My Bookish Pet Peeves

As a lifetime reader, I have experienced my fair share of book conversations, book issues, and book thoughts. That said, here are five book-related pet peeves that I have acquired.

1. Unplanned Series Expansions

One major pet peeve of mine is when authors initially claim a book is part of a trilogy or a duology, only to add more books later because the series was successful. It feels like a forced extension that often ruins the original story. This includes cases where authors justify the extension by claiming they "just can't fit the whole end of the story in one more book." If the story was well-crafted, it should have had a natural conclusion from the start and the books should have been planned out as so.

2. Digitally Signed Books

Another annoyance is when digitally signed books are marketed as "signed" or "limited copies." The concept seems contradictory: digital signatures can be replicated endlessly, making the idea of a digitally "signed" book less meaningful. The personal touch of a signature, which adds a unique value to physical books, doesn't translate well to digital formats. While this isn’t about accessibility needs, which are crucial and valid, it does detract from the authentic experience of owning a signed book and feels unnecessary excluding to only print a few books with signatures when it is no more work to print them all with the signature.

3. Unanswered Questions

While some ambiguity can be intriguing and add layers of depth to a story, unresolved plot points can significantly detract from the quality of a book. Considerable time and emotion are put into reading a story and when key aspects are left unresolved or ambiguously addressed, it can undermine the story's impact. A satisfying conclusion often requires that major plotlines and character arcs be thoughtfully resolved, offering closure and a sense of completion. Readers often remember even the smallest hanging thread and it can detract from the enjoyment of the book.

4. Books Turned into Movies and TV Shows

The trend of adapting popular books into movies or TV shows can be hit or miss. Often, these adaptations fail to capture the essence of the original work and end up being poorly rated. A main issue is that everyone has a slightly different idea of what a character looks like, and how they talk, and what the world looks like. Trying to put that on a screen is impossible and it's upsetting to see a world you love so much not match the image in your mind. Additionally, these adaptations frequently don’t complete the entire series, leaving fans left hanging. While some adaptations are successful, like The Hunger Games, many others fall short of expectations and don’t do justice to the books they’re based on.

5. Policing How People Read

My biggest pet peeve is when people try to police how others engage with books. Criticizing someone for cracking a book's spine, using it as a coaster, or opting for audiobooks instead of physical copies is both unnecessary and frustrating. Everyone has their way of enjoying books, and there’s no single “right” method. Some readers prefer to keep their books pristine, while others see them as something to be used and enjoyed, even if that means dog-eared pages or a slightly bent cover. Audiobooks are just as valid as traditional print or digital formats, offering a different but equally valuable experience. Ultimately, respect how someone chooses to interact with a story.  

What are your biggest book-related pet peeves? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!