What book feature turns you away from choosing a book?

obiebookworm · Post by **obiebookworm** » 13 Nov 2013, 09:17

To tracy19: That's pretty much me!

DATo · Post by **DATo** » 13 Nov 2013, 09:48

I hate to admit it but I am prejudiced against a few authors who shall remain nameless. Nothing against them personally but I just don't like the way they write. So if the book is by any of them I just pass it by regardless how much hype it generates.

I worked with a young lady who had a thing against Orson Scott Card for his political stance on certain issues. I can understand her feelings though his positions never affected me with regard to his writing, especially since he did not overlap his politics with the plots of his novels to any noticeable extent. I do understand how, sometimes, a celebrity's political views or personal lifestyle can turn people away from their work. It is unfair I suppose but it happens. I am only turned away when the work itself does not measure up to the standards I expect from a professional author, actor etc.

Xantos · Post by **Xantos** » 13 Nov 2013, 12:59

I know that you should never judge a book by its cover, but I have a hard time looking at books with sex scenes as a cover. I just don't really care for that stuff taking up a good plot. I have a husband, I don't need to live other people's sex lives, especially if it is all they ever do or talk about. I also have a hard time reading a book if the back little blurb doesn't catch my attention. Then my last test is to read the first page. If I am not hooked with the writing, then I won't buy the book.

shortyblue · Post by **shortyblue** » 13 Nov 2013, 15:17

I won't pick up a book if it looks like a romance novel. I am just not into those types of books and would prefer a good mystery any day.

Aithne · Post by **Aithne** » 13 Nov 2013, 15:24

Lots of romance haters (or avoiders should i say) here.

I look at the cover and the blurb and first page, of course. I think most people do.
For me, the biggest turn off is if the main character is a writer (journalism is okay but not writing writing). This basically means the author has gotten lazy and is writing a story about themselves and/or doing next to no research so they can write an easy story about a writer writing and pretend they are inception level clever.

I've yet to read a story about a writer who writes stories that's worth a single page it's written on.

Craigable · Post by **Craigable** » 13 Nov 2013, 19:00

DATo wrote:I do understand how, sometimes, a celebrity's political views or personal lifestyle can turn people away from their work. It is unfair I suppose but it happens.

I've read two Michael Crichton novels. I certainly never had any personal feelings about the author one way or the other until I heard he appeared at the invitation of Republicans to testify in Congress as a global warming skeptic. A medical doctor giving testimony on global warming science? A wee bit of hubris there on his part, I'd say. Did he maybe do a lot of ice core sampling in Antarctica during his residency? Hoo boy.

Regardless of one's attitude about global warming, it's hard to maintain respect for a writer who believes his expertise extends to fields in which he has no educational background or training.

Having said that, I confess that I'm still hoping Congress summons Maeve Binchy to testify on how to fix the ailing Obamacare website.

DATo · Post by **DATo** » 13 Nov 2013, 20:19

Craigable wrote:
DATo wrote:I do understand how, sometimes, a celebrity's political views or personal lifestyle can turn people away from their work. It is unfair I suppose but it happens.
I've read two Michael Crichton novels. I certainly never had any personal feelings about the author one way or the other until I heard he appeared at the invitation of Republicans to testify in Congress as a global warming skeptic. A medical doctor giving testimony on global warming science? A wee bit of hubris there on his part, I'd say. Did he maybe do a lot of ice core sampling in Antarctica during his residency? Hoo boy.

Regardless of one's attitude about global warming, it's hard to maintain respect for a writer who believes his expertise extends to fields in which he has no educational background or training.

Having said that, I confess that I'm still hoping Congress summons Maeve Binchy to testify on how to fix the ailing Obamacare website.

I totally agree. A celebrity is entitled to their opinions, and they SHOULD be free to express them. My only problem with them is when they get on a podium and attempt to proselytize the opinions of others when they have no credentials to do so such as in the example you've cited. Testifying before Congress yet !!!! Though I understand his concern and perhaps even agree with him to some extent I still feel embarrassed for the guy.

prisailurophile · Post by **prisailurophile** » 14 Nov 2013, 01:57

Well, I'm not a fan of horror, chick lit, erotica and paranormal. I don't get vampires.

obiebookworm · Post by **obiebookworm** » 14 Nov 2013, 10:25

To prisailurophile: Likewise, with the exception of the Twilight series for vampires.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » 14 Nov 2013, 10:47

prisailurophile wrote:Well, I'm not a fan of horror, chick lit, erotica and paranormal. I don't get vampires.

I'm with you but with the exception of Dracula

obiebookworm · Post by **obiebookworm** » 14 Nov 2013, 10:57

To Fran: Oh yeah, him too! How could I ever forget Dracula!! He's a classic!

Aithne · Post by **Aithne** » 14 Nov 2013, 11:36

prisailurophile wrote:Well, I'm not a fan of horror, chick lit, erotica and paranormal. I don't get vampires.

but vampires aren't the only paranormal creatures

llevine2934 · Post by **llevine2934** » 14 Nov 2013, 11:44

I don't like when books don't have a description of the book because they have reviews covering the back.

sweetnsassymom · Post by **sweetnsassymom** » 20 Nov 2013, 13:36

Before I read a book, I completely look over the entire outside of the book, including the title, the inside jacket, the back of the book, and About the Author. I am sorry to say but I absolutely judge a book by it's cover. If the title or the illustration on the front is too embarrassing or corny or graphic or whatever, I will not read it.