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Post by tracym1 on Apr 4, 2016 20:29:20 GMT
Patricia Cornwell. Those Scarpetta books just got really dark and weird, and also stupid. Her early stuff was intelligent and interesting. The later stuff, just...no.
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,390
Aug 16, 2014 23:15:53 GMT
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Post by peaname on Apr 4, 2016 20:33:30 GMT
Janet Evanovich
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Apr 4, 2016 20:42:01 GMT
I used to read James Patterson but a few years ago I quit. The books didn't hold my attention like they used to. I also quit Janet Evanovich a few years ago, and Danielle Steele many years ago. She repeats herself so often it was driving me crazy. James Patterson doesn't actually write most of his books though, does he...IIRC he has a team of writers and he just gives them the basic plot. A bit like Barbara Cartland used to do...I'm sure some of these authors who churn out so many books work in a similar fashion. Several of these authors mentioned are ones I used to read all the time and have since stopped. And then if I go back to any of them (like Janet Evanovich) I can't tell why I liked them so much in the first place. Patricia Cornwall and the Kay Scarpetta series really annoyed me. I hate it when people come back from the dead in a preposterous scenario.
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Post by Zee on Apr 4, 2016 20:58:16 GMT
I agree with Janet Evanovitch and Stephanie Plum. I quit Stephen King decades ago. It was Misery that did it for me. Never again. I didn't even finish it. I'm watching you closely, Charlaine Harris. You've been phoning it in since the last few Sookie books. The new series is so predictable. I wish there was more Grave Sight or Shakespeare, but I can live with those being done forever if something fresh would take its place.
I love Diana Gabaldon but I wish she'd cut out about 95% of the battle scene crap. I really, REALLY don't care about the type of artillery used or what their silver gorgets looked like or what fabric was used for the rebel militia's cobbled-together units or what color the sealing wax on the parchment was. It bores me to tears.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,366
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Apr 4, 2016 21:07:15 GMT
Yes, I have. I used to LOVE Patricia Cornwell. Her early books are still among my most favorite reads ever, but starting with Blowfly I was just done. It was probably one of the worst books I've read, but I gave her another chance, thinking that one might have just been the one bad apple. Nope, the next one wasn't any better so I've never read any of her newest stuff. I stopped with these, too, after virtually devouring the early books in the series. I don't even remember if I got as far as Blowfly. I was really turned off by one of the plot twists and I couldn't stomach Lucy and her angst anymore. I liked the storylines a lot more when they focused more on the hard-hitting aspects of the cases.
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,300
Jun 25, 2014 19:53:37 GMT
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Post by Mystie on Apr 4, 2016 21:34:58 GMT
As a mystery reader, I have given up on a LOT of writers! I firmly believe that any given writer (not just mysteries--any series writer) has about eight decent series books in them, and after #8, it's all downhill.
Like others, I've long since given up on both the Kellermans (Jonathan and Faye), Evanovich, Hamilton, plus Nora Roberts, Laurie King, Barbara Hambly, Sue Grafton, Harlan Coben, Martha Grimes, Elizabeth George, and many more.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 28, 2024 20:51:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2016 21:40:47 GMT
Pretty much all of the above and I'll add John Grisham. Reading Tom Clancy and Diana Gabaldon have pretty much ruined me.
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Post by tracym1 on Apr 4, 2016 21:44:42 GMT
Yes! I feel like when some authors get popular, they stop getting edited and are allowed to run amok with whatever little thing interests them. They never notice that the reader DOES. NOT. CARE
I mean - a little historical detail gives you credibility. A lot gives your reader a nap.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Apr 4, 2016 22:08:20 GMT
yup-- in high school and college, I loved everything Stephen King wrote... but I gave up reading his books when I got to one that included some pretty graphic scenes of child abuse? sexual abuse?
I don't remember exactly which book it was, but I haven't read any of his works since. Maybe I got prudish as I got older, or I realized more fully what the writing was discussing? (because he wrote some pretty distasteful stuff before that one...) I can't articulate the issue I had exactly, but since that time I've never wanted to read any of his newer writing at all.
ETA: I also agree with this: "I outgrew Jude Devereaux and Johanna Lindsay and several other romance writers. I decided even my escape books had to have something new in them and these writers were completely formulaic."
I used to read a LOT of bodice-ripper romances and outgrew them in general; new, interesting characters and stories didn't seem nearly as important to the writers as the sex scenes, and I did want at least SOME story, lol.
