OPINION: Different tastes in literature

Every time I read a book in a group setting, whether it’s in a book club, reading other reviews online or simply passing a book on to another person, I get a little nervous. Sometimes I absolutely hated a book and I want to be able to share my thoughts without making the other person feel bad for enjoying it.

This doesn’t happen super often - I’m pretty generous with my ratings. If I start a book that I think is truly heinous, I’m probably not going to get far enough into it to rate it. However, there definitely have been books I’ve ranked lower in my ratings then others in my life.

For example, Cheyenne was really looking forward to reading “Tress of the Emerald Sea” by Brandon Sanderson. It was around Christmastime, so I bought a copy for her and myself. She absolutely loved the book and was excited to hear my thoughts. However, let’s just say I wasn’t a huge fan.

I don’t know what it was exactly that threw me off the book. Its a cozy, found family fantasy novel by one of the biggest names in fiction - sounds like it should be right up my alley. It’s been over two years since I read it, and I can’t quite remember my qualms, but I know I gave it three stars and had to watch my back a little around Cheyenne. Kidding, only mostly.

We also read the first book in the “Lightlark” series by Alex Aster for The Latest Edition’s fantasy book club. I gave it what I thought was a generous 3.5 stars, but that was extremely low for the rest of the group. While everyone else was clamoring for the next in the series, I was excited to move on to a completely different world and author.

While I understand everyone has different tastes and vibes they enjoy in a book, it’s always hard when a book you love doesn’t hit the same for other people. While I like a majority of the books Cheyenne recommends, I can’t say its the same the other way around. There’s a couple of books I’ve had her read that I would put in my current top ten favorite books. She didn’t have as favorable of an opinion as me.

Let’s look at my No. 1 forever fave, “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. Am I super basic for this pick? Maybe, but it’s an adored classic for a reason. Cheyenne finally picked it up again this year after starting and getting through maybe five chapters last year. “When is something going to happen?” was her constant complaint.

OK, maybe these girls aren’t starving or in immediate danger at most points, but the older Bennet sisters are going through it emotionally! She got about 40% of the way through P&P and is now taking a break to wait until an online book club she’s a part of picks it up. She loves anything to do with that group, so maybe they’ll succeed where I’ve failed in making her love the novel.

Now that I think about it, many of the books that I love and she doesn’t are similar in that they’re vibes books, not plot books. The “Emily Wilde” series is fantastic, written like diary entries from a professor in 1909 who studies the fae (who just so happen to be real in this world.) There’s not a ton of action throughout the book, at least not until you get near the end of the first, but the vibes are immaculate.

Fantasy book club’s May pick is similar. While the setting of “For Whom the Belle Tolls” is a 180-degree difference from “Emily Wilde,” the things I love about it are similar. So much banter, people just doing what they enjoy. One is doing research for an academic paper, the other taking smack to those headed to Hell, but they’re both enjoying themselves, not super troubled by major issues in the world, and falling in love with their main male character at the same time.

Really, I can see this comparison in P&P as well. Lizzy is finding joy in her life through balls and trying to match her sister with a love, doesn’t have to worry about any major issues until near the end of the book and, of course, we get to see the Mr. Darcy slowly falling for her.

In the end, there’s a book for everyone. Some people love almost all books, while others are pickier. Either way, I’m happy to keep my cozy vibes, even if they’re not for everyone.