bookish things i want to LEAVE in 2024 👀📖 *ready to cause chaos*

[@Pharm2be]

I’m tired of people thinking a three star review is bad. Three stars means it’s good/enjoyable. In my opinion, three stars is like an average book. I see people being like “it’s got a lot of three star reviews” and I just don’t get why that’s negative.

[@ghostinyourcloset]

me too! especially because everyone's rating system is different. mine used to be of how good it was "objectively" and if there were unresolved plot holes, too many characters, etc etc. but in the past year or so, i've been rating it based on my own enjoyment because i think that matters more when i mainly read for escapism, though i can recognize flaws in the books.

[@imdva]

i agree with the other commenter that everyones rating system is different and for me personally a 3 star is not necessarily bad, but theres nothing special about it so if a book mainly has 3 stars I probably wont be quick to read it unless I'm loving the synopsis.

[@stefanielozinski]

The problem is Amazon. Amazon counts 3 stars as a negative review, so authors are penalized by the algorithm for 3 star reviews. For better or for worse, for a lot of authors, Amazon is the biggest place they sell books by a huge margin, so losing sales there really stinks. Not that authors should be complaining about however readers want to review, but there is a reason behind it that readers might not realize.

[@VeeBlack]

3-Stars is my "everyday average escapism read that is nice but not too special, don't hate it and would recommend if you like to get your brain off of things for a few hours" I can't give those book more than 3.5 Stars because then everything I read would be 4-stars and then that would be losing the 4-star meaning of "I liked it more, might have gotten emotional, etc." 5 stars is a rare thing for me because that means "I LOVE it, makes me think a few times after I read it and made me feel things, was overall especially enjoyable". So 3-Stars is not bad just nothing too special but I can still recommend it. Sad that retailers see it as bad so it looks bad in general.

[@shareneanorak2159]

For me, five is excellent, four is good, three is meh (leaning in good), two is bad and one is "I actually wanted to give it a zero but I can't"

[@NikkiKwps]

My boyfriends dyslexic he listens to audiobooks. He says he finds trying to read a physical book too much hard work and he can’t enjoy the story that way. He gets so happy when he finishes an audiobook and comes to tell me all about it. He’s still read the book. It annoys me when people say audiobooks don’t count.

[@maisenf]

im dyslexic too! listening to audio books while following along with the text is how I learned to read

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@NikkiKwps this is literally so sweet 🥹 audiobooks are ALWAYS considered reading to me xx

[@jespernielsen8549]

Of course audiobooks count. It doesn't matter how you ingest a book as long as you ingest it.

[@Jodie_Tea]

I also always believed it counted it's the oldest forum of telling stories unfortunately I can't deal very well with just the audio I need the book aswell or I get distracted the same way I never used to well when my mum or teacher read to me I'd forget so much because my mind would go off on torrents and daydreams. I'd love to be able to listen to audios more so I could also be cleaning or going on a walk or. Exercising.

[@delphvine89]

Whoever tells you listening to books doesn’t count is wrong. It does count 😁.

[@sardonisms]

This one is for the publishers. Not making it clear ON THE BOOK JACKET whether a book is a standalone or how many books are planned in the series. I shouldn't have to go dig up the original book deal announcement to find out that a book is the first in a planned trilogy. Amazon might list it as book one of a series, but some of us are shopping at brick and mortar stores, or browsing in a brick and mortar library. And there's still a big difference in commitment between a duology and an open-ended series.

[@andysartz]

I agree! I believe that's how my aunt ended up gifting me the fourth book in a series, like, 5 Christmas ago. I still haven't read it, because I'd have to buy/borrow the other 3 books before I get to it. So annoying!

[@mushu1168]

I started reading last year and only set my goal to 1. This year I set it to 2. I do not want to be stressed and pressured to read a lot, so I just read at my own pace.

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@mushu1168 this is perfect 💖 x

[@aledslvr8678]

I did this too. I felt less pressured and don’t feel bad about how long it takes me to finish

[@user-wc6bl4zs4i]

That’s great. Never feel pressured to read more than what works for you!

[@OrangeSun55]

Thats still one book that many people dont read! (its not a competition ofc) I really dislike how people read super fast too, as a slow reader i can take my time really gain from the book. As long as were enjoying it its good :)

[@jespernielsen8549]

That's the way to do it. If you feel pressured, you won't enjoy reading.

[@aledslvr8678]

I’ve had so many books spoiled because of quotes on TikTok. Specifically shatter me and magnolia parks 😩

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@aledslvr8678 omg YES i see both of those all the time 😱

[@VeeBlack]

I still haven't finished Iron Flame because someone posted the plot twist at the end as an effing still picture as their TT video.. I'm still mad about it. I was just scrolling, not even on booktok or whatever (I rarely use TT in general) and that showed up. Put the book aside and haven't picked it up again. Eventually try to finish it before the next is out but that made me so angry.

[@msmitsugirl]

As a girl that works 12 hours shifts, audio books are what got me back in to reading. I listen on my commute and while working. I have no time at home

[@moony2414]

I personally have no reading goals. The only thing I do is trying to read everyday, even if it's only 5 pages of a comic book, but I don't put the pressure on myself of reading a minimum number of books. There's years where I'll read 30 books and there's others where I'll read 120 books, and that's ok

[@haikatos]

I used to think that audiobooks weren't reading, but after opening up with people and listening to their reasons to listen to audiobooks, I do belive it is reading. It's useful, not only for ppl with dissabilities, but also for people who are busy or need to have something in the background while they do other things.

