Hello and a very warm welcome to damppebbles. It’s Tuesday which means it’s time for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday post. I’ve decided to take part in That Artsy Reader Girl’s Top Ten Tuesday meme to mix things up a little here at damppebbles. Add a little bit of variety to our bookish weeks.

The meme was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish but has lived with Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl since January 2018. It was created to encompass a love of books, of lists and to bring readers together. If you would also like to take part then you’re very welcome: the more, the merrier. Just make sure you link back to Jana’s post every week. If you don’t have a blog, then no problem, just add your list to the comments below.

This week’s theme is Buzzwords or Phrases That Make Me Want to Read (or Avoid) a Book (these words or phrases can be in the title, synopsis, marketing materials, reviews, author blurbs, etc. and immediately pique your interest or immediately make you say “NOPE”. Examples include: fae, forbidden romance, morally grey characters, unreliable narrator, found family, magical worlds, love triangle, marriage of convenience, dark academia, stranded, dragons, dual points of view, starting over, etc.). Hmmm. Interesting theme this week. Not sure how I’m going to get along with it. I’ll include both words/phrases that draw me in as well as ones that put me right off of a book. Good to have a mix! 

1. Serial Killer Thriller 👍
Well, yes. I love serial killer thrillers so if a book is described as one, it immediately has my attention.

2. Unreliable Narrator 👍 & ⛔
I have a funny relationship with the unreliable narrator. I hate the drippy, clueless, unknowing ones. I do, however, like an intentional unreliable narrator. Someone who knows they’re being sly and cunning. Characters who intentionally lead the story astray.

3. Cosy Mystery ⛔
Nope. No thank you. (Unless you’re Richard Osman or Janice Hallett, that is.)

4. Final Girl 👍
Yes, yes please! I’m a huge fan of the final girl trope. Just LOVE IT!

5. Small Town Mystery 👍
Where do I sign?

6. A Twist You’ll Never See Coming 👍 & ⛔
OK, challenge accepted. Please don’t disappoint me, lol!

7. Locked Room Mystery 👍
Always a winner in my eyes. But please, make the setting interesting!

8. Romance ⛔
Yup, not a fan.

9. Diabetes ⛔
My husband made me add this one. As someone with Type 1 Diabetes, it’s a pet hate of mine. Whenever Diabetes features in a book, the details are often incorrect. “Quick, she’s having a hypo. Where’s her insulin….?” 🤦‍♀️ Or, “Oh no, you’ve given me a large shot of insulin….[then they’re dead before they can finish the sentence. Granted, you can get ultra-rapid insulin but seriously….]

10. Based on a True Story ⛔
Swerve, thank you very much.

It was quite difficult to come up with this list. So much so, I asked my husband if he had any ideas! I know what I like, and I know what I don’t like. I just can’t bring any of it to mind on the spot 🤭 How did you find today’s theme? Are you taking part in Top Ten Tuesday this week? Let me know in the comments.

So there we have it! If you fancy joining in next week then head on over to That Artsy Reader Girl’s blog to find out what the next theme is!