What do you avoid?

[Icecream]

OK, we have had our problem with threads and our predictability thread and lot's of others that touch the subject of disliking books. This is your place to say "what books/authors/genres/etc do you consciously steer clear of when browsing for new books?

I skip over crime because, even though I have never read any adult crime, I assume it to be predictable. Is this something I am missing out on? Also I always move on when I see sci/fi, even though there is sci/fi I have enjoyed a lot on tv or in film. Why?

I steer clear of John Grisham's because I have read three of his books and am bored with the same style even though I enjoyed all the books.

[Kell]

I avoid Virginia Andrews and anyone who is reputed to be anything like her, as having read several of her books as a teenager, I now no longer need to read any more of her tripe, because it's all identical (even though she's dead and it's now written by a ghost writer - quite fitting, really!).

[maclsj]

Barbara Cartland and anything that looks like a romance novel. I don't think I'll ever be converted to those!

[Gyre]

I avoid Catherine Cookson books, I just don't find them that interesting x

[angerball]

I avoid romance, fantasy and westerns. I know I won't enjoy them, so I don't bother. :lurker:

[KW]

SciFi.

[wrathofkublakhan]

I avoid ... stepping in dog poo.

However, when I'm browsing in a book store, I don't even wander into non-fiction or biographies unless looking for a specific book.

In the fiction sections, I head straight for the fantasy/sci fi, then over to the mysteries, then I'll drift through the novels, romance and young adult areas. I've listened to a few audio books, but wouldn't buy one unless going on a long trip - which I should've done today since I drove from Los Angeles to San Francisco today and am typing on my little laptop in a motel room.

[wrathofkublakhan]

<snip>(even though she's dead and it's now written by a ghost writer - quite fitting, really!).</snip>

:lol::lol: "I hate her, she's dead AND her ghost writer!" :lol::lol:




that's pretty funny, kell

[Fiona]

I avoit chicklit as I find it trivial shallow stupid stuff. Women's lit is okay, but I'm not overly keen on the genre.

I avoid most high fantasy involving magic and too much made-up ****. There was only one Tolkien. The others are shoddy.

Avoid books with pink front covers as I am very self conscious and don't want to be mistaken as a girly girly.

Avoid horror like the plague as I don't see the point, avoid crime books - I like crima dramas though. Have bought myself an Agatha Christie to get into... Piorot. (however it is spelt)

Also avoid sci-fi because meh, never really interested in it.

Will avoid Ernest Hemmingway in the future, how he has been labelled a literary genius I don't know. I am reading (and will finish if it kills me, which it probably will...) because he can't write for toffees. Also seems like a complete arsehole.

Avoid all books with insipid womensy covers. I don't care if it is a good book, why trivialise it by putting a handbag on it? No thank you.

[Sofia]

harlequin romances:roll:

[Kell]

However, when I'm browsing in a book store, I don't even wander into non-fiction or biographies unless looking for a specific book.
Me neither - it has to be a biog/autobiog of someone I'm really, really interested in for me to pick it up.

[Oblomov]

I avoid any book with extreme violence, cruelty to animals and human depravity in any shape or form. Also, I have to be really honest and say that I don't feel comfortable with homosexuality and avoid any book (or movie) with it as the principal theme. I apologise if this offends anyone, but I am merely stating my view as asked and not moralising in the least.

[Fay]

The only thing I really seem to aviod are autobiographies. Other than that I am open to anything, after all, variety is the spice of life is it not!!!

[LittleLijah]

I avoid Maeve Binchy...just can't seem to get into her books. Never read any sci-fi books either but maybe with some recommendations from this site I will try different styles.

[Polka Dot Rock]

Generally, any book where the author's name is at least twice the size of the title! :mrgreen: So John Grisham is definitely out then.

I don't look at crime, thrillers or horror. It's just that there are so many books that I do want to read, I don't really want to make time for books I have no interest in. I hope that doesn't sound snobbish, because it isn't meant to be!

But if someone recommended anything, I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand.

I don't read a lot of sci-fi/fantasy either, even though - like Emma also said - I enjoy it on TV and film.

Weird.

[Nici76]

I avoid romance and anything "girly".