[@bluecannibaleyes]

It being useful for people who can’t/don’t have time to read doesn’t make it reading, though. That’s like saying that a toddler read a book when actually an adult read the book to them. Listening and reading are still different things regardless of the reasons that someone is listening instead of reading. And calling it what it is isn’t hating on audiobooks, either. I don’t care if people enjoy audiobooks. I just get annoyed at everyone constantly INSISTING that it’s ‘reading’ and calling me names for saying that it’s listening.

[@haikatos]

@@bluecannibaleyes I would say that there needs to be a word specifically for getting the plot of a book, the story. This way there won't be problems like these. Still, you can consider it reading or not, but don't inforce your own personal valoration on other people. Tbh I don't care if you consider it reading or not, I'm with you on the point that you aren't reading directly, but for me reading is just enjoying the media word by word, either reading it or listening to it being read to you. I do belive that we need another word that means reading a book or listening to an audiobook to avoid people fighting. Also, I'd add, don't care what others do. Getting annoying will only make your life worse.

[@bluecannibaleyes]

@@haikatos Listening already encompasses that. Listening implies comprehension. We don’t need another word, and we don’t need to call it reading. Everyone tries to enforce their personal opinion that ‘listening is reading’ on me, so why shouldn’t I be allowed to enforce my opinion as well? I’m tired of this constant double standard of people not wanting me to ‘force’ my views on them while constantly forcing theirs on me. I wouldn’t have such a heated opinion on this if it weren’t for literally every channel I see having creators and hoards of commenters waggling their finger at people with my opinion and insisting that audiobooks MUST be seen as reading and that a person is some kind of -ist for differentiating between reading and listening. I honestly don't care if people enjoy audiobooks. They’re not my thing personally, but if people like them and they help more people enjoy books, that’s great. It just bothers me when they insist on calling it something that it isn’t when there’s already a perfectly good word for what it is, and then call people names for having a different opinion.

[@haikatos]

@@bluecannibaleyes Wow. First, I'm not trying to impose my opinion on you in case you felt it that way. Second, the world changes constantly and the meaning of things change with it, so we'll probably get another word for it or just change the meaning of a word to match it. It may seem crazy to us now, but maybe in 10 yrs we'll be using it. Third, I insist that you shouldn't get annoyed about what people think on the internet, you probably won't know them ever, so why waste time? Fourth, if it really annoys you, maybe you should get off of the internet, take a deep breath, go for a walk, read, or do something that makes you feel good. Keeping negative feelings because someone's opinion on the internet isn't healty. Keeping negative feelings because someone's opinion doesn't match yours isn't healthy. With this and all, i hope you have a nice day.

[@bluecannibaleyes]

@@haikatos I was talking about people in general, not necessarily you. But you’re certainly not helping your case by spreading the toxic positivity nonsense that you just did. No thanks, I think I’ll continue to express my opinions on the internet just like everyone else. Other people get to say negative things about my opinions and not get chastised. I think I should be allowed to complain just like everyone else. I’m going to still have my opinions regardless of whether I tell them to people on the internet or not. Keeping them all bottled inside would actually be way more unhealthy than discussing them. You are aware that the people and ideas on the internet also exist in real life, right? The things that annoy me on the internet also frequently annoy me in real life. Stepping away from the internet doesn’t just turn off everything annoying. I get that this is ultimately a trivial topic, but the type of mentality that goes along with it goes beyond just this topic. And so does the mentality of essentially telling people to shut up and ignore things unless they have something nice to say about it.

[@MatthewGregory-oj5zr]

Relationship spoilers for series as well. On book 2 of acotar and seen countless spoilers for endgame relationships. Always pop up when you least want to see them 😂

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@MatthewGregory-oj5zr it’s literally the WORST 😭

[@kingboogy7706]

My first big year of reading, i set my goal to 8 and read 8. The next year i set it to 12 and read 8. The next year i set it to 50, and read 61. Theres nothing wrong with only reading a few books.

[@thecozyintrovert]

I never understand people who won’t DNF. My husband is one of those people. I’m like if you’re not enjoying it why are you reading it!!?! Life is too short, I’ll never get to all of my TBR before I die, so I DNF books like it’s a bodily function.

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@thecozyintrovert LITERALLY!! like why are you putting yourself through that 🤪😂

[@de5072]

Getting my moneys worth 🤷🏽‍♀️ books arent cheap and my library doesn't have a lot of options that I haven't read already.

[@giraffewhiskers2045]

I think for me it’s because I had a time where I hated the great gatsby but watching the movie changed my perspective on it, and so I think reading a book changes that, plus I’ve only disliked one book and so I usually rate all books 4-5 stars and it makes me feel bad considering it makes me feel like a bad reader

[@AshCinis]

If I start a story and don't finish it, the thoughts of that story would consume more of my mind than finishing it would.

[@faramirbutnothatone]

Maybe this is just my ADHD, but I DNF books that I LIKE just cause I forget about them or move on to a new thing or because I just don't vibe with reading it in the moment. To me, DNFing isn't a shameful thing, it's just a part of any hobby. Sometimes you don't finish things and that's okay.

