I just finished a book for review that was painful for me to read and not in a good way--the characters were talking stereotypes and their language was stilted and forced. I too am a character-driven reader and need to connect to them and believe why they act in a certain way.
"What makes a book not work for you?" Obviously, language is the most important thing, so infelicitous language is the most off-putting thing, as well as typos, mistakes, etc. I don't want to read about: World War II, the Civil War, the American Revolution, World War I, Vietnam, people living under the Nazis, physical abuse or assault, people living with the aftermath of missing/abducted friends or family, anything involving serial killers, heartwarming tales of sisterly renewal and newfound connection, etc.
A bad plot or too many things going on that you can't figure out what's happening,I dnf'd one book in April, which is sad, but I couldn't get into the plot at all.
One thing that never works for me is when characters use modern language in historical or period books. I prefer them to be true to the time period and it irks me when they aren’t.
I can usually tolerate a lot of single things but a combination of them creates a problem. Like I don't have to love the characters as long as everything else is good. But if there's slow pacing and/or a boring plot AND unlikable characters, that wouldn't work for me. And I really don't like insecure characters that just constantly doubt themselves or put themselves down. Bondage and captivity "romance" stories are also a hard pass for me. I'm pretty particular about editing and grammar errors, but I also know which authors are the culprits so I tend to use audio for their books, because they usually correct all the errors. Thanks!
What makes a book not work for you? Bad characters and editing
ReplyDeleteWhat makes a book not work for you?
ReplyDeleteUnlikable characters and a boring storyline which drags on.
I just finished a book for review that was painful for me to read and not in a good way--the characters were talking stereotypes and their language was stilted and forced. I too am a character-driven reader and need to connect to them and believe why they act in a certain way.
ReplyDeleteVery slow pacing and mundane subject are a miss for me.
ReplyDeleteWhen things just don't match up..
ReplyDeleteGrammar errors and poor editing bothers me the most besides a repetitive, predictable plot with stereotype characters.
ReplyDeleteSeveral things come to mind. Poor editing, flat character's, plot holes, and love triangles.
ReplyDelete"What makes a book not work for you?" Obviously, language is the most important thing, so infelicitous language is the most off-putting thing, as well as typos, mistakes, etc. I don't want to read about: World War II, the Civil War, the American Revolution, World War I, Vietnam, people living under the Nazis, physical abuse or assault, people living with the aftermath of missing/abducted friends or family, anything involving serial killers, heartwarming tales of sisterly renewal and newfound connection, etc.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes a book not work for you? Poor editing, characters, plot holes, and cheating.
ReplyDeletePoor editing and grammar.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSlow paced and unrelatable characters.
ReplyDeleteSo many things already mentioned but I think the biggest reason to not finish a book is a TSTL hero/heroine.
ReplyDeleteA book doesn't work for me if the storyline isn't moving along and I can't get into characters.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't work for me if t's like one I read before, and many are like that.
ReplyDeleteIf the book doesn't grab me in the first few chapters, I have a difficult time continuing.
ReplyDeleteTracy Shafer
What will make me stop reading: poor writing, flat characters and over use of profanity
ReplyDeleteThings that turn me off a book... flat characters, preachy tone, confusing writing.
ReplyDeleteThings that make me decide a book isn't for me: unrealistic dialogue, boring plot, and not enough character development.
ReplyDeleteBoring plot, going back in time then Present, but author not letting you know so it gets confusing!
ReplyDeleteIf the writing isn't good, if the story can't seem to hold my interest that definitely makes a book not work for me.
ReplyDeleteLead characters I either dislike to can't relate to, slow pacing, multiple editing issues...
ReplyDeleteI can’t stand bad pacing. If I have to skim, then I’m done.
ReplyDeletePredictable plot and characters or a super quick pace
ReplyDeleteI think a really boring story line, no excitement, flat. Thank you
ReplyDeleteBad editing and characters I don't care about - those are deal breakers for me.
ReplyDeleteWe the story has is so clogged with details that do not matter that it slows the pace of the story
ReplyDeleteA bad plot or too many things going on that you can't figure out what's happening,I dnf'd one book in April, which is sad, but I couldn't get into the plot at all.
ReplyDeleteLack of detail and a rushed story
ReplyDeleteif the story is unbelievable
ReplyDeleteBad character or bad story line
ReplyDeleteA boring story line and way too much description.
ReplyDeleteAbuse, I can't stomach reading those kinds of stories.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that never works for me is when characters use modern language in historical or period books. I prefer them to be true to the time period and it irks me when they aren’t.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the chance!
I'm not a fan of horror, or anything that glorifies physical and mental abuse.
ReplyDeleteI can usually tolerate a lot of single things but a combination of them creates a problem. Like I don't have to love the characters as long as everything else is good. But if there's slow pacing and/or a boring plot AND unlikable characters, that wouldn't work for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd I really don't like insecure characters that just constantly doubt themselves or put themselves down.
Bondage and captivity "romance" stories are also a hard pass for me.
I'm pretty particular about editing and grammar errors, but I also know which authors are the culprits so I tend to use audio for their books, because they usually correct all the errors. Thanks!
Poor grammar and spelling as well as sex for no reason other than fill pages.
ReplyDeleteToo much dialogue makes me stop reading. I also don't like really heavy sex scenes.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes a book not work for you? Unrealistic dialogue!! Drives me nuts every time and I can't overlook it no matter how hard I try
ReplyDelete