Reacting to your controversial bookish opinions 🔥 spice, booktok, booktube dying, mean girl culture

[@hannahblackwellbooks]

My hot take: So I personally think the special edition industry is a scam, and the bookish community are addicts 🤣 all I see is people buying books that they haven’t read and then being disappointed by them but then signing up for even more book boxes, like WHY?? Like it used to be you fall in love with a book, have read it bunches of times, and decide to treat yourself with a special edition of it. Now they get released on the release date or soon-there-after for EVERY BOOK and people are buying them! It’s so weird to me 😅 but I kinda hate consumerism so 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@ScarletSiren]

I feel like if every book I'd a special edition, then none of them are. 🤷🏻‍♀️ They're beautiful for sure, but the "specialness" is wearing off.

[@hannahblackwellbooks]

@@ScarletSiren yea like I remember saving up for 6 months to get my special edition of LOTR and that was my only special edition for years. Now I have a few illustrate editions of Neil Gaiman books, my hubby n I got the year of Brandon Sanderson for ourself for our marriage anniversary and then I have a few leather bound classics. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t judge anyone who does this, loves sprayed edges etc etc etc. I just think there’s a lot of ppl that do it for fomo too or like feeling pressured by the social media push, and the industry is capitalizing on it cuz, u know, capitalism 🤣. No judgement at all, I just don’t get it lolol I just see so much regret about special edition buys

[@BethMorvant]

I think this is a thing now (not for me because I rarely get special editions) because once the special editions are released, they sell out quickly and are then resold for HUNDREDS. So a lot of people get them while they can.

[@hannahblackwellbooks]

@@BethMorvant yeah I think that plays a big role and makes the fomo more intense

[@evelynantl897]

It would be great if I could get a special edition of my favorite books.

[@Slowlivingminimalist]

The thing that annoys me is people who buy loads of books just for views and not to read them as a couple of videos later they are unhauling them

[@amber4452]

TikTok is definitely a double-edged sword, but my local B&N used to carry Danielle Steele and Nora Roberts and thats it as far as a romance section. Now, since #BookTok has come along, they are selling Sierra Simone, Elle Kennedy, and Penelope Douglas IN THE STORE! It’s like the store finally realized that romance sells, so definitely a nice effect of BookTok!

[@happily_ever_april]

discovering new books and authors is my second favorite hobby after reading lol. love my niche books.

[@Demi_CheChe]

I love showing off what I am reading! I remember at 6th form (16-18 years old) it was an hour free for study and reading time. I full on just pulled out Fifty Shades of Grey and got on with my reading :D I do love both inconspicuous and obvious covers but, I am not always a fan of cartoon ones x

[@cathiescathie3306]

I am not ashamed of reading romance! I also love the clinch covers! The old fashioned covers are the best! Give me the bodice-rippers covers! ❤😊

[@KatieReads]

Yes!!! The people on the covers! I will die on that hill. I will always choose a person on the cover over a discreet if I can. I say that all the time on my channel. Also, I am so sad about the Elsie cover because I wanted it soo bad!

[@misskikikat]

I work in a book store (in Australia) and often see in our department stores (Kmart, Target, Big W) the adult romance books in the kids section because the staff there just don't have a clue. And I have refused selling Icebreaker to some young girls, when it was obvious they were like under 10 asking for it (and I did ask them there age) - and sure they might get it elsewhere, but we have had instances at other stores where parents have called or come back into store and gone off at staff for selling their children a book that they clearly were way too young to be reading.

[@lollylovesbooks]

The StoryGraph comment about not being able to see profiles... that's because the user set their account up that way. Privacy is super customisable on there.

[@marilynwelther5823]

For me the book cover is everything, it’s what makes me interested in buying it. Not a fan of the newer covers.

[@happily_ever_april]

my hottake will forever and always be its not truly a special edition unless it has a RIBBON. this is my hill.

[@LoriAAndert-fc4xh]

When I watch a video of a U Tuber recommending books I usually write down the titles of that sound good the only problem I have is when their hand holding the book is covering the title or author’s name. You would be surprised how often that happens. Also, I would love if on a review of books that UTubers have read they mention a couple of surprise books written by lesser known authors. I would check their sites first.

[@fancyfaceb]

I agree with you about not being ashamed to read romance. Every time I talk to people about reading they tell me about all these genres they like to read - biography, business etc. And I'm always like "I love a romance" and most of the time, the other person is like "oh, me too"!!!! Those books are bestsellers because it's not just me reading them!

[@sarak4484]

I love the take away of read what you want to read! I have been trying to do that more instead of reading whats new or popular and Im loving it.

[@elenimorr4115]

omg I did have one book completely spoiled for me on TikTok AND insta!! I was midread and it popped up on my fyp by the author. I was pissed hahah. (it was From the Embers) haha.

[@JezebelJinx]

Awesome video! I love hearing various opinions and seeing where I fall on the matter and hearing your thoughts. Here are a couple of mine... 1. I absolutely adore people covers. I've talked to friends, family, and co-workers about the latest "trend" of OG covers with the shirtless guy or clinch cover, suddenly being replaced with discrete covers and I hate it. I don't mind if there are discrete covers available but why get rid of the guy/couple cover? I 99% of the time buy and want the shirtless guy/clinch cover. Even if I find the discrete covers pretty, those aren't the versions that I want on my shelves. 2. Illustrated covers: I actively hate 99% of illustrated covers. There are some that are absolutely gorgeous and I do want. I asked for my b-day for the Hello Lovely edition of the J. Daniels Sweet Addiction trilogy because I love those so much. But the majority of illustrated covers...no thank you! 3. Some special editions...aren't really that special. I ordered a box from this one company that was featuring a new favorite author for me, and the picture in the ad made them look like it would have foiling, maybe a little raised text. Nope! It was $80-$90, when I opened the box I was so disappointed. It was a regular paperback, no foiling, just a signature, lack luster inside pages. Now, I should have looked at the ad closer, and looked at the written details closer but charging that much for nothing more than a different paperback and signature...left a bad taste in my mouth for that company and I won't buy from them again because of that.

[@Notable2Nikki]

When you were talking about people buying special editions and reselling them at high prices, I kept thinking... same for Taylor Swift tickets!

[@kathysummers2512]

I agree with you about people covers. I will buy the person cover over the discreet cover every time.

[@lindseycassick4100]

I'm with you I'm so made the new taming 7 from chloe also is only the ombre and not the people covers :( stillllll pre-ordered it hahaha

[@jessicaburkett78]

Quiet long time watcher here! HI! I couldn’t care less about people knowing I’m reading romance but I have 2 main reasons for not having people covers. 1 a lot of the time I don’t think that guy is hot. Don’t come at me! lol That goes hand in hand with its easier for me to tweak the image in my head without that pic on the cover. 2. I have kids and look this is so controversial and I don’t want to be that person but its not okay with me to show other peoples kids some of those covers (I’m not talking just a shirtless guy but some of the positions etc.). I’ve been the busy, overwhelmed mom in a public setting with a kid asking a question that just isn’t the right time or place for and I don’t want to do that to someone else. I’m not saying it’s not okay for other people to do this, that’s the opposite of what I mean. I just think this is a highly personal choice and I think every romance should come with physical choice of people or discreet no matter how unrealistic that is! 😂

[@Lizzzy91]

I personally (most of the time) don't like people on my romance cover because it kind ruins the image of the characters for me. I don't know, if I don't find the guy on the cover hot, I most likely won't pick it up 🤣 I don't mind abs and couple covers though. 😘

[@Tiffs-bookshelf]

I agree. Let people like what they like. Why do people care what other people do? I prefer closed door or 2-3 well places spicey scenes. Friends to lovers is my favorite if I read romance.

[@tifftalkspages]

This is a great video. Positive and candid. Thank you ❤.

[@VCannDreams]

I love real enemies to lovers best, I think authors or publishers will market enemies to lovers but it’s not really an enemies to lovers. It’s just like they had a misunderstanding and then they figure it out in like two pages. I don’t love those.

[@swittytheswizzler]

Oh my god Thats one of my worst pet peeves! Lol Thank god im not alone

[@ceereads]

For me I just dont like having people on tbe cover because it ruins the fantasy for me. I'm a sucker for the cute covers. I'm ace though and I think my preference is influenced by that, since I live for the cute flirty and emotional side of the romance and feel indifferent to the spice.

[@pennyhanks5303]

Having a limited income and storage space, I buy one copy of a book and that's it. So I'm not into the special editions. I would buy a special edition if it was the first time buying that particular book. But if it's a series, I like all of that series to look the same. I'm disappointed that I couldn't get "Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone" in the same mass market paperback format that I have all the others. I'm holding out hope that eventually it will be released in that format. I'm also disappointed that the last Bergman Brother book by Chloe Liese isn't the same style as the others. I want them to match. Although I did see that the UK version is being done in the old style, so I may purchase that. With all that said, I would die to get my hands on the special edition of the Bridgerton series that sell for $900 on eBay. I just don't want to spend that much.....but they are soooo pretty!

[@cherylNA]

A lot of interesting viewpoints! I like hearing your take on them.👏🏽👏🏽

[@shay8339]

I (partially)agree with the SJM hot take. I tried reading Throne of Glass and I couldn’t get past the first book. I tried reading ACOTAR and my personal hot take is that I didn’t like Rhysand. I then read Crescent City and I loved those ones. Which is why I say that I partially agree about SJM being overrated

[@midnightblack07]

Historical romance is definitely underrated! We need one of these big name BookTok influenced to pick up a Lorraine Heath or a Lisa Kleypas! 🤞

[@lisabrijeski3425]

I agree with you don’t be ashamed of what you read! And if you are reading something you want to hide from your family for whatever reason then purchase a book cover or better yet don’t hide it. Some discreet covers are very beautiful but I don’t like the fact the romance genre is going away from the people covers. So many of us love those covers. And I will be truthful if there is an option to buy either I will always go for the couple covers. And many times if an author only has the discreet covers available no matter how much I want that book I will not buy it. I don’t like people making the choice for me. And I don’t like that I have signed up for ARCs and have not received them because I don’t have KZbin, I have received ARCs from some authors and I always post my reviews within days of receiving the book and some KZbinrs have waited months to read their books sent to them some even after the book has been released. Just wish they would give us non KZbinrs a chance.

[@mildrumpus]

I discovered your channel through this video. Happy Reading! 😎📚👍

[@lilsmom2000]

I love 3rd act conflicts but not break ups.

[@itsmorgan1017]

I've never been to Ikea, and I've always wondered why. Then I looked up where the closest one was it said 146 miles. Then I understood. 🤭

[@emmahughes7494]

I was reading spicy fanfic at 12 and my mum has buying me paranormal romance at 14

[@zeeybooknook]

Amen to the clinch cover opinion... Like, own that romance book, ladies!

[@annettefischer6805]

I'm not ashamed to be caught reading romance. The reason I like discreet covers is because I like to form my own image of what characters look like.

[@bebella9005]

I’m not ashamed of reading romance, and I’m not ashamed of people seeing me reading a book with a shirtless man on the cover - I just think they’re ugly 😂 Very rarely do I ever like a cover with people on it tbh

[@Sailorgeeforeveer]

I love you content and recommends for book!!! ❤

[@Space.Panda1805]

My toxic traits: I want a fake dating marriage where they never fall in love and are two manipulators to everyone. Goodreads sucks, I use both Goodreads/Storygraph, Goodreads is too reviews/talk to people, Storygraph is too put your books on it and that's it

[@MsEleanorShelby]

Very passionate video, loved it!

[@liezllovesbooks]

If Giana wrote a surprise pregnancy book I definitely read it totally agree

[@_foreverabookaddict_]

Side note: the historical fiction book you're talking about is it the Women by Kristin Hannah?? Because if it is, you HAVE to read it! Lol. SO good. Please read it haha

[@mendichaka9858]

Just bring back the original The Words!!!! I’m in need of this book!!

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

3rd act breakups drive me bananas 👎🏼

[@CarlyUTube]

What is the difference between Spice and Smut isn’t it the same thing?

[@taylorburks6835]

Hey Jess my question for a bookish hot take is what is the purpose of a special edition😊

[@lynnbraden1044]

Collectors vs. Readers. Comic books do it with cover variants and record albums do it with alternate covers and variations in vinyl colors.

[@Jacksonoaks8]

Keep doing you… I much prefer booktube because I would rather get to know a reviewer and a-line with someone who likes what I like. Instead of a teaser in booktok.

[@jackeeB]

I no longer feel ashamed of what I read.🤷🏾‍♀️ I was out and about and didn't know others could hear the risque audio I was listening to through my headphones. I was wondering why this older lady was looking at me strange until I figured it out. At first I was embarrassed but that lasted two seconds before I shrugged it off and continued about my beautiful day.🤭

[@Mellys1980s]

I love being a romance, reader, and I am so not ashamed. Also, I like having the man on the covers so I have something to think about when they’re describing the lead man.

[@BeingDaphne]

this was a highly entertaining video! the rants!

[@alysonlindley]

Hot take: when youtubers put a popular book in the thumbnail and then don’t talk about it in the video…

[@cathiescathie3306]

Read what you like! ❤😊

[@readoverheelswithelle]

Love this!🥰🥰

[@laurapalladino6235]

My controversial book opinions: people who don’t like spice are prudes, but I see closed door romance’s place for younger readers. But if you’re thirty and offended by spice and cursing, grow up. I hate book covers with couples on the front because I like to imagine my own character but it doesn’t stop me from reading them. But I do like the shift to more discreet covers. Rom Com is so boring. There are so many authors just copying the plot of other authors who were successful and not a lot of original content. People would not be reselling special editions if there wasn’t some idiot out there willing to pay three times the price.

[@keiona2545]

I don’t really like people on the covers mainly because I personally don’t find the men to be that attractive 😂 the guys in my imagination are way hotter so “discrete” covers are better to me. Also I like the effort put into them and the art that we don’t get from the model on front

[@punkinpiebeadyeye]

I definitely prefer longer videos and don’t even have TikTok installed lol

[@_foreverabookaddict_]

Also I absolutely hate love triangle trope sorry lol. 🙈😂

[@annettepratts7694]

Don’t yuck somebody’s yum!! My rule for lots of things!! 😂

[@_foreverabookaddict_]

Yea, but even though I was reading those books (sorta spicy) when I was younger is what got me into my love of reading. Just because I'm reading it doesn't mean I'm gonna go out and do it. So for ne it's like whatever. These kids these days hear way worse than when I was younger so meh 🤷‍♀️😆

[@lindseycassick4100]

I purposely follow people who show me more indie type books 📚

[@ScarletSiren]

Ugghhhh . . . the boring generic covers on new historicals are TRAGIC!

[@Anita-bs3mc]

Great video 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@VCannDreams]

My hot take: let people live they’re lives and u live yours, stop judging people for what they read😭 Basically what u said in the video

[@pardonthisbookaddict]

These are interesting.

[@zubaerchaudhari8267]

Hello there hey there hey