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Why Readers Dislike Books

👋 Hey Reader,

I finished a book last night where one of the main characters dies. I won’t tell you which book—that would be a spoiler—but the ending got me and my wife talking about why readers give books bad reviews.

A lot of readers hate it when a good character dies. If a story doesn’t have that fairytale ending, some readers feel disappointed—so much so that they hop on Goodreads or Amazon to leave a negative review.

Don’t be that reader.

Here’s why: fiction isn’t supposed to be a fairytale. Good fiction is about life—the ups and the downs. People die. Bad things happen. It’s okay.

George R.R. Martin, author of Game of Thrones, once said he hates reading books about war because the authors are rarely honest. He can’t stand it when a platoon goes through harrowing experiences, yet no one dies. The author didn’t have the courage to kill a character.

That’s not life. In war, people die.

Next time you read a book, consider rating it for its honesty rather than its fairytale ending. A good book should make you think—even if it makes you think about the hard stuff.

📚 Until next time, read slowly - take notes - apply the ideas.

-Eddy

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New This Week:

Book Recommendation As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner An Update on Life I'm changing things up. Let me explain. What We're Reading in Book Club The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

Book Recommendation

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

I’ve been meaning to read As I Lay Dying for years. It sat on my shelf, giving me the evil eye, as if to say, “William Faulkner was one of the best. Why haven’t you read me yet?!”

Guilt finally got the better of me, and I pulled it off the shelf.

It’s unlike any book I’ve ever read. At its core, it’s about a family traveling across Mississippi to bury Addie Bundren, the matriarch. The story is told from multiple perspectives, which is fascinating—because death, and how we handle it, is different for everyone. The family must prepare the coffin, navigate their differences, and make the long journey to bury her in her family’s land.

William Faulkner was a prose guy. His voice was unmistakably his own. I’ve yet to find another author who sounds like him on the page.

I love this book for many reasons, but most of all, I love it for telling the truth.

Get Your Copy at Edgewater→

An Update on Life

I'm Changing Things Up - Let Me explain

I’ve been avoiding social media for a few months now. I haven’t posted a YouTube video, and my Facebook page has gone quiet.

And you know what? I’m happier.

The truth—which you probably already know—is that you can never feed social media enough. It’s always starving.

So, what have I been doing instead? For the past 14 months, I’ve been writing a novel. It’s not the first book I’ve tried to write, but it is the first one I actually like—and am proud of.

And look—I have physical proof! I'm currently editing the 4th draft.

I’ve always wanted to be a published author, and I hope one day to see this novel on the shelves. I’m pouring my heart into every word, which means I simply don’t have the creative energy to post on Facebook every day.

But some parts of my life add creative energy. I love writing this newsletter each week and recording the podcast—who doesn’t love talking about great books? Thanks for listening, by the way. And most of all, I love our book club. Every Tuesday night, I get to spend the evening with you, discussing literature. Thank you for coming. And thank you for your support.

P.S. – If you’re curious about my manuscript, here’s the "working" elevator pitch:

Working title: Thought Manual 13.

P.P.S. – I hope to submit this manuscript to literary agents sometime this year. If I do manage to get an agent and jump through all the hoops, it will take a very long time before it is published.

Update From Book Club

What We're Reading

Edition: Le Guin, Ursula K. The Dispossessed. Harper Voyager, 2024. ISBN 978-0-06-338293-0

​Get Your Copy Here​

Reading Pace: 15 pages / day

Dates: 3/10/2026 to 4/07/2026

Online Meetings Held: Tuesdays at 8:30 EST – [Click here to join]​

The Dispossessed is a philosophical science fiction novel that contrasts two societies: one rooted in anarchist ideals and the other in capitalist excess. Through physicist Shevek’s journey between these worlds, Le Guin explores themes of freedom, responsibility, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Three questions to consider while you read:

1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the anarchist society portrayed in the novel?
2. How does Le Guin use Shevek’s scientific work as a metaphor for communication and change?
3. What parallels can be drawn between the two fictional societies and o

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Hi, I'm Eddy. How Can I Help? Feel free to respond to this email. Let me know how I can make your experience in our reading community better, or if you have questions, I'm all ears. As always, read slowly - take notes - apply the ideas. -Eddy

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