[@mad_hatt]

About the audiobook thing: I totally agree! As someone who listens to audiobooks I understand I’m not TECHNICALLY reading it, but I am still EXPERIENCING it. That’s what I think people miss! Reading is about the experience not the way you experience

[@haikatos]

Maybe we should come up with a name for it?? Like, idk restening? Sorry, that sounds so stupid

[@mad_hatt]

@ nah it’s ok! I think that’s a cute idea!

[@haikatos]

@@mad_hatt maybe with a better name tho

[@leighamontgomery981]

Re: judging people for their tastes … I think it’s a great test of people’s self-confidence and self-esteem. If seeing that someone doesn’t like a book you loved, or even specifically hated the thing you loved most, if that triggers you, you need to work on loving yourself and trusting that your opinion is RIGHT for YOU.

[@TheBeeesKnees]

Booktuber for the people ✨ Loved the part about reading amount. One of my main goals for 2025 is quality over quantity. I usually finish around 50 books a year now and my avg rating is 2.3 💀 so I’m gonna make the effort to just read 5 star predictions/things im actually interested in rather than buying into hype or w/e. Loved the video!! 🥰

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@TheBeeesKnees 🥹🥹 i’m crying thank youuuu!! and yay! i’m planning to do the same next year 🫶🏼 only books i know im gonna vibe with x

[@haikatos]

Yes! For this year I set 20 books, I was unable to make it (I'm on book 16 i belive), next year, my goal will be to read things I think I'll like and not so many things I used to like/are trendy.

[@DinoReader]

I've DNF'ed 29 books this year and I am so proud of myself for it.

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@DinoReader this is so slay 🙌🏼

[@Cmoore-Books]

I agree about the audiobook thing. I’m a very busy Children’s Librarian. I’m the Director at my library and sometimes I want to crochet and read at the same time. Also, those using clips from the audiobooks in their social media. Please be careful. It is illegal to use for your own purposes. It says it at the beginning I believe and I think at the end of the end of every one.

[@magdalenetibbitt8513]

I haven’t even finished your video, but your first point is SO REAL. Quote spoilers make me want to leave social media altogether

[@leighamontgomery981]

Haha I also had to comment before I finished the video

[@cattaylor8246]

The consumerism! I'd love to see people start using their public libraries instead of buying books!

[@haikatos]

I sometimes don't pick books from public libraries bc the library where I live has purely old books, they only take them out if no one picks them up in 5yrs or so. I got the whole Mortal Instruments saga gifted by the librarian bc they needed to make space for new books, she told me that usually they'll sell them, but no one had bought those ones and when I asked for them she saw the opportunity to get rid of them. I'll note that this is a local, very small library, like, around 4 long shelves at most (5m~). The books were. . . really used and kind of damaged, but it was one of those old editions that don't sell anymore, but at least I got 6 books for free ig, even though I only asked for the 5th one. They don't match with the ones I have, well, the ones I have don't match with eachother either. I have 3 books with the newest edition, 1 with the old one and now those 6 with the original edition.

[@Darius2010-r1g]

What we should leave in 2024: review bombong books that aren't even out yet (on goodreads) (Example: onyx storm)

[@Sarah_Dastan]

The way you did “jail” that was hilarious 🤣🤣👌🏻 like literally these videos deserve to go to jail

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@Sarah_Dastan 😂🤪

[@laurenelizabeth6524]

I feel very validated after this video lol I thought I was staying away from booktok because I was a negative nelly. These are all things that have annoyed me so much. Something has felt off about the reader community for a while now so I've just been keeping to myself for the most part. I follow some booktubers/booktoks, but I try to keep the randoms off my FYP.

[@giraffewhiskers2045]

Yes exactly, I like Colleen and I understand why or how people wouldn’t love her.. but personally I just think her book spoke volumes

[@helenajanuszki7428]

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THE DIFFERENT COVERS/ SIZES OF NEW BOOKS. like if you want to make money where people wont wait to buy ur new book that everyone is raving about, just sell different designs as a limited edition… imagine the money youd get from that……..

[@heyitsbex3]

THANK YOU! Audio books are simply more accessible for EVERYONE. Audio books give you freedom and flexibility. I love holding a book but I also LOVE listening to books on my commute to work

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@heyitsbex3 amen to this!!

[@roseargent8951]

That is definitely not true. Nothing is more accessible for “everyone.” Many people, myself included, can’t process audio books at all. Not to mention Deaf and HoH people.

[@bluecannibaleyes]

That doesn’t make it ‘reading’, though.

[@ShaePutnam]

Oh my goodness, thank you so much for standing up for people who listen to audiobooks! For 15 years, I struggled with dyslexia and couldn’t pick up a book to read. Even now, I still face challenges, though I’m finally able to read physical books. During those years, the only way I could keep up with my friends and join conversations about the books they were reading was through Audible. It’s heartbreaking when people say that listening to audiobooks doesn’t count as reading. That perspective dismisses so many people’s experiences, and it makes me so sad. Thank you for addressing this!

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@ShaePutnam 🫶🏼💖

[@ChristiannaByrne]

I love what you said about reading goals, and how everyone is different! Personally, I set my goal at 75 and I’m almost there. I read a lot and I read books pretty fast too. But my sister has never been a reader hardly at all, and she finally took a few of my recommendations this year!! She’s read 2 - 4 books so far this year, and I am so so proud and happy that she gave reading a try and liked it enough to keep going! For some people, reading at all is an accomplishment and I think it’s important to realize that. Love this video, thank you!

