There are no specific books I’ve lost interest in (for any reason) so this post is going to be about certain elements in books that either make me roll my eyes or want to DNF.
The petite and delicate female MC: As a woman who stands a little over 6ft in my heels, I find it irksome when books make it seem like a woman is only attractive if she’s made to appear small and vulnerable. And have you ever noticed that when the book requires a woman who’s a warrior, she’s always tall?
The default handsome fellow and his hard muscles: This is mainly a question of personal taste because muscly guys make me break out in hives. One of the aspects I loved most about Nicholas Rinth’s The Drowned Tower is that the lead male character is a skinny, gangling boy.
The pseudo Europe fantasy world
The aliens always invade the USA: And even if they do plan to take over the entire world, the central characters live in the US so that’s the only POV you get. Where’s the alien invasion of China, or the U.K? One of the reasons I love the movie District Nine is because it breaks all the tropes.
Zombies and Vampires: A writer has to do something hella original to keep me interested where zombies or vampires are concerned. Nerves of Steel does it with vampires, but the only decent zombie book that comes to mind is Zombiecorns.
Sexism in general: This doesn’t necessarily apply to books set in sexist societies, such as Song of Ice and Fire or The Handmaids tale. It’s more for sexism that seeps into the book and limits the characters
Love must be romantic to be valid
Her love will fix him: Do you have any idea how many male love interests are characterised by symptoms of Type B personality disorders? It is frightening AF that these men are firstly being idealised as romantic partners, and secondly, that it is implied in any way that love will fix this issue.
That's only eight, but it's a long enough rant for one day. Do you agree with any of the points on my list? Or have your own to add?