Let’s Talk Bookish: Bookish Trends of 2025 | 1/9/26

Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly bookish meme originally created by Rukky @ Eternity Books and hosted by Aria @ Book Nook Bits, where every Friday, bloggers write discussion posts based on a weekly prompt and Dini @ dinipandareads has cohosted since the beginning of 2025.

This week’s topic is:

January 9: Bookish Trends of 2025

Prompts: Looking back on the past year, what bookish trends have you noticed? Are certain tropes, types of blogging, or other book-related content becoming more popular? If you did this post last year (Bookish Trends of 2024), do you notice any trend changes from that post? What changes do you foresee in 2026? What bookish trend would you most want to see become popular, or come back?

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Looking back on the past year, what bookish trends have you noticed?

I think we’ve ALL noticed this one – but every book getting a sprayed edge, deluxe edition. I love it and hate it. 🤣

Are certain tropes, types of blogging, or other book-related content becoming more popular?

Tropes or categories of books I found repetitive and popular this year:

Vampires – making a comeback or just never went away?
Werewolves – definitely a comeback!
Alchemy – so many books with alchemy!
Dramione – this was a recurrent theme.
Romantasy – the usual themes: enemies to lovers, slow burn, prophecy, special FMC with powers, secret identity, etc…
Shadow daddies – still around but not as much I think.
Dragons
Fae – so popular!
Dystopia – made such a comeback!
Dark Academia – it was everywhere.

What changes do you foresee in 2026?

I think more indie authors will be picked up by trad publishing. It seems like it was picking up in the second half of 2025 already.

What bookish trend would you most want to see become popular, or come back?

I want to see more urban fantasy like Red City by. Marie Lu!

I feel like not a lot of contemporary romances have been hitting good lately, and I don’t know what can change to make me want to read more of it this year, but maybe that’s just a ME issue?

January 2026 Topics:

January 2: Top Reads in Five Words/Sentences

~~Prompts~~: What were your top 5 (or top 10) reads in 2025? If you had five words or sentences (your choice!) to describe each book and convince other readers to pick it up, how would you describe your 2025 favourites?

January 9: Bookish Trends of 2025

~~Prompts:~~ Looking back on the past year, what bookish trends have you noticed? Are certain tropes, types of blogging, or other book-related content becoming more popular? If you did this post last year (Bookish Trends of 2024), do you notice any trend changes from that post? What changes do you foresee in 2026? What bookish trend would you most want to see become popular, or come back?

January 16: Book Blogging Slumps (Danielle @ Poetry Books YA)

Prompts: People frequently talk about reading slumps, but what about blogging slumps? What gives you motivation for blogging? What makes you lose motivation? Have you ever gone through one before? How did you break out of it? What advice would you give to a book blogger who’s in one?

January 23: Underrated Books (Leyre @ Read You Leyre)

Prompts: What makes a book “underrated”? Did you read any books in 2025 that you think are underrated? Did you read any books with underrated tropes (or micro tropes) or genres? What are some of your favourite “underrated” reads from 2025 and of all time?

January 30: Freebie!

Prompts: You made it to the end of the month—congrats! For the fifth Friday of the month, pick your own topic. You can check out our blogs for inspiration (Aria and Dini) or write about something else you’re interested in!

Let’s Talk Bookish: Top Reads in Five Words/Sentences | 1/2/26

This week’s topic is:

January 2: Top Reads in Five Words/Sentences

Prompts: What were your top 5 (or top 10) reads in 2025? If you had five words or sentences (your choice!) to describe each book and convince other readers to pick it up, how would you describe your 2025 favourites?

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What were your top 5 (or top 10) reads in 2025? If you had five words or sentences (your choice!) to describe each book and convince other readers to pick it up, how would you describe your 2025 favourites?

This is so hard to pick! In no particularly order, these were some of my favorite books of 2025!