[carm]

i avoid dean koontz and john saul because they're awfully repetitive in plotlines

[happyanddandy]

SciFi, thrillers, horror, spy books, political books, fantasy, Danielle Steele rubbish, Geoffrey Archer books on principal, books with the kind of print or print layout I don't like. Not much left then? :mrgreen:

[Janet]

I avoid Catherine Cookson books, I just don't find them that interesting x
My staple diet in my teens, but I haven't read one of hers for about 25 years!

Generally, any book where the author's name is at least twice the size of the title! :mrgreen: So John Grisham is definitely out then.
I saw a book today which I thought was Stephen King, but when I got closer it said Foreword by Stephen King in humungous letters in pink (I think) right across the middle of the cover, and the author's name (who I can't even remember) in smaller letters at the top! :lol:

Geoffrey Archer books on principal
What principle?

I avoid Sci-Fi - it just doesn't appeal, and anything like Mills and Boon novels. When my children were young I read only chick-lit, but now I avoid that too!

[Polka Dot Rock]

Me neither - it has to be a biog/autobiog of someone I'm really, really interested in for me to pick it up.

Ditto! I forgot about auto/biographies - these are most definitely the genre I avoid. The only ones I like are graphic novel-style ones!

The dominant trend for auto/biographies is one that really annoys me - especially with so many being ghostwritten! And I would never read any of the so-called 'misery-lit' books that are so popular right now... And people think some of my favourite books are depressing! :roll:

I saw a book today which I thought was Stephen King, but when I got closer it said Foreword by Stephen King in humungous letters in pink (I think) right across the middle of the cover, and the author's name (who I can't even remember) in smaller letters at the top! :lol:

That's exactly what I'm talking about! :lol: How blimmin' cheeky is that?
(Nothing against Stephen King, btw: it's just how silly the ginormous 'LOOK! HERE'S A FAMOUS WRITER!!' typeface looks. And can be used to manipulate readers, as Bagpuss demonstrates)

[Sofia]

anything written by Danielle Steele...:censored:

[JudyB]

Mills and Boon - oh those cheesey covers and titles!

[Icecream]

I avoid biographies like the plague. I'm not sure why. I think I assume them to be boring and can't be bothered with nosying into people's lives, but I think there must be some interesting unintrusive ones out there somewhere.

[happyanddandy]

[quote=Bagpuss;85995]



What principle?

quote]

I can't believe I wrote principal!:lol:

I don't want to add to his millions. He thought he was so far above the law that he could not be found out.

[Roger53]

I avoid anything with a romantic cover picture. Also sci fi, though I read an Isaac Asimov book years ago that was very good. Something about robots turning on the human masters? I suppose they are all about that sort of thing?

I love biographies.

I think Geoffrey Archer has some excellent story lines, but just a pity someone didn't actually write the books. A bit like Tom Cruise movies, good but a pity someone else wasn't in them..

[Janet]

What principle?

I can't believe I wrote principal!:lol:

I don't want to add to his millions. He thought he was so far above the law that he could not be found out.
It's easy to type the wrong thing - everyone does it. :)

I was a bit confused because Geoffrey and Jeffrey are two different people. My husband reads Geoffrey Archer and I wondered what he had done wrong, but your comment makes sense now. :)

I used to read JA, but I don't anymore. I'm not sure it's so much on principle, because I guess he did the crime then did his time, but I found they started to get less gripping than his early novels - especially "As the Crow Flies" which was a real let down.

[Roger53]

I skip over crime because, even though I have never read any adult crime, I assume it to be predictable. Is this something I am missing out on?

You don't know what you are missing. As a lot of crime series use the same detective, for instance Adam Dalgliesh by PD James, or Phillip Marlowe with Raymond Chandler, to use two totally opposite examples, a lot of each book is about the detectives personality. Rebus and Hercule Poirot are another two examples. There is usually more to the story besides just the crime. Agatha Christie managed to turn out 90 odd books about crime, albeit with a number of detectives. I am yet to read a bad one.

I read Rottweiler by Ruth Rendell last year. It is about a criminal, but it was such a good story that part hardly mattered. The best part of the story was the personality of all these people who live in the one building. An excellent book.

