REACTING TO YOUR UNPOPULAR BOOK OPINIONS!

Hey hi hello, welcome back! Today we're going over some of your unpopular book opinions! :)
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Thanks for all your support!

[@eht367]

YES to just letting people have *fun* with reading! We need to stop judging others and ourselves for the shallow reads and just celebrate the fact that books are being read and we're all having a good time

[@deetee8100]

This!!!

[@shuwei9420]

I'm all for reading for fun, and normalising reading "shallow" books but my personal boundary is when people use that to negate discussions around problematic books. I'm irked when problematic themes or writing get brought up and the defense is "it ain't that deep", I'm just reading for fun. Other than that though, we all need light books as palate cleansers, and they're probably not even shallow! I just read an absurd and hilarious light novel and it did so much for my mental health, I think that's valuable 🥰

[@wombat4583]

I agree with this so much. Like I don't care if not everyone wants to discuss things critically, but I hate how people think discussing fiction critically automatically means I hate the material, that I'm some kind of anti against what they want to read, that it doesn't matter to them so it shouldn't matter to everyone, or that my interpretation is automatically wrong because it doesn't align with theirs.

[@DaveReithmiller1983]

“Problematic” holy snow flake

[@Kriseaf]

My unpopular opinion is that most of these were not unpopular at all, lol. I've heard most of these on every booktuber's "unpopular" list... :/ The Hunger Games book covers, though. YIKES.

[@naastyaaaaaaaaa]

I recently realized that the more I love a story, the more time I (usually) spend on it. And I don't mean highbrow literature. Took me half a month to read my favourite book of 2023 (and that included intentionally sitting down every day and spending time on it). I love slowing down, rereading, soaking it all in, marveling at the beauty of the author's language or staring into space while clutching the book close to my heart because it just made me FEEL THINGS. Cheers to slow, messy, emotional reading in 2024!🥂

[@wanderer4775]

Ooo to add to the random romance- it really does feel like the gentle beginning of a possible friendship, and then bam! They’re obsessed with each other, even though they hate each other, etc. Just do a normal friendship it feels way more natural

[@wickerlibrary]

having my library catalogue bookmarked on my phone (as well as the apps libby and hoopla) make being on a book buying ban/restriction so much easier for me! i don’t dread going into bookstores because when i see something i really like, i can go on my library page to request it to pick it up in the next week or smth. gets the initial impulse out of the way, and then if i read and love it i can always go back to the bookshop!

[@AllDaGoodUsernamesWereTaken]

What's a library catalogue?

[@the1disaster]

A list of the books, ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, etc that your library has available​@@AllDaGoodUsernamesWereTaken

[@ximenaallessandrij.5972]

Yes! Yes to just read and not expecting a PERFECT book every time and just enjoy the process and fall in love with the cimple act of reading, not each has to be a five star read to be amazing and have fun, and every five star read has to be a PERFECT book for the critical opinion

[@SarahHernandez-zs7jv]

Heavy on you don't have to read a certain number of books to be a bookworm! I'm disabled, hate TV, and read stupidly fast, and have since I was a kid. Finishing 200+ books a year isn't uncommon for me. But you just have to love reading to be a bookworm. One, two, five, or several hundred books are great as long as you're enjoying it.

[@1901180108]

I'm disabled, too, but my disabilities cause me to read very slowly. So I also definitely agree that you don't have to read a certain number of books per month or year to be a bookworm. If you like reading books, you're a bookworm. It can be difficult not to make comparisons, though.

[@TheChemist418]

My hot take: it’s fine to read problematic books or books written by problematic authors as long as you’re aware and willing to discuss what’s problematic about them in a respectful manner. You can still like what you like!

[@fatimazafar6787]

But I can't get over the fact there are literal people out there defending Cameron harren just because he was good looking and attractive. I guess what you read do effect you maybe on some unconscious level that you don't know about it

[@TheChemist418]

⁠@@fatimazafar6787I more meant that you can feel fine about liking that persons material, not necessarily the person themselves. Separating the art from the artist. Same with books. Even if it has a problematic subject, you can still like it, as long as you’re respectful and aware that it’s problematic

[@amandap7733]

Death of the Author is a really important thing. Like Runoni Kenshin is a fantastic series but the author is a horrible person (to put it mildly). I still love Kenshin, I still read it from time to time, but I will never buy any new content from that man because of the things he's done that we now know about.

[@Morfeusm]

Yes this is important especially with historical authors. But with living authors it’s kind of difficult because they literally get money from you buying the book at least theoretically so that’s a bit complicated. But I agree that canceling authors left and right (pun intended) isn’t the healthiest solution either.

[@BrebearMckae]

THIS!!🙌🏼

[@AndiBfishbowlwoman]

"Variety is key in unlocking a beautiful reading life." Yessss I am right there with you! I don't even read series books or two books of the same genre/mood/time period/type back-to-back. I suppose that might mean I'm a book butterfly...? 🦋

[@AyceMcGee]

My hot take is that books that aren't classics, academic, literary masterpieces or whatever you want to call them can be just as intelligent and eye opening as books that are. A fluffy romance book can give you character depth. It can lead you to question your morals and thoughts on life. The issue isn't that the books themselves aren't as smart, it's that some readers don't care to look for the messages in them. They take those books at face value knowing they'd never do that for a book regarded as a classic masterpiece. They see the second act breakup as just a trope when it can be an examination into issues like unhealthy communication, building up trust after betrayal, and letting others in when you've guarded your heart as a trauma response. But they don't, and refuse to, see that because they don't examine those books the same way. They don't critique them the same way. They don't give them an equal chance because of how they're marketed and labeled. No disrespect to the author, but if Jane Austen released her books today some of them would be considered fluffy romances undeserving of literary merit. Part of the reason why people view her books with such high regard is because how they're sold to us as the best of the best in literature. Without that marketing, most people truly wouldn't give a shit about her books or read them with the intent of knowledge as they do now.

