Saturday @ Starbucks is a weekly feature hosted by Starbucks & Books Obsession.
This week's topic is:
Plot Pet Peeves with an Iced Vanilla Chai Tea Latte
Drink of the Week: Iced Vanilla Chai Tea Latte
Weather has been amazing in Seattle this week, so I am all about iced drinks this week. This is such a refreshing morning drink and the spiciness of the tea with the sweetness of the vanilla is just right. Now go try one!
Book Topic: Plot Pet Peeves
So as I have been reading a lot of different books over the last few months, it got me thinking about some of the plot topics or elements of a plot that bother me. I know everyone has their own tastes when it comes to books so it is kind of interesting to see what bothers some people that may not be an issue for others. So I thought I would go through a few of mine and I would love to know what some of yours are and if you agree or disagree with mine. Let me know what you think.
Romance Built on Cheating: Cheating in itself is not a topic that bothers me and I don't have any issues with it when it is in a book. My pet peeve is when the primary romance of the story is build off of cheating. It bothers me because I can't immerse myself into the romance because the negative emotions that are pulled from the characters, including guilt and sorrow. When I read a book, I really get into the characters and feel the emotions they are feeling and guilt is a powerful emotion that takes away from the positive emotions and makes it hard for me to really fall for the romance. 
Possessive, Controlling Male Characters: I have to admit that I have read a few books where the male being a little possessive actually worked for me, like in REAL but for the most part this usually just annoys me. It doesn't mean I can't like the book but that aspect of it grinds on my nerves a little. For instance, I really enjoyed Beautiful Disaster but Travis' possessiveness and jealousy with Abby annoyed the shit out of me. I rolled my eyes at him so many times I thought they might stay in they back of my head.
Predictable Mysteries: I don't mind a book that has a predictable plot if it is meant to be that way. What gets to me is a plot that is supposed to have mystery and keep you guessing but is so predictable that you are never even a little surprised. I can certainly still enjoy the book and even really like it but when it is meant to be mysterious but isn't, I don't quite get drawn in like I feel I should have.
Animals: This isn't really a pet peeve but more of a topic that I generally avoid at all costs. I have this major soft spot for animals, especially dogs and I absolutely cannot read a book centered around animals. I can read a sad contemporary or romance book that will make me cry but give me a contemporary novel about a dog that ends up dying at the end and I am a goner. Can't do it, don't care how happy the rest of the book is, the ending will undo me.
I am sure if I sat here all day thinking about all of the books I have read, I could come up with a billion more plot elements that grate on my nerves or don't work for me but these are a few of the major issues that I tend to come across on a more regular basis.
What about you? What plot elements get to you? Do you enjoy any of the plot elements I listed above?
Next week's topic: Discussing Companion Novels
I could sooo go for an Iced Vanilla Chai Tea Latte right about now. But I most certainly not supposed to drink it. Stupid diet. lol I had many issues with the possessiveness in Beautiful Disaster, so I just could enjoy it. And I totally agree with the cheating, I just have a hard time connecting with the characters and their love for one another. Predictable mysteries don't always bother me, if they are done well. But sometimes it is really irritating if it just at the very beginning or in the premise of the book. Which I tend not to read. lol. Okay, I'm done now. :) Great post!
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
Sad animal books are the hardest to read. Marley and Me anyone?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the overly possessive boyfriends, to an extent they don't bother me, but when it gets crazy it can get annoying. I wouldn't put up with that from my husband.
Great topic this week!
Romance built on cheating is definitely a plot pet peeve of mine! Too many negative feelings going on with that.
ReplyDeleteAlso... I've never had iced chai tea lattes before! I love them hot so I'm guessing iced would be amazing. Definitely jealous of the Seattle weather, Vegas is killing me right now.
Yes, I cannot do animal books at all. I refuse :-) I think a possessive man has to been written right to make it work. I definitely wouldn't put up with the bad stuff from my hubby!
ReplyDeleteTotally! The negative feelings ruin the romance for me. You must try it iced, absolutely delicious! I bet it is sizzling in Vegas, weather is perfect here in Seattle (knock on wood)!
ReplyDeleteAhh I'm jealous! 113 here today. o.O Gonna try it iced tomorrow -- it'll be fitting with this weather for sure
ReplyDeleteChai Tea Latte? What madness is this, bring back the coffee! LOL
ReplyDeleteI recently read He's Gone and this was a relationship built on cheating and the book did a great portrayal of all the guilt and unstability caused by this. As a start to a romantic plot though, I don't like it, there are too many underlying issues to really buy into it.
Possessive Male Characters as a reader I can enjoy these IF done right. However I have huge misgivings about the impression they are causing to younger readers. I know in real life, I would want no part of the traits I don't mind in a book.
And animals, I love reading about them :) Yes, they break my heart if something happens but I still love it. When it comes to films, I have a heart of stone for people sick or dying. But make that a dog or cat and I'm in floods!
Haha, I gotta mix it up every once and a while :-) Oh that book sounds interesting. Yeah, it is when they build the romance off of cheating that I can fully invest myself into the story and that bothers me. I agree with you on possessive male characters. I would never let my husband treat me like that. I commend you for being able to read animal books. Can't do it :-)
ReplyDeleteCheating is (usually) a big no-no for me and I can't stand control freaks either. Travis is a "fine" example for the type.
ReplyDeletePredictability is annoying as well, it can make a book super *yawn* boring, especially a crime/suspense story. I like the kind of plots where I can guess until the end. :)
I used to like animal books. Then I read this fantastic trilogy where dog died at very freakin end. I knew that he was fictional but I LOVED that damn dog (he was a police dog) so much....The ending totally DEVASTATED me. Never again.
I definitely agree that if a crime novel is predictable, it completely ruins the story. Um, I cried for like an hour after Marley & Me and that was when I decided animals are a no-no. :-)
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched Marley & Me and honestly I don't think I could make myself watch it....it would be too sad for me....
ReplyDeleteand just to end this comment on a happier note: I <3 Tea Latte too! Especially matcha tea latte :)