Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme that was originally created and hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books starting in August 2019, and was then cohosted by Dani @ Literary Lion from May 2020 to March 2022. Since April 2022, the meme moved to another host, Aria @ Book Nook Bits. Let’s Talk Bookish is a meme where participants discuss certain topics, share their opinions, and share their love by visiting each other’s posts.
This wee’s topic is suggested by our host Aria and is: Are bookish clichés inherently bad?
Prompts: There are lots of clichés that can be found in books, from love triangles to the chosen one to the boy next door. What makes a cliché a cliché? Is a cliché inherently bad to have in a book? Or can an overused storyline or theme be done well? What are your least favorites? Are there any cliches you will tolerate, or even enjoy reading?
What makes a cliché a cliché?
Oh, this is a good one! I often really dislike books that are full of clichés. For me, clichés are super obvious plot points or character thraits that return in every single book. Once a certain formula has been proven succesful, it gets copied by every author/publisher and is used in so many books that are published around the same time. Lately,I’ve been seeing a trend in my country that huge Booktok hypes get translated. These are often quite tropey. Also, books with little cafés, bakery’s, cottages in coastal towns that need to be saved, historical fiction with a dual timeline narrative and so on are often published now and to be quite honest: they aren’t super interesting or outstanding anymore. I often loose interest quite quickly whith these types of books. We have a special genre foor feelgood novels and they often have these clichés. So, once something is definitely overused, it’s turning into a cliché. Therefore I barely read thrillers anymore, because they turn very predictable lately. My rule: books with a high predictable plot are most likely to be full of clichés.
What makes a cliché a cliché? Is a cliché inherently bad to have in a book? Or can an overused storyline or theme be done well?
I don’t believe a cliché is inherently bad per se, but publishers should have to be careful in planning books using nearly the same formula. When they get published in the small window of time, they can turn out to be inherently bad since they are overdone. People are fullfilled then with these kind of books. To me, an overused theme can be done well once the auther put some more layers to their characters and storylines. I want – and need – more depth in my character development. Cliché books tend to lack this.
What are your least favorites?
The Tiktok hypes! Okay okay, there are several good once, I really enjoyed both Twisted Love and Fourth Wing, but they mostly use the same poorly excecuted themes and plot. Also, I’m really over the office romance and the fake dating. I never liked them anyway, so having too many books with them is the worst for me.
Are there any cliches you will tolerate, or even enjoy reading?
Well, I really enjoy new adult rromances. They are full of tropes, but they often have more emotional depth. These books often are set in college and the main characters have a lot of serious bagage. They want to start fresh and they always find a love interest. You know how the story ends only by reading the blurb, but the transition into adulthood is always interesting to witness. Also, I tolerate the chosen one, although it has been used a lot in YA. Sometimes it’s inherently bad, but often enough the world surrounding the chosen one is interesting.
I probably forgot to say something, but I believe I have said everything I wanted to say on this topic. What do you think about clichés in books? Do you think they are inherently bad or are there ones you enjoy?
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