I've seen the Reese Witherspoon movie a few times. I think it was when we had a free weekend of a paid cable channel--we haven't cut the cord, yet. I enjoyed it.
I DNF if it bores me. I give it a chance, but if I'm close to 40% in and haven't felt the joy of reading it, I'm done. If it's something I need to review because I'm obligated, I will struggle through.
40% and no reading joy is a good measuring stick because sometimes I continue reading if it's "okay" but maybe I need to start asking myself--am I actually enjoying, emphasis on joy, this book.
Same here. If I'm bored, I'm out, only I won't give it anywhere close to 40%. I have so many books on my TBR list. There's no way I'm going to waste much time on one that doesn't interest me.
I agree with your three points for sure. Too over the top is what I call a hijinks book. I didn't like the Three Stooges when I was a kid, I don't want their hijinks in a romance novel. The only romance books that have been the exception to that rule were Kristen Ashley's Rock Chick books, I think there is enough story telling in those books to get around the hijinks.
If I want to read a grim or dark book, it won't be a romance for sure. I will occasionally read Lee Child's books or Greg Hurwitz but not too-dark romance.
And Instalove can work for me but it is not the instant love part that will draw me in, it has to be the characters.
What's strange for me is that I have been able to read books about pandemics during this pandemic (like I read Chuck Wendig's Wanderers) but I can't read any about THIS pandemic. Like it has to be about a fictional pandemic (Station Eleven is another that comes to mind, though I think I read that one pre-pandemic.) So I just need the specific reality to stay out of my books.
I started writing down my reasons for DNFing books last year. Prior to that I rarely recorded my DNFs in my reading log, although I should have. I generally DNF books that are poorly written/edited (insta-DNF), older books with too much head hopping, and books with cliffhanger endings are an auto DNF/never read this author again. I hate them, and especially hate being surprised by them.
The funniest/harshest note I wrote last year was about a craft book (which shall remain nameless), where my comment was "What utter self-righteous, superior garbage". I guess I was really annoyed at the time? LOL. I usually buy paper copies of my craft books, and this one wound up feeling like a huge waste of money.
I'm not a big fan of rom-coms. (I also don't like slapstick comedy movies, so this makes sense.) The trend toward all rom-com, all the time, has meant I'm reading less contemporary romance than ever. I also associate illustrated covers mainly with rom-coms, so I may be missing some books I might like because of the cover art. What ever happened to dramatic romance stories?
Yeah, the rom com thing is such a juggernaut of a trend and I can vouch that many of the books marketing with the rom com illustrated covers are not actually rom coms. Mine aren't. Mine are solidly contemporary romance with some humor but are heavy on emotion and mental health type struggles. That's always the issue with trends. Once something catches, all the publishers match that thing even if it doesn't quite fit. I remember when I was writing erotic and then 50 Shades hit and all of my "sexy people" covers got switched instantly to object covers. And then they started putting object covers on things that were definitely not BDSM erotic romance. So it can be frustrating to readers who are looking for a particular thing. It can also be frustrating as an author because sometimes what you're writing has to be marketed in a way that doesn't seem to fit what it actually is. But if they didn't put illustrated covers on mine, most readers would just pass them by.
Your top 3 reasons are similar to mine. I tend to ‘avoid’ most books that call themselves rom-com….as, in my opinion, it is difficult to write true romantic comedy…most authors fail at this genre. As for grim, I read many dark books and series, and know that a HEA is forthcoming but I am currently reading a 5 book dystopian, post apocalyptic series where NOTHING good has yet to happen, and the author has just released book 3, and the darkness is getting worse, making me rethink reading the final books. I won’t reveal the author or series but the anger, abuse, rape and torture of men reads like vengeance-as in the author is directing all of her real world anger at men, for a perceived or actual wrong.
I love all of your points! I really enjoyed the movie. & would have to agree with your DNF reasons. If you can pull of insta-love, I can dig it, but I am also character-driven. Anyways, love reading your thoughts.
I struggle to get through books written in present tense. Descriptions often sound forced and way too precious. I do it for my favorite story tellers, but It’s hard.
I want to thank you for this newsletter and you and Dawn for Rad Reading. I enjoy the connection as a writer, and learn something every time!
What's funny is that I would say I don't like present tense but then I'll look back on some books I loved and realize they were present tense. (Christina Lauren books come to mind.) So my gauge is "if the writer made me forget or not notice that it was in present tense then that was great writing!" lol.
And yay, thanks! I'm so glad you're enjoying the newsletter and the podcast. I have a lot of fun doing both. :)
Roni! I so love connecting with you through these blogs...I just not only DNF'd a book but I returned it to audible...I felt horrible...but here's the thing...It was set in current day and the author spent so much time describing COVID protocol and masks that I just couldn't escape in it! I get the reality of life...but this teacher girl just couldn't....I hope the writing Gods forgive me!!
You should feel no guilt. Embrace the DNF! Not every book is for every person. ( I feel so strongly about this that the very first episode of our podcast was about the magic of the DNF.) I can't read books with COVID in them yet either. Maybe one day, but right now I want to escape into a book, not rehash what we're living through.
I've seen the Reese Witherspoon movie a few times. I think it was when we had a free weekend of a paid cable channel--we haven't cut the cord, yet. I enjoyed it.
I DNF if it bores me. I give it a chance, but if I'm close to 40% in and haven't felt the joy of reading it, I'm done. If it's something I need to review because I'm obligated, I will struggle through.
