Pet Peeve #1: Stickers on the Covers (Especially When Theyâre the Fake Kind)
Honestly, I just feel like stickers ruin book covers.Â
When theyâre real, they run the risk of tearing the book cover when you peel them off, they leave residue when you do get them off, and if you donât take them off they are just ugly.Â
On the other hand, when theyâre fake, it’s annoying because you canât remove them, so you are left with ugly stickers that obscure the beautiful book cover.
Pet Peeve #2: Misunderstanding Tropes and Third Act Breakups
This one might be controversial, but it annoys the heck out of me. I feel like these two tropes usually go together, so thatâs why I included both in this point.
My biggest problem with these tropes is that they are usually the result of a problem that either would have never occurred or would have been easily resolved, had the main characters actually talked to each other. Often, they are the result of poor communication, and it always frustrates me that the characters are so reluctant to just sit down and discuss their feelings.
Pet Peeve #3: Non-Existent Chapters
This one is a little vague, but I occasionally run into books that donât have defined parts or chapters, but instead just put those little symbols as POV breaks. The other one I hate, is when a book, that is not a non-fiction book, has parts within a chapter (ex. Ch.1 – pt. 1, pt. 2,…, Ch.2, etc.).
This just makes it confusing and hard to determine when I have found a proper stopping point to give my brain a break.
Pet Peeve #4: Real People on Book Covers
Itâs just embarrassing. Having a naked man, or a woman in lingerie, or whatever, on your book really makes it hard to read it in public. It doesnât really feel aesthetically pleasing and itâs uncomfortable to read in public. I often avoid the books with these covers, which is unfortunate as I could be missing out on a great read.
Pet Peeve #5: When Book Covers Donât Match or Are Different Heights
Honestly, I feel like this one speaks for itself. I donât really collect books, but I know some people do and it is my pet peeve to see a series lined up and yet not looking cohesive. I usually see this at the library and it actually annoys me so much, although this could just be a me thing.
Joy #1: Dual POV in Romance Books
Ugh! I love a good dual POV between romantic interests. Seeing the thoughts of both parties just adds a certain depth to the narrative and love story. I feel like with single POV, it almost feels like one-sided pining rather than reciprocal love since I donât know how the other party feels during the whole thing. Also, dual POV opens up the opportunity for so many great quotes which will either absolutely wreck me or have me squealing over how cute they are.
Joy #2: Short Chapters/Often Breaks Within a Chapter
This might be a me thing, but shorter chapters just make it easier to read more. I feel like, when the chapters are shorter, my brain is able to reward me for finishing the chapters more often which increases the pleasure from reading.
It also means that it is easier for me to take breaks when I want, since I compulsively have to finish the chapter before I am able to take a break from my book.
Joy #3: Healthy Communication and Consent Representation
Honestly, read books like âLove Theoreticallyâ by Ali Hazelwood and you will get the hype. When characters are willing to be open and vulnerable with their emotions and are willing to establish a bridge of communication with their loved one, it is amazing. I think that our books and popular media often focus on furthering the plot over demonstrating healthy communication styles and even consent. Like, when it comes to relationships in books, asking for consent and communicating with each other is actually, so sexy.
Joy #4: Good Banter Between Characters
The personality of characters really shines through in their interactions with other characters. I think a lot of characters nowadays are very flat and/or agreeable in their dialogue and it sucks. Donât get me wrong, there are some great books out their now with amazing banter (cough Butcher and Blackbird cough), but about 1 out of 5 books I read display this. Most of the banter I read isnât even banter and is just talking, which is necessary, but please spice it up.
When people talk about âPride and Prejudiceâ by Jane Austen, they always talk about romance, but the thing I loved most was how often the characters absolutely roasted each other. Like, Elizabethâs dad low-key called all of his daughters (except for Elizabeth) stupid within the first page of the book. Itâs just so funny to me to see these characters actually holding grudges or having negative opinions about each other that doesnât just amount to, âHeâs evil so I need to dislike him.â
Joy #5: When Authors Write Their Characters With Common Sense Instead of Disregarding it to Further the Plot
Finally, and this kind of fits with Joy #3, but characters are often dumb. Like, they will straight up walk into danger thinking it’s safe even though, 5 seconds ago, they did the same thing and it ended in disaster.Â
Sometimes, I think authors forget that a character can have common sense and still have bad things happen to them which can push the plot. Maybe they mess up once and learn from their mistake, just in time to accidentally spring a trap while trying to avoid the previous decision. Or maybe a character gets her purse snatched, or gets into a car accident due to another driverâs reckless driving.Â
I just feel like authorâs tend to make it very âme, me, meâ with the main character causing major events instead of allowing some to happen passively.