It’s time for another Top 10 Tuesday! This week we are discussing our bookish wish list. At the moment, my bookshelves are overflowing, as is my brain with bookish wants. So instead of items I want, I decided to write a wish list of things I would like to see from retailers, publishers, and authors. Some of these things I know won’t change, but a girl can wish, right?
Here’s my Bookish Wish List in no particular order!
Wish #1 Content and Trigger Warnings
I have noticed more discussions of content and trigger warnings (CW & TW) as of late. The warnings are often addressed in reviews and discussions of the book for those who don’t know. These warnings may include references to mental health, death, domestic violence, sexual assault, drug and alcohol abuse, and language. While I am not easily offended or bothered by most items in books, some are.
I have read 2 books this year that have easy-to-find warnings, and they are before the book starts. One book included the warning at the end of the synopsis. This did not inhibit my enjoyment of the book, though I was aware that I might find disturbing parts. The other book had an author’s note before the beginning of the book but after the title page. With this note, I knew a topic would be discussed in the book, even if briefly.
So if possible, please make these warnings a regular part of the book. It will make the reading experience easier for people.
Wish #2 Keep Series Covers the Same Style
Why do publishers change a cover style after the second or third book? While I am not a book snob, and this doesn’t often bother me. But I know it bothers some people.
This is the easiest example for me to come up with, as I have these books on my shelf at the moment. The first cover, The Cuckoo’s Calling, is the first book by Robert Galbraith. Like the next two in the series, it has a dark cover, and the spines are actually black with the title in white. The second cover, Lethal White, is the fourth book in the series, and as you can see, it a bit brighter. The spine is even white with green writing. I believe the fifth book, Troubled Blood, goes back to the dark cover. If that’s the case, that makes Lethal White stand out even more on the shelf. Why do this? Please stop!
Wish #3 Standard Height
As someone who sorts their books by height and then by whatever else suits me at the time, having books of various heights is such a pain! It makes it hard to sort and organize my shelves, no matter if I have the books standing up or laying them down. Also, it is difficult at times to have books stand on a shelf because they are an awkward height. For example, I have one fiction book that just barely fits on a couple of my shelves, while all of the others have a couple of inches to spare.
Wish #4 Standard Titles with UK & US Editions
Why do publishers feel the need to vary titles between the UK and the US? It makes it hard to remember if you’ve read the book or not. And there’s also some confusion when it comes to discussing the book. I’m looking at you The 7 Deaths of Evely Hardcastle (UK) vs. The 7-1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle (US).
vs.
Wish #5 Variety When Naming Books
I understand that there are thousands of books printed every year. I also know there are thousands of words in the English language. So why can’t different ones be used to name books? For example, if you search Goodreads for books with the word Verity in the title, there are about 1100 results. And verity isn’t a common word. Of those 1100+ results, 6 novels contained the word and 5 series on the first page alone. The first two books on the list are Verity by Colleen Hoover, released in 2018, and Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, which was released in 2012.
I’m not saying that one book deserves the right to use a certain word, but it is confusing when books with similar titles are being discussed only to learn later they are two very different books. So, can publishers please help a bookworm out by researching titles before releasing books? Thank you!
Wish #6 Standard Font Size and Style
Maybe this is just me, but why can’t books be published using standard font size and style? I’m not talking about every book being printed in large font (though my aging eyes do appreciate that). Also not being discussed is when books vary font style and line spacing to show different forms of communication in the story (i.e., italics for a letter between characters or bold for text messages). Instead, I’m talking about how some books seem to use a font size of 10 while others use a font size of 12.
This may not be as much of an issue now as it was in older books. I have books that were published in the 1960s that use a size 6 or 8 font. And that is really hard on these old eyes. But can we please have a set style to make it easier to read? Please?!
Wish #7 Spoiler Free Synopsis
Have you ever picked up a book, read the synopsis, and thought, “Well, I just read the whole book?” I know I have, and guess what happens? I don’t read the book. Why should I, when the synopsis just told me everything? This is especially annoying when it comes to thrillers and mysteries. Please don’t tell me everything that happens before and after the event. Tease it out; let me try to figure out what is going to happen.