[@Yep1850]

Listening to audio books is totally valid and a great way to get a different perspective of the story! It’s not reading but listening is just another way to enjoy the book. I equate audio books to narrative podcasts in that way.

[@bluecannibaleyes]

Agreed. Apparently this is an unpopular view though, as I get attacked for it whenever I express it. Insisting that audiobooks are ‘reading’ instead of just calling it listening is something we should leave in 2024, imo. And people also need to realize that saying it’s not reading is NOT saying that it’s bad.

[@artistlee7068]

I’ve been proud of myself this past year or so that I’ve been reading during my lunches at work. It’s the time of day I can truly find to read and at the rate I’ve been going, I’ve been able to finish a book in a month! It’s a slow pace but it has allowed me to actually read books. Because of this, I’ve been able to finish the first Percy Jackson series and read Heroes of Olympus for the first time as an adult! And now it actually feels doable to actually read the books I’ve had on my shelves for years now that I’ve just never gotten to yet

[@makedam9263]

Omg the one where they don’t show the front of the book GETS ME!!!!! 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@makedam9263 drives me CRAZY!!

[@nevaehgutierrez7384]

I just found your channel maybe a couple of weeks ago, and you have quickly become one of my comfort booktubers! I love your vibes and energy. You seem so sweet and just full of happiness and you’re so real sometimes I just eat it up!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@nevaehgutierrez7384 omg you just made my day that was literally so sweet! 🥹🫶🏼 thank you so much x

[@nevaehgutierrez7384]

@ ofc!! We should all be thanking you for all the joy and effort you put in your channel!!❤️

[@asobimo5532]

Tagging an author period should be left in the past. Like why are you tagging them? Review spaces are for readers. It won't do any good for both authors or readers for the author to read the reviews. As we've seen in this year how easy ppl can spiral when reading reviews. If you were paid by the author? Sure. If you were sent an ARC? Sure. If you were paid by the publishing house? Sure. But for those instances disclose the fact you were paid or giften an ARC to review it, so people can form their own opinions on your review, considering you are being paid to review the book. If you were asked to be a beta reader? Sure, just don't post it publicly for everyone else to read. Just send it to them in their DMs or through email, it's for them to read and improved their writing, not for other readers to read. If you are just writing a review online? Nope, don't do that. It won't do you, or them any good. If you want to gush about the book, do it with your reading buddies, online or in reviews, but DON'T TAG THE AUTHOR. Chances are, if they are reading reviews already they will find your review at some point.

[@BeauNDarrows]

This is the exact opinion I have. Reviews of published works are for readers, not authors. Don't tag the author. And you also shouldn't care about hurting their feelings. They put the work into the world for others to consume. If you're going to get butthurt over some single, random person's opinion, maybe rethink why you're publishing. Authors shouldn't police their readers, and readers shouldn't be afraid to give their true opinions.

[@asobimo5532]

@BeauNDarrows Exact same thought here. And that's the only way to improve. If you don't get diverse opinions, but just positive ones, everything will stay the same. You don't have a reason to improve. But by people saying, hmm your narration is a bit lacking, or descriptions of characters are mostly flat, you can focus on those areas to improve your writing. And idk, it's just online etiquette for me that you shouldn't tag an author. If ppl do that, I instantly think they are doing it to get a reaction out of the author. Like when people talk bad about celebrity and then tag them. Like what was the purpose? Only to instigate.

[@Micmezle]

amen sister girl! I think another thing I would like to let go is thinking/saying that a 3 star is a bad or low rating. I agree with not tagging authors in a 3 star review but like a rating on goodreads? 3 stars is an "I liked it" I'm fairly certain. somewhere over there it says what the stars mean

[@SJisReading]

Yeah 3 stars should be an average book. It's in the middle.

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@Micmezle 100% girl i TOTALLY agree!!

[@juliet2244]

I’m obsessed with your book shelf’s!!! Im on book tube literally daily and I think yours are my now favourite, this is my first video and I had a great time!

[@TheKayla1014]

I always force myself to finish books because It helps me push through small plateaus in books.

[@giraffewhiskers2045]

As someone who doesn’t like slow beginning in stories I am really at least trying to get through a little life and Dracula, because I used to dislike “the great gatsby” I truly think movies and audiobooks change your mind sometimes

[@susanchrist3730]

I absolutely hated reading. It would take me forever to read a single book. I would end up getting headaches and would just lose interest. Then I found audiobooks. And I am devouring them. Not everybody likes to read a physical book or can read a physical book. I have issues now with my eyes and ADD. If you think audiobooks are not reading, you're being ableist.

[@renflower1910]

I have to disagree with you on calling people ableist for saying audiobooks doesn’t count as reading. Listening to audiobooks and reading are completely two different things. That’s not opinion, it’s a fact. Let’s not try to change the definition. I suffer with ADHD and I too didn’t like reading and not reading for a long time took a toll on my grammar, spelling, attention span, etc. when I started reading books again, I started to improve on those things I mentioned. Listening to audiobooks especially reading a book at the same time is good. But solely relying on audiobooks all the time has its drawbacks.

[@Mediocre_at__best_lil]

Such a big YESSS on the audiobook part!! I primarily read books on paper, but I always have a designated book that I’ll listen too while I sew or I’m crocheting because as a writer I prefer having my mind engaging with a story flowing through it that I can be evaluating than simply watching a movie or KZbin (of course there’s always the time for those as well as I’m on KZbin right now😂)

[@aimeek9759]

Spoilers are a big thing to leave behind, I recently started a manga and I had been looking at reviews for the SECOND volume to see people’s thoughts and someone had put end of the series spoilers with character names, and now I hate knowing what’s going to happen because it’s something I NEVER would have even thought a possibility

[@niconico4962]

Which manga was it?

