When you read a lot, and you identify as a reader, it’s almost certain to follow that you’re on the hunt for recommendations.  What’s the big new release that everyone’s talking about?  The under-the-radar sleeper that I need to pick up?  The classic author I’ve somehow missed?  The perfect-right-now next read that I should have on deck?

I’m no exception – I’m always looking for tips and recommendations for my next read.  I get them all over the place – from other blogs, bookish Twitter, bookstagram, podcasts and friends – and I’m invariably interested in hearing a quick summary of a recommended book, so I can judge for myself whether I might like it or not.  (I’m not one of those people who like to go into a book completely blind.  I have limited time in which to read and I’d prefer to know that there’s at least a chance I’ll enjoy a book before I pick it up and devote time to it.)

When you read enough book blogs, follow enough bookish accounts on social media and listen to enough podcasts, you get to know the book reviewing jargon that bloggers toss around in their reviews.  For better or for worse, there are some words that get used a lot, and that can actually be a good thing.  When we’re all speaking the same language, it can be easier to sniff out the books that have the most likelihood of success for a given reader.

But there’s one review word I absolutely hate, and if I hear it spoken by a podcast host, or read it in a review, it’s a guaranteed nope for me.  Doesn’t matter how great the book is.  If I hear this word – I’m done.  I won’t read it.

UNFLINCHING.

I recently realized that the word unflinching is a poison pill for me and books and at first I thought it was because I do tend to gravitate toward cozy reads and comfort books.  No one is going to call Miss Read, Angela Thirkell or Jane Austen unflinching.  They are fully flinching.  (Well, Austen is a straight shooter when it comes to the perils of spinsterhood in Regency and Georgian England.  But she manages to package it well.)

But actually – that can’t be it.  I’ve read plenty of books on difficult subjects.  Between the World and Me was no walk in the park, and The Underground Railroad and The Handmaid’s Tale were straight-up horrifying.  And I’ll give fair, active consideration to books that reviewers describe as “raw” or “honest” or “troubling” or “challenging” or any other number of words.  Certainly, I don’t shy away from the tough stuff.

I just really, really hate the word unflinching.  I feel like it’s a cop-out; it’s what reviewers say when they know a book is hard to read but they don’t want to put the time and emotional energy into explaining why.  Maybe they only have so many on-air minutes to devote to the book, or they’re just tired after a long day and don’t feel like typing another paragraph.  That’s fine – I get it.  I just can’t stand the word, and it’s a deal-breaker for me.

So, please, if I write a book review and I call something unflinching, punch me.  I promise I’ll flinch.

Is there a book review buzzword you JUST! CAN’T! STAND!?