Wish #8 Interesting Synopsis
I know, I know, I just said I want a spoiler-free synopsis. BUT you can at least make the synopsis interesting enough for me to consider buying the book! So many times, I can’t even get past the first sentence or two in a synopsis, or cover blurb, to want to read the book. Even if I think I’ll like the book, if the synopsis doesn’t grab my attention, the book is going back on the shelf.
Wish #9 Make New Books More Affordable
I will admit, I wouldn’t say I like buying new books. Why? Because they are so expensive. It seems that middle-grade books range from $10-$15, YA books from $20-$25, and adult books start at $25 and go up from there with many over $30. Books are luxury items; they aren’t something one needs (ouch, that hurt to write!); they are something one wants. And with so many books out there to read, it can become cost-prohibitive to buy all of the books one wants.
Sure, there are options to help save money. Like buying paperback (or softcover) over hardcover. Borrowing books from a library. Buying used books. Or even waiting a year or two until the books go on sale or get marked down. Those aren’t options everyone has access to. As new books have long waitlists at the library, used books can be damaged or nothing new, and who wants to wait 12-24 months to read the book that is super popular right now?
Wish #10 Stickers on the Cover
Why do bookstores insist on putting stickers on the cover of books? The stickers won’t come off easily and will tear the cover or leave a sticky residue. No one wants a torn cover or one that has a sticky spot that ends up being covered in dust and hair. Some stores have stickers that don’t leave residue or tear the cover, but most don’t.
If you want to tell me the book is highly recommended by your buyer, put a sign on the table or the shelf. Same if you want the book to go on sale. The only cover embellishments that are okay, at least to me, are awards. If the book won a major award or was even one of a few nominated for the award, by all means, put that sticker or logo on the cover. I know that helps drive sales, but it also helps people know they are reading books that others think are worth reading.
What do you think of my bookish wish list? Is there anything I missed?
Head over to That Artsy Reader Girl to see other bookish wish lists.
Looking for some books to read? Check out my book reviews and my monthly reading wrap-ups.
What a great list! You touched on two of my biggest pet peeves – stickers on the cover and changing the covers mid series.
I love all of these ideas…especially the content and trigger warning one. That would make life easier for so many of us.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-bookish-wishes/
Ooooh, I take your ‘no sticky stickers on books’ and raise you ‘no “now a major Netflix adaptation” permanent stickers on books’. It’s the most annoying thing in the world! If I’m buying the book AFTER the adaptation comes out, I’m probably buying it BECAUSE I’ve seen/heard about the adaptation and want to read the source material. You don’t need to advertise the show to me!
I’m also with you on spoiler free synopsis. The ‘big twist’ being revealed in the synopsis just makes the book feel so slow because you just want it to get past the information you already know about going into it.
This is such a great wishlist.
I don’t like when publishers not only add the “Now on Netflix” bit on the cover, but when they change the cover all together for the adaptation. I don’t understand it.
I love this list and 100% agree with it. Especially 1, 5, 7, 9, 10!! Thanks for sharing. My post is: https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2021/06/top-ten-tuesday-bookish-wishes.html
I also have a giveaway going so be sure and stick around and check it out :)!!!
Love your take on the topic and agree with all of these! We definitely need more content and trigger warnings and it would be awesome if all books would be the same height at least 🙂
Seriously, why do bookstores insist on putting stickers on book covers? I hate that! The stickers always leave residue that ruins the pretty covers. Ugh. I hope the book fairy is listening on this one.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
It’s also when the stickers cover part of the title or author’s name.
I also hate how my library will put their sticker over the synopsis; how am I supposed to know if I want to read the book if I can’t read the whole synopsis?
Oh my God, I agree with every single one of these. Great list!
I don’t think there’s a single reader who likes stickers on books. I agree about more affordable books. I like how some publishers will release a book in hardback and paperback at the same time and would like to see that more in the US.
