My sister and I are both avid readers. I read almost anything that is recommended to me, I like the variety and array of topics. In general I like almost all I read. My sister likes typical “booktok” books and authors. I’m reading a series by Maas because she loves them and wanted to discuss them someone and blah blah. I think at this point (book 3) the fantasy has taken over and it’s alright, but I cannot discuss the actual book with her. The unbelievable characters, the plot has no backing (yet), the world building is cool but very direct, like they will want you to think of a person associated with a sword and the next chapter just tell you and anyway I could go on. She gets upset when I say anything bad about the books or characters. That a part or point isn’t believable.
I try not to be gate keepy when it comes to reading but I personally lack the vocabulary to discuss not great books to someone who loves them and is sensitive. I want to encourage her to read and discuss books but lack the filter? Does that make sense? Is there any teachers, parents, siblings, or friends who have this issue? How do you discuss books that make your eyes roll back without being insensitive? Are there some tropes or key words to use or avoid?
by mousefredrickson
5 Comments
Maybe you need to flesh your opinion out or you can compare/contrast with another series?
I don’t like GoT but I have found another series that in my opinion is better and more developed than GoT with similarities/differences as far as aspects go.
‘I can understand why people like it’ is my polite way of saying I didn’t like the book.
First of all, find things you like/hate less about the book. If she loves it and recommended it to you to share that passion it’s understandable she doesn’t want to go in depth about all the aspects that suck. E.g. I didn’t like ACOTAR (if that’s what you’re reading), but I think some of the concepts were cool, and there were some things that were legitimately innovative about it.
Secondly, frame your criticism as something that is your opinion (which it is), not an absolute truth about the quality of the book: it didn’t work for me because…, I would have preferred it if… etc.
Finally, ask her what she liked about it, and look for books that you liked better with those characteristics, hopefully she’ll like them too and then reading can become a shared passion were you discuss books you both liked!
May I ask how old you two are? Because honestly, this sounds like a problem you’ll eventually grow out of.
My Sarah Jane Maas reading friends all openly admit that she’s not a literary genius but they find the books entertaining and quick to read … but we are all past our teens. I think when you mature as a reader you just learn that attacking your favorite book isn’t the same thing as attacking you, so you don’t feel the need to get defensive right away. And you also learn that one can enjoy books that are objectively not that great.
I feel like you are judging YA fantasy by standards it was never attempting to meet. The writing is going to be very direct by design. The characters are going to be tropes. And most mass appeal stuff is just going to be standard medieval euro magical setting. These are just things you need to accept going in.