Tag: blogging

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

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:

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?

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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

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)

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?


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

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:

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

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)

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?


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

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:

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:

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)

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?


Let’s Talk Bookish:  Recapping Anticipated Reads | 10/24/25

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:

October 24: Recapping Anticipated Reads

Prompts: With two months left in the year following October, let’s recap your anticipated releases so far. How have you fared with your most anticipated releases in 2025—have they mostly met with your expectations or have you been let down? Were you surprised by 2025 releases you weren’t anticipating but ended up being more enjoyable than expected? Are there any 2025 releases you’re still waiting on? If you like, share your top 2025 releases so far!

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With two months left in the year following October, let’s recap your anticipated releases so far. How have you fared with your most anticipated releases in 2025—have they mostly met with your expectations or have you been let down?

I think yes – most of the my anticipated reads met my expectations except maybe Onyx Storm. I might borrow the audiobook though just to see if it can change my mind about it. 😅

Were you surprised by 2025 releases you weren’t anticipating but ended up being more enjoyable than expected?

Yes, so many books were surprisingly so enjoyable this year and I’m grateful for Netgalley for helping find books I wouldn’t have been aware of at all.

Are there any 2025 releases you’re still waiting on?

Only a few more anticipated reads for me left in 2025!

October Topics:

October 3: Authors Branching Out (Melanie @ Melanie’s Book Blog)

Prompts: How do you feel when an author you love does something new and not at all like their previous work? Do you still read all their books, or do you stop after a point? If they write in a new genre that you don’t read, do you read it for the author, or stop following every title the author releases (in the new genre)? What are some of your favourite books where the author veered away from their previous work quite drastically?

October 10: TBR Roulette

Prompts: What makes you keep a book on your TBR? Find a random number generator, put in the number of books on your TBR and roll 5 times! Note down the book each number corresponds to on your list (or just pick 5 books at random off your TBR) and tell us: what made you add the book to your shelf—was it a cover add? Does it have your favourite tropes? How long has it been on your TBR? If it has been on your TBR for a long time, do you still want to read it or have you lost interest?

October 17: Oh, the Horror (Snapdragon @ Snapdragon Alcove)

Prompts: Do you read horror? What do you think of when you hear the word horror? Are there any books you read that are not practically horror but have some horror element in them?

October 24: Recapping Anticipated Reads

Prompts: With two months left in the year following October, let’s recap your anticipated releases so far. How have you fared with your most anticipated releases in 2025—have they mostly met with your expectations or have you been let down? Were you surprised by 2025 releases you weren’t anticipating but ended up being more enjoyable than expected? Are there any 2025 releases you’re still waiting on? If you like, share your top 2025 releases so far!

October 31: Halloween Freebie! 👻

Prompts: Happy Halloween, folks! 🎃 To celebrate the spooky fest, we’re making today a Halloween freebie! You can check out our blogs for inspiration (Aria and Dini) or write about something else you’re interested in!


Let’s Talk Bookish:  Oh, the Horror | 10/17/25

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:

October 17: Oh, the Horror (Snapdragon @ Snapdragon Alcove)

Prompts: Do you read horror? What do you think of when you hear the word horror? Are there any books you read that are not practically horror but have some horror element in them?

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Do you read horror?

Yes! I actually had a Stephen King phase in high school, until one of the books really scared me and I couldn’t sleep at night. 😂 As an adult I like to read horror here and there, mostly around spooky season!

What do you think of when you hear the word horror?

Blood, paranormal, murders….gore….creepy.

Are there any books you read that are not practically horror but have some horror element in them?

Yes a lot of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Isabel Cañas! Love their books!

October Topics:

October 3: Authors Branching Out (Melanie @ Melanie’s Book Blog)

Prompts: How do you feel when an author you love does something new and not at all like their previous work? Do you still read all their books, or do you stop after a point? If they write in a new genre that you don’t read, do you read it for the author, or stop following every title the author releases (in the new genre)? What are some of your favourite books where the author veered away from their previous work quite drastically?

October 10: TBR Roulette

Prompts: What makes you keep a book on your TBR? Find a random number generator, put in the number of books on your TBR and roll 5 times! Note down the book each number corresponds to on your list (or just pick 5 books at random off your TBR) and tell us: what made you add the book to your shelf—was it a cover add? Does it have your favourite tropes? How long has it been on your TBR? If it has been on your TBR for a long time, do you still want to read it or have you lost interest?

October 17: Oh, the Horror (Snapdragon @ Snapdragon Alcove)

Prompts: Do you read horror? What do you think of when you hear the word horror? Are there any books you read that are not practically horror but have some horror element in them?

October 24: Recapping Anticipated Reads

Prompts: With two months left in the year following October, let’s recap your anticipated releases so far. How have you fared with your most anticipated releases in 2025—have they mostly met with your expectations or have you been let down? Were you surprised by 2025 releases you weren’t anticipating but ended up being more enjoyable than expected? Are there any 2025 releases you’re still waiting on? If you like, share your top 2025 releases so far!

