Monday, September 28, 2015

Wall-Banger

Years ago my local branch of CPRW had a president who would spend five minutes at each meaning introducing what he would call a wall-banger book. Karl would hold the book up and explain why it fit the derogatory description. What he meant by wall-banger was that he'd purchased the book but it was bad, he would quit reading and throw it off the wall. He always ended his spiel by doing just that.

My husband is a painter and he can tell you what kind of damage throwing something at the wall can do. He has to fix little dents and dings in walls all the time. But the idea behind Karl's demonstration is legit without the tossing, of course.

What kind of things make a reader set aside a book without finishing? A slow plot. Nothing happens for pages and pages. Maybe it's backstory or world building filling those pages that turn a reader away. Or perhaps one of the characters is lost in introspection. That's okay for a little bit, but if it goes on and on .... I'll probably toss it aside especially if it get the feeling that nothing is ever going to happen.

Perhaps the writing is too simple, reading like a fifth grade storybook. Yes, I'm usually smarter than a fifth grader. If I'm reading a YA or MG book, then I expect appropriate prose but I don't want it in an adult novel. Or just as bad, writing that is too flowery as if the writer wants to impress me with their vocabulary or ornate turn of phrase.

Then there is a premise that is too bland to care about. The problems facing the protagonists just aren't compelling enough for the reader to care. The obstacles are big enough, the antagonists aren't threatening enough or are ill-defined.

Sometimes the plot is too confusing. Perhaps too many threads are tangled together. Or too many characters are involved with too many POVs. Maybe the created world is confusing or perhaps the names of places or characters are too similar and difficult to pronounce. Things within the plot such as the magic, science, technology or invented laws are poorly explained and it leaves the reader confused. All these things result in a book toss.

Perhaps the biggest reason for me to put a book down are issues with the characters. Perhaps they're dull and boring. I know people like that in real life, I don't want to read about them. Or they're unlikable. Is there anything worse than a whiny protagonist? As a reader, you just want them to grow up. Occasionally a characters comes across as unbelievable as in no one could be that naive or no one could be that forgiving and kind. Even the antagonist can be too unbelievable.

I recently read a book by a fantasy author whose previous series I had really enjoyed. I stayed with it for more than half the book but then decided I didn't have time to waste on a book I really didn't like at all. Bland characters, slow plot and vague, boring threats. But I didn't damage any walls with it. It will find it's way to a used book store.

It also reminded me that just because a book is published by a big fantasy publisher like Tor, it doesn't mean it's a good book. On the flip side, just because a book is indie-published or published by a small press, doesn't mean it's not better than many of those books filling the shelves in B&N.

Hope you got to see the Lunar Eclipse last night. It was cloudy here. My current favorite show, Once Upon a Time, turned last night and later this week, Sleepy Hollow will return. Good times.

Don't forget to get that short story finished and sent for the IWSG anthology. It's going to be great!

Have you started and not finished a book lately? Did you see the Super Moon get eclipsed? What favorite show returned this past week or so? Please don't say Monday Night Football.


23 comments:

Liza said...

On the other end of the spectrum, I started a book yesterday and after three pages said to my husband, "Now, this is a book I know I'm going to love." It's been a while since I've been that committed to a book so quickly. It's called, THE TRUTH ACCORDING TO US, by Annie Barrows, and I even want to be reading it now, while I'm commenting here!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Bland, boring, or dumb characters turn me off right away. A friend had recommended a YA vampire series and loaned me the first couple books. I managed to get through the first, but I just didn't like the main character. She was bland and made some dumb decisions.

Heather R. Holden said...

I've been disappointed by plenty of books over the years. In the past, I used to try to read till the end despite that, but time is so limited anymore that I just set it aside and reach for something I'll more likely enjoy!

I was happy to see Once Upon a Time return, too. Looking forward to seeing how this season will play out!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan - I love a good book (forget the bad ones) but once written do finish it off properly and not just sort of plop an ending in - I had one like that this summer - brilliant book, probably a good ending ... but unsatisfactory after the rest of the book it should be better! I saw the beginning of the SuperMoon - then it disappeared over the house ... so the blood part I missed! Cheers Hilary

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Excessive description turns me off every time. I skimmed a lot of The Hobbit because of it.
And I did see the lunar eclipse! It stopped raining just enough for the moon to appear.

mshatch said...

