Book icks

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of gazing at a fresh "stack of new books," ready to dive into unknown worlds and new adventures. The possibilities are endless, right? But as an avid reader, I've learned that not every shiny new cover guarantees a smooth, enjoyable journey. Sometimes, even with the most promising titles, I encounter those familiar "bookish things I don't like" that can really dampen the reading experience. One of my biggest pet peeves when sifting through a "stack of new books" is stumbling upon "Authors that have the same Story over and over again!" It's disheartening when you discover a new author, love their first book, then pick up another from them only to realize it's the exact same plot arc, character types, and even emotional beats. I once read a series where every single book had the protagonist fall for a brooding, mysterious stranger in chapter 3, have a major misunderstanding in chapter 10, and a dramatic reconciliation by chapter 20. It became so predictable that I could literally skim chapters because I knew what was coming. Now, before I commit to an author's entire backlist from my "stack of new books," I always do a quick search on Goodreads to see if other readers have noticed a pattern. It saves a lot of time and potential disappointment! Another 'ick' that can instantly pull me out of a story, especially when I'm trying to immerse myself in a new world from a "stack of new books," is unnecessary word repetition. We've all seen it: 'she ran faster, faster, faster' or 'the rain fell down, down, down.' While some might argue it's for 'dramatic effect,' for me, it often feels clunky and amateurish. I remember reading a highly anticipated release where the author used the phrase "BOOKS THAT HAVE 3 WORDS REPEATED 'UP UP UP'" almost verbatim in a descriptive paragraph, and it just made me cringe. It’s like hitting a speed bump when you’re cruising along enjoying the scenery. My personal strategy now is to read the first few pages of a potential new read. If the writing style flows well and avoids these kinds of linguistic quirks, it's usually a good sign that the rest of the book will be a more engaging experience. Beyond the text itself, my 'book icks' also extend to the reading community. It's truly frustrating to see people "shaming someone for what they read." Whether I'm deep into a spicy romance, a complex fantasy, or a non-fiction deep dive, my reading choices are personal. And honestly, who cares if someone prefers e-readers, audiobooks, or physical copies? The "shaming someone for how they read" mentality is just baffling to me. I love physical books for their tactile feel and the aesthetics on my shelf, but my Kindle is a lifesaver for travel, and audiobooks make my commutes fly by. They are all valid forms of reading! When you're excited about a new book from your "stack of new books," the last thing you need is someone diminishing your joy because it's not 'literary enough' or because you listened to it instead of holding it. Let's champion all readers and all forms of reading. So, how do we navigate that exciting "stack of new books" and minimize our encounters with these "bookish things I don't like"? For me, it comes down to a few things. First, don't be afraid to DNF (did not finish) a book if it's not working for you. Life's too short for books that bring more 'icks' than joy. Second, engage with diverse reading communities online where open-mindedness is celebrated. Third, trust your gut when sampling new authors. If something feels off in the first few chapters, it might be a sign. Ultimately, the goal is to find books that captivate and delight, making that "stack of new books" a treasure trove of genuinely enjoyable stories.