Oathbound by. Tracy Deonn – Bree’s turning point!
Atmosphere by. Taylor Jenkins Reid – Made me cry.
Coffin Moon by. Keith Rosson – Horror but make it heartfelt.
The Night Prince by. Lauren Palphreyman – I only gave it 4 stars? But I could not get Blake out of my mind. I re-read this one a couple of times!
Nightshade by. Autumn Woods – addicting.
We Who Will Die by. Stacia Stark – vampires and gladiators – yes!
Tusk Love by. Thea Guanzon – adventurous and fun
Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by. Kylie Lee Baker – covid and a serial killer
Sunrise on the Reaping by. Suzanne Collins – Haymitch’s story 😭
Daggermouth by. H.M. Wolfe – blew my mind

January 2026 Topics:

January 2: Top Reads in Five Words/Sentences

January 9: Bookish Trends of 2025

January 16: Book Blogging Slumps (Danielle @ Poetry Books YA)

January 23: Underrated Books (Leyre @ Read You Leyre)

January 30: Freebie!

Let’s Talk Bookish: How do you decide your yearly reading goals? | 12/26/25

This week’s topic is:

December 26: How do you decide your yearly reading goals? (Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly)

Prompts: Do you set annual reading and/or blogging goals? Have you decided on any bookish/blogging resolutions for 2026? How do you decide what goals you want to pursue for the year ahead?

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Do you set annual reading and/or blogging goals?

Sometimes? 😅. Depends on how I’m feeling, but I usually stick to the same number for reading.

Have you decided on any bookish/blogging resolutions for 2026?

Request LESS books on NetGalley. I went overboard in 2025.
Remind myself I don’t have to read every arc that is offered to me when the publisher emails me. I am SO grateful, but sometimes the books aren’t even genres I read and I’m getting more emails. I think I’ll do a highlight post of the book.
And just keep on top of posting.

How do you decide what goals you want to pursue for the year ahead?

Doing the end of the year post helps me evaluate how my blogging and reading year was and it helps me to figure out what I want to change, what I want to cut or add, etc…also I’m not strict about changing things. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work – this is a hobby and I want to keep it fun.

December Topics:

December 5: Festive Reads

~~Prompts~~~~: Do you read holiday/winter-themed reads? Do you have any on your TBR this December? What have been favorites from past years? Are there any festive books you like to re-read during the holidays?~~

December 12: Goodreads Choice Awards

~~Prompts:~~ The 2025 Goodreads Choice Award winners were announced on December 4th! Do you vote for or keep up with the awards? Have you read any of this year’s winners or nominees? The categories have also changed in recent years, creating some controversy: the Romantasy category was added in 2024, and the Children’s and Middle Grade category was removed. What do you think about these changes? What categories would you like to see go away or come back? Are there any other changes to the awards that you’d like to see?

December 19: 2026 Anticipated Releases (Leyre @ Read You Leyre)

Prompts: What 2026 releases are you most excited for? Are there any sequels you’re looking forward to reading? Are there any debut authors you’re excited to see release their first books? Any favorite authors coming out with something new?

December 26: How do you decide your yearly reading goals? (Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly)

~~Prompts: Do you set annual reading and/or blogging goals? Have you decided on any bookish/blogging resolutions for 2026? How do you decide what goals you want to pursue for the year ahead?~~

Let’s Talk Bookish: 2026 Anticipated Releases | 12/19/25

This week’s topic is:

December 19: 2026 Anticipated Releases (Leyre @ Read You Leyre)

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What 2026 releases are you most excited for?

Are there any sequels you’re looking forward to reading?

There are so many more to list!

Are there any debut authors you’re excited to see release their first books?

Any favorite authors coming out with something new?

December Topics:

December 5: Festive Reads

December 12: Goodreads Choice Awards

December 19: 2026 Anticipated Releases (Leyre @ Read You Leyre)

December 26: How do you decide your yearly reading goals? (Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly)

Prompts: Do you set annual reading and/or blogging goals? Have you decided on any bookish/blogging resolutions for 2026? How do you decide what goals you want to pursue for the year ahead?