40% and no reading joy is a good measuring stick because sometimes I continue reading if it's "okay" but maybe I need to start asking myself--am I actually enjoying, emphasis on joy, this book.
Same here. If I'm bored, I'm out, only I won't give it anywhere close to 40%. I have so many books on my TBR list. There's no way I'm going to waste much time on one that doesn't interest me.
I agree with your three points for sure. Too over the top is what I call a hijinks book. I didn't like the Three Stooges when I was a kid, I don't want their hijinks in a romance novel. The only romance books that have been the exception to that rule were Kristen Ashley's Rock Chick books, I think there is enough story telling in those books to get around the hijinks.
If I want to read a grim or dark book, it won't be a romance for sure. I will occasionally read Lee Child's books or Greg Hurwitz but not too-dark romance.
And Instalove can work for me but it is not the instant love part that will draw me in, it has to be the characters.
I like the term "hijinks books". That's a good description. I'm not into hijinks either.
Yes to too grim!! One that especially stood out that way for me was Emma Donaghue’s book set in a pandemic. Too close to reality just yet.
What's strange for me is that I have been able to read books about pandemics during this pandemic (like I read Chuck Wendig's Wanderers) but I can't read any about THIS pandemic. Like it has to be about a fictional pandemic (Station Eleven is another that comes to mind, though I think I read that one pre-pandemic.) So I just need the specific reality to stay out of my books.
I started writing down my reasons for DNFing books last year. Prior to that I rarely recorded my DNFs in my reading log, although I should have. I generally DNF books that are poorly written/edited (insta-DNF), older books with too much head hopping, and books with cliffhanger endings are an auto DNF/never read this author again. I hate them, and especially hate being surprised by them.
The funniest/harshest note I wrote last year was about a craft book (which shall remain nameless), where my comment was "What utter self-righteous, superior garbage". I guess I was really annoyed at the time? LOL. I usually buy paper copies of my craft books, and this one wound up feeling like a huge waste of money.
I'm not a big fan of rom-coms. (I also don't like slapstick comedy movies, so this makes sense.) The trend toward all rom-com, all the time, has meant I'm reading less contemporary romance than ever. I also associate illustrated covers mainly with rom-coms, so I may be missing some books I might like because of the cover art. What ever happened to dramatic romance stories?
Yeah, the rom com thing is such a juggernaut of a trend and I can vouch that many of the books marketing with the rom com illustrated covers are not actually rom coms. Mine aren't. Mine are solidly contemporary romance with some humor but are heavy on emotion and mental health type struggles. That's always the issue with trends. Once something catches, all the publishers match that thing even if it doesn't quite fit. I remember when I was writing erotic and then 50 Shades hit and all of my "sexy people" covers got switched instantly to object covers. And then they started putting object covers on things that were definitely not BDSM erotic romance. So it can be frustrating to readers who are looking for a particular thing. It can also be frustrating as an author because sometimes what you're writing has to be marketed in a way that doesn't seem to fit what it actually is. But if they didn't put illustrated covers on mine, most readers would just pass them by.
Your top 3 reasons are similar to mine. I tend to ‘avoid’ most books that call themselves rom-com….as, in my opinion, it is difficult to write true romantic comedy…most authors fail at this genre. As for grim, I read many dark books and series, and know that a HEA is forthcoming but I am currently reading a 5 book dystopian, post apocalyptic series where NOTHING good has yet to happen, and the author has just released book 3, and the darkness is getting worse, making me rethink reading the final books. I won’t reveal the author or series but the anger, abuse, rape and torture of men reads like vengeance-as in the author is directing all of her real world anger at men, for a perceived or actual wrong.
oof, a 5 book dystopian feels like it would be a tough hang right now. Because that's a long time to have to stay in the grim before you get the hope.
Loved that movie for the very reasons you listed. Also found your DNF reasons interesting. Thanks!
Maybe the Rotten Tomatoes reviewers just didn't get it lol
I love all of your points! I really enjoyed the movie. & would have to agree with your DNF reasons. If you can pull of insta-love, I can dig it, but I am also character-driven. Anyways, love reading your thoughts.
Thanks! And glad I'm not alone in liking the movie. :)
Time is to precious to waste on a book you are not loving. I don’t hesitate to DNF
agreed!
I struggle to get through books written in present tense. Descriptions often sound forced and way too precious. I do it for my favorite story tellers, but It’s hard.
I want to thank you for this newsletter and you and Dawn for Rad Reading. I enjoy the connection as a writer, and learn something every time!
What's funny is that I would say I don't like present tense but then I'll look back on some books I loved and realize they were present tense. (Christina Lauren books come to mind.) So my gauge is "if the writer made me forget or not notice that it was in present tense then that was great writing!" lol.
And yay, thanks! I'm so glad you're enjoying the newsletter and the podcast. I have a lot of fun doing both. :)
Roni! I so love connecting with you through these blogs...I just not only DNF'd a book but I returned it to audible...I felt horrible...but here's the thing...It was set in current day and the author spent so much time describing COVID protocol and masks that I just couldn't escape in it! I get the reality of life...but this teacher girl just couldn't....I hope the writing Gods forgive me!!
You should feel no guilt. Embrace the DNF! Not every book is for every person. ( I feel so strongly about this that the very first episode of our podcast was about the magic of the DNF.) I can't read books with COVID in them yet either. Maybe one day, but right now I want to escape into a book, not rehash what we're living through.