[@aimeek9759]

kitchen princess, it’s an older manga that a friend really wanted me to read

[@user-wr7ng5od8f]

Yes girl!! Agree with how much I hate the name and quote spoilers on social media! And I hate all the video shorts of book recs where half of the 60 sec video is the profile of books and then a quick turn to the titles!

[@Jessireadsalot]

I think the profile of the book drives engagement because people listen to the whole thing waiting to see what the title is. If you give the title first, people swipe off.

[@VarricsBianca]

I also have issues with the cringey-ness of audiobook narrators BUT where I will almost exclusively read audiobooks is nonfiction. I love listening to nonfiction audiobooks like it’s an educational podcast 😍 it also just helps me absorb the information better.

[@leighamontgomery981]

I started listening to Liane Moriarty’s books on audio and LOVED the narrator, and then all of a sudden found one with a DIFFERENT NARRATOR and I did listen to it all the way through and it was a good book but I really struggled with the narrator.

[@AlohaAdri]

Totally agree especially with the spoilers…I like reading reviews before reading a book, but I can’t stand when people don’t preface the review with a spoiler warning…like C’MON Loved this video btw! So original! I definitely subbed after watching🫶🏽

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@AlohaAdri awww i know right!! and thank you so much 🥰 x

[@ShelbyTeach07]

"If We Were Villians" was spoiled for me from a Pinterest meme!!! *screaming, crying, throwing up

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@ShelbyTeach07 awww noooooooo 😭😭😭

[@leannapetrie3482]

My personal opinion on spoilers is if the book or series has been out for 10+ years, thats on me for not reading it yet. If the book is still pretty new then yes, please stop spoiling it!!

[@whitneywest3538]

There’s a book that came out this year with cartoonish characters on the cover as they’re walking away cuddled up together. I’m admiring the fall vibes when I do a double take. Male MC is walking away but his head is turned back the other way. So publishing houses dgaf. 😂

[@andreanitsova4103]

Listening to an audiobook is indeed a great way to help people who struggle with physical reading to experience the magic of books. However. What annoys me are the people who CAN easily read books but choose to listen to them (that's not my problem, bear with me) and then at the end of the year are like: "I read 100 books in 2024" "How I read 200 books in one year as a mom with a full time job". No, you didn't. You did not READ 200 books, you listened to them WHILE working, probably put them on 2.5x speed, and now you're showing off. THAT I do not consider reading. When it's about the competition and the views. But when that's the only possible way for you to (comfortably) read books - hell yeah, go on.

[@bluecannibaleyes]

Yeah, that’s part of why I can’t stand it when people insist that it is ‘reading’. Half the time, they just do it because they want to brag about ‘reading’ a huge number of books that would have otherwise been impossible for them to actually read. And the other half of the time they just want to to count people who can’t read as ‘readers’ because they put clearly equate reading with intelligence and want to put the hobby of reading on some sort of pedestal. Which is silly. I don’t understand the hangup against just calling it what it is: listening. Listening is perfectly fine. But it’s not reading.

[@renflower1910]

Agreed! Also for the people who only want to listen to audio books and don’t want to ever read books can cause problems grammar, spelling, etc. Audiobooks are good but always and only relying on them can have it’s drawbacks.

[@forcehearts]

Re: audiobooks, I always say "when I tell you I read a book and then start talking about that book, what am I really trying to convey, when you break down my meaning?" That I consumed the contents of that book. I sat with it, I put my mental energy into it, I can hold a conversation about it. Audiobook consumers can do those things and do. When we're talking about reading as a hobby, which most of us are, it 100% counts. And to try to gatekeep reading spaces and terminology from audiobook readers is so unbelievably rude for people who literally cannot physically read books for any number of reasons, which is just cruel and unnecessary.

[@whitneywest3538]

I was buying a book. In a bookstore. From a book seller. It was a retelling of a classic. She says oh I love ___, have you read it? No I had not, didn’t even know the gist of it. Going in completely blind. She looks me dead in the eye and says you’ll like this. It’s really dark and the author ends it so that you can draw your own conclusion. To this day I do not know what mighty power kept me on my side of register.

[@teighlorc2963]

I've been told in Australia that it's first year is large paperback and then after that they bring the small ones out. Since it's so expensive to produce hardbacks here. Also as for matching spines, The Dreamland Billionaire series changes drove me nuts

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@teighlorc2963 omg YES i forgot about dreamland billionaires that drove me NUTS :(

[@Erin-if3cy]

YES to all of this!! Also thank you for giving me the final sign that it's time to DNF my current read haha ❤

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@Erin-if3cy bahahah YES DO IT!

[@kay2631]

The books being different sizes has to do with them coming from different publishing houses. Different regions of the world have different size standard for their books.