[@1901180108]

Agreed. Books don't have to be old to have "literary merit" (a phrase that means almost nothing to me). If a book speaks to you, it speaks to you. If it doesn't, it doesn't, but it might still speak to someone else.

[@Beqeeangel]

Fave books: DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE IN YOUR LIFE!!!! My first fave book in elementary school: Dragon Slippers. Middle school: HP 5. High school: Cress. Early 20s: Six of Crows. Late 20s: honestly?? Challenge of the Gods made me actually /cry/ from laughter, so Inma say that. I don’t care that it’s a “kids” book, it’s hysterical Your “fave book” is the one that has the current biggest impact on you. I really needed to laugh this past year, so CotG is my current fave because it gave me what I /needed/. Who knows what my next fave will be! I’m excited to find out!

[@cbcimutebi5564]

Cress>>>>>

[@vvivacious101]

The thing with romantic subplots in books is that this is not a recent thing it has always been the case. It just looks different now but you would actually be hard pressed to find a book without any romantic subplot.

[@rachelnorthauthor]

Absolutely loved this video! As someone currently pursuing a career as an author, I thought I would answer the question about why authors publish a book every year (or even several times a year). Note: I'm speaking to traditionally-published books, not the indie market. There are two ways traditionally published authors make money: through advances paid by their publisher (a 4-6 figure amount given when a book contract is signed) and through royalties (which authors don't receive until they've made up their advance). So let's say an author signs a book contract for $10,000. That's the money they make for a year unless they can sell $10,000 worth of copies, and then they start earning royalties. Most authors don't earn out their advances, so they're trying to make a living solely off book contracts. Those who do earn out their advances have some economic wiggle room to delay their next book. But why wait two or three years between book releases when you could consistently earn money every year through advances or royalties? There's an economic incentive (and necessity, if writing is your only career) to release a new book at least once a year. So that answers *why* authors release books every year, but we still have the question of *quality*. In publishing, there's a term for this: "the sophomore slump." Think of it this way: an author has spent years honing their debut novel, making it the best it can possibly be. But then they get a contract for a second book releasing in 12 months or even sooner. Suddenly they have to match and hopefully exceed the quality of their first book in a much shorter time frame--and they're often writing their second book while they're editing and marketing their first book. All that to say, I have a lot of sympathy for authors (I'm one myself, after all!), but I definitely understand the frustrations as a reader.

[@abbywhitaker8299]

My reading slump lasted EIGHT years! Reading slumps for me are life changing

[@BrandontheBeldam2993]

I agree with the 1000 plus page comment. Books Can be so engaging and special the reader never wants the book or series to end. But the beautiful thing about a book or series if you love it so much, you can always go back to the start and read it all again. I’ve done this plenty of times when I read The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe.

[@Maya-zx9mh]

i agree with the “reading should be fun” statement however, recently it has been used to justify posting about problematic books and authors. its one thing to be reading those books but when youre an influencer you have the responsibility of knowing what you read and you should be reading ethically at least in public because people trust what you read. the amount of bookish content creators that are still promoting sarah j maas books is disappointing. i can maybe let some other authors pass because maybe they dont know but sjm has been called out over and over again for years.

[@hailey_the_ace_of_hearts4127]

I have multiple series with mismatched covers on my shelf AND IT DRIVES ME INSANNNEE (sorry to that person I just can’t relate 😭)

[@JamesLawner]

Same! 😭😭

[@bluesey-182]

what makes a lot of the alternate cover editions "special editions" is how limited they are. like barnes and noble doing editions with different covers but no bonus content really is just an alternate edition, but things like fairyloot and owlcrate and illumicrate books, it's the fact that only so many are printed that makes them special editions

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

Ah, but are they truly special editions then or merely limited editions?🤭🤭🫣🤭😊

[@bluesey-182]

@jaginaiaelectrizs6341 i feel like we're really dismissing the artists that create end papers, alternative covers, and reversible dust jackets for these books by saying they're not special editions, bc arguably these illustrations can be counted as bonus content

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

@@bluesey-182 V. True! Don't get me wrong, I wasn't trying to say that they actually weren't special editions, I was just trying a thought exercise asking the question "what does/doesn't count as special technically?" /// "is/could/ 'limited' be a technically more correct term, in some cases?" 🙂💖 (Limited Edition...actually just makes me think of fudge dipped Oreos.😂😁💜)

[@bluesey-182]

@jaginaiaelectrizs6341 no i got you! i love engaging in thought exercises like that. unfortunately the internet makes it hard to convey tone, so im sorry if i came off as combative!