October 31: Halloween Freebie! 👻

Prompts: Happy Halloween, folks! 🎃 To celebrate the spooky fest, we’re making today a Halloween freebie! You can check out our blogs for inspiration (Aria and Dini) or write about something else you’re interested in!


Let’s Talk Bookish:  TBR Roulette | 10/10/25

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:

October 10: TBR Roulette

Prompts: What makes you keep a book on your TBR? Find a random number generator, put in the number of books on your TBR and roll 5 times! Note down the book each number corresponds to on your list (or just pick 5 books at random off your TBR) and tell us: what made you add the book to your shelf—was it a cover add? Does it have your favourite tropes? How long has it been on your TBR? If it has been on your TBR for a long time, do you still want to read it or have you lost interest?

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What makes you keep a book on your TBR?

I have no clue! lol My TBR is not something that is organized, or something I check – though maybe I should but I think it gets so overwhelming to know all the books I want to read and haven’t gotten to! So the books just stay there, unless I do a whole motivated look at my “want to read” Goodreads list. Thing is – that list isn’t exactly accurate either, there are so many books I want to read that I haven’t noted down in Goodreads.

If it has been on your TBR for a long time, do you still want to read it or have you lost interest?

I’m not going to do the number generator prompt but I’ll answer this question – if a book has been on my TBR for a long time, usually I don’t want to read it. But maybe because I have too many arcs to read and no time to really reach far back into my TBR list.

October Topics:

October 3: Authors Branching Out (Melanie @ Melanie’s Book Blog)

Prompts: How do you feel when an author you love does something new and not at all like their previous work? Do you still read all their books, or do you stop after a point? If they write in a new genre that you don’t read, do you read it for the author, or stop following every title the author releases (in the new genre)? What are some of your favourite books where the author veered away from their previous work quite drastically?

October 10: TBR Roulette

Prompts: What makes you keep a book on your TBR? Find a random number generator, put in the number of books on your TBR and roll 5 times! Note down the book each number corresponds to on your list (or just pick 5 books at random off your TBR) and tell us: what made you add the book to your shelf—was it a cover add? Does it have your favourite tropes? How long has it been on your TBR? If it has been on your TBR for a long time, do you still want to read it or have you lost interest?

October 17: Oh, the Horror (Snapdragon @ Snapdragon Alcove)

Prompts: Do you read horror? What do you think of when you hear the word horror? Are there any books you read that are not practically horror but have some horror element in them?

October 24: Recapping Anticipated Reads

Prompts: With two months left in the year following October, let’s recap your anticipated releases so far. How have you fared with your most anticipated releases in 2025—have they mostly met with your expectations or have you been let down? Were you surprised by 2025 releases you weren’t anticipating but ended up being more enjoyable than expected? Are there any 2025 releases you’re still waiting on? If you like, share your top 2025 releases so far!

October 31: Halloween Freebie! 👻

Prompts: Happy Halloween, folks! 🎃 To celebrate the spooky fest, we’re making today a Halloween freebie! You can check out our blogs for inspiration (Aria and Dini) or write about something else you’re interested in!


Let’s Talk Bookish:  Authors Branching Out | 10/3/25

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:

October 3: Authors Branching Out (Melanie @ Melanie’s Book Blog)

Prompts: How do you feel when an author you love does something new and not at all like their previous work? Do you still read all their books, or do you stop after a point? If they write in a new genre that you don’t read, do you read it for the author, or stop following every title the author releases (in the new genre)? What are some of your favourite books where the author veered away from their previous work quite drastically?

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How do you feel when an author you love does something new and not at all like their previous work? Do you still read all their books, or do you stop after a point?

I definitely get intrigued and try out their new books. I continue to read their books if I like their new stuff, if not then I stop.

If they write in a new genre that you don’t read, do you read it for the author, or stop following every title the author releases (in the new genre)?

I want to say I read it for the author but I will stop reading it if I’m not into it. But I at least give it a try.

What are some of your favourite books where the author veered away from their previous work quite drastically?

I can’t say these books are drastic changes from the genres they’ve written in but it’s the only ones I can think of right now. 😅

I just listened to Marie Lu’s adult fiction debut, Red City and loved it!! It’s definitely a departure from her YA stuff, it’s more violent and bloody but I really enjoyed it.

I read almost all of Sarah MacLean’s historical romance books so when she ventured into contemporary romance, I was definitely going to read it since I already know I loved her writing and it did not disappoint!

I read Julie Soto’s romance novel Forget Me Not and loved it. Then another romance came out last year, Not Another Love Song and loved that as well. Then she did something different this year. She put out The Thrashers which is a young adult thriller – loved it. And then she put out Rose in Chains, a dark romance and I loved that too! She’s been putting in the writing work and I’m loving her dip into different genres so far!

I read Lynette Noni’s The Prison Healer series a few years ago and loved it. It’s young adult fantasy and when I saw her name on a ya contemporary romance, Wandering Wild, I thought to give it a try and I enjoyed it a lot! I’m looking forward to see what she does next.