Needless to say crime books are among my favourites.

[Rosie]

When I'm looking for books to read the genres I tend to avoid are Science Fiction, Fantasy and anything with Vampires in it. Not keen on anything about war if it is about battles and the technical side of warfare but if it is about how people are affected by and cope with war e.g. Birdsong or The Night Watch then I will read and enjoy it. I never even think to look at Westerns or Mills & Boon type romantic fiction. I've just realised I'm probably stuck in a rut with my reading habits because I tend to choose what I like and what I feel comfortable with.:)

[wrathofkublakhan]

It seems that the things we avoid tend to be genre based and/or we get clues from the covers of the books.

I sometimes wish I could have a best of list in the genres I tend to avoid. It was a fluke when I read Lonesome Dove; and I enjoyed it. Chances of me browsing the "westerns" section are slim.
Later it won a Pulitzer Prize and then was made into a popular mini-series.

Now, some may avoid genres because they have had crummy experiences dabbling in the arena, others may avoid an area because it simply isn't in their interest.

In general, the idea of a vampire book seems darn silly - especially in the modern world!
However, if you wanted to dabble in the genre for a taste, ahem, you might try:
Anne Rice
Kim Harrison
Laurell K. Hamilton
Mario Acevedo

[JudyB]

I avoid biographies like the plague. I'm not sure why. I think I assume them to be boring and can't be bothered with nosying into people's lives, but I think there must be some interesting unintrusive ones out there somewhere.


I think also it's becoming a matter of overkill - there are so many and not always about 'great' people and it's amazing how some people in their 20's can have as many as three!

[Fiona]

I always assumed biographies to be boring too, but I have read two and enjoyed them very much. Both written by Claire Tomalin and I think she is an excellent biographer - I read the biography of Samuel Pepys and Jane Austen. i'd reccomend both those books to anyone.

I want to read Antonia Fraser's one on Charles II and I have another one by her called the 'Weaker Vessel' about women which actually sounds interesting.

But yeah, you're right Judy, there are SO many biographies out there (often on the same people, many on Henry VIII or his wives) it's hard to pick one. I mean, you don't want to read too many biographies on one person really do you...

I don't see and avoid these silly celebrity biographies. Jade Goody. What's so great about her life? In fact, biographies should be about dead people - the most interesting. Although I do have David Blunkett's bio (well... kinda autobio/memoir thingy and Piers Morgans) and they're not dead yet. But they lead more interesting lives then 'I got my tits out on national TV' or whatever it is or 'I'm married to a rich and famous footballer but I've in fact done nothing with my life other then shop.'

[JudyB]

I don't see and avoid these silly celebrity biographies. Jade Goody. What's so great about her life? In fact, biographies should be about dead people - the most interesting. Although I do have David Blunkett's bio (well... kinda autobio/memoir thingy and Piers Morgans) and they're not dead yet. But they lead more interesting lives then 'I got my tits out on national TV' or whatever it is or 'I'm married to a rich and famous footballer but I've in fact done nothing with my life other then shop.'

I think it was those sort that were in my mind when I wrote my message which just shows actually how saturated the biog market is by biographies of that nature.

[Icecream]

I agree Judy. There are so many. People just want a piece of the action.

Back on topic, I have bought some books today that will conquer my avoidance habits (or not depending). See the 'what books came into your house today' thread.

[pontalba]

Hmmm...authors I avoid would be Stephen King, because he just got waaay too creepy for me, and Anne Rice. To me Interview With A Vampire was good, and only a fluke. The following were increasingly boring and repetitive. Genres I avoid would be Harlequin Romances and True Crime, and I don't care for Fantasy too much, although will occasionally like one.

[poppy]

Harlequin romances sound like Mills and Boons ....definitely to be avoided along with chic-lit in general. Don't like horror at all, murders and who dunnits are ok as long as they are 'nice' murders :lol:.
I love biographies and autobiographies but not of the celebrity film-star kind.

[wrathofkublakhan]

I don't care for Fantasy too much, although will occasionally like one.

Indulge me if you will .... which one?