[@laurenann4693]

I was already agreeing with everything you said but the thing that tipped me over into trusting you with my life is the fact that you’re displaying the special edition of Ari & Dante on your shelf and I’ve never seen another person who owns it, I got so so excited 😭🩶

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@laurenann4693 🥹🫶🏼🫶🏼

[@ariannasreads]

unfortunately i was spoiled for the ENDING of reckless by lauren roberts bc they used the audiobook and at the time, it literally just came out it. i still ended up loving the book but i wish i didn’t see it so i could’ve been more surprised

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@ariannasreads :((

[@athens583]

Writer here! This is really helpful for doing my own work moving forward, and I am so thankful about you pointing out booktokers tagging authors in negative reviews! When I read them, I have to be in the right mindspace and moment, or else it'll put me in a funk for the rest of the day. I love negative reviews for growth, but I need to do it on my own time

[@rhiannonpascual8133]

Personally I think that when people say ‘audiobooks are reading’ what they really mean is ‘audiobooks are a valid way of consuming and experiencing literature’. Reading is one verb, listening is another, both are valid and yet different. I think people who say listening to audiobooks isn’t ‘reading’ are actually arguing the semantics of the verb ‘to read’. If anything verbal storytelling is actually a pillar of early human communication and if anything can bring more depth to any text. So in essence, listening to audiobooks is not ‘reading’ but meaningful discussions can be had about the book regardless. Hope that clears up both sides of this ‘debate’ :)

[@renflower1910]

I agree. There are people out there who do believe listening to audiobooks books counts as reading and will call you ableist if you disagree with them which is silly.

[@kobaa5139]

O! M! G! 6:50 SAAAAMMMMEEEEEE!!!! Don't make me sit there looking at the pages for 10 seconds then show the cover for A second!! Or they have the books in a pile and pull the books off to show each one, BUT ONLY SHOW EACH ONE FOR HALF A SECOND!! BABY THATS NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR ME TO EVEN PAUSE THE VIDEO!

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@kobaa5139 bahahaha i feel this 😂

[@deliwoman3720]

YES CHARACTER NAMES. TOG was spoiled that way for me too!!!

[@Readwivy]

The audio book one is SO TRUE! My bf has glaucoma and is UNABLE to read physical books due to his low vision. I will immediately block people that say it's not actually reading bc yuckyyy

[@MoonlitBookworm73]

I don’t consider audiobooks to be reading, but that’s because I associate the word reading to the physical action. Audiobooks are absolutely a valid form of consuming a book’s content, and because we don’t really have another word, reading is perfectly fine to describe audiobooks!

[@bluecannibaleyes]

Except we DO have word for consuming an audiobook: listening. THAT word perfectly describes how one consumes an audiobook.

[@eboniara5444]

Your takes are all so valid like YES PLEASE.

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@eboniara5444 🫶🏼💖

[@heathermalmal9943]

I have pretty poor eyesight and just get vision fatigue in general at the end of the day so I listen to audiobooks. Honestly, it’s weird to me that people even argue about that? Like why does it matter to you if so-and-so is reading via audiobooks or not? Also this is the same thing with the whole debacle about how someone mentioned how many “words” were on the page, and someone else took it completely wrong and assumed they were upset about how many words were in the book and thought they were complaining about having to read. But the issue is, at least from my perspective is that publishers are slowly decreasing the size of the font which people with vision issues are noticing and if there are a ton of words on the page, it’s generally because the font is too small which makes it difficult to read. Regarding finishing a book that you don’t like, the other reason that would make sense to me is a financial reason. Sometimes if I paid x amount for a book, I would prefer to at least mark it as a book that I finished even if I didn’t get any enjoyment from it. 😅 10:54

[@CatherineSteele328]

I appreciate your videos/channel so much because I always know I can watch without having to worry about getting spoilers💜💜 there are booktubers ive had to stop watching because they keep spoiling stuff and it makes me sad :(

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@CatherineSteele328 awww that’s so sweet 🥰💖 this will always be a spoiler free space xx

[@totakluska]

I got back into reading last year and I set my initial reading goal to 30. I ended up with around 95 books in the end so seeing the "65 books ahead of schedule" gave me so much dopamine ❤️ This year I set to 80 but honestly, I don't care as much, I'm just trying to get through at least 8 books a month. And if I don't make it then at least the graph won't be a straight line 😂

[@gregorylucas3954]

100% to the audiobook debate. My brother is raising 2 kids under the age of five, works full time, and is in medical school and he opts for audiobooks over paperback so he can enjoy a book. Still counts in my universe.

[@ReaderandWriter.]

Here are my gripes. Fan art/AI showing spoilers. Haul videos. I know people get comped for those books because they are doing YT or have brand deals. It makes me feel inferrior and I won't be excited for the books. The constant cover changes. Hard covers. Saying "I'm OBSESSED!" Of course that's a nudge to buy it or you'll feel FOMO if you don't get it or love it just as much as they are. Or they say they love it and give it a 3 star. If you love it so much, it's a 5 star. People need to DNF and to put those as dnf so we can see that review. Speaking of reviews, the book-size reviews. Like, it's it your dissertation or something? Calm down, Hemmingway. This may give me heat but the troupe and trigger warnings. Those are spoilers. He falls first. How are we to anticipate that if we know it's coming? Book content creators showing their shelves and saying they hate this or that book and put it back on the shelf. There have been plenty of books that are gorgeous but the story was trash. Showcasing pretty books says to me you love it. Mixing read and unread books together. Wouldn't it be satisfying seeing a full unread shelf dwindle throughout the year and seeing the read shelf fill up or not (incase you unhaul). I am an audio book girl. I buy books that I want on my shelf. I am at 522 out of 600 on my reading goals. I read like 2 to 3 books a day, depending my mood. It's the ADHD part of me. I'm only competing against me. My husband has a 25 book goal this year and he physically reads and reads on Kindle. Gift guides are a link money grab. Reviews that spoil the story.