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

@@bluesey-182 Oh, no worries, I didn't personally feel you were combative at all; quite eloquent, really-but too true about the struggle of conveying tone over the internet sometimes. I just wanted to let you know I agreed with you / wasn't trying to minimize or detract from your points at all - since I realized that may not have been clear without specifying. 🙂💖

[@shelbyallen1958]

I feel like books and reading has become too capitalized. I see proof of this with many of the points talked about here, lack of variety in books, the forced tropes put in books just to make them more marketable, and the decline in quality of published books. It just seems like publishers are trying to get books out as fast as possible to make more money. This could be passed off as a rise in demand for books but that doesnt explain why it feels like new books coming out are all very similar. Its like fast fashion but with books. And no hate to anyone who likes these its just not my vibe.

[@BrandontheBeldam2993]

I agree. If anything I know consumerism is rampant and most people want the book Now Now now, but the author should take at least a year off in between ideas or sequels to keep the ideas fresh.

[@amaliecoghlan2778]

I find it an interesting point on "romantsy" being a trend atm, as if its new for there to be a hyped genre at one point in time. I've always been hyper aware of the genre trends. In terms of YA, back in 2010-2012 the trend was very much paranormal, the days of Twilight and Vampire Academy, then from 2013-2015 it was dystopian, Hunger Games and Divergent, and then it moved onto fantasy before I grew out of the YA targeted age. I guess what I'm saying, from my point of view, genres/themes constantly come and go in trends, and its up to us as readers if we want to join in and enjoy the current one, hold onto a previous one or patiently wait for the next one in the hopes we'll enjoy it more.

[@naastyaaaaaaaaa]

9:11 hey, I made it into the video!) Jesse, I wanted to thank you. Your channel has the perfect 'talking with a friend late at night' vibes. It really helped me survive 2023.❤

[@mariepotter8921]

My friend and I are going to a midnight book release next Monday for the new Sarah J Maas book, and I’m so excited!!!! Never gone to one before!

[@jessethereader]

How fun!

[@sweaterweatherlady]

Have fun!!

[@eht367]

Book releases are such a fun time and a great way to meet new friends!! Have a wonderful time

[@EHogrefe]

These videos are always so comforting and calming. I love when we just get to sit with Jesse and listen to him talk about books. ☺️

[@aidao9310]

I don't agree with your statement that if you read enough, you will find a favorite book. If anything the opposite. If you have read only five books, it's easy to decide which one of those is your favorite. But I genuinely would not know which to pick out of the many amazing books I've read.

[@oliverharris60]

I think it’s more that the more books you read, the more likely you are to find one you love!

[@aidao9310]

@@oliverharris60 there are many that I love that's the problem. I can't possibly choose between them

[@AriFoxWrites]

Love your commentary, I’m do glad I subscribed!

[@laiky4373]

Holy biscuits. I've not been watching any booktube content for a while. And I swear your voice got noticeably deeper. It's nice! I like it! Good to be back just loving books again with my parasocial book friends!

[@dianaisme]

Yes a video from you, just what I need😊

[@kahlanweir5868]

Ok I know I’m going to butcher how I write this so please know that the intention of this is NOT to gatekeep, all people who enjoy reading are readers and are welcome in the reading community especially online. BUT. I do find that with the boom of BookTok and Bookstagram and loving books, I’m seeing so much content focused on the same books. And I’m not just talking about hyping up a book or two that are big (every time a book gets big, that’s what happens). I’m talking about accounts that feature the same dozen books one after the other. And yes I’m trying to curate my feed better, but it’s like I can’t escape Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, Magnolia Parks, Terms and Conditions, Twisted Love, and more like that EVERYWHERE I GO. I want to hear about books that I’ve not encountered yet, but it’s like every time I see a “books you should read” reel or TikTok or whatever, it’s the SAME BOOKS. Over and over and over again. And it’s not that I’m hating on these books! I plan to read Fourth Wing this year, I’ll likely pick up ACOTAR, but I want MORE than the same recommendations… it’s making me not even want to read the books at all!

[@TheSmalyy]

that has always been the case tho, a few years ago when booktube was the main community everyone constantly mentioned the hunger games, the selection series, throne of glass, mortal instruments, the night circus ,etc. etc. this is not new, it's how it has always been

[@kahlanweir5868]

@@TheSmalyy I feel like I’m noticing it more and more now, not so much that everyone is talking about the same book, but that there are a hundred accounts discussing the same 12 books. Like I feel like yes everyone talked about Fourth Wing for example, but each list with Fourth Wing would have used to have a handful of books unique to that reader. Now every list is identical with no variation, at least with what I’ve been seeing. Idk maybe I’m just getting more into the community and it’s the first time I’ve noticed it, especially being a fan of Jesse’s videos and him not recommending exclusively the same books everyone else is reading?

[@TheSmalyy]

@@kahlanweir5868 that makes sense ! I think also the small form content can also lead to that repetition since they know people already know a bunch of the books but idk , I guess it's also who you follow xD it really depends but I totally get your point ! Very valid , I hope I didn't come off as aggressive or something like that !

