Same!!! I just reread those books last year and had the exact same switch in perspective. Her relationship with >!Burrich!< feels much more substantial and true.

Pretty much every love pairing in Twilight, especially the main one. Granted, those books are highly problematic in many ways, but the romance…gag. Now that I’m older and have more life wisdom, I not only see the poor character development and bad writing, but also the harmful nature of romanticizing such a controlling relationship for a YA audience. Shudder.

Now for books I actually like: >!Shallan and Adolin!< in Stormlight. There’s an aspect of the relationship that feels imbalanced and is characterized by both of them being immature and naive. I would forgive this (they are young, after all), but it bugs me that they just kinda…see each other and are like “yep, I love you” with pretty much no reason or depth other than finding one another physically attractive.

I don’t love romance in fiction. It tends to be too simplified and gloss over the messy realities of building a romantic/sexual partnership.

Never Let Me Go. Just…I didn’t like what it put in my head. I can appreciate the good writing, but the concept was ick for me.

In a similar vein, Verity. But the writing also sucks, so I have a few reasons for disliking it.

I first read East of Eden to make myself seem smart, but then I really liked it. I’ve read it every few years since.

I first read East of Eden to make myself seem smart, but then I really liked it. I’ve read it every few years since.

Yep. This is the one.

Yep. This is the one.

50 Shades was easily one of the most cringe books I’ve ever read. But I read ‘em all because I didn’t realize how much better erotica could be.

50 Shades was easily one of the most cringe books I’ve ever read. But I read ‘em all because I didn’t realize how much better erotica could be.

I didn’t love Brothers Karamazov, My Antonia, or Catcher in the Rye in school. I still don’t. 😬

It’s okay to not love every book you read, though! There’s always another book to try.

Your comment about Flowers for Algernon reminds me of The Color Purple, where you can tell the impact of her learning to read as the story goes.

This is part of why I read spoilers, ha.

The audio was better for me because of this.

This is good to know - Malazan is on my list because it’s so well-loved by fantasy fans. But I want something that is going to suck me in and let me experience the story without effort. My brain is too fried by work these days for me to strain it when I’m trying to unwind with a good book.

I have the same relationship with Tolkien. I love the stories but the descriptions and language lose me. I have considered listening to the books - sometimes I can get through dense writing more easily that way.