When you hear that someone doesn't like a book you really liked, what is your reaction?

Shepherdjel · September 2013

So my discussion got some overwhelming responses for some! So I am very curious do you really judge if someone doesn't like a book you loved/really liked?

mrsvedo · September 2013

95% of the time I'd say different strokes and shrug it off, but there are a very few, very special books that if someone couldn't at least APPRECIATE, if not like or love, I'd be concerned for them. TKAM is one of these for example.

EliStar · September 2013

I judge.

Junewhatevs.

sassypants527 · September 2013

If I loved it and thought it was truly spectacular, I get judgey, but if I liked it and thought it was good or just light fun and someone didn't care for it, it's not a big deal to me.

SnShne322 · September 2013

I can't recall a time that it's made an impact on me for more than 5 minutes. I might get sad for a few, but other than that, I probably won't think about it ever again.

booneybear · September 2013

My first reaction is to hunt them down, take them out and throw the body down a very deep well and dump a truck load of cement on top of them so they will never rise again. Then I think about all my beautiful shoes that they won't allow me to wear in prison, so I just ignore and shun them.

Lauren620 · September 2013

Honestly it depends on the book, the person and what they say.

84Lauren · September 2013

The thing is, if I am in love with a book that affects me in personal, emotional ways, and you say you hate it, you are saying you hate something about me. You may not mean it that way, but that is absolutely what it boils down to.

So it's almost more like when someone hates one of those special favorite books, I feel judged by THEM. So my judging is just defensive judging.

Shut up, I am making TOTAL sense here.

EliStar · September 2013

It's especially worse when it's someone whose opinion I usually trust. Then it's a personal affront to my sense of well being.

jackiback · September 2013

84Lauren said:

So it's almost more like when someone hates one of those special favorite books, I feel judged by THEM. So my judging is just defensive judging.

Shut up, I am making TOTAL sense here.

Defensive judgement. That is (sometimes) totally true. Good point. You almost feel like they are insinuating you have bad taste. I never thought of it like this, but spot on.

jackiback · September 2013

If it is a book that I think has a great plot that carried me away, I'm ok with other people not liking it bc maybe they get carried away by different things. I don't judge, I just shrug.

But when I have loved a book because it is masterfully written, gorgeous words, beautifully painted characters, I really do judge. I assume that you aren't super smart if you can't at least appriciate well crafted art. I think there are some books that any reader, any lover of words would OF COURSE love even if the plot wasn't their favorite.

jenndawnp · September 2013

It depends on the book but if I really loved the book, I judge. I'm a judgmental bitch, I'll admit it.

EliStar · September 2013

jackiback said:

So it's almost more like when someone hates one of those special favorite books, I feel judged by THEM. So my judging is just defensive judging. Shut up, I am making TOTAL sense here.
Defensive judgement. That is (sometimes) totally true. Good point. You almost feel like they are insinuating you have bad taste. I never thought of it like this, but spot on.

Yes. Yes.

Hoycie · September 2013

jackiback said:

If it is a book that I think has a great plot that carried me away, I'm ok with other people liking it bc maybe they get carried away by different things. I don't judge, I just shrug. But when I have loved a book because it is masterfully written, gorgeous words, beautifully painted characters, I really do judge. I assume that you aren't super smart if you can't at least appriciate well crafted art. I think there are some books that any reader, any lover of words would OF COURSE love even if the plot wasn't their favorite.

This is how I feel about The Night Circus. I think it was written beautifully, the characters were described well and all that jazz but the story just didn't do it for me.

RevJen · September 2013

Hoycie said:

jackiback said:

If it is a book that I think has a great plot that carried me away, I'm ok with other people liking it bc maybe they get carried away by different things. I don't judge, I just shrug. But when I have loved a book because it is masterfully written, gorgeous words, beautifully painted characters, I really do judge. I assume that you aren't super smart if you can't at least appriciate well crafted art. I think there are some books that any reader, any lover of words would OF COURSE love even if the plot wasn't their favorite.

This is how I feel about The Night Circus. I think it was written beautifully, the characters were described well and all that jazz but the story just didn't do it for me.

I think it's entirely possible to recognize phenomenal writing and still not like the book. I've run across a few where I totally appreciate the artistry of the writer but the actual story didn't do it for me.

jackiback · September 2013

RevJen said:

Hoycie said:

jackiback said:

If it is a book that I think has a great plot that carried me away, I'm ok with other people liking it bc maybe they get carried away by different things. I don't judge, I just shrug. But when I have loved a book because it is masterfully written, gorgeous words, beautifully painted characters, I really do judge. I assume that you aren't super smart if you can't at least appriciate well crafted art. I think there are some books that any reader, any lover of words would OF COURSE love even if the plot wasn't their favorite.