Let’s Talk Bookish: Goodreads Choice Awards | 12/12/25

This week’s topic is:

December 12: Goodreads Choice Awards

Prompts: The 2025 Goodreads Choice Award winners were announced on December 4th! Do you vote for or keep up with the awards? Have you read any of this year’s winners or nominees? The categories have also changed in recent years, creating some controversy: the Romantasy category was added in 2024, and the Children’s and Middle Grade category was removed. What do you think about these changes? What categories would you like to see go away or come back? Are there any other changes to the awards that you’d like to see?

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The 2025 Goodreads Choice Award winners were announced on December 4th! Do you vote for or keep up with the awards? Have you read any of this year’s winners or nominees?

I do vote if I see any books I’ve read on the list. And I did see books I’ve read in some categories and voted for the ones I loved.

The categories have also changed in recent years, creating some controversy: the Romantasy category was added in 2024, and the Children’s and Middle Grade category was removed. What do you think about these changes?

I didn’t even know they created a category and removed one, that’s how I’m not so serious about the awards I guess. I vote for fun. I don’t know how I feel about them removing a category, I guess I didn’t notice so it’s fine. 🤷🏻‍♀️

What categories would you like to see go away or come back? Are there any other changes to the awards that you’d like to see?

Again, I’m just a casual voter and do it if I’m on Goodreads and see it’s up, but the results don’t usually make me want to read a book more. So I don’t know that I care about it enough to want changes to it.

December Topics:

December 5: Festive Reads

December 12: Goodreads Choice Awards

December 19: 2026 Anticipated Releases (Leyre @ Read You Leyre)

December 26: How do you decide your yearly reading goals? (Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly)

Prompts: Do you set annual reading and/or blogging goals? Have you decided on any bookish/blogging resolutions for 2026? How do you decide what goals you want to pursue for the year ahead?

Let’s Talk Bookish: Festive Reads | 12/5/25

This week’s topic is:

December 5: Festive Reads

Prompts: Do you read holiday/winter-themed reads? Do you have any on your TBR this December? What have been favorites from past years? Are there any festive books you like to re-read during the holidays?

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Do you read holiday/winter-themed reads?

I read holiday/winter-themes arcs and they are published in October usually so I’m reading them in September, which kind of defeats the purpose for me lol. Because I’m probably reading horror in September also since it’s Fall.

But if I don’t have arcs, I sometimes don’t seek out holiday reads. It’s also very hot right now still in Hawaii and I’m not feeling wintery at all. So I think I’m skipping them this year unless I see something on Kindle Unlimited that catches my eye.

Do you have any on your TBR this December?

I do not.

What have been favorites from past years?

When I was into historical romances, years ago, decades ago 😅 I used to love anything by Lisa Kleypas. But the most current holiday romance I read and enjoyed is My Favorite Holidate by. Lauren Blakely.

Are there any festive books you like to re-read during the holidays?

No, I don’t.

December Topics:

December 5: Festive Reads

December 12: Goodreads Choice Awards

December 19: 2026 Anticipated Releases (Leyre @ Read You Leyre)

December 26: How do you decide your yearly reading goals? (Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly)

Prompts: Do you set annual reading and/or blogging goals? Have you decided on any bookish/blogging resolutions for 2026? How do you decide what goals you want to pursue for the year ahead?

Let’s Talk Bookish: Bookish Etiquette | 11/28/25

This week’s topic is:

November 28: Bookish Etiquette (Laurie @ Laurie Is Reading)

Prompts: There’s always a lot of bookish discourse ongoing on social media. People talk about selling ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies), tagging authors and publishers in reviews, only posting positive reviews— we’ve seen it all! Do you think there’s something such as “bookish etiquette”? Why or why not? What do you think are some dos and don’ts as readers and/or reviewers? Do you agree with all the discourse, or do you stay far away from all the drama?