[madcow]

I usually avoid Sci-Fi/Fantasy (although i did enjoy Philip Pulman's Amber Spyglass trilogy), Horror, Vampire books as they just don't appeal to me. As a teenager I loved Catherine Cookson, they were my first taste of adult books so to speak and I did like Danielle Steele after that but then they started becoming to predictable. I never read thriller/suspense books until I got hold of a copy of Martina Cole's The Lady Killer and now I would say I'm hooked, they are now one of my favourite genres and since joining BCF i've managed to expand my tastes in this area i.e. Kathy Reichs, Tami Hoag, Natsuo Kirino and Karin Slaughter to name but a few. Another auther i am particularly (?sp) fond of is Lesley Pearce, her books are very easy to read. I only ever read one Mills and Boon and never again is the phrase i'd use, Barbara Cartland is another i avoid.

[Echo]

I avoid sci-fi and fantasy in general, except for books by Tolkien. I also have an intense dislike of Rick Moody, so I would probably steer clear of any other post-modern writers. Reading him was one of the angriest literary experiences I ever had.:lol:

[Adam]

I stay clear of sci-fi and really old dry stories. I also stay clear of romance too.

[writeoff]

I generally stay away from detective stories and romance.

[Bambi-eyes]

For me it has to be the current trend of 'misery-lit' books, I just cant stand them. All my friends at work circulate them between themselves and I shocked that I don't want in on the action...absolutely no.

Also, I feel the same about celeb bios ~ I saw Lewis Hamilton has one out, he can't be more than 22! What's the rush?! :irked:

[Kell]

I actively avoid books that have a pale cover with a small child on the cover and a title that looks handwritten. Yup, you've guessed it, I have a BIG thing against all those millions of child abuse stories that have come out in recent years. They all follow exactly the same formula and are marketed in exactly the same way. yes, i have sympathy for those who have suffered in their lives, but the amount of folks cashing in with identi-kit stories does my nut in!

I also get really riled at all the "I'm a celebrity (i.e. I lost Big Brother) get me an autobiography out there!" These people have been "famous" for al of 5 seconds and are desperately clinging to the limelight as long as possible, as they are in denial about the fact that sooner or later they're going to have to go back to the day job at Burger King or sweeping up hair at the local salon. They're also all in their very early twenties and haven't even lived yet, so what could they possibly have to say that's of any interest? "Oh boo-hoo, I didn't win Big Brother and as a result I ended up in rehab 6 times with drink and drug problems!" Grow up, get a life and shut up - that's all I think when I see those books.

ETA: I've had to go and blog (http://kellsmurthwaite.wordpress.com/2007/11/08/cornering-the-market/) about it to blow off steam!

[angerball]

Yup, you've guessed it, I have a BIG thing against all those millions of child abuse stories that have come out in recent years.

I'm with you on this one, Kell. I avoid these books like the plague, and at the risk of sounding a bit harsh, they irritate the heck out of me. It's the cashing in factor that you mentioned. I'm of course very sympathetic to a genuine case of child-abuse (or any other kind of abuse), but a lot of these cases lose their authenticity (in my eyes) when they are marketed in a way as to promote a best-seller. I'm willing to bet that a great number of these stories have stretched the truth, in order to up their sales, and to shock the reader. Ever since A Child Called It became a best-seller, I have seen these types of books everywhere. WHSmith even have their own separate sections for them (can't remember what it is called, though!).

[Kell]

The worst thing about those books (to me, anyway) is that I seem to have become almost immune to them - if I'm reading them I don't seem to get affected like I used to. And then I feel bad because I'm not crying inside over the horror of it all. I don't read to make myself feel bad - I read for enjoyment - therefore, none of those books will ever come into my home again.

[Maureen]

That's how I feel too, - I read to enjoy myself - not to be faced with horror and sadness.

[michael]

anything that mentions the booker prize on the blurb (especially "nominated, runner up, shortlisted"). Also any auto-biogs of people I LIKE: too many of them turn out to be not so nice when you read their words. michael cane was a case in point for me, one of the very few books i've ever given away.

[Roland Butter]

Yep, I'm with Kell too. There are so many of these childhood abuse memoirs on the market that, in my more cynical moments, I question the authenticity of some of them.

