Top Ten Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Top Ten Trends You’d Like To See More of/Less of (can do a combo of both or one or the other)

Only came up with seven this week, but here’s what I’ve got:

MORE:

• Shorter Book Series. I am a sucker for book series. Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows that much. However, I’m really tired of series last 20+ books. Honestly, 5-7 books is a perfect length for a series. When you start getting into the longer series it makes me feel as if the author is simply looking for another payday. Having 5-7 books allows the reader to become involved with the characters, yet there is an ending in sight. There needs to be a better balance when it comes to a series.
• Cheaper E-Books. I received a Nook Color shortly after they were released last year. But I still can’t bring myself to pay over $7 for an e-book. If I’m going to invest that much money on a book I want to be able to have it in my hands! I want a physical copy. I don’t understand the entire publishing industry and the costs truly involved in publishing. But give me a break. You can’t tell me it’s that much to produce e-books. And trust me, I would think you would sell a lot more e-books at under $5 than you would at $11.99.
• Book STORES. It breaks my heart to hear about book stores closing. I was heartbroken when my local Waldenbooks went out of our mall two years ago. It wasn’t very big, but I enjoyed browsing. That only leaves me with a Books-a-Million (not my favorite store) locally. Seeing all the Borders stores closing kills me. I think it’s a tragedy. I understand that e-books are taking over, but I still enjoy physical books and book stores. It bothers me to know that in just a few short years physical books will probably be a thing of the past.
• Acceptance of personal tastes. I’m of the “to each his own” school of thought when it comes to what you read. I am a mystery/thriller/spy book lover. I read some romantic suspense. Some cozies. But I’m tired of people assuming that because I am a woman I read romance novels. And then when I explain that I really prefer murder in my books, I get the strangest looks like I’m from outer space. All because I am female and I like the so-called “sick-sh*t” type books. I don’t make fun of you for reading what you like. Don’t knock what I read.

LESS:

• Paranormal. Sure, I’m guilty of reading a little bit of paranormal books. But it’s not my favorite. If I have to see one more brand spanking new series involving vampires, werewolves, witches, blah blah blah, I think I will puke. Seriously. Hasn’t this trend run its course yet? Now, like I said, I have dipped my toes into the paranormal book world a little bit, but it’s definitely an entire genre that I wouldn’t care if it left and never came back.
• Stupid Women Characters. I like strong, independent women characters. I don’t want to read about women who only care about finding the perfect man or not having enough time to shop for the perfect pair of shoes. Women characters need to be believable and true to life for me to enjoy them. You know the single mother who has to work two jobs just to make ends meet for her three children? I prefer that character over the trophy wife whose only care in the world is what time to meet her friends for lunch at the country club.
• Unbelievable YA characters. I remember high school, vividly. I’m not that far removed from it (though farther than I like to admit!). I remember it was tough. I don’t read a lot of YA fiction, but sometimes I just shake my head at some of the characters and their personalities in the YA genre. They just aren’t believable. I was a normal girl in school. I wasn’t popular but I wasn’t un-popular. I wasn’t a cheerleader, I was on the golf team one year. I wasn’t a straight-A student, but I made good grades. I dated before meeting my future husband, but I wasn’t a slut. Where are the books about those people?