[@kahlanweir5868]

@@TheSmalyy oh gosh no! I enjoy the discourse, and I do think you’re right about the short form content, it’s hard to mix it up with just a few seconds to get attention. However, I really wonder if a lot of it has to do with so many of the people being newer readers (and no shade to them!) that they just haven’t read a large variety of books yet and are following and sharing what they find enjoyable. I just keep seeing the same stuff over and over again when I’m WANTING diversity in my recommendations, and I wasn’t sure if the over saturation of the same titles in short form content was an unpopular opinion with how many people are saying the “reading is meant to be fun! Like what you like!” It makes me wonder how many people are saying “there are more books in the world than these same 12” and are getting shouted at for not letting people enjoy those same 12. I think about it a lot with reading becoming a more popular hobby- that people are being called gatekeepers for simply trying to help show a different idea of what to read

[@TheSmalyy]

@@kahlanweir5868 oh that bit about a lot of them being new readers (which is amazing obv) is so true !! I feel like it might be a thing that will change with time since those new readers will start reading more books and with that they'll have a wider variety to recommend , at least I hope that will be the case xD when I first started reading I would 100% only recommend the couple of books I had loved because my scope was pretty small , its way bigger now so there's a lot more I can recommend. I think that might one of the bigger points here tbh ! And then the people that have been readers for a while know that most of the people watching their TikToks are new readers and so it makes sense to recommend the "basics" per se, the starting points that everyone reads and everyone talks about.

[@jennarogers1705]

Loved this video Jesse! Also that’s the first I’ve seen of those neon Hunger Games covers and I’m gonna go bandage my eyes 😂 so bad

[@yasminnn8]

13:05 i actually really don’t like it when special editions have extra story material. Epilogues that are exclusive to certain editions frustrate me as a person who lives in a place where books are already expensive enough. But i understand that some people like it and it’s a good marketing strategy(?)

[@hannahbonnell2322]

Loved this video! Liked how chill it felt😊

[@cloudprince0]

Yep, that's exactly what I meant re: reading slumps! The feeling of getting back into reading after engaging with other hobbies for a while and letting a reading slump pass by just can't be matched ❤

[@FOREVERLIVE15HAUNTED]

i’m also on a book buying ban this year! trying to get thru my physical tbr while also going to my library for books i don’t have but wanna read!

[@joysoflivingsolo]

surely I had novellas that blew my mind. A book doesnt have to be Stephen King long books - it just have to deliver in the end - but nothing against readers who like chunky books and who loves SK. 😂❤

[@chiarra644]

I have to listen to his books because of how chunky they are lol.

[@joysoflivingsolo]

@@chiarra644 same. I read 4 of his books and all of them were via audiobooks 😁

[@chiarra644]

@@joysoflivingsolo The only book of his so far that didn't even keep my interest in audobook form was Firestarter. I just found that book to be so so boring and I could not bring myself to keep listening. I got like a quarter of the way through and had to dnf it. I've listened too Shining (the first one I listened too), then the Outsider, and now Fairy Tail which feels slow to me, but I'm not finding it boring at all so far. And while I find listening to be easier than reading, I still find you have to have some amount of mental energy and capacity to focus on it.

[@NothingIsWrongToday]

Stephen King has saved my mindless hours at my very boring job with his chunky books. I listen to them at audible. I've read more books this way than I've had in 5 years COMBINED.

[@vuhies2424]

I 100% agree with the peraon who said they want thwir books to be over 1000 pages. I usually feel so unsatisfied with shorter stories and like everything goes too fast to be realistic/believable or enjoyable.

[@jamesbaird1342]

I have gotten special editions for friends as gifts because the product is quality. I don't want the story to be different. I bought a $75.00 edition of Frankenstien for a gitlfriend at Halloween as a gift. Same story nice gift.

[@the1disaster]

Yes, I don't like the idea of potentially needing to buy the book again for "bonus material" but I do like the idea of getting a favourite book that looks nicer than some of my other books, as a treat. Maybe the special edition can have a new introduction/foreword or something, but I don't want the main text to be different, sometimes I just want nice things!

[@lizbradley7489]

Okay I confess i get the new lunar Chronicles because I wanted the new covers but most of the time if I get a new edition because they have like a bonus chapter from the next book or they added like a short story to the book

[@ovenbird1253]

The new lunar chronicles covers are amazing

[@socialbianca]

We love our libraries ❤ my family goes constantly as a family activity. We love it.

[@thatdamfangirl]

Yes! People need to stop reading like it's a race and just have fun and enjoy the books they read. That's also why I DNF books because if I'm not liking something, I'm not having fun with it. I also rate how a book is based on my enjoyment (unless something in the writing really irks me.) I do analyze the books I read as this isn't school. However, if people have fun analyzing books that's okay too. Everyone has different reading tastes. Don't judge others for how they read

[@becky9194]

I read to escape and have fun. Life can be overwhelming, and I need my happy place and that is when I am reading.

[@wolfme4030]

Our uncomfortablity, yes that is a word that I made up, of a book’s content isn’t always a reason to reflect and have self growth. I think it depends on what is making you uncomfortable.

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

(try Discomfiture and/or Discomfort[, maybe??]-although, honestly, uncomfortability is probably a perfectly acceptable usage of a prefix+word+suffixes .. ssoo....Go ham with it! Even if it's not accepted as a word in its own independent right, if it's a valid suffix and/or prefix along with a valid word, it's not really totally fictive or invented. 😊💖)

[@gabriellabatel]

Jesse, I'm with you, super long books are so hard. Short and sweet for me!

[@Jess-fp2wf]

I agree about authors taking more time to write books. I will preorder and wait for a year in anticipation for the next book from an author I really enjoy. I also think some authors tend to have books with the same basic formula when they just write one after another.