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perumbula
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Posts: 3,439
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Jun 26, 2014 18:51:17 GMT
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Post by perumbula on Apr 4, 2016 23:48:55 GMT
As a mystery reader, I have given up on a LOT of writers! I firmly believe that any given writer (not just mysteries--any series writer) has about eight decent series books in them, and after #8, it's all downhill. Like others, I've long since given up on both the Kellermans (Jonathan and Faye), Evanovich, Hamilton, plus Nora Roberts, Laurie King, Barbara Hambly, Sue Grafton, Harlan Coben, Martha Grimes, Elizabeth George, and many more. You give them a lot more leeway than I do. I find that most writers have about two really good, one good, and one ok in them. After that it's all just cashing in on the name. There are exceptions, of course, but they are rare. There are authors that I stick with even when the books drop off in quality just because I like the world building. I read a lot of sci fi/fantasy when I was younger and nearly everything in those genres are series books. I've given up on a lot of authors over the years. When it's no longer working for me, I let them go.
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 4, 2016 23:56:51 GMT
Funny you mentioned her! I had heard lots of pea reviews about her books so I read House Rules and it made me SO mad! I HATED the way she portrayed Autism. I couldn't bring myself to read any more of her books.
I haven't read any Mary Higgins Clark books in a long time. They all seem to have the same formula. I may go back to them, but I'm in no rush.
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Post by AussieMeg on Apr 5, 2016 0:23:30 GMT
I used to read every Danielle Steel book but gave her up many moons ago....every book was the same and it got tiresome. I owned every one of her books in my late teens / early 20s. But I haven't read one for well over 20 years now. I agree, every book seemed the same. Not only that, she kept repeating certain parts of the story over and over throughout the book.... Yes I KNOW Annabelle had a tortured childhood, you've told me seventeen times already! I'll add Lee Child and Reacher. (Of course, the choice of Tom Cruise to pay the character, approved by the author, might be a part of that. If the author doesn't even care enough to protect the visual of his only character, then why should I care enough to read the next one?) I get what you mean. I still read and enjoy the books, but I am angry with Lee about selling out when he allowed that jerk to play Reacher. I refused to watch even the trailers for the movie because I didn't want my vision of Reacher to be destroyed.
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Post by DinCA on Apr 5, 2016 1:09:02 GMT
I have given up on quite a few but mostly because I feel like I've outgrown them or I just don't relate any longer. In the '80s there were a few authors I followed and read practically everything they wrote but I don't now even though most are still writing.
And there are some like Jodi Picoult that I tried but couldn't finish.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Apr 5, 2016 1:20:15 GMT
I still read Jodi - I realize her formula, but the stories for the most part are interesting and entertaining so I can deal. The last one - with the elephants - I couldn't put it down. But others, I could barely get into.
I stopped with Evanovich. I gave her until 20 but should have stopped long before. I won't even check them out for free at the library. Same for Cornwell. Used to love her earlier stuff but Lucy got so weird and then when Benton "died" and then came back - that was the nail in the coffin for me. Charlene Harris stopped being interesting, but I felt I needed to finish out the series. I could barely do it. it was awful.
when I was a kid I read a lot of VC andrews. she was probably the first one I quit. Once I realized a. she was dead LOL and b. the "formula/outlines" was SO similar, just change the names and location, I just couldn't anymore. :/
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Post by flanz on Apr 5, 2016 1:31:29 GMT
I gave up on Stephen King years ago, he just got too out there for me. Can't remember the title, but it was about some alien thing buried somewhere that did it. I'm about ready to give up on Janet Evanovich; besides the predictability, she's just gotten dopey silly rather than humorous. You should start up with Stephen King again. The last few years, his writing has been his best ever. Especially 11/22/63. That's a good idea -- the last book ties it all together. I really liked it. I've given up on both Janet Evanovich and Patricia Cornwall. I haven't read either of their last 4-5 books. It's a shame, because I know they're both excellent writers with really unique perspectives. Agree on Stephen King. I don't like his super creepy books, but the one mentioned above and The Green Mile are excellent storytelling, IMHO
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Post by flanz on Apr 5, 2016 1:34:18 GMT
Pretty much all of the above and I'll add John Grisham. Reading Tom Clancy and Diana Gabaldon have pretty much ruined me. If you like intrigue, have you read Nelson Demille's Books. The General's Daughter and The Charm School were page turners. I didn't care for the Gold Coast after reading the others. I don't know if I would like reading them now, a bit too intense/dark for me, perhaps. I love a good story but prefer it to be uplifting.
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Post by grammyj64 on Apr 5, 2016 1:55:57 GMT
Sue Grafton - I got tired of living in the 80s. Patricia Cornwell - became bored with her hairy guy and haven't gone back Nevada Barr - used to love Anna Pigeon, but the book set in NOLA with the child exploiters made me feel like I needed a shower. May eventually go back. Janet Evanovich - Stephanie Plum series. Like someone else said, I outgrew her.