I did see the eclipse last night. It was very clear here so great viewing. And I have tossed books aside. Usually it's because of characters. If I don't like them enough to care, then I'm probably not going to want to follow them around for a a couple hundred plus pages.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I was in a reading slump recently - started a number of books then put them down for one reason or another. But now I've got my hands on an ARC of ALL IS NOT FORGOTTEN by Wendy Walker and my slump has ended! It's so good, it's nerve-wracking. :)

Pat Hatt said...

When they use big words just to sound great that no one ever uses, I just roll my eyes. Super long arse descriptions turn me off too.

A Beer for the Shower said...

I hate unrealistic characters. Like when a female main character is supposed to be a strong, independent badass, and then upon meeting the "handsome guy" she just melts into a puddle of lame dependency and everything he does is pure magic because he's "super hot" no matter how ridiculous it may seem. That kind of thing can get me to throw a book hard enough that you won't need a painter, you'll need a drywall specialist.

Chrys Fey said...

I've never actually read a wall-banger. Or...if it was bad, I never actually threw it against the wall. Slow books are a killer for me. I like stories to begin right away.

And I missed the Super Moon! Argh!

Ann Bennett said...

I read almost everything to completion. I've broadened my reading with genres I don't normally read since I have been blogging.

Maria Zannini said...

The eclipse was pretty cool. I'm glad I got to see it.

We haven't been big tv watchers in recent years. Nothing has appealed to us lately. We do like Blacklist though. That's on our watch list.

Hart Johnson said...

Plot and character... Characters I can't care about are really rough, especially if they aren't doing anything. But the things that bug me most are inconsistencies... if I think "that character wouldn't do that" they are done for. and Deus ex machina events really bug the crap out of me. I usually DO read to the end. But sometimes I really feel like I wasted my time.

cleemckenzie said...

I've been having a terrible time getting into stories lately. I'm not sure if it's me or if it's some of what you've listed above. I don't throw the book or my Kindle against the wall, but I do disconnect and move on. When I find something that draws me in I'm delighted.

J E Oneil said...

Characters are usually the reason I'll chuck a book at the wall (metaphorically). I can deal with a boring plot or bad writing, but if the characters aren't well realized or compelling, that's it.

I saw the lunar eclipse! It was so cool. The moon was so red. I got a few pictures, but I don't think they came out very well.

Christine Rains said...

I didn't get to see the moon because it was cloudy. As for books, there are several reasons I'll put it down. Lack of characterization, boring plot, bad writing. I really need to paint my walls some time soon!

nashvillecats2 said...

I missed the the eclipse last night , enjoyed your most enjoyable post.
Yvonne.

dolorah said...

I watched a good part of the eclipse last night. Awesome. My son dug out his telescope for the event.

I am a long time, dedicated fan of Stephen King (books, not always movies) and I just hated that I was ready to put down Under The Dome after torcherously reading through over 100 pages. I was encouraged by many friends to keep at it, it gets much better after the 1/4 mark (damn near 1k pages). Way disappointing when a fav author screws up a book.

But, I have sometimes given up after about 30 pages. Felt guilty about it, but unless I'm reading specifically to review the book (or critique) I don't see wasting my time on something I don't enjoy. I take those first few pages that turned me off of the story and hope to learn something from it.

Tammy Theriault said...

I JUST had this happen. Amazing blurb, lackluster storytelling. And it's an autobiography. Disappointed!

Melissa said...

Don't get me on my soapbox. LOL

Heather M. Gardner said...

It happens all the time with me and books. When did I get so darn picky? Oh, yeah. When I got busy. :)

Heather

Patricia Stoltey said...

These day, I tend to give a book only ten pages to get my attention. If I'm not hooked, though, it doesn't mean the book won't appeal to lots of other readers. My interest can depend on my mood, how busy I am, and what I'm writing at the time as well.

The Happy Whisk said...

Back when I read a lot of fiction, I read the first page. If the first page doesn't do it for me, I would put the book back on the shelf.