Buying books: words or phrases that can turn a 'yes' into a 'no'?

[barryem]

If the description makes me think the book is either fantasy or a romance novel I won't read it. I'm not against love stories but romance novels tend to be gimmicky and I avoid them. And yes, I do know that every romance fan has that one author that's an exception and I've tried a number of those and they're just as gimmicky as the rest.

If I read the phrase "perfect for fans of ___" I'll stop reading the description and go look somewhere else for a book unless there's something very compelling in the description before I get to that point. It's not that I think there's anything wrong with ____ but at that point I begin to suspect the honesty of the description. Too much hype will turn me away from a book.

That said, I've read a few books based on someone's suggestion after rejecting them based on a description I didn't like and some have been very good.

I do like multi-generational books from time to time. And Oprah and I like a lot of the same books so I'm not bothered by her recommendations. I consider them a plus.

The one thing I can recall being mentioned in this discussion that has no affect at all on my decision is the cover. I couldn't care less about the cover.

Barry

[hildea]

I once got two crime novels as a gift where I could see from the cover text that the first murder victim was probably a child -- I exchanged those books for something else (a multigenerational saga with strong romance elements, if I remember correctly ). I've also abandoned a well-written book by an author I like because it became obvious that someone who hated the protagonist was plotting to kidnap her toddler child. I'm sure she'll rescue her child, but I couldn't take the slow, painful build-up to the kidnapping. When the child's favourite toy disappeared from their bedroom I put the book down.
I've read and liked dystopias and novels from horrible historical and current epochs, where lots of people including children are harmed, so I'm not sure exactly what makes me balk at these. I think it's the slowbuilding looming dread combined with harm to children that I can't take.

I've also abandoned a book for blatant sexism, to the extent that all the female characters were terribly written. I can take a lot of sexism, I've read and enjoyed books written two hundred years ago, as well as modern books where the author introduces the first character who is a woman, has a name, AND speaks, on page 200, but this book hit my limit. (It's written in 1931 by an author who was a fascist, so in hindsight it's not too surprising that I didn't like it.)

[maddz]

For me, it's covers with men displaying their six-packs or anyone with a tattoo, by some female I've never heard of. That rings the Paranormal Romance alarm for me. I don't mind smut (kinky or straight) if it's done well and fits the plot, but most of these seem to read like the plot is a device to get from one kinky sex scene to the next even kinkier sex scene.

Mishistoricals - aka historical novels that read like the characters are moderns in fancy dress. (Another reason to avoid most romances).

Chick-lit. Ugh. Especially ones name-checking brands.

I also tend to avoid new YA novels too - unless it's by an established author. Life's too short to plough my way through badly written prose.

Preaching to the choir is another turn-off too. I don't mind messages if they're thought-provoking and integrate well, but books where the plot is the message writ large reminds me of being back at school reading approved authors, which usually involved turgid Victorian sententiousness.

And another pet hate - books that try to be the next Lord of the Rings and fail miserably.

[meeera]

Any SF with a blurb/reviews suggesting that it's ammosexual guff.

Books where all the female characters are described as breasting boobily into the room.

Anything where the very first page contains a dozen or more unpronounceable invented proper nouns.

Anything proclaiming itself to be the Great American Novel.

Plotless Literary fiction where nothing happens except a person examining their terrible life (which is not terrible) and their failed relationships (which only failed because of their own actions).

[issybird]

I know everyone’s got their no-go areas, goodness knows I have tons, but we go down that road at intervals and I like the original premise of this thread. What are the specific words or phrases that tip you off to a book’s true nature? I think the key words are both useful and revealing.

[maddz]

"Must-read"

[DiapDealer]

Plucky.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by meeera

Any SF with a blurb/reviews suggesting that it's ammosexual guff.

Books where all the female characters are described as breasting boobily into the room.

Anything where the very first page contains a dozen or more unpronounceable invented proper nouns.

Anything proclaiming itself to be the Great American Novel.

Plotless Literary fiction where nothing happens except a person examining their terrible life (which is not terrible) and their failed relationships (which only failed because of their own actions).

Ammosexual? Can't say I've heard that before. I'm afraid to google it.

I have heard of gun porn (the Monster Hunter series being an example)

[Apache]

Originally Posted by maddz

"Must-read"

I just hate to see this one in a description of a book. Most that I have read are not.
Apache

[icallaci]

"Luminous" or "perfect for fans of ..."

[fathead]

"Sassy" heroines are a major red flag.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by issybird

I know everyone’s got their no-go areas, goodness knows I have tons, but we go down that road at intervals and I like the original premise of this thread. What are the specific words or phrases that tip you off to a book’s true nature? I think the key words are both useful and revealing.

"Curves in all the right places" (unless it's a deliberate detective-noir parody/pastiche)

Or basically anything from here

...and, at least, a lot of the time, "Booker prize winner"

[jviscosi]

Add me to the "perfect for fans of ..." instant turn-off list. Also, if the book description specifies how gorgeous any of the main characters are, it's out, regardless of whether or not it's being billed as a romance.

[manjulaagarwal]

I'ma acrazy book lover and I love motivational books.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by meeera

...and, at least, a lot of the time, "Booker prize winner"

Hah! I wrote a post saying essentially the same thing and then backed off. But it’s true. And it’s not just the Booker (although it’s certainly the Booker; Atwood’s The Testaments is a case in point), there are just way too many (and meaningless) awards out there. It’s like elementary school; everyone gets a ribbon.