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Do you think there’s something such as “bookish etiquette”? Why or why not?

I’ve definitely seen all the talk and discourse about certain reader behaviors and I do think there is something to bookish etiquette. I don’t get any physical ARCs, mostly ebooks, so I never thought people would think of selling it. But if they don’t want it on their shelf or they have no space for it – is it better to just donate? 🤷🏻‍♀️ As for tagging authors and publishers in reviews – I don’t even think to do it because I either forget or I’m just really lazy in making my posts 😅, I just do a hashtag of their book title. But I can see how it can be awful for an author getting bad reviews or something.

What do you think are some dos and don’ts as readers and/or reviewers?

I definitely don’t think physical arcs should be sold.
Tagging authors because you want them to know you hated their book? Nope – just maybe refrain from it and move on? lol
Only positive reviews? I’ve learned there are a LOT of “here for the vibes” readers out there and there is a 6 star review trend now. I can barely give out a 5 star, I don’t know how to even find a 6 star book. 😅. But that’s just me. I think it’s fine to read for the vibes, I wish I was that kind of reader and could give 5 stars easily but I’m not.

Do you agree with all the discourse, or do you stay far away from all the drama?

I stay away from the drama – because there is so much of it. I just want to read in peace. 😅

November Topics:

November 7: Reading Non-Fiction

~~Prompts~~: Happy Non-Fiction November! Do you read non-fiction? If you do read it, what do you love about it? What are your favourite categories to read about (i.e. true crime, historical, memoirs, self-help), and what are some of your favourite non-fiction books? Do you have any tips for those who want to get into reading more non-fiction? If you don’t read non-fiction, what don’t you like about it? Do you think that will change (or has it already changed) over the years?

November 14: Are “Special Editions” still special?

~~Prompts:~~ With the amount of ‘special’, ‘limited’, or ‘collectors’ editions that have saturated the market (including special limited ARCs), do you still consider special editions to be special? Do you buy special editions? If so, what makes you want to buy one (i.e. sprayed edges, foiling, character art, etc.)? Give us the tea— what books do you think have too many special editions, and what books do you wish had more (or even one!) special editions?

November 21: End-of-Year Reading Goals?

Prompts: What books do you want to read before the end of the year? Are there any new releases you’re still looking forward to? What goals did you set at the beginning of the year? Have you changed or added to those goals?

November 28: Bookish Etiquette (Laurie @ Laurie Is Reading)

Let’s Talk Bookish: End-of-Year Reading Goals? | 11/21/25

This week’s topic is:

November 21: End-of-Year Reading Goals?

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What books do you want to read before the end of the year?

I, Medusa by. Ayana Gray
Brimstone by. Callie Hart
Never Ever After by. Sue Lynn Tan
Every Spiral of Fate by. Tahereh Mafi

Are there any new releases you’re still looking forward to?

I think all my anticipated books for this year have already been published.

What goals did you set at the beginning of the year? Have you changed or added to those goals?

I don’t think a did a list of goals for this year, and if I did, I can’t find it. 😅 I did start a reading journal and I did keep up with it! YAY. I did start a book youtube channel – and I gave up making content lol, it’s too much work! I did meet my reading goals which is always nice. And I did start posting more on instagram. I started also posting on tiktok which was a goal I added mid-year.

November Topics:

November 7: Reading Non-Fiction

November 14: Are “Special Editions” still special?

November 21: End-of-Year Reading Goals?

November 28: Bookish Etiquette (Laurie @ Laurie Is Reading)

Let’s Talk Bookish: Are “Special Editions” still special? | 11/14/25

This week’s topic is:

November 14: Are “Special Editions” still special?