This is how I feel about The Night Circus. I think it was written beautifully, the characters were described well and all that jazz but the story just didn't do it for me.

I think it's entirely possible to recognize phenomenal writing and still not like the book. I've run across a few where I totally appreciate the artistry of the writer but the actual story didn't do it for me.

Then I feel like it wouldn't make it to your "Hated it" list or the list from today of books that you didn't like, right? Maybe I approach those kinds of things differently, because if there were a giant redeeming factor, like, say, it was written brilliantly, I wouldn't classify it as a book I hated, but as a book whose plot didn't catch me?

lizabethann6 · September 2013

It depends on the book. There are some books that literally feel like they are a part of me and my life, I have connected to them in some way whether it was reading them during a time that I needed an escape or books that I grew up with. I've been teased for it but there are some books that I've connected with so strongly that when people say they don't like them, I feel like they aren't liking a part of me. And for some books, I truly cannot understand why anyone WOULDN'T love them.

An example is the Harry Potter series. I grew up with these books. I started out reading book one not long after it was released here to my littlest brother before he fell asleep at night. We eagerly waited for each book to come out year after year. I have read the series more times than I can count. I've connected with the series and grew up with it. When I read that first book I remember reading it aloud to my little brother as he fell asleep. So when people say they like the series I truly cannot fathom WHY and despite my usual " Live and let live, different strokes and all that " approach, I kind of want to shake them and say READ IT AGAIN DAMMIT YOU WILL LOVE IT

Hoycie · September 2013

jackiback said:

RevJen said:

Hoycie said:

jackiback said:

If it is a book that I think has a great plot that carried me away, I'm ok with other people liking it bc maybe they get carried away by different things. I don't judge, I just shrug. But when I have loved a book because it is masterfully written, gorgeous words, beautifully painted characters, I really do judge. I assume that you aren't super smart if you can't at least appriciate well crafted art. I think there are some books that any reader, any lover of words would OF COURSE love even if the plot wasn't their favorite.

This is how I feel about The Night Circus. I think it was written beautifully, the characters were described well and all that jazz but the story just didn't do it for me.

I think it's entirely possible to recognize phenomenal writing and still not like the book. I've run across a few where I totally appreciate the artistry of the writer but the actual story didn't do it for me.

Then I feel like it wouldn't make it to your "Hated it" list or the list from today of books that you didn't like, right? Maybe I approach those kinds of things differently, because if there were a giant redeeming factor, like, say, it was written brilliantly, I wouldn't classify it as a book I hated, but as a book whose plot didn't catch me?

That's true. I retract my Night Circus from that post that I will not go in.

EliStar · September 2013

Hoycie said:

jackiback said:

RevJen said:

Hoycie said:

jackiback said:

If it is a book that I think has a great plot that carried me away, I'm ok with other people liking it bc maybe they get carried away by different things. I don't judge, I just shrug. But when I have loved a book because it is masterfully written, gorgeous words, beautifully painted characters, I really do judge. I assume that you aren't super smart if you can't at least appriciate well crafted art. I think there are some books that any reader, any lover of words would OF COURSE love even if the plot wasn't their favorite.

This is how I feel about The Night Circus. I think it was written beautifully, the characters were described well and all that jazz but the story just didn't do it for me.

I think it's entirely possible to recognize phenomenal writing and still not like the book. I've run across a few where I totally appreciate the artistry of the writer but the actual story didn't do it for me.

Then I feel like it wouldn't make it to your "Hated it" list or the list from today of books that you didn't like, right? Maybe I approach those kinds of things differently, because if there were a giant redeeming factor, like, say, it was written brilliantly, I wouldn't classify it as a book I hated, but as a book whose plot didn't catch me?

That's true. I retract my Night Circus from that post that I will not go in.

Exactly. Like when people say they hate The Name of the Wind, I feel like they are PERSONALLY ATTACKING ME.

jackiback · September 2013

Hoycie said:

jackiback said:

RevJen said:

Hoycie said:

jackiback said:

If it is a book that I think has a great plot that carried me away, I'm ok with other people liking it bc maybe they get carried away by different things. I don't judge, I just shrug. But when I have loved a book because it is masterfully written, gorgeous words, beautifully painted characters, I really do judge. I assume that you aren't super smart if you can't at least appriciate well crafted art. I think there are some books that any reader, any lover of words would OF COURSE love even if the plot wasn't their favorite.

