I Should Read That

The Unpopular Opinions Book Tag was created by TheBookArcher. You can watch the original video here!

I spotted this on someone’s blog and thought it made for some interesting discussion.  I absolutely cannot find it again, let me know if you think it’s you!  I’d love to give you credit.

A quick note, I’m in no way attacking anyone’s preferences.  This is all just for fun 🙂

1. A Popular Book or series that you didn’t like.

I can go with the easy pick, which is Twilight.  I read the first book, but not the rest.  I’ll give her a whole lot of credit for spinning a ripping yarn — I looked up from reading and realised it was about 3 am — but Twilight is really problematic for me.  Don’t get me started on the fact that it normalises abusive relationships for young girls, I can ramble about that for days.  It’s so unhealthy!

I also never got into The Lies of Locke Lamora, which is a really popular book/series.  It is everything I should love: a band of con men in a rich fantasy setting with bromances and snappy dialogue.  I got to about 100 pages and I just couldn’t get into it.  I think I’ll probably give it another shot at some point.

A bit of a left turn, but Julian Fellows’ Belgravia was another that I just didn’t like.  It has a beautiful cover, is a family saga set in the 19th century, and takes place in a gorgeous part of London that I’m very fond of.  I gave up halfway through, I just didn’t care about anyone or anything in the book, which is such a shame.

2. A Popular Book or series that every one else seems to hate but you love.

The Wheel of Time series is notorious for having a major slump in books 8-10.  I really liked the eighth book, A Path of Daggers, though.  Also, I enjoyed A Feast for Crows, the fourth book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, much more than most readers did.

3. A Love Triangle where the main character ended up with the person you did NOT want them to end up with (warn people for spoilers) OR an OTP that you don’t like.

I still grump and huff about the Hunger Games.  Although to be fair, Katniss shouldn’t have ended up with anyone but her badass self.  She’s a strong, independent woman who doesn’t need a man!

4. A popular book Genre that you hardly reach for.

Anything contemporary.  I’m really just not interested, particularly for YA.  I’ve lived through my teenage years, why would I want to go back?  No thanks.

Under the same umbrella, I cannot stand urban fantasy, with very few exceptions.  It just does not interest me in the slightest.

Also anything with vampires and werewolves (again with very few exceptions).

5. A popular or beloved character that you do not like.

Arya Stark.  Let the hate rain down upon me, but she’s a little psycho murderer and bores me.  Also Dany is a major snoozefest — her story line went downhill so far after the third book.  Long live Cersei Lannister.

6. A popular author that you can’t seem to get into.

I probably have to go with Patrick Rothfuss.  I liked The Name  of the Wind when I first read it, but when I reread it a few years later (after a lot of personal growth, I must add) I just did not enjoy it.

7. A popular book trope that you’re tired of seeing. (examples “lost princess”, corrupt ruler, love triangles, etc.)

Dystopian settings are getting really old.  I love the farmboy-of-destiny trope in adult fantasy, but am less keen in YA fantasy.  Insta-love is a pretty big turn-off too.

8. A popular book / series that you have no interest in reading.

Throne of Glass.  I keep saying I’ll read it, but I’ve started it twice and just wasn’t feeling it.  A coworker recently offered to lend the first one to me and I haven’t tried it as a physcial book, so that could be it.  But I’m certainly not dying to read it.

9. The saying goes “The book is always better than the movie”, but what movie or T.V. show adaptation do you prefer more than the book?

I wouldn’t say it’s better because both are amazing, but the film version of The Shining is absolutely incredible.  While Stephen King probably wouldn’t be thrilled with me for saying it, I just found the way that Kubrik twisted the story and used sound and visuals to heighten tension and terror to be absolutely fantastic.

Your turn!  Am I wrong about any of this?  Have you done this tag?  Give me a shout!