usually don't notice them when I'm just reading. The really bad mistakes can make me stop reading a book, and it will definitely stop me liking the book.
2. Bad writing style
If you visit my blog more often you know that the writing style is one of the most important things for me in a book. I especially admire those authors who can write a fragment where nothing is really happening and still make you feel like you can't stop reading. I just can't get through a book with a bad writing style. I tried, and failed.
3. Cliches
If I know at the beginning of the story what's going to happen at the end it's not a good thing. A while ago I read a book and it had a really bad writing style, so I couldn't get through it. I skipped almost the entire book to the end and I hadn't felt like I missed anything. A cliche once in a while isn't that bad, but keep it to a minimum. Surprise your readers! It makes reading more fun.
4. Unrealistic events
Sometimes it's nice to read about things that usually don't happen in real life, but please make it realistic. If you get super powers, you can't handle them in one day. And of course the idea of insta-love is romantic, but it's not very realistic. There has to be something that makes it real.
5. Passive characters
I could also call them stupid characters, but that seemed a bit harsh. I can't stand characters who can't think for themselves. They turn to someone else every time something is happening or has to be done. It annoys the crap out of me. Get your stuff together and start thinking and acting for yourself!
What are your bookish pet peeves?
I agree with your first pet peeve. The occasional typo is okay, especially in a self-published book. But if the same grammatical mistake appears over and over again I assume that the author doesn't even know it's a mistake, and that makes me mad. If I as a non-native speaker realize it's a mistake, they should too! This usually doesn't stop me from reading the book but I begin to build a sort of resentment against it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the rest of your pet peeves. While I don't expect writing style perfection in every book, bad style (often combined with clichés) can ruin a good story for me. I'm also not a fan of insta-love. I don't believe it exists. And passive characters drive me nuts >.< I mean it's okay if the character is weak in the beginning and then begins to grow into a more self-reliant, assured person, but if there is no such development then that's a no-go.
One of my other pet peeves are preachy, I'll-teach-you-a-lesson books or other books that distinctly try to moralize their readers. I can make up my min about the 'moral of the story', if there is one, myself. I don't need it spelled out and forced down my throat.
Great idea for a post! I'm curious about the other commenters' pet peeves :)
Wow! Lots of things here! I don't see too many grammatical errors in the books I read. Occasionally I do, but it only makes me wish I could've been the proofreader for this book!
ReplyDeleteCliches can be annoying, but if the author totally makes it their own then I can look passed it.
Haven't really experienced too many unrealistic events or passive characters. Really with the paranormals I read, there's nothing that can't be done! As long as it makes sense to happen though!!
As for writing style, that is a must! It has to be unique and engaging. Which the books I read usually have, but I agree, if I can't get into the writing style I lose interest.
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