Prompts: With the amount of ‘special’, ‘limited’, or ‘collectors’ editions that have saturated the market (including special limited ARCs), do you still consider special editions to be special? Do you buy special editions? If so, what makes you want to buy one (i.e. sprayed edges, foiling, character art, etc.)? Give us the tea— what books do you think have too many special editions, and what books do you wish had more (or even one!) special editions?

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With the amount of ‘special’, ‘limited’, or ‘collectors’ editions that have saturated the market (including special limited ARCs), do you still consider special editions to be special?

Yes…because I can’t get all of them. 😅. I think deluxe editions that have sprayed edges are not special, but I do think limited and collectors editions from book subscription boxes or other companies that do their own sprayed edges are very special because it can be hard to get (because it’s limited and sold out OR, I just don’t have the funds lol).

Do you buy special editions?

I subscribe to Fairyloot’s YA box – but I really want all three, YA, Adult and Romantasy. But seems like the waitlist is very long for the Adult and Romantasy. Also if they have other non-box editions, I try to buy them but again…it sells out. I also discovered Allurial – but that one, I’ll buy if I see something I like (I just don’t like the A logo on the book covers).

If so, what makes you want to buy one (i.e. sprayed edges, foiling, character art, etc.)?

It has to be a book I love usually. Sometimes it might just be one that I just love the edges, foiling and character art. But I like to collect special editions of books I’ve already read and loved. Of course the box subscription usually have books I haven’t read and I like that! But when I search for a special edition, it’s usually a book I love. Now sometimes I can go on discounted sites like Book Outlet and find a sprayed edge of a book I didn’t totally love but enjoyed and for the right price I’ll buy it and add to my shelf because it’s pretty. 😅

Give us the tea— what books do you think have too many special editions, and what books do you wish had more (or even one!) special editions?

The ACOTAR series has way too many editions – I don’t know if they are special editions, but there are too many different versions of the cover for the set. Actually that might go for Throne of Glass series too but I’m not sure. I kind of wish the series This Woven Kingdom by. Tahereh Mafi had special editions or sprayed edges, the book covers are gorgeous…would have loved the edges to get some special treatment! I also wish the Legendborn series came out with sprayed edges – there is a Fairyloot version for Oathbound but I want a matching set! Who knows, maybe both these series eventually will have limited editions.

November Topics:

November 7: Reading Non-Fiction

November 14: Are “Special Editions” still special?

November 21: End-of-Year Reading Goals?

November 28: Bookish Etiquette (Laurie @ Laurie Is Reading)

Let’s Talk Bookish: Reading Non-Fiction | 11/7/25

This week’s topic is:

November 7: Reading Non-Fiction

Prompts: Happy Non-Fiction November! Do you read non-fiction? If you do read it, what do you love about it? What are your favourite categories to read about (i.e. true crime, historical, memoirs, self-help), and what are some of your favourite non-fiction books? Do you have any tips for those who want to get into reading more non-fiction? If you don’t read non-fiction, what don’t you like about it? Do you think that will change (or has it already changed) over the years?

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Do you read non-fiction? If you do read it, what do you love about it?

I very seldom read non-fiction, but when I do it’s because I want information – I want “the tea” so to speak. 😅

What are your favourite categories to read about (i.e. true crime, historical, memoirs, self-help), and what are some of your favourite non-fiction books?

I don’t think I’ve read true crime non-fiction (but give me a documentary on tv and I will eat it up!). If I do read non-fiction it will be memoirs.

Do you have any tips for those who want to get into reading more non-fiction?

Unfortunately, I don’t read enough of it to give tips about how to get into reading it but I think reading a memoir is a good start.

November Topics:

January 9: Bookish Trends of 2025

Looking back on the past year, what bookish trends have you noticed?

Are certain tropes, types of blogging, or other book-related content becoming more popular?

What changes do you foresee in 2026?

What bookish trend would you most want to see become popular, or come back?

January 2: Top Reads in Five Words/Sentences

January 9: Bookish Trends of 2025

January 16: Book Blogging Slumps (Danielle @ Poetry Books YA)

January 23: Underrated Books (Leyre @ Read You Leyre)

January 30: Freebie!