And Irish misery, too. My wife's people are from Ireland, and I'm sure it's nowhere near as miserable as the glut of sub-Angela's Ashes memoirs would have you believe. Frank McCourt has a lot to answer for.

And fantasy-type books. Can't be doing with all them dragons and wizards, me :)

[Icecream]

Kell, Angerball, I agree. I have been watching these books come out ever since Dave Pelzer's books. You see them straight away because of the covers. You can write these stories in plenty of different ways. I know because I have been through abuse. Obviously, therefore, I understand the pain of such an experience, but I can still see that these books are too promoting an identikit image.

[Kell]

Another set of identi0kit books I'm refusing to read due to the publisher's lack of imagination on cover design is all the dog books about lately. It started with Marley and Me (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marley-Me-Life-Worlds-Worst/dp/0340922109/ref=sr_1_1/026-6151789-7131663?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194878587&sr=1-1), but since then, I've seen books about loads of other people's dogs too, including (to name but a few):

A Friend Like Henry (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Friend-Like-Henry-Nuala-Gardner/dp/0340934018/ref=pd_sim_b_title_3/026-6151789-7131663?ie=UTF8&qid=1194878587&sr=1-1)
Walking Ollie (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Ollie-Winning-Love-Difficult/dp/190497788X/ref=pd_sim_b_title_4/026-6151789-7131663?ie=UTF8&qid=1194878587&sr=1-1)
From Baghdad With Love (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Baghdad-Love-Jay-Kopelman/dp/0593058984/ref=pd_sim_b_title_5/026-6151789-7131663?ie=UTF8&qid=1194878587&sr=1-1)
My Life With George (http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Life-George-Surviving-Canines/dp/0718153278/ref=pd_sim_b_title_7/026-6151789-7131663)
Amazing Gracie (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazing-Gracie-Dogs-Dan-Dye/dp/0761129758/ref=pd_sim_b_title_10/026-6151789-7131663)
Buster's Diaries (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Busters-Diaries-Told-Hattersley-Postscript/dp/0751533319/ref=pd_sim_b_title_11/026-6151789-7131663)
Copper - A Dog's Life (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Copper-Dogs-Life-Annabel-Goldsmith/dp/0316732044/ref=pd_sim_b_title_15/026-6151789-7131663)

Now, I want to point out that I am a dog-lover and have had dogs myself, but I'm willing to bet that, with very few exceptions, the stories of these dogs will be almost identical to the story of ANY dogs ANYWHERE and that dog owners will recognise many of the escapades in these books (I can't say for sure as I've never read them and have no intention of doing so, but I think I'm fairly safe in surmising this!). Every pet owner likes to think that their pet is special in some way - and they're right - their pet IS special - TO THEM. I just find it amazing that all these people are able to cash in whittering on about their dogs!

[angerball]

^I wouldn't want to read any of those dog stories, simply because how most of them would end. :cry2:

[Gyre]

I avoid animal stories, because dead set the animal always gets it, remember Cujo (but he was very ill, rabies and all), but you know what I mean x

[Adam]

I avoid animal stories, because dead set the animal always gets it, remember Cujo (but he was very ill, rabies and all), but you know what I mean x

I agree with this. They are to predicatable :)

[Oblomov]

I avoid animal stories, because dead set the animal always gets it. Sadly true; I think by and large writers have a perverse streak in them as far as animal stories are concerned. They think that they are striking a chord with their readers by killing off the poor creatures. I recall reading an otherwise great story called Bel Ria by Sheila Burnford back in 1981; the ending really traumatised me for a long time and I am an animal lover.

[beef]

What i avoid:
Romance
Self-help books (dont even get me started on these!)
anything written by jane austen (purely cos my mum watches pride and prejudice at least once a month and if i ever read about mr darcy id want to burn the page)
and anything with poirot in, just cos on tv he seems like a ..i cant use the words i want here.
and bond, james bond.

[Princess Orchid]

I tend to avoid:
- Mills and boon
- Biogs of any "celebrity" under the age of 35. No, make that 40. I mean, what could Colleen McLoughlin, Chantelle, any contestant of BB have possibly done in their short time on this earth that could be interesting to read?
- Anything written by anyone who claims to be a "muso".

