Literary Pet Peeves


“What are your literary pet peeves?”, asks today’s question on Booking Through Thursdays (a meme about reading and books, which is hosted here every week!)


I think I have ranted enough on this blog about coffee stains (worse, stains of inexplicable origins) and dog-eared pages, and bent covers and broken spines; novels with too much dialogue, plays with too many descriptions, teen-talk and slang and such things. Here are bookish habits (that people have) that I have managed not to complain about. Some of my people-related literary pet peeves:

1. Nosy librarians – I know, that they are there to help. But when that librarian tells me that that book is not for my level (which she wouldn’t really know) it is sort of irritating. I don’t particularly enjoy it, when a librarian tells me that I shouldn’t read that book because I wouldn’t like it, or that Kafka can be confusing, or gives me her opinions on the book that I have chosen, in a slightly condescending, know-it-all kind of tone. So, while I do know, that they are there to help, I do wish they’d wait for me to ask them for help before offering free advice.

2. Book bragging – “Have you read that book, because I have.” (And I have also read and have an opinion – which I am going to voice – on every book that you are going to mention in the rest of the conversation) Don’t you hate it when people do that? Boast. You know, I hate conversations that go “I read blah, blah and blah and now I am going to read blah and your Goodreads update says that you read blah recently, and I have read blah too and I liked it.” I love books, but it’s not the only thing I love in the whole world. I get it; you love reading. Guess what? I do too. Let’s move on, it’s not a “Who reads more?” contest. I would like a nice conversation about literature, or about something mentioned in one of your favourite books, but not how many books you read per week.
(Excuse me for that rant there.)

3. People who give out spoilers: That includes reviewers, who can’t seem to write good reviews without a ‘spoiler alert’, if you know it might spoil the book for someone, why even write it? I am one of those people who doesn’t mind knowing the rest of the story, or that twist ending, but I do mind people who actually enjoy spoiling the fun for others! Knowing how things turn out doesn’t affect my reading experience, really; but it is still annoying when someone derives some sort of pleasure out of telling me what happens next in the book that I have specifically said I am reading. I mean, really, are we kids? Haven’t you guessed that people might like to keep it a suspense?

4. People who misspell the book title/author’s name – “The Fountain Head ROCKS!!” Really? I would have thought someone who loved that book so much, would have known it was The Fountainhead and not a book about a fountain head, whatever that is. Oh, and you love Stephanie Meyers, is it? Well, good for you.

So, do you have any bookish pet peeves (you know, people-related) or am I just too judgmental!?

Night Owl


Booking through Thursday is a weekly meme about books and reading. This week’s question:

What’s the latest you’ve ever stayed up reading a book? Is staying up late reading a usual thing for you?

When I read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, I was up all night, and my sister and I read the one book in turns. I don’t remember staying up the whole night reading books many times; though I did stay up till around 3 am quite a lot! And that is no wonder, because I used get up very late.

These days I try to sleep early, so I can wake up early. But I just can’t get my nose out of the book. I keep telling myself that I’ll just read two or three more pages and then sleep – as if that is going to work!

The only books I can’t read at night are those by Stephen King. I read Salem’s Lot in the middle of the night, and the entire time I felt like someone was scratching on the window! I couldn’t sleep that night, even after I finished reading the book.

BTT #2 : Repeats


Booking through Thursday is a weekly meme about books and reading. This week’s question:


What book have you read the most times? And – how many? What’s the first book that you ever read more than once? (I’m assuming there’s at least one.)


It’s funny, but I can’t think of a single book that I haven’t re-read. There are very few books that I read just once, usually only those that I don’t like.

I can’t sit still without a book in my hand – even while I am having dinner or watching television; which is when I usually read books that I’ve already read before. That way I can read, and I won’t snap at anyone for disturbing/distracting me!

Every time I re-read a book, I enjoy it more. For two reasons – one, I think of the fun I had reading it the first time and compare what I felt then, to what I feel now (now that I know what is going to happen next!) Another reason is that for fast paced books or those with a complicated plot, I can focus on the writing, in a way I would have never managed the first time!

I don’t read the entire book again, though – I usually re-read it in parts – parts that I liked or parts where something important happened!

I can’t remember the first book that I re-read, but the one that I read the most number of times has to be the entire Harry Potter series (The fifth book the most, though it’s not my favourite!) I never kept count, and I couldn’t have even if I tried – let’s just say, I can recite the books if I wanted to, that’s how many time I’ve read them!!

BTT #1 : Dog Days


This is my first time on Booking Through Thursdays, which is a weekly meme about books and reading. This week’s question:


What animal-related books have you read? Which do you love? Do you have a favorite literary dog? (Snoopy, anyone?)

I love animals and animal related books (though I admit, I like cats more.) My favourite animal story has got to be Born Free by Joy Adamson. But since we’re talking about dogs here, I can’t help but make another list (I love lists!), this time of my five favourite literary dogs. Here it is:

1. Marley (Marley and Me by John Grogan) – Well, he’s not exactly “literary” is he? I bet that dog was as wonderful as the book makes him seem!! He made me laugh and cry and go “aww”! Marley and Me is one of my favourite books ever.

2. Gaspode the Wonder Dog (Discworld by Terry Pratchett) – The small terrier-like mongrel who is the first thinking dog. He can speak and is also the smartest dog on the Disc. He was so funny – I loved this guy!!

3. Dog – The Hellhound (Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett) – The ferocious beast who is sent to earth in the form of a small dog (called Dog), and who, despite himself, loves acting like one!

4. Sirius/Leo (Dogsbody by Diana Wynne Jones) – The Dog Star, banished to the earth in the farm of a handsome golden puppy with green eyes! He’s beautiful and smart and just the right amount of funny!

5. The Three Headed Dog (Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling) – Okay, this one is hard to explain. But he has to be the most unique literary dog, right? He has three heads, he’s also known as Fluffy and he likes soothing music. Creative, very.