[@catiedubya]

Meeting a book where it's at is the perfect way to explain what I commented, thank you for explaining it that way!

[@devonmunn5728]

I actually like The Hunger Games neon covers. I like bright neon colors so I'm biased

[@BrebearMckae]

YESSS meeting the book where it’s at- this also goes for the people reading/watching reviews of that book/series, too! Like you can’t assume that bc someone reads something and talk about it that they are coming at it from the angle of seeking high quality literature from it. When I read some things I go to talking about it saying it is an “angsty good time” to describe anything that is clearly over the top, soapy,wacky, or even sometimes if it is stylistically outdated (looking at those 2010s. Lol) just to try to clarify in hopes that anyone watching the video doesn’t think it’s the same way I’d review it if it was trying to be a modern classic. Haha

[@otherworldlyfiction]

I love me a 1000 page book, but I certainly wouldn't want EVERY book I read to be that long. It depends on my mood. Sometimes I just want something light and easy. As for the types of books I read, I 100% agree with setting your expectations beforehand. As someone who can enjoy both books like The Selection and classic literature, I know how important it is to approach each book with a different mindset. The endless fantasy series, though? I DO enjoy those. It's rare for me to pick up a standalone, so I'm the problem there. 😅 My pet peeve is long fantasy series that are unfinished, ESPECIALLY if there's a cliffhanger. If the book fades to black with a character getting kidnapped or knocked out, and I have to wait two years to see if they're okay...then I'm not happy. Cliffhangers like that are the reason I buy all the books in a series at once, so I can jump straight to the next one.

[@XxAOTExX]

love your videos and short videos too :D

[@maddierose8663]

Thank you for the video Jesse, every time you upload a video my day gets brighter! Some unpopular book opinions for your consideration: 1. James and Cordelia are one of the most boring couples in the shadowhunters universe. 2. The Peculiar Children series should've ended at book 3. 3. Renegades should've been a duology, the second book was nothing but filler. 4. More people need to read the Charlotte Holmes novels, I hardly see anyone talk about them and it's a fantastic series! I hope you have a great day!!

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

So many good books to read. Best wishes with your reading choices in 2024. I hope you get some great reads.

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

7:40 - Wow! Excellent points, and yet....for many people, books literally DO change their lives!!! That doesn't invalidate their points though, everything they said was correct, it is okay even if you don't have a favorite book or don't literally have your life changed by a piece of fiction. Other things do also have merits and value and worth, too.😊💖💖💖

[@ElJorro]

I agree with the fun books. I think this is why I am drifting towards comic books and middle grade fiction a lot. Because those books are fun! I don't always need some deep examination on the human condition. Just beat up the bad guy, find the treasure, and save the day!

[@purplexzombie3371]

Totally agree with hating the book comparisons but u understand marketing. I just wish they put more thought into it. Imo folk need to give more love to the book covers. Illustraotra work so hard but never get recognition

[@BaileeWalsh]

Jesse, I swear every time I watch one of your videos I'm like, SO RELATEABLE! also, so glad you cleared up that you only want to poop on a toilet.... anyway 6:06 While specific expectations still get in the way sometimes, I'm really good at rating and reviewing books, movies, shows, etc. for what they are. Like, I was talking to some friends and mentioned how the 4/5 stars for _this_ movie_ is different from the 4/5 stars I rated _that_ movie. I can rate a 40s screwball comedy and 2010s depressing drama the same thing because that's where I think they are at for my ideas of those movies or types of movies. And my ratings & reviews also touch on / are a combination of my liking, my enjoyment, my view of it's 'goodness,' and my critiques of the thing. 11:04 I agree with you and think authors need to realize if the quality is there so will fans. Like, Donna Tartt writes a book a decade and people are there every time. I think that's going to happen with her next book, and even more with how popular The Secret History has become over the last 5 years and more people have picked up her backlist. People consistently recommend and talk about her books because the quality is there and she has remained relevant at least to individuals, which means the individuals will show up upon her next release. Plus, I'm sure publishers and bookstores are aware of her popularity and continued presence in the literary world. I also think the person's comment just has to do with the world at large. EVERYTHING IS SO FAST PACED. Our attention spans, trend cycles, viral hits/videos/whatever- these are short and don't last. It's all feeding into each other like an ouroboros. We read a book, we're obsessed, it's the new hot thing. Then we're over it, we want something new, something else has caught our attention. And now the it book of the week has changed. But publishers and authors want to capitalize on the moment and make sure the books are selling while the author's previous book is still a hot topic or hot pick. Which I understand but it's only inevitable that will eventually wean or drop. I feel like they overshoot and hope for the best (example: by scheduling a trilogy to be released over the span of 17 months) instead of plan out something (some kind of relevancy) that can be maintained over a longer period of time.

[@lovelylife-tz4be]

I enjoy a good smut scene. I read predominantly YA books. And it's always like "how do we make this grafic without making it grafic". I think it's absolutely hilarious. Wich is why I enjoy it. If you want to read bad smut from someone who doesn't understand it read anything by E. L. James. If you know you know😂

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

Yeah, I don't think the problem is that Romance is becoming less niche and less underground or more mainstream now. The problem is that there are other varieties of thing that still need to come out of the shadows more too. So there isn't as much balance of variety as there should be!😊

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

(Like, it's not that there should be less romance; it's just that there should be more general fiction w/o romance, and/or more friendship-centric fiction!💖💖)

[@thebookchatter3074]

I agree that romance is dominating everything right now, but that makes it so refreshing to pick up a book, read it, and be like, huh, there was no romance in this (or heavily subdued). That was quite nice and different for a change. At least in my opinion.