This is how I feel about The Night Circus. I think it was written beautifully, the characters were described well and all that jazz but the story just didn't do it for me.

I think it's entirely possible to recognize phenomenal writing and still not like the book. I've run across a few where I totally appreciate the artistry of the writer but the actual story didn't do it for me.

Then I feel like it wouldn't make it to your "Hated it" list or the list from today of books that you didn't like, right? Maybe I approach those kinds of things differently, because if there were a giant redeeming factor, like, say, it was written brilliantly, I wouldn't classify it as a book I hated, but as a book whose plot didn't catch me?

That's true. I retract my Night Circus from that post that I will not go in.

Good, I can trust you again

RevJen · September 2013

jackiback said:

RevJen said:

Hoycie said:

jackiback said:

If it is a book that I think has a great plot that carried me away, I'm ok with other people liking it bc maybe they get carried away by different things. I don't judge, I just shrug. But when I have loved a book because it is masterfully written, gorgeous words, beautifully painted characters, I really do judge. I assume that you aren't super smart if you can't at least appriciate well crafted art. I think there are some books that any reader, any lover of words would OF COURSE love even if the plot wasn't their favorite.

This is how I feel about The Night Circus. I think it was written beautifully, the characters were described well and all that jazz but the story just didn't do it for me.

I think it's entirely possible to recognize phenomenal writing and still not like the book. I've run across a few where I totally appreciate the artistry of the writer but the actual story didn't do it for me.

Then I feel like it wouldn't make it to your "Hated it" list or the list from today of books that you didn't like, right? Maybe I approach those kinds of things differently, because if there were a giant redeeming factor, like, say, it was written brilliantly, I wouldn't classify it as a book I hated, but as a book whose plot didn't catch me?

It would depend on why you (general) said you hated it in the first place, imo. Perhaps the writing wasn't enough to redeem it. Some people may not make the distinction that you personally do. It is contingent on the criteria people use to judge books in the first place.

Shepherdjel · September 2013

I'm glad I did this poll! I think it was needed!

Jen748 · September 2013

84Lauren said:
The thing is, if I am in love with a book that affects me in personal, emotional ways, and you say you hate it, you are saying you hate something about me. You may not mean it that way, but that is absolutely what it boils down to.

So it's almost more like when someone hates one of those special favorite books, I feel judged by THEM. So my judging is just defensive judging.

Shut up, I am making TOTAL sense here.

Ditto.

Shepherdjel · September 2013

84Lauren said:

The thing is, if I am in love with a book that affects me in personal, emotional ways, and you say you hate it, you are saying you hate something about me. You may not mean it that way, but that is absolutely what it boils down to. So it's almost more like when someone hates one of those special favorite books, I feel judged by THEM. So my judging is just defensive judging. Shut up, I am making TOTAL sense here.

This actually kinda makes sense to me. Never though of it this way...

AshleyT121 · September 2013

Depends on the book and the person in question.

RevJen · September 2013

Most of the time, I'm good with people having opinions other than mine about books I've read. I have a very select few where I feel the need to explain to people over and over why they're wrong.

Until they change their mind and agree with me.

MrsJenE · September 2013

I won't judge if you have a GOOD reason. If your reason sucks, I'll judge you like a motherf*****.

84Lauren · September 2013

MrsJenE said:

I won't judge if you have a GOOD reason. If your reason sucks, I'll judge you like a motherf*****.

You can say MOTHERFUCKER on the Nest now. Yay!

MrsJenE · September 2013

84Lauren said:

MrsJenE said:

I won't judge if you have a GOOD reason. If your reason sucks, I'll judge you like a motherf*****.

You can say MOTHERFUCKER on the Nest now. Yay!

Shit. I keep forgetting that.

pinkybooklover09 · September 2013

GilliC · September 2013

I'm in the camp that will judge if someone hates a book that has significant literary merit, simply because it didn't appeal to them.

I have a lot of 3-star books on Goodreads, because they had some pronounced redeeming qualities, even though I didn't really care for them.

The one glaring exception is The Scarlet Letter. I think that the experts of American literature are all wrong, and Hawthorne was a pretentious asshat who didn't understand the concept of moderation. Not every fucking thing in the damn book needs to have some hidden meaning. And if you disagree, I will happily accept your judgement.

When you hear that someone doesn't like a book you really liked, what is your reaction?

When you hear that someone doesn't like a book you really liked, what is your reaction? 69 votes

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