I’m not sure if I have very many unpopular bookish opinions. I feel like I mostly agree with the majority. But maybe I just think that because I feel this way. So let me state my opinions on some divisive discussions in the book realm and you tell me. Are they unpopular?
Books vs Ebooks
I will read either. But I like owning books, particularly if they are books I love, even more if they are beautiful editions.
Cover Judgment
I definitely judge books at least partly by their covers. There have been books I wasn’t that sure I wanted to read, but that I was swayed to pick up because of the cover. There have been others that I haven’t wanted to own because I didn’t like the covers, and I’ve either skipped them, borrowed them or waited for a new edition of them.
Hardcover vs Paperback
I love nice hardcover editions of books, but if they are anything more than about 300 pages, no way I’m reading them in that format. My wrists are not strong enough. I love floppy paperbacks (never mass market), particularly those with the soft, buttery covers.
Series vs Standalone
I have a couple of series I’ll read – M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin series being the main one – but generally I have a hard enough time committing to a standalone that’s a decent length these days. I can’t be doing with series, particularly ones that aren’t even fully released yet.
I Disliked Shatter Me
Not only that, but I thought it was poorly written and edited. I know it gets mad love. And it’s been a few years since I read it, so I can’t speak to specifics. But I didn’t buy the storyline, I didn’t enjoy the main character, all the crossed out passages were infuriating and didn’t add anything to the story, and I didn’t care what happened to any of the characters by the end of the book. I don’t get why it’s such a big deal, and I cringe every time someone gets all effusive about it. Sorry, I know a lot of you are YA readers, so it stands to reason a good chunk of you are fans. More power to you! It just really wasn’t my jam.
I didn’t love The Raven Boys, The Maze Runner or Siege and Storm either. I didn’t continue with any of those series and don’t plan to.
I HATE Love Triangles
I hate them even more if one or more of the characters are in another relationship. If you’re with someone else, I don’t care what your excuses are, it’s not okay to hook up with or pursue someone else. End of. Get your shit sorted out, have the difficult conversation, then get on with your life. (Anna and the French Kiss didn’t work for me because of this element. I just couldn’t root for the characters you’re supposed to ship.)
I Am Deeply Offended by Fifty Shades of Grey
No, not because of the sex. Totally fine with that. My issue is that it does not give an accurate depiction of a BDSM relationship, and I think that it not only creates dangerous perceptions, but is incredibly disturbing in its gender dynamics. To add insult to injury, it’s probably the worst piece of writing I’ve ever tried to read. There are so many absolutely brilliant erotic books out there (check out anything published by Cleis Press) that are steamy, exciting and have depictions of consensual and respectful BDSM relationships and hook-ups. I don’t understand why this crap is what broke the mainstream, and why everyone thinks it’s worth finishing, let alone continuing the series. I’m still very upset about this.
I’ve Only Finished One John Green Book Other Than TFIOS
I tried to read others. I really did. The only one I made it through was Paper Towns and I didn’t really like it. I tried to read Looking for Alaska numerous times, and An Abundance of Katherines, but I couldn’t get into either one. I finally realized that maybe, for me anyway, The Fault In Our Stars was the one piece of work by him that hits home for me, so while I can say that’s one of my favourite books, I can’t say he’s a favourite author. I still plan to try Turtles All the Way Down, though, so hopefully I’ll find at least one more of his books to love!
I’m Not Much for SciFi
I want to be. There are all these series that everyone talks about – even people who mostly read the same literary fiction books I read – but something about the world building and learning an entire new culture and history is just too damn much to ask from me. This might be partly because I’m a parent now and have less energy, but honestly I’ve always found it to be a difficult genre. I used to sometimes read SciFi or fantasy and always was glad I did when I was done, but it’s been so long now that I can’t really see myself getting back into this genre anytime soon.
I Can’t Stick to a TBR
I have the best intentions in the world when I make them. I pick books I’m super excited to read. But sometimes even just the act of putting them on a TBR diminishes my desire to read them. I have no explanation for this. Something to do with want vs. have to. But I cannot stick to a TBR to save my life.