[@Jupitertx79]

Hey I’m liking your headphones where did u get them❤

[@banaa9463]

Super agree with authors taking more time to write books. Chloe Gong's Immortal Longings comes to mind

[@wept_in_the]

YES, friendship for the win.

[@Trampolina2000]

TLDR; Sometimes books you read "just for fun" or that don't appear to have a point or a lot of substance do, you're just not realising it, people make meaning out of different things --> let people read what they want. I don't really read romance (not for any articular reason, I don't think it's "stupid" or whatever (let people read what they like(yes I sometimes do parantheses within parantheses I know it's a crime, sue me)), I just haven't really gotten around to it) but I borrowed one from a colleague and I told her how one guy reminded me so much of someone I used to date that I got anxiety from reading about how the main character got treated by him, and my colleague went "yeah that's kind of the point, that it's relatable to a lot of people". That blew my mind and I have gained so much respect for the author and the book. It is vague enough that it's applicable to a lot of people but it is specific enough to trigger my anxiety??? That is so clever.

[@francescakyanda9182]

HIGHLY agree with the romance subplot taking over! I am not a romance girlie and seeing it as B-plots in SO MANY BOOKS is truly so annoying, and it's almost always linked to smut or some kind of phyiscal intimacy. I'm ace and I actively avoid romance when I can because it's not my thing, I respect those who do like it, but I wish we could just have a cool story without romance in the spotlight.

[@WooperSuper]

My favorite book [*Cough* Epithet Erased: Prison of Plastic by Brendan Blaber, it's a sequel to a show called Epithet Erased] features the main antagonist, Lorelai Blyndeff, having a crush on the fan favorite character, Giovanni Potage, But it's kinda not that major I think. 90% of the book takes place in a fantasy kinda world that Lori made with her magic, which includes a bunch of silly characters Lori also made. The main thing their little plot focuses on is Lorelai trying to join Giovanni's new bad guy group through a minion test, while also trying to keep Giovanni's number one minion [And Lorelai's younger sister], Molly Blyndeff, far away from Gio... Because Lori is a child abuser. The super main story is Molly [And her friends Trixie and Feenie... + Rick] trying to stop Lori basically. Oh, did I mention Lori also kidnapped Molly's speech teacher who is also a super rich CEO the author finds hot somehow, Naven Nuknuk, to try and seem "evil" to giovanni? anyway yeah. I probably got a bunch of info wrong, imma be honest i dont really focus on this one... mainly because i hate lori... I think the main interaction I think of whenever I have to talk about them is around when they first meet: --- “Gross,” said Molly and Trixie, louder this time. “Shut up~!” Lori hissed at them. She turned back to Giovanni. “Sooo, like . . . what’s your name?” “Vincent Murder!” said Giovanni Potage. He dug around in another pocket of his utility belt and handed her something. “My calling card.” It was a baseball with the word “EVIL!!!” written all over it in red ink. “So cool,” she smiled. “So, like . . . what’re you doing here? Did you wanna buy some stuff for your costume or . . . ?” “Nahhh, I’m starting a new bad guy group! I’m gonna be the strongest villain of all time, so I’m out recruiting new members.” “Oh my gosh! I’m like . . . super strong. I could be one of your minions!” All three little girls immediately began making wild “NO!” motions with their hands. Lori stepped between them and Giovanni. “My epithet can pretty much do whatever!” “Oh yeah? Well normally I only accept recommendations from pre-existing minions. Let’s check your references. . . .” He leaned his spindly frame past Lori. “Bear Trap, what do you think?” “Ummmmmm . . .” Molly droned, trying to think of the loudest way she could say “no” without sounding like a jerk. Lorelai looked between Molly and Giovanni. “You know my sister?” she asked. “Yeah! . . . Oh. You’re her sister?” It didn’t escape Lorelai’s notice that a little bit of excitement vanished from Giovanni’s eyes. Had Molly said something bad about her? Ugh, that little mosquito! “Sure am! Isn’t she cute?” Lori squeezed up against Molly and hugged her like she was a stress toy. Molly looked at her sister like she smelled. --- I find the stuff like [“Vincent Murder!” said Giovanni Potage.] really funny. so sorry for the infodump im sorry

[@harley69210]

i think that perspective shift on "reading slumps" is exactly what i needed to hear. there are hundreds of things i want to do, but because i feel obligated to want to read, my anxiety just leads to me doing nothing at all.

[@Jess-fp2wf]

My unpopular opinion is I’m tired of seeing every book set in a small town as being “Schitt’s Creek” or “Gilmore Girls” vibes. Those shows are so much more than a small town. It’s the characters and all the feels. Also, I really wish books would stop being marketed as “popular show” meets “popular movie”. Just write the story and let me figure out the vibes I get.

