Books Unfiltered: Rants, Reviews, and Reflections
This is not just another collection of reviews. It's where I get real about books-no filters, no sugar-coating. From dissecting the latest Wattpad hits to ranting about clichés, tropes, and everythin...
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⁓It's okay to shed the tears But don't you tear yourself⁓
THE TROPES WE LOVE TO HATE
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I don't even know what we're going to talk about today. These are just some scattered thoughts that refused to fit neatly into categories, so I thought, why not embrace the chaos? Grab your coffee, and let's dive in.
This post covers sensitive topics including mental health, trauma, and stalking. Please proceed with caution if these subjects are triggering for you.
The Overuse of Mental Health Issues
As I mentioned in the Wattpad Red Flags episode, mental health is often used as a light topic in stories—thrown in without much care or thought. Well, that was just a glimpse. Let's dig deeper.
These days, it's rare to find a Wattpad story without a character suffering from major mental health issues. Don't get me wrong—life is tough, and people face continuous challenges. But the problem lies in how writers portray recovery from these struggles.
For example, PTSD is often written like it only affects how you treat your partner. Nothing else. No health issues, no financial struggles, no societal impact. Just love. And apparently, only love can heal them.
If a lover's kiss or a hug could erase years of trauma, why are people spending years studying psychology and training to become therapists? Seems like we could all save a lot of time and money.
Instead of brushing over mental health, writers could show authentic journeys of recovery—therapy sessions, moments of vulnerability, and yes, setbacks too. These elements add depth to characters and make stories more relatable.
Then there's the "love fixes everything" trope. You know the one: the love interest becomes a walking, talking therapist—minus the qualifications.
Don't get me wrong—relationships can be healing. But they're not a substitute for professional help. Love doesn't erase trauma; it provides support while you work through it.
And then we have OCD and ADHD—two of the most misunderstood and misrepresented conditions in Wattpad stories. Writers slap these labels onto characters, thinking it makes them "quirky" or "relatable." What's next? Are we trying to become Bollywood celebrities who claim, "I have OCD!" just because they like their space neat and tidy?
The misconception that OCD equals loving cleaning and organization is on another level. Seriously, is this a trend now? Because if it is, I missed the memo.
OCD is so much more than being "super clean." It involves intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and a daily battle with anxiety that can feel overwhelming. But does that make it into the story? Nope. Instead, we get protagonists whose "OCD" just makes them great at color-coding their wardrobe. Groundbreaking.
