Book Girls Don’t Cry is a feature where we will discuss/vent/advise on a bookish topic. This feature is co-hosted with the lovely Amy at Book Loving Mom.
Hey guys! This time around Stella and I got together to chat about swearing in novels. We talk about all sorts, from when there is “too much” to the dreaded made up versions that you sometimes find. Watch and weigh in with what you think about some good ol’ bad words when you read.
How do you feel about bad words in novels?
We’re looking for topic suggestions for future BGDC posts! What would YOU like to discuss (can be anything from vents to advice)?
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ailynk
well.. should be a balance between swearing and proper sentences? probably that’s why I hate gangster books
Carrie
Great topic! I have a huge potty mouth myself (I know I’m terrible) so I don’t mind reading it. However, I still have my limits. I don’t like it when it’s so bad that it distracts you from understanding what they’re trying to say in the first place and all you got out of a sentence was filthy words and missed the point they were trying to make. Also, there are some potty words that are even disgusting for me say let alone read.
Sarah C.
Swearing in novels is fine with me as long as it fits the context and doesn’t feel forced. Some stories would not be authentic if the characters didn’t swear.
I really enjoy watching your Book Talks! I hope you continue doing them!
Dana @ The Nerdy Journalist
I don’t mind swearing in books because I swear a lot in real life. Swearing is natural. Hearing it is an everyday occurrence. It can be used to make dialogue sound more realistic or as a form of characterization.
The Legend trilogy, one of my favorite series, actually has a lot of pseudo swears. Normally, I find them distracting, but I didn’t really mind with Legend because I got so swept up in the story. The books are set far into the future, and I found myself thinking that a change in lexicon isn’t hard to believe at all. There are a lot of swear words used today that didn’t exist in the past.
On the other hand, I can’t stand pseudo swears in contemporary novels or any other novels set in the present.
Alexa
I feel like there is a place and time for swearing and it is annoying when the entire book is nonstop swearing but if it is used in the right moments then it works. It just has to fit the characters and situation.
Great video
Joy @ The Bookshelf Intruder
I swear a lot but usually only in my mind so I don’t know if that makes me a potty mouth. Probably not. I don’t mind reading swear words in books as long as used sparingly, or if they serve a purpose. I really don’t mind unless it mucks up the meaning of the sentence.