[@catherinebugden]

Yes to the audio take. I work 2 jobs so every single book I “read” I try and get in audio and physical (book/electronic). Also the reading competition. Normal readers laugh at the number some people read because LBR of your a book lover/ reader your reading way more than people making videos .

[@username.is.not.creative]

commenting this before i watch the video but YOUR MAKEUP- absolutely. love.

[@belleslibrarybooks]

aww thank you!! 🥰 there’s a tutorial video coming in a fun way in the next few days actually….✨🫶🏼

[@eloise_17]

The quote spoiler thing felt so true for Shatter me. I was halfway through the series and in the middle of ignite me and saw LYHFML as a spoiler and it wasn’t as good when I actually read it for myself.

[@mv6668]

The audiobook one is so real. I dont understand people who say it doesn’t count as “reading”. You’re still consuming it.

[@bluecannibaleyes]

Because reading isn’t defined as ‘consuming something’, it’s defined as decoding and comprehending written language. Audiobooks aren’t that. They are listening, which is a different skill.

[@songbirdremix]

the name spoilers ick is so real. I have no desire to read acotar because I've seen so many spoilers about [redacted] turning out to be a major ah- which I think was also supposed to be a major plot twist? I guess I'll never know!

[@larissak1749]

this year i dnf'd a book for the first time in my LIFE as a very avid reader, and it's bc i only just learned about the concept on tiktok. i would force myself through boring / plain bad books bc i paid good money for it or thought that i doesnt "count" (whatever that means). i don't think i will do it too often but i'm thankful to learn that it's okay to just ... stop 💀

[@larissak1749]

btw the book was fourth wing 😵‍💫 i think i read about 90% of it until i just couldn't take it anymore

[@Jessireadsalot]

I tried to do Goodreads this year and gave up in march because it was too stressful to remember to log books. Now I'm trying to review books on KZbin, but I skip most of the ones I read. It doesn't have to be all of them.

[@h.c.g]

I mostly agree about the audiobook thing but I have my own "system" with this. If you're currently listening to the audiobook, you're listening to a book BUT if you finished the audiobook, you've read it. I know it's a weird concept but when someone says "I'm currently reading that book" I will ask on what page they are (or smth like that) then it's nice to know that they are "just" listening and when they finish I will ask about specific scenes they have read, no matter in what way. Idk if that makes sense but it's just my concept.

[@Taylors.mastermind]

Ugh, I love this video so much. 100% agree with all of this, ESPECIALLY the tagging authors when you give out a bad review. ❤

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@Taylors.mastermind 🫶🏼💖

[@AimeeNichols-k2p]

100% agree with you on every point. Especially the hating on what other people like to read!!

[@khalicocat]

I love spoilers(lowers my anxiety to know what will happen so I can read more happily), but I agree tiktokers need to add spoiler warnings bc most people don't like spoilers. But I don't DNF bc I tend to read 6-10 books at a time(switching books with what I feel like reading) so even if a book sucks, I can just swap when I don't feel like reading it & come back to it later.

[@xMayaLuvsx]

I have to buy the whole series tho bcs on Amazon most of the time it's cheaper to buy the whole series then one of the time

[@SakTenny]

I remember a booktuber told that she does not like being spoiled details in books by other people and later she spoiled in her video without any spoiler alert jesus

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@SakTenny omg 😂😂

[@lydia722]

Tbf I finish books even if I'm not feeling it because the majority of time, I love the book once I'm past the halfway part. I think I just get bored trying to learn new characters/places, rather than not liking the book itself

[@caiasaura]

I set my reading goal last year at 10, read 5 books. This year, set it to 5, I've read 2.5. It's so hard not to feel bad about it even as a very casual participant in the book community.

[@stopbeingana-hole4151]

I don’t understand the 150 books a year reading goal. I just read what I enjoy. I dnf what I don’t. I’m not stressing myself out, and forcing myself to read quickly or read things I don’t want to. When I started doing that, I had the best reading year this year. Reading quality books, and I actually read more. Reading is supposed to be enjoyable no matter what that looks like for you.

[@dianaisme]

This year for me was alot, or this summer and the months after. I was operated 4 times in my head, due to a brain infection. I was bedridden for 1 month and 2 weeks. This was while I was on vacation in a foreign country. I couldn't read a physical book. But I listened to 2 audiosbooks. I have also been a bit sick while I got home and I've been relying on audiobooks throughout all of that. I always acknowledged audiobooks but damn this has changed how I view them personally. I love them now, where before I had only used them in school. I just love audiobooks even more now, and I don't pick fights with people that disagree but it just hurts me. Idk why I wrote this, it's been a long year

[@cloudy_1999]

I hatteee when people say "Oh the first book isn't good but the 4th one is" like no I am not suffering through a bunch of books to get one good one lol

[@abyss_maal]

hahaha literally the red queen series

[@ashleighjj]

I can't do audio books because I have to see it in order to understand what's going on. But when ready the letters and lines will start moving and blurring so in that situation an audio book would be best. Either way your consuming that book!

[@charliebradford4369]

This is my first video of yours. I actually havent finished yet but i love that you mentioned audiobooks are reading. Science backs it up too. It's not opinion, it's fact. People whos opinion differs from that fact are just wrong. I'm blind, audiobooks are the only books i can read. We need the ableist argument to be put to bed.

