What turns you off a book?

photo: Book on chair by fallacy @ Flickr

I know that when I start a book that has a long, slow beginning with lots of description or nothing happening, I get turned off the story. Same thing happens when I come across long passages or paragraphs of description or backstory within the book; I get pulled right out of the story.

Or when characters speak in dialogue that doesn’t seem real, or is too cliche. Or when a character does something that makes that character lose credibility, or that just doesn’t seem believable–including if the character’s in danger or there’s a mystery or secret and they can’t see the obvious.

I also don’t like covers that look, well, dated–or that don’t have a character (or part of a character) somehow represented. I’ll still pick up the book, still read it if it’s good, but it’s an initial turn off.

Those are the things that come immediately to mind. What turns you off of a book? What kicks you out of the world a book creates?

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2 Responses to “What turns you off a book?”

Sarah Rettger Says:
July 7th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
That’s a great question, and I’m really disappointed I can’t think of any examples off the top of my head. I’ll have to think about it and report back.
Cheryl Says:
July 7th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Good; I’d love to hear. It interests me.