Carol

This Not That #ReadingTastes #Discussion #ReadingLife #BookX #BookSky #TalkingAboutReading

I’m taking a break from book reviews today for a discussion post: This. Not That.

This Not That

This Not That (a child choosing a book from a shelf)
Image Source: Canva

Complicated Family Drama, NOT Dysfunctional

I appreciate complicated family dynamics, but I don’t enjoy truly dysfunctional.

Heartfelt and Tenderhearted, NOT Ugly Cry

I’m avoiding certain authors who seem to manipulate me to ugly cry.

Quirky, NOT Zany

Too zany loses me every time.

Quiet, NOT Boring

I can enjoy quiet, character-driven stories, but there needs to be some tension, intrigue, or growth to sustain my interest. My preference is for perfectly balanced plot-driven and character-driven.

Realistic, NOT Magical Realism

The slightest hint of magical realism is occasionally tolerated, but I prefer 100% realism.

Found Family, NOT Abandonment

Abandonment is cruel and damaging.

Thoughtful Memoir, NOT Navel Gazing

Thought-provoking content for the win.

Strong Sense of Place, NOT Generic

I want to use all my senses and envision myself in the story. I don’t want the story to take place in a vague setting.

Likable/Relatable, NOT Unlikable/Unreliable

I need my main characters to be likable and relatable. I do not enjoy unreliable narrators.

Beautiful Prose, NOT Profanity

My unpopular opinion is that excessive profanity is lazy writing. Especially offensive is religious profanity.

Realism, NOT Paranormal

Realism wins in my reading life.

Side of Thriller/Suspense, NOT Nightmare Material

I do enjoy small sides of suspense, but I’m a sensitive reader and susceptible to nightmares so I cannot read scary stories.

UpLit, NOT Misery Lit

I prefer UpLit over sad stories of sad people living sad lives. That is not to say that I don’t read some sad books with heavy content, but I need redemption and/or hope. I don’t do well with unrelenting sadness.

QOTD:

What would be on your This, NOT That list?

Related Posts: Phrases That Attract Me to Books, Misery Lit or UpLit? Unpopular Bookish Opinions, I Wish Books Had Less…, What is Your Reading Taste? 10 Things That Make Me Instantly Not Want to Read a Certain Book, 10 Things That Make Me Instantly Want to Read a Certain Book. For more bookish talk, see my Thinking About Books and Reading menu tab.

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9 comments

  1. I love this. I’m with you on Magical realism but I’m a fantasy lover through and through so will generally pick a fantasy world over a real one. And I’m definitely not a fan of misery

    Reply

  2. Yes! Uplit wins every time. I want to feel good at the end of a book, not despondent. I can tolerate profanity, but religious profanity rubs me the wrong way.

    Reply

  4. I love this post, Carol. I also want likable characters so I can care what happens. If I don’t care what happens to them, then I don’t enjoy the book.

    Reply

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