[@ReadBooksMore]

Before I deleted TikTok I kept seeing one guy hold the book that way (with no cover showing, only pages) and instead of turning it normally to show the cover, he turns it the opposite way?? Like inward toward himself and around to show the cover. Like great, you’ve managed to make it WORSE. It’s all rage-bait for engagement on the video unfortunately.

[@RinTheHonored1]

Big on the buying a whole series because I've been doing it too LMAO. Recently I wanted to read Zodiac Academy + The other series with it. Lots of books for sure! I was so so close to buying it all but I'm deciding to just go with the first 3 and see how it goes first 😭 (Same with TOG-)

[@KateClason]

The way I immediately know what Gus quote you're talking about. I had the same experience where the book felt more underwhelming to me because of my high expectations

[@lexatbest]

As far as buying the entire series and not liking it- why not check the first out of your library and see if you like it before buying the set? I see so many book hauls that end in DNFs and a negative attitude because they spent money on it.

[@martamorrison2828]

I am starting 2025 with 5 year long challenges. I use these to guide my reading so that I will read diversely. I always adapt these so I can complete them within the next year, usually using some books for multiple prompts, reading the March prompt in maybe May, and interpreting the prompt a little different than it was written. I figure my challenge my books. Now in the comments people are saying that if you aren’t doing the challenge precisely as they interpreted it than why am you doing it. Well, there isn’t a challenge police is there? I am not in school or am being paid. It sort of makes me feel bad. Let’s not judge others. I am a retired teacher and I challenged my students to read 40 books that year. The students you read under 10, at the end of the year, I celebrated because they read more books than the year before.

[@readingdino711]

I sometimes buy box sets of series I know a lot about, or plan on reviewing, but never a full series unless it's that one set, or I've read it before. I also only buy book sets for a huge discount. Like I bout the hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy set, because it cost the same as the first book during black friday. I also buy mostly used books, and I love books that are annotated, not just because they're usually less than a euro at my nearest red cross store, but because I love reading others thoughts on what I'm reading.

[@teresalovesbooks]

YEP! I’m dyslexic and I LOVE audiobooks 😅

[@FoxofScadrial]

The whole “how many books you’ve read” thing also doesn’t take into account the size of the books you’ve read. Most of the books I’ve read this year range from 600-1000 pages, so of course I’ll have read less books than a lot of other people

[@kays_library]

I was so upset because I haven’t read Crescent City yet and a bookish company used a line from the audiobook on their video and it was of the scene where a surprise character comes over from another SJM series to the CC world. I knew someone crossed over to CC but I was trying so hard not to be spoiled for that 😭

[@califrey99]

i'm autistic so the literalist in me is like well yes audiobooks are technically listening to something but that doesn't mean that it's any less of a valid way to get books into your brain than reading with your eyes. it's just a different format!

[@Zeeekling]

The issue with reading through a book that Isn't really that enjoyable - is i'm broke, my family can't afford more than like 2 books every other month because books in my economy are expensive so i wanna be grateful and read through the book entirely. For example I really hated this one book but since i was around 3/4 done with it i decided to read it anyhow :,)

[@enchantedrosebooks]

My entire booktube channel is around hidden gems, indie/self pub books and ones most don't talk about. I do read the new and hyped but more times I talk about unique books!

[@RinTheHonored1]

Definitely agree with the quotes and characters! For Fourth Wing I kept seeing a certain quote from a certain someone and had the death spoiled 💀 And character spoilers for Fourth Wing too.. Still enjoyed it though! It just sucked to know those things once I read it

[@belleslibrarybooks]

@@RinTheHonored1 it’s so sad hey 😭😭 people need to stop spoiling major parts!!

[@Robynslibrary]

All reading is reading, I agree with that! I sometimes listen to Audio books if I'm to busy to pick up the book. For CoHo, I enjoy her books and that's okay, she's not for everyone. Dislike people yucking others yum, we are all different! So we not all going to like the same thing. Tagging Authors in bad reviews is a massive no no. As for spoilers, people need to put a warning! I've had was to many ACOTAR spoilers😅 I still love e the series, but I saw a few things coming and it's ruined it for me.

[@corsivapurpleus]

TBH, I don't think authors should be tagged in any reviews no matter the star rating 🤷‍♀ Reviews are for readers, not authors.

[@ailliar3287]

Leave only having author quotes on the back of a book behind and bring back actually having the summary there too like tell me what the book is about!!!

[@polina_ts9264]

I plan to let go of my judgmental attitude toward spoilers. I was very snobbish about books before, so I'm on a journey of accepting other people's views. And I don't get the hate for spoilers. For me, knowing the plot or the finale doesn't spoil anything. Moreover, there are tropes and plot structures that clearly indicate the finale. I'm reading a 5 book series right now, and I knew who would be the love match by page 10 of the first one. But I still enjoy it. I used to think that "no spoilers" people are either dumb for not getting the basic structure of stories or read only for the plot, missing everything else. Now, I'm learning to accept that people have a right to their preferences towards spoilers. I wonder what would be the next thing to me to stop being judgemental about lol

[@MollyMA13]

Yes! I was watching a booktuber’s video on an author and she just randomly gave a quote from the FIFTH book that was a total spoiler!! I commented and said, the vid should be noted *spoilers* and she said the books had been out and I should have read them faster 🙃 Okay?