October Topics:

October 3: Authors Branching Out (Melanie @ Melanie’s Book Blog)

Prompts: How do you feel when an author you love does something new and not at all like their previous work? Do you still read all their books, or do you stop after a point? If they write in a new genre that you don’t read, do you read it for the author, or stop following every title the author releases (in the new genre)? What are some of your favourite books where the author veered away from their previous work quite drastically?

October 10: TBR Roulette

Prompts: What makes you keep a book on your TBR? Find a random number generator, put in the number of books on your TBR and roll 5 times! Note down the book each number corresponds to on your list (or just pick 5 books at random off your TBR) and tell us: what made you add the book to your shelf—was it a cover add? Does it have your favourite tropes? How long has it been on your TBR? If it has been on your TBR for a long time, do you still want to read it or have you lost interest?

October 17: Oh, the Horror (Snapdragon @ Snapdragon Alcove)

Prompts: Do you read horror? What do you think of when you hear the word horror? Are there any books you read that are not practically horror but have some horror element in them?

October 24: Recapping Anticipated Reads

Prompts: With two months left in the year following October, let’s recap your anticipated releases so far. How have you fared with your most anticipated releases in 2025—have they mostly met with your expectations or have you been let down? Were you surprised by 2025 releases you weren’t anticipating but ended up being more enjoyable than expected? Are there any 2025 releases you’re still waiting on? If you like, share your top 2025 releases so far!

October 31: Halloween Freebie! 👻

Prompts: Happy Halloween, folks! 🎃 To celebrate the spooky fest, we’re making today a Halloween freebie! You can check out our blogs for inspiration (Aria and Dini) or write about something else you’re interested in!


Let’s Talk Bookish:  Are Published Books Losing Quality? The Impact of Social Media Platforms and Trope-Based Marketing | 9/26/25

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:

September 26: Are Published Books Losing Quality? The Impact of Social Media Platforms and Trope-Based Marketing

Prompts: Reading has become increasingly more “popular” due to platforms like booktok and bookstagram, which tend to promote certain types of books. It has also given rise to the “trope only” marketing trend. Do you think the hype that’s been created on these platforms has impacted the quality of books that are published these days? Do you think it’s impacting only certain genres or do you notice it across all genres? How do you think this will impact book quality and publishing in the years to come (i.e. is it just a phase or will it continue)?

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Reading has become increasingly more “popular” due to platforms like booktok and bookstagram, which tend to promote certain types of books. It has also given rise to the “trope only” marketing trend. Do you think the hype that’s been created on these platforms has impacted the quality of books that are published these days?

I’ve been wondering about this for awhile now because I’m on booktok and tried out some of the books that are hyped on there. I think more people reading is a good thing. But I’m not gonna lie, before booktok and bookstagram – I sometimes would scour Kindle Unlimited for tropey books (academies, dark romance, romantasy before it was called romantasy) because I NEED those type of books when I want my brain to not over think on detailed world-building. I just needed to vibe, and read smut and just have fun. So I think there is a place for those books and honestly I was happy for indie authors doing these genres getting more publishing deals with big publishers.

I don’t think it has impacted the quality of books because I can still find quality books! But I think it has taken out the surprise of what happens in a book. If it’s being marketed as enemies to lovers, I’m looking for it in the book. But I think before the trope marketing, readers would at least be surprised about enemies becoming lovers, or one bed, or touch her and die, etc…you know the tropes.

Do you think it’s impacting only certain genres or do you notice it across all genres?

I mostly read fantasy and romance and I do think it’s impacting “romantasy” a lot. Can’t say much about the other genres. But the tropes in romantasy are rinse and repeat to the point sometimes I’m wary of romantasy books.

How do you think this will impact book quality and publishing in the years to come (i.e. is it just a phase or will it continue)?

The quality of stories I don’t think will be affected. I actually think an author can only get better (hopefully) from the hype and success. I’ve read a few hyped indie books that I thought was just okay, but hoping because of the hype the sequel will be better. But I’ve read some amazing indie books that deserve the hype also. I do think it’s a phase because that’s the thing about the book world there are always phases or cycles.

Romantasy books are trope heavy but so is contemporary romance – and I don’t think we had a problem with all the contemporary romance tropes feeling like a formula (even though it is) because people weren’t pointing tropes out all the time until very recently. Even as a blogger who hardly listed tropes during my first 3 years of blogging in my reviews have now automatically been adding “enemies to lovers”, “forced proximity” into my reviews. I still don’t do it as much because I don’t remember all the tropes, I don’t take notes while I read or else it will feel like a chore. But sometimes stating the tropes does help someone decide if they want to read that book or not. I love enemies to lovers, so I am always looking for those books, but I won’t necessarily read it if the premise doesn’t intrigue me or if it sounds like every other book out there.

Maybe marketing is just giving too much information? It needs to be like a movie trailer (and not the ones that show basically what happens in the whole movie lol)…give us a juicy, intriguing synopsis. And now I’m questioning my reviews and maybe should go back to not