[Freewheeling Andy]

Books about authors
Tedious period pieces
Books with over-emotional flighty main characters who change their opinion on everything on the basis of the utterly trivial

[Kell]

anything written by jane austen (purely cos my mum watches pride and prejudice at least once a month and if i ever read about mr darcy id want to burn the page)
That's a shame. Perhaps you could try Northanger Abbey instead - it's quite humourous and a very clever satire on Gothic novels. It's my absolute favourite of hers that I've read so far (much as I loved P&P, it didn't match up to NA in my opinion!).

[JudyB]

That's a shame. Perhaps you could try Northanger Abbey instead - it's quite humourous and a very clever satire on Gothic novels. It's my absolute favourite of hers that I've read so far (much as I loved P&P, it didn't match up to NA in my opinion!).


It's a definite favourite of mine also - I don't think people are generally as familiar with it as some of her other novels.

[Kirstykat]

I can NOT ABIDE chick-lit, Mills & Boon, easy reads like Danielle Steele. What is the point? Read to expand your mind and increase your imagination and creativity, otherwise you may as well be a couch potato and watch drivvle like 'X' Factor etc. It may be harsh, but it's my opinion and, o'h it makes my blood BOIL !!!!!!!:Tantrum:

[Icecream]

I actually agree Kirsty:)

[Mia]

Kirstykat, I know what you're saying, but IMO there's nothing wrong with reading something simple or reading just for pure enjoyment. It doesn't always have to be about expanding your mind or your vocabulary.

[Michelle]

Yep, I was about to say that Mia. Everyone on here reads for different reasons, and hopefully we are respect that. :)

[JudyB]

Personally I love reading books that provide a challenge or teach me something new but at the same time I absolutely advocate that people read what they enjoy - only that way can people grow to love reading.

When I was younger I was on a bit of a reading loop with Enid Blyton (whose books I absolutely adored). My mum was concerned that I wouldn't develop my reading and tried to find other books for me to read. It didn't work and I progressed in my own time. I think for me though I had developed a love for reading that grew at its own rate until I eventually studied literature at degree level - to think my mum worried once!

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is listening to people, especially children, rave about something they've read and enjoyed.

[Echo]

I agree with Mia and Michelle...sometimes I like to read something just for fun, as a diversion or an escape from stress. I don't always have to learn. For me, reading must first and foremost entertain me, and I am often entertained by intelligent, well-written books. I read a lot of non-fiction and classics when I'm in the mood. But I can also read silly stuff, just like I can sit through a 10 hour marathon of America's Next Top Model.:lol: If you don't enjoy yourself once in awhile, what's the point?

[Angel]

Well said Echo! I also like to read challenging books and like to learn something new - those who have been on here since the beginning of this forum know of my love for the classics, historical fiction and up to trying something new. But like a lot of other people on here I like to escape into a world of my own, read for the sake of pure pleasure and to destress.

I certainly do not think that this type of reading should be scorned - it has it's place in society and that those who do look down on this are the ones with a problem. If this attitude is adopted with the younger generation then it is hardly surprising that youngsters lose the will! Reading should be enjoyed for the pleasure of the written word and thoughts / ideas of the author. What is more important is that people keep reading as it will still expand their horizons no matter what the genre

[Kylie]

I completely agree with the last few posts. I like reading a lot of classics, but I need to intersperse them with 'light' reads to give myself a break. Something like Bill Bryson, Roald Dahl or JK Rowling (or any other kids book) does the trick for me.

[ii]

I'm with the posts above, too. I do love the classics and the so-called important books. It is good to be challenged. BUT there are times when you just want to trun of your brain, so to speak, and enjoy a fluffy fun escape from reality. It's the same with movies. Sometimes it's nice to watch Good Night and Good Luck (which I love!) but sometimes you just want to laugh with Elle from Legally Blonde, right? It's this diversity that makes literature (and movies) so much fun.

[Adam]

you just want to laugh with Elle from Legally Blonde, right?

"You got into Harvard?"

"Yeah! What like its hard?"

I love those movies :lol:

Back on topic,

I read for enjoyment, if I wanted to read for learning I would go get a Master's Degree. I read for fun and enjoyment. To me books are for fun and enjoyment.