AMEN to all of these! Especially #4 and #7, but all are great. Good job!!
Great idea for your list! I agree with so many of your points. It drives me crazy when a book size or cover style changes mid-series!
I would definitely appreciate uniform heights!
Love your twist on this week’s topic and I’m definitely with you on wanting every book to have a spoiler free synopsis and on getting rid of stickers on books.
Hello! I love this list, I agree with all of these! Specially the stickers on the cover… why… >.<
Oh, gosh, I could add so many wishes to your list.
As a multilingual reader, I have even more problems with book spines being printed in a different direction in other languages.
Different kind of heights is only one minor problem. I sort my books by author and therefore they are all different.
It would also be nice if the translated titles would at least be similar to the original, that way I can talk to other people about them without having to look up the translated one. You would not believe how different the titles can be in different languages. We always had a lot of fun in our international book club comparing covers and titles.
As to spoiler free synopsis. I’d be happy if there were a synopsis at all. Sometimes they only tell me that ABC publisher rated this book “magnificent” and XYZ said “Greatest book of the year”. How am I supposed to know whether I’d like the book at all?
And as to affordable books, I’d be happy if paperbacks were published at the same time as the hardbacks. In Germany, it can take years until the paperback comes out, that’s why I read so few German books.
Plus, I couldn’t agree more about the stickers! I also don’t like a film picture on the cover. I might buy the book after the film, I’d still prefer to have the original cover.
Another wish I would like to add. A map at the end or beginning of the book if it’s about a certain country or area. And a time line of other events if it has something to do with history. I hate having to have a second book next to mine in order to look up stuff.
Anyway, fantastic to read your wishlist. I totally enjoyed id.
Thanks for visiting my TTT earlier.
This is such a great list! I like how you used the prompt to address more arbitrary book wishes instead of just books. I agree that if publishers implemented these it would be so much better! 🙂
So many great points here! Standard heights though! 😭 This! I’d love my bookcase to look more neat and tidy!
I totally agree with wishes 2, 3, and 10! What a fun way to interpret this week’s topic. Thanks for stopping by my post this week at Lisa Loves Literature too!
love your take on this theme!! and found myself nodding in agreement at each one.. if you ever send a petition to the publishers (maybe this post can be considered one?), then you have my signature on it..
here is my top ten (well, more than ten as always but…)
Bookish Wishes That I Would Love to Come True
I love this wishlist. especially number 7. i never read synopsis for this reason and when i love a book and am surprised, people go, but the synopsis told you this, it wasn’t a surprise, and then i feel dumb.
Ooh I love your answers this week! And I’m with you on all of them – but especially the trigger warnings. I really struggle with sexual assault in books. Sometimes I’ll read it anyway, but it’s nice to know that it’s coming at least.
I love your take on this prompt! So much yes to content warnings. There’s not much that I don’t read, personally, but there are definitely some things I won’t read, and it’s nice to know that going in rather than needing to abandon a book midway through.
Oh my gosh, the series cover thing, though! That frustrates me SO MUCH. That’s one thing I’d like to see, too. I can understand doing a re-release and changing the covers of the entire series, though. But not just swapping mid-series.
Great list! Stickers on covers drive me crazy! To merge two of your points, books that change size mid-way through a series are another pet peeve. My Harry Potter books are two drastically different heights so they look funny on my shelves. I’m fighting the good fight against reading glasses (thanks to adjustable fonts on my Kindle) but I read an edition of Gone with the Wind that was published in the late ’60s several years ago, before reading glasses were on my horizon. My head ached every time I surfaced from that tiny font! How did people manage it back then? I guess they got reading glasses or bifocals earlier than we do now.
I love your take on the prompt! Yes to content/trigger warnings and keeping series covers in the same style. And yes to no stickers on the cover!
I love your take on this week’s TTT, and I agree with all of them! I really wish content warnings were more normalized and can we please agree to not change covers midway or have them in different sizes. Also it’s time to have that dreaded sticker as removal thing.