Share this:

January 2: Top Reads in Five Words/Sentences

What were your top 5 (or top 10) reads in 2025? If you had five words or sentences (your choice!) to describe each book and convince other readers to pick it up, how would you describe your 2025 favourites?

January 2: Top Reads in Five Words/Sentences

January 9: Bookish Trends of 2025

January 16: Book Blogging Slumps (Danielle @ Poetry Books YA)

January 23: Underrated Books (Leyre @ Read You Leyre)

January 30: Freebie!

Share this:

December 26: How do you decide your yearly reading goals? (Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly)

Do you set annual reading and/or blogging goals?

Have you decided on any bookish/blogging resolutions for 2026?

How do you decide what goals you want to pursue for the year ahead?

December 5: Festive Reads

December 12: Goodreads Choice Awards

December 19: 2026 Anticipated Releases (Leyre @ Read You Leyre)

December 26: How do you decide your yearly reading goals? (Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly)

Share this:

December 19: 2026 Anticipated Releases (Leyre @ Read You Leyre)

What 2026 releases are you most excited for?

Are there any sequels you’re looking forward to reading?

Are there any debut authors you’re excited to see release their first books?

Any favorite authors coming out with something new?

December 5: Festive Reads

December 12: Goodreads Choice Awards

December 19: 2026 Anticipated Releases (Leyre @ Read You Leyre)

December 26: How do you decide your yearly reading goals? (Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly)

Share this:

December 12: Goodreads Choice Awards

The 2025 Goodreads Choice Award winners were announced on December 4th! Do you vote for or keep up with the awards? Have you read any of this year’s winners or nominees?

The categories have also changed in recent years, creating some controversy: the Romantasy category was added in 2024, and the Children’s and Middle Grade category was removed. What do you think about these changes?

What categories would you like to see go away or come back? Are there any other changes to the awards that you’d like to see?

December 5: Festive Reads

December 12: Goodreads Choice Awards

December 19: 2026 Anticipated Releases (Leyre @ Read You Leyre)

December 26: How do you decide your yearly reading goals? (Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly)

Share this:

December 5: Festive Reads

Do you read holiday/winter-themed reads?

Do you have any on your TBR this December?

What have been favorites from past years?

December 5: Festive Reads

December 12: Goodreads Choice Awards

December 19: 2026 Anticipated Releases (Leyre @ Read You Leyre)

December 26: How do you decide your yearly reading goals? (Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly)

Share this:

November 28: Bookish Etiquette (Laurie @ Laurie Is Reading)

Do you think there’s something such as “bookish etiquette”? Why or why not?

What do you think are some dos and don’ts as readers and/or reviewers?

Do you agree with all the discourse, or do you stay far away from all the drama?

November 7: Reading Non-Fiction

November 14: Are “Special Editions” still special?

November 21: End-of-Year Reading Goals?

November 28: Bookish Etiquette (Laurie @ Laurie Is Reading)

Share this:

November 21: End-of-Year Reading Goals?

What books do you want to read before the end of the year?

Are there any new releases you’re still looking forward to?

What goals did you set at the beginning of the year? Have you changed or added to those goals?

November 7: Reading Non-Fiction

November 14: Are “Special Editions” still special?

November 21: End-of-Year Reading Goals?

November 28: Bookish Etiquette (Laurie @ Laurie Is Reading)

Share this:

November 14: Are “Special Editions” still special?

With the amount of ‘special’, ‘limited’, or ‘collectors’ editions that have saturated the market (including special limited ARCs), do you still consider special editions to be special?

Do you buy special editions?

If so, what makes you want to buy one (i.e. sprayed edges, foiling, character art, etc.)?

Give us the tea— what books do you think have too many special editions, and what books do you wish had more (or even one!) special editions?

November 7: Reading Non-Fiction