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Post by giatocj on Apr 5, 2016 1:58:54 GMT
Yes, I have. I used to LOVE Patricia Cornwell. Her early books are still among my most favorite reads ever, but starting with Blowfly I was just done. It was probably one of the worst books I've read, but I gave her another chance, thinking that one might have just been the one bad apple. Nope, the next one wasn't any better so I've never read any of her newest stuff. I stopped with these, too, after virtually devouring the early books in the series. I don't even remember if I got as far as Blowfly. I was really turned off by one of the plot twists and I couldn't stomach Lucy and her angst anymore. I liked the storylines a lot more when they focused more on the hard-hitting aspects of the cases. Lucy grew into such an unnecessary character!! I agree with you 100% on everything!
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georgiapea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,846
Jun 27, 2014 18:02:10 GMT
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Post by georgiapea on Apr 5, 2016 2:00:49 GMT
Yes, Karen Slaughter. Now when I see her name on a book I just shudder and move on.
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Post by scrapApea on Apr 5, 2016 2:12:54 GMT
John Grisham - I can't remember what couple of books it was but he could write really good beginning and middle, but the endings just fizzled. Wasn't worth my time anymore. Nicholas Sparks - once I figured out he writes tragedies - not my thing. World's sad enough without reading fiction about it. Danielle Steel - agree with the above poster - all the same after a while
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Post by Jen in NCal on Apr 5, 2016 2:34:24 GMT
I quit on Laurell K. Hamilton when the books became tedious to read and the storylines became blurred by the crazy sex scenes (and the extremely slow moving plotlines). Not that I have any problem with that kind of thing, but the books really became unreadable, IMO. Me too! I was so tired of reading about all the puppy piles. I've outgrown a few but LKH is one I truly quit. And I will probably lose my place here but I also quit the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Guess that's not really an author. Her books are so formulaic and I didn't find them that hot.
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Loydene
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Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Jul 8, 2014 16:31:47 GMT
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Post by Loydene on Apr 5, 2016 2:37:23 GMT
Nevada Barr - used to love Anna Pigeon, but the book set in NOLA with the child exploiters made me feel like I needed a shower. May eventually go back. The hair one did it for me -- I got to a point where I just knew where it was going and I didn't want to go there. When I read the authors name, my scalp did a rolling crawl.
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 5, 2016 3:08:06 GMT
It was my first and last Kristin Hannah book - it seriously sucked. My first and probably last was The Nightingale. While I didn't hate it, I can think of many books off the top of my head that are WWII historical fiction or non-fiction that were so much better.
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mimima
Drama Llama
Stay Gold, Ponyboy
Posts: 5,064
Jun 25, 2014 19:25:50 GMT
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Post by mimima on Apr 5, 2016 3:24:52 GMT
Bernard Cornwell. He's boorish and iconoclastic.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,366
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Apr 5, 2016 3:33:16 GMT
I love Diane Mott Davidson, and have re-read the Goldy mysteries several times. But the last 4-5 books she was just phoning it in. She has indicated that the most recent book is the last in the series, and I picked up her cookbook. Her stories about each of the recipes were so fun, and fresh. Really back to the early days of the Goldy books. I also stopped with the Stephanie Plum series, and as much as I hate to say it in his later years Robert B Parker too. You could really tell his health was declining and he was just phoning it in. I'd forgotten about these books. I read a bunch of them years ago, but they never really did much for me so I stopped reading-- I read them mostly for the recipes! One of the recipes I still make today and I really love it. It was from The Main Corpse and is called Rainy Season Chicken Soup. I highly recommend it.
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Post by elaine on Apr 5, 2016 3:57:34 GMT
Ken Follett - Pillars of the Earth and World Without End; he really enjoys brutal rape scenes and added them in gratuitously and often enough that it got in the way of the story. And when you are talking about 1000 page books, it was way too many. I think he took perverse pleasure in writing those scenes - enough so that it really creeped me out.
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gina
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Posts: 3,298
Jun 26, 2014 1:59:16 GMT
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Post by gina on Apr 5, 2016 4:27:36 GMT
Have you ever just given up on an author? I love Jodi Picoult's writing style, but the twist endings every time just grated on my nerves. It pains me to say so, but Leaving Time had such a ridiculous ending, I put the book down and decided it was time to break up with Jodi. Sigh. I'll miss her, but I can't keep letting her disappoint me. How about you? It is funny you use her and this book in your example because I too, find her endings annoying.... but I gave her another chance with Leaving Time and it was one of my favorite books!
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MaryMary
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Lazy
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Jun 25, 2014 21:56:13 GMT
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Post by MaryMary on Apr 5, 2016 5:39:48 GMT
Jodi Picoult (only read one, but wanted to punch her afterwards) and Ken Follett.
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Post by miominmio on Apr 5, 2016 8:03:41 GMT
Jo Nesbø....I loved him as a singer/songwriter, and I tried really hard to like his books (partially because I'm impressed by how he quit a lucrative job as a stock broker to follow his dream), but they're not my cup of tea. At all.
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Post by miominmio on Apr 5, 2016 8:09:23 GMT
And yeah, a lot of the authors previously mentioned.
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