Lists: All Those Things I Don’t Want to Read About

I’ll make a confession.  I just slammed the cover on a novel by an author I have enjoyed in the past.  I read 150 pages or so of this, his third book, which was, under the circumstances, way above and beyond the call of duty for any reader.  There was some amazing writing on those pages, sentences I yearned to have written, descriptions that were so vivid I was sucked right into the scene.

At the same time, there were so many things I didn’t like, I finally realized I was torturing myself.

You’ve been there, right?  You’ve wanted to love a novel so much (perhaps even one of mine) that you’ve kept reading well beyond the point when you know the book just  isn’t for you.  And you probably know the reasons why the book didn’t work.  Sometimes, quite simply, there are things we just don’t want to read about.

So that’s today’s list.  Here are the top five things I don’t want to read about in anybody’s novel.  Quirky my reasoning may be.  Revealing?  Possibly.  But think of your own list and add one or more items here under comments, so we can consider them together.

Remember, at the end of the month Random.org will choose a reader from everyone who added to any April list to receive an autographed novel.   Please stay away from politics, religion and general snarkiness, or the gatekeeper (that’s me) will “lose” your entry.

All Those Things I Don’t Want to Read About

1:   Grasping ex-wives who only exist to make life miserable for the poor hero, who is in no way at fault.

2:  Alcoholic cops/lawyers/FBI agents/etc.

3:  People who have been buried alive.

4:  Animals dying.

5:  Vampires.  (And my mind can’t be changed, but have fun trying.)

BTW, don’t forget that today, Friday the 13th, will be your lucky day if you download  a Friday the 13th FREE Kindle offer of 13 FREE reads from 13 authors–including Joanna Campbell Slan, who mentioned it here last week. But remember, the FREE books are only available today! Here’s the link.

19 Comments

  1. Bobbie on April 13, 2012 at 7:24 am

    I am with you on vampires and werewolves and shape shifters. Don’t try to change my mind, because although I can read almost every other sub category of romance, that one does nothing for me. Just my opinion!

  2. Deborah Tyson on April 13, 2012 at 8:03 am

    I don’t like to read anything futuristic or violent. We have enough violence in the real world!

  3. MaryAnn on April 13, 2012 at 8:04 am

    I’m with you on the vampires. I just haven’t been able to get where I enjoy any of the paranormal stuff that so many love. I have trouble with books where they come across as witches good, humans bad too.

  4. Debbie Hearne on April 13, 2012 at 8:29 am

    I will not read a novel that has:
    Child abuse
    Animal abuse
    Characters that are too perfect.

  5. Jo-Ann Falcon on April 13, 2012 at 9:09 am

    Love most vampires but cannot read stories that deal with women getting cancer or another illness, husbands left them because of illness, depressing novels.

  6. Denise on April 13, 2012 at 9:19 am

    Thanks for the chance to win! I was so terribly excited to win a book from you before, one of your very own- one of MY favorites from the wonderful Shenandoah Album series, Sisters Choice! Anyway- what I don’t like to read about are those that you listed, as well as a main character who is just “so perfect”, but to whom all these things happen to, through no fault of her own, of course. I do not like to read books with with witchcraft, magic or occult references. a lot of gory detail or violence, lots of foul or “dirty” language, or such extreme plot twists, that leave one wondering, “Could that REALLY happen?!” I like for authors to “keep it real”, that’s why I love your books- they do mimic real life, real events happening to “real” people, and to leave one feeling hopeful and uplifted. Keep up the fabulously good work! (And I’m okay if I don’t win another book, although I would love it, but I just love having the opportunity to give input!)

  7. Darlene on April 13, 2012 at 10:39 am

    I don’t want to read about incest, torture, vampires, werewolfs,or anything futuristic. My books take me away from most of the horrors of this world and I don’t want them in my books, if I did I could just read the newspaper or watch the news.

  8. Sherry on April 13, 2012 at 11:38 am

    I like to read all kinds of books and make a point to get variety. There are some popular authors that I’m glad I read, but once is enough. One comes to mind that was just totally depressing; give the main character a few good moments please.
    What I don’t want to read is horror, violent crimes or extreme sex. And those otherwise acceptable stories that are very poorly written. I recently read an ebook that I wished it was in print so I could correct it. The story wasn’t bad, which is the only reason I finished it.
    Thanks Emilie for a nice variety of well written books with great stories. Too bad we read faster than you write.

  9. Dee Winter on April 13, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    Lots of good reasons. I don’t like extreme, gratuitous violence, I don’t watch movies like that either. I’m also not a fan of things that are too current events type, if I want that, I’ll watch the news. I want to escape, that’s why I read.

  10. Phyllis on April 13, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    Don’t like lurid descriptions of fictionsl “monsters”.

  11. Cheryl Rasmussen on April 13, 2012 at 11:01 pm

    No sci-fi, vampires;child or animal abuse, no blood and guts; anything to mushy or syrupy. I don’t mind shape shifters in romance genre.

  12. Lynn Ross on April 13, 2012 at 11:43 pm

    War, Criminally insane, Child abuse, Torture, Bullies, Bigots
    It’s okay to mention it as part of a story, but nothing graphic, please, and don’t center the whole book around it.

  13. Julie Lieshout on April 14, 2012 at 3:14 am

    Dont like sex scenes,anything occulty or fantasy. Dont enjoy many historical books either,with the exceptions of some.

  14. mollie bryan on April 14, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    I agree with a lot of what’s already been written here. For me, a little politics and religion goes a long way. I don’t mind either one, really, if I feel like it’s an integral part of the story and if it’s done well. But so many times these days it feels like fiction has an agenda. That’s what I don’t like.

  15. Mrs JaneAnn Clear on April 14, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    Just keep in real no vampires and gouis. Keep the sex down to minimum I don’t mind some it works in story but just a hint and we can picture it our own way.

  16. Michelle on April 15, 2012 at 7:37 am

    I don’t read books about:

    Child abuse
    People who have had their children die
    Vampires/Zombies (things that are dead should stay dead)

    I don’t like boooks that have:

    Whiny week women
    Crazy x-wives who won’t let go
    Story lines that come together a a little too perfectly to be believed

  17. Belinda Ellis on April 27, 2012 at 4:23 pm

    No Child Abuse, or Animal Abuse. I’m not a real fan of vampires. Fantasy has to be kept to a minimum.

  18. Liz on April 28, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    Mostly avoid: sci-fi; violence; and formula authors.

  19. Beth Mills on April 29, 2012 at 8:28 am

    Discontented characters who wander through the story wrecking lives left and right and never really learn anything

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