Welcome to another TTT! This week’s topic is “My Unpopular Bookish Opinions”. Differing opinions is a good thing! If we all agreed on everything, life would be so boring. Unpopular opinions are not necessarily bad or controversial or negative. Some of them are, of course, but that’s only because of the nature of the opinion and not because it’s unpopular. Maybe you think a super unpopular book is the best ever. Maybe you really, really love a character that many people you know couldn’t stand. Or maaaaybe there’s parts of your reading life or your habits that are unique to you. Whatever the case may be, I want to hear your thoughts!
1. For the most part, bookish social media is not a fun place to be.
When I first joined the online bookish community 13 years ago, it was contained in a very small corner of the Internet and most of us were friends! I don’t remember seeing drama. I feel like every time I log in now there’s something negative happening. I miss how things used to be!
2. I don’t care about special editions of books.
It’s really fun if the first edition is special or limited to the first print run, but if I buy the book when it comes out and then months/years later a new edition comes out with a fancy cover and bonus content I really couldn’t care less. It feels like a a money grab.
3. Bonus chapters confuse the original narrative.
And sometimes they change a major part of the story. If you wanted something in the book, put it in the book! I’m not going to jump through hoops (buy another edition, preorder the next book from a specific place, etc.) to read an extra chapter from someone else’s point of view.
4. I avoid books where the title is essentially a 4-5 word summary of the book’s synopsis.
For example: Dating My Baby Daddy, Married to My Billionaire Boss, Tempted by the Werewolf Overlord, Stranded with My Sexy Barista, Flirting with My Best Friend’s Older Brother Firefighter, etc. Just please be more creative than that! (Yes, those are Jana original titles. I don’t know if these books exist or not. lol.)
5. Publishers need to stop marketing books as read-alikes of super popular, well-loved titles.
Just because a book is about fae doesn’t mean it’s just like ACOTAR. Just because a book is regency romance doesn’t mean it’s for lovers of Julia Quinn, Tessa Dare, or Lisa Kleypas. Every historical romance does not need to be compared to Bridgerton. Every spicy book does not need to be for lovers of Tessa Bailey. I think it hurts a book so much to compare it to a viral title or author. It almost always leaves readers disappointed. Let the authors and books shine on their own without forcing the reader to go in with expectations!
6. The A ___ of ___ and ___ titles should have stopped 10 years ago.
7. I don’t enjoy debating about books with people.
I will not fight someone who hates my favorite book, and I will not feed the trolls who come into the comments of my reviews and tell me my opinions are wrong. I respect you even if your favorite book is one I hate with the fire of a thousand suns! I see a lot of arguing about books, and I don’t know why people find that fun!
8. I love illustrated book covers.
When done right, they are stunning. They can truly showcase a graphic designer’s talent and creativity. But they have to be detailed and follow the elements and principles of design. Don’t just throw some generic, faceless bodies onto a colorblocked cover with no other details and say it’s good enough.
9. My books and bookshelves are not decorations.
I will never be the person who organizes her books by color, or who displays them pages out. I don’t care what height they are. I don’t buy books just because they’re pretty or cheap or would look good in a pic. My series go together, and books by the same author go together on my shelves regardless of paperback versus hardcover, size, or color. I need to be able to find things! And I love the look of a crammed-full bookshelf.
10. Romance is different than steam.
I love romance novels so much. Opened door, closed door, love them all. But I don’t go into a romance hoping for steam. I have read many extremely romantic, closed-door books. I care more about the story and the characters and the swoons. If the steam is there and it works, great. Love it. These scenes can really enrich a romance. But if the steam is thrown in just for the sake of making a book spicy, that’s cringey for me.
Please no tomatoes!
Do you agree with any of my opinions?
What’s one of your unpopular bookish opinions?
