Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they post a new Top Ten list that members at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone join as you please. This week’s topic is: Top Ten Things That Will Make Me Instantly NOT Want To Read A Book

While the week I talked about things that will make me want to read a book, this week is all about the things that turn me away. Some of the things on this list you will know straight away as I am very vocal in my dislike for them. Anyway, let’s get into it. Like always these are in no particular order. 

Girl changes to be noticed: This is another thing that I have noticed both in YA and NA and it’s just not for me. If the protagonist changes for themselves, then hell yeah I will give it a chance. But if the protagonist changes so a guy can like her – then no thank you. 

Love Triangle: This is the one thing that would immediately make me not want to read a book. I just can’t deal with it. Sometimes if it’s done well, I could slightly get over it. But for the most part, I don’t like to read books with love triangles in them. I’ve stopped mid-series because of this and I am even sorry. I also really need some more YA fantasy without a love triangle – please. 

Full on Alpha Male: I’ve been reading a lot more New Adult lately and something that I have noticed is the presence of the alpha male. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love when a character is protective over the one that he loves or at least likes. But, there is that step too far and I just can’t do it. 

Too much hype: I am not one for hype. I’ve read quite a couple of books because of the hype around then and some of the time I hated the book. I guess this also happens with a lot of people, but I’ve been moving away from a lot of hyped books recently and I love it. 

If people I trust don’t like it: This is another game changing when picking up books to read. If I’ve read a review or someone that I know has similar taste as me, hated the book. I will most likely not pick it up. Now, this doesn’t happen all the time. Because I sometimes love books that they hate. But if I see in their review things that I don’t like, I will most likely not pick it up. 

Female protagonist always needing saving: Females don’t need a knight in shining armour. Yes, I love when a love interest can swoop in and save the one that they love. But I love my females strong and who can stand up for themselves. It’s empowering and just so lovely to see. If the female protagonist is always getting saved, the book is not for me. 

Racism/Ableism/Homophobic: Books, especially YA are allowed to talk about these things. But if there is racism, ableism, homophobia etc and it’s not said as bad – then no thank you. People learn from books, they understand through books. And if a book is showing these as good things, then I don’t need it in my life. 

If the protagonist has traits that I hate: I don’t even know if this one makes sense. But if I read a review or start a book and the protagonist just doesn’t sit right with me, then I am not going to read the book. The protagonist makes it or breaks it. If a protagonist isn’t good, then most likely I am not going to enjoy the book.

Sounds too similar to something else: This is another big one for me. If I am reading a blurb or a review of a book and it sounds too much like something else – then I will most likely not pick it up. 

If a book is by an author that I don’t like: This one may seem weird, but if I’ve read multiple books by an author and I didn’t like any of them – then there is a high chance I won’t pick up another book by them. 

And that is it for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday. I hope that you enjoyed. What are things that will make you not want to read a book? Do we share anything similar? Let’s Chat!