I’m Not That Into Classics
I know they’re important, I know they’re classics for a reason, I want to have read them so I get the references to plot points and characters. But when it comes to actually doing the reading, I just don’t want to. Which is a bit strange considering that when I’ve actually gotten into reading them, I’ve generally enjoyed them. I read most of the Brontë sisters’ books and all of Jane Austen over one summer in high school, then went on to read Little Women and half of Bleak House , and I enjoyed all of them. But for some reason I haven’t made it through more than a few pages of a classic novel in years.
So that’s it for my possibly unpopular bookish opinions. You let me know – are these actually Joe Average opinions? Or are some of these going to get me some judgement? Do you agree or disagree with any of them? Why? Share in the comments!
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week TTT has a different topic, and everyone who links up has to create a link of ten items that fit that topic. To see past and upcoming topics, go here.
Seems like most are your “average Joe” unpopular opinions to me. Nice post!
Yeah, that’s pretty much what I figured! I’m your run of the mill opinionated grump.
I’ve never read a John Green book. I’ll read either ebooks or physical books too, although I have preferences for some kinds of books. Books in foreign languages I prefer in eBook form so I can highlight the words I don’t know; I like to have my favorite books in hardback form.
I’m super impressed at your casual mention of reading books in foreign languages – like that’s something we all do on the regular. I don’t, but I have tried,and definitely needed the e-book format with translation dictionary to look up words. Great point!
I love floppy paperbacks, too.
My TTT.
That one was a bit of a cop out on my part, because who doesn’t like a good, floppy paperback??
i prefer paperbacks too! and i definitely hate love triangle. i think it’s unnecessary and confusing? anyway, love this list!
Right? I feel like it’s often used to create extra drama, but all it does for me is make me like the characters less.
I tend to do better with some combination of an audio/readalong with classics. Audios get me into the story, somehow, especially if the flow of the writing is a bit different than I’m accustomed to. Then I seem to be able to take off on the reading of the classic by myself.
I feel sad that Fifty Shades was so popular. I read a bit of page one, and found the writing to be abysmal.
I like having a TBR, but I like the ability to modify my choices if they don’t strike me.
I haven’t tried many classics on audio yet, but I plan to. I feel like if they are read by an actor or actress that will also help make them more engaging. Ugh, 50 shades of awful. So disappointing. I’m the same with a TBR, but I modify it to the point where none of the originals remain, so then is it even really a TBR anymore?
I’m not that into classics and I hate love triangles too, it’s always way too predictable to work out who the character is going to end up with.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2019/06/11/top-ten-tuesday-215/
Yeah, I keep thinking one day I’ll age into them, but so far it hasn’t happened. I agree. It’s set up so one person is always superfluous, and I feel like it’s all just set up to build drama because the story or characters aren’t strong enough to carry it on their own.
I’m not a huge fan of SciFi either. Occasionally I’ll pick up a scifi book, but it isn’t a genre I’ll ever read regularly. Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
Likewise, though it has been a long time since I got through one. I wouldn’t say I’ll never read any, but it isn’t ever going to be my primary interest!
Yes, Fifty Shades of Grey is offensive. It is mental and physical abuse of this woman who develops Stockholm Syndrome for this a**hole who should, by all accounts, be put in jail for what he does to her. Plus, you’re right – I read some excerpts and the writing is horrible!
Exactly. And I worry that people who are not in the know about what BDSM relationships look like will think that this is what it’s all about, when it is not at all representative. I get wanting to read something spicy, but please, find one that doesn’t glamorize abuse and isn’t written with a barely usable knowledge of the English language. They are out there. I promise you.
The Abundance of Katherines is only good and funny if you read the footnotes. They are hilarious and make the book. Looking for Alaska is my preferred book by Green. My TTT Bookish Opinions
I can’t remember if I read the footnotes or not, but if I go back to try it again I will be sure I do! Good tip!
Lots on here that I agree with. Never been a John Green fan – I just don’t like his writing style at all. I have started buying ebooks but if I fall in love with something, I would def get the physical for my shelf and yes to covers.
Yeah, I found it hard to really get into his other books. Which is a shame, because I loved the humour in TFIOS. I got a Kindle so I do enjoy the convenience and immediacy of ebooks. But I have a problem with buying something I don’t really own. I can’t lend it, I can’t download and convert it if I end up reading on a different device, and I always worry that something will happen and my entire digital library will suddenly and irrevocably become unavailable to me. I like buying something I can hold between my hands and do with as I see fit.