[@small_and_dangerous2068]

“I don’t know if there are people out there setting rules to reading, but if there are- PLEASE BLOCK THEM!” Me. Hi. I’m the problem, it’s me. BUT. Only with myself. I used to be SO hard on myself for not completing my reading goals. I used to feel frustrated if I wasn’t meeting this quota in my head. I felt like I was “falling behind” all of the other readers online when it came to popular books. It unknowingly made such a joyous hobby feel like a chore. Then this month hit and I have been under a huge wave of depression. Then my mom injured herself pretty badly, so I’m taking care of her and my home. Reading is still fun, but it hasn’t been a priority. But I’ve taken a page from another booktuber allisonpaiges and her saying constantly in her videos: “If you’re reading, you’re winning!” And this made me cry. I felt like it was okay to read at my own pace. That my reading hobby shouldn’t become another thing for my brain to be anxious about. So I’ve become a lot more relaxed with my relationship with reading 📖 ❤

[@calyshab6874]

Hard agree on more standalone fantasy stories. Like, don't get me wrong; I've started more than several series where I loved the first book but I'll also take months or even years to read the next book. I have commitment issues. @@

[@WooperSuper]

I'm really hoping my favorite book wont turn out like this. It's called Epithet Erased: Prison of Plastic, and it's a sequel to a show on youtube called Epithet Erased. The show is being turned into 2 books. One for the museum arc, episodes 1-4, with the working title Breaking Silence, and it will be 95% the same as the original episodes. The other one is for the western arc, which is episodes 5-7. PoP is the third chronologically, and the first book released. I think it's confirmed theres gonna be 5 books, the other ones likely being called Sweet Escape and Horizontal Pilot Command, and there's a possibility of there being 9 books... I _really_ hope that happens because if there's a book 8 it will take place in Ocean Country AND I WANT MORE OCEAN COUNTRY INFO1!11

[@AsuraSantosha]

On the favorite book comment: I love reading and I read quite a lot and quite a variety. I have not come across a favorite "naturally" because I'm just inherently against rhe idea of favorites. I like too many things and see too much nuance in the world to definitively rank the things I like. If you want to annoy me, a great way would be to start a question with: "What's your favorite...?" So glad my kids ask me that what feels like DAILY despite me trying to explain away the concept of favorites. Lol

[@jenniferclark677]

100% agree- Series HAVE to match! It is so annoying when they are mismatchedddd

[@erinmade8682]

Omg this was the best video 😍 thank you ❤

[@BreakevenBooks]

I love standalone books! So I am here for that point where it doesn't always need to be a series.

[@linglingspacewhales1977]

I hate my “reading slump” cycles. For 6 months, I won’t touch a book. Then the next six months I tear through them. It really sucks, I wish I could balance my hobbies but all I can do is ride the wave. I’m currently in the painting phase of the year. Next month I will probably burn out and enter the writing phase. It’s like clockwork every year lol 😂

[@twistedlinguistic7347]

I prefer e-books to physical books. "The Good Fairies of New York" by Martin Millar is a great fantasy standalone!

[@butzichen]

here I was thinking mmm interesting, agreeing more or less to an opinion and then the mismatched edition opinion shows up and I'm just raging that someone could end up encouraging that atrocious behavior of publishers😝. Series need to match! I'll pay double to have them match, but do not rob me of the choice to have them match 😂

[@wolfme4030]

DNF ing is not always the right thing to do. At about 24% of CJ Tudor’s The Drift, I was told to DNF it because I didn’t particularly like any of the characters and wasn’t really interested in the storyline. I ignored the advice and finished the book. Having got to the end and having a full understanding of the characters and storyline whilst it didn’t become my favourite book ever, it is one that I did enjoy.

[@laravandenberg6740]

I need more friendship books too! Anyone have good recs? I loved Lovesless by Alice Oseman :) it shows that friends are just as important and special as a partner

[@Morfeusm]

Does Lies of Locke Lamora count? It’s probably nowhere near the Loveless but it’s a cool book with very cool friendship.

[@laravandenberg6740]

@@Morfeusm thanks! i wanted to add it to my tbr but apparently I already did a few months back hahah

[@futoijosei]

I don't do stars. I just rate books based on if I like it or not.

[@JamesLawner]

Reading comics/manga/graphic novels still count as reading and they can be as literary as any other prose novel! 💥💥

[@anotheroneofthecrowd9379]

6:07 is something that I’ve been yelling about for so longgg. I go on Goodreads and see all these negative books reviews with criticism that is completely irrelevant to what the book is. Like, sorry you had completely different expectations, but you should have known if you read the pitch. Read. Books. Contextually. Please.

[@sarahmellinger2907]

About the one where books will say they’re like X book or X series: I hate this because it’s always obvious that the publisher picked out popular books that aren’t related at all. And I’m usually able to think of one or two books that fit so much better, but are less well-known. If I ever write a book, I WILL NOT be letting my publisher choose my comp titles. I know exactly where my inspiration comes from and I will be using those things as my comp titles.

[@BrebearMckae]

4:40 … should we tell him about the kama sutra? 😬😬

[@elisabetheastwood5163]

I believe it was Oscar Wilde (and a lot of other people, I just really like my boi Wilde) who said, "Art for art's sake." And I agree 100% with that.

