I'm sure there are lots of these knocking around but I spotted this list over on Nicole's blog and discovered that this list originated on Cait's blog and I wanted to play so... Here we go!
Series.
The way the characters and relationships are developed slowly over time is the best thing ever.
That doesn't mean a standalone doesn't have its place but even with standalones, I like series of interconnected standalones so we get a glimpse of how previous characters are doing on occasion.
Meh, it doesn't matter as long as there is a good story or character development arc.
I guess that enemies to lovers are harder to get right so can be more hit or miss as to whether I like it so I'm going to go with friends to lovers.
Seriously, the number of Colleen Hoover books I own but am not brave enough to read is ridiculous and that's just one example.
Really?! I have to choose one of these?!
Ugh. Okay.
Love triangle.
Instalove is ridiculous but a love triangle is believable.
Oh okay... Dead parents, so they're not present and annoying me.
Oooh! Tricky tricky... I'm going typography.
Faces will annoy me if they don't fit the character description.
Typography tends to come with beautiful artwork and that's never (yet) been annoying.
Or hero turning a little bad.
Honestly, I'm not fussy on this. I like it when it's shown that no one is 100% one thing and everyone has nuances to their personalities.
I'm sorry but if you're building up a romance for me and you kill one of them preventing them ever getting a happy ending then you can go do one!
And I'll probably avoid any and all subsequent books by the author. I don't read romance for realism or for tragedy. I read it for a happy ending!
And, it doesn't matter how awesome your writing is if the story is dull as charcoal.
So... Amazing plot with murderously bad writing!
Ooohhh, do you think we can team up those authors? The excellent writers with poor imaginations with those excellent imaginations but piss poor writing skills and make a super author?
I don't like heartbreak and I don't like cliffhangers.
However, if we're talking a cliffhanger at some point in a series, I'll deal. If it's the end of the series, I'll rage.
If it's heartbreak at a mid-point in a series, I'll deal and hope it resolves in later books. If a series ends on heartbreak? The author is dead to me.
If I had to choose? I'd go cliffhanger ending and hope for more books to end it nicely.
Heartbreak will never be acceptable.
I'm a book savage and I'm not particular about either!
Mwahahahahaha.
I completely agree about faces vs topography. I always get annoyed when the cover model looks nothing like the character.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Right?! Why do they do that? The artist doesn't need to read the book but couldn't someone give them a crib sheet?
DeleteOoooh, I was with you until the end lol I like good guys. I don't really care either way about series or stand alone's either. I like them both for different reasons.
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
I don't mind the good guys but... Bad boys. Sigh.
DeleteI've seen a different Bookish list than this one... and I LOVE these questions so much more!! I totally would have picked murderously bad writing for better plot too. Hahahaha And I'm totally in the best friend camp too. ❤️
ReplyDeleteIt feels a bit evil advocating the death of the best friend but if it's them or the love? Bye!!!
DeleteFun post Nicci! I agreed with most of your answers! I refer a book series to a standalone, and bad boys for the win!!!!! I avoid heartbreaking stories and would rather have a good laugh as well.
ReplyDeleteLindy@ A Bookish Escape
I hate heartbreakers. Tear jerking, snot inducing, heartbreakers. They just give me a sore head and make me feel miserable!
DeleteI agree, why can't books feature good parents instead of everyone being orphaned, beaten or abused in some way! I never could pick between breaking the spine or dog ears as I hate both! Same with instaluv and love triangles!
ReplyDeleteI know! The vast majority of parents are decent people who do their best! I guess that's not a good enough story though. *shrugs*
DeleteI agree with you on quite a few (friends to loves, hilarious banter). Some choices were tough (bad boys vs. golden boys) and some were harsh (best friend or love interest die - though, I would pick friend as well).
ReplyDeleteThe best friend vrs love interest was evil but if I'm reading a romance it has to be done!
DeleteYES! We read romance for a happy ending! And we can move on if a best friend dies (I know I did a couple times already) but a love interest? Nope. I remember I got scarred before when the book I read had the love interest die for an unnecessary reason.
ReplyDelete