[@ximenaallessandrij.5972]

You know, you do you and every one has their own personal opinion, but the Hunger games covers ones... was really something 😅 Okay they're horrible but at least that person has a very colorful collection :3

[@emeliarosebud]

Unpopular Opinion: I DNF JUST AS CONSISTENTLY AS I FINISH BOOKS! IF IM NOT ENJOYING A BOOK (SOMETIMES NOT EVEN CAUSE ITS A BAD BOOK BUT JUST THAT I KNOW IT ISNT FOR ME PERSONALLY) I DONT SEE THE POINT IN FORCING MYSELF TO FINISH IT WHEN I HAVE SO MANY OTHER BOOKS IN MY COLLECTION OR I WANT TO GET FOR MY COLLECTION THAT I HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO LOVE IF I WERE TO BE READING THEM INSTEAD!

[@GraceTheReader]

My only thing with authors pushing out books at such a fast pace while you’re right craft and quality matters, every book is also how authors pay the bills. They have to make a living and although I think every author should aim to improve their craft as well, they need to put food on their table. I feel like this sounds super rude and I’m not meaning it that way at all😭 I hope it comes across the right way😭

[@jaziybabe]

I really like opening the discussion of people saying things are “cheating” within reading. I like the point that was made that it’s your goal, people don’t need to be policing that. People will say audiobooks, children’s stories, manga/graphic novels is cheating. Personally, I keep a record of my reading separate from my Goodreads where I have manga and novels separate and keep track of a lot of other stats because I find it interesting and want to push myself. Like I want to try to read more full novels and not just read quick things to get the total up. But that’s just me. I’m not going to try to tell someone what “counts” or not. Like calm down and just let people live! Come on.

[@unabashedlyanne4527]

Jesse: Normalize books just being fun! Me: (who shamelessly loves a series called Fred the Vampire Accountant) YES👏 SIR 👏

[@Morfeusm]

That sounds hilarious lol

[@unabashedlyanne4527]

@@Morfeusm It’s hilarious and unhinged but at some point the world building/magic system just gets a little too involved to be a joke anymore 😂 Most unhinged series I’ve read but also the most entertaining

[@BRG604]

My hot take is that readers' will have their own experience while reading and what is fun to one person may not be fun to another. I get that people found Fourth Wing to be 'just a fun read"; but I felt it was a chore to get through because I thought it was badly written and it is as simple as that.

[@laynasmith6770]

I am a firm believer ACOTAR didn’t need to be a series 👀👀

[@NothingIsWrongToday]

I am often very hesitant to go into a fantasy book, especially if the MC is a girl because 9 times out of 10 there's going to be some sort of romance sub plot that takes over the whole book. And NOTHING grinds my gears more than going into a book that promises a thrilling plot only for it to be treated like a background character and the romance of the characters taking the majority of the pages. It has gotten to a point where I pick up a book and almost immediately drop it because The MC is a girl. And I AM a girl myself. I don't mind a bit of romance but I hate picking up a Fantasy book or even Distopian one and it just being a romance. If I want to read a romance I'll just read THAT. You know? Now that Im older I can appreciate a little romace here and there in the books I read but I avoided Female MC's like the plague in my teenage years and Very early 20's lol.

[@emmal7510]

The author/series comparisons only bother me when they're for two authors or series that I have vastly different opinions on.

[@SheeshAleesh0718]

Yes people should be allowed to read for fun AND I think it is the responsibility of readers (esp influencers) to make sure they are financially supporting authors responsibly. Stop supporting cultural appropriation/misogyny/etc

[@trinc9015]

Lol 😂 those neon covers are terrible! But man I love hunger games so much!

[@kassandraheroux9358]

Slow reader are valid Having a low book goal is ok too Dyslexic people can love reading Even if it hard Books less than a 100 pages are books juste like audiobooks are You can stop reading for years and still be a bookworm And book influencers that shame others for these points are not worthy of my time

[@jasmineduffer3424]

My sister loves to purposefully put her books out of size order so all the different heights are next to each other 😬

[@jodydiou]

I "read" 200+ books last year and my My friend said well. She really didn't read them because I listen to audio books

[@fawkes714]

soooo something I'm usually mad about, is that people who make content about books usually forget age restriction stuff??? like, no I don't have Four Wings on my bookshelf, I'm 13

[@WooperSuper]

My favorite book, Epithet Erased: Prison of Plastic by Brendan Blaber, isn't really romance focused. Of course, there is the main antagonist, Lorelai Blyndeff, having a crush on the fan favorite, Giovanni Potage. I kinda hate it, because honestly sometimes its a little cute, but Lorelai is a child abuser and I do NOT want her anywhere near silly soup man,,, Luckily they never end up together, like Lorelai, I think your "future-boyfriend" WANTS A BOYFRIEND. ONE OF HIS MINIONS LITERALLY HAS A CRUSH ON HIM, THAT MINION IS *CRUSHER.* ...Oh and Spike has a crush on Giovanni too. One of my favorite ships is Giovanni x Rick, mostly because of the name... SOUPMATES. _SOUPMATES._ ...Get it? Giovanni's epithet [power based on a single word] is SOUP. Rick's epithet is SOULMATES... hehe soupmates, i love silly ship names

[@glaringdream1456]

I have a really unpopular opinion... I love the miscommunication trope :P

[@leafalls1137]

I don't think authors are rushing to write more books because they fear a loss of relevance. It's because advances are getting divided up into smaller payments, royalties are paid out later, and in general advances aren't keeping up with inflation. A lot of authors are simply trying to pay bills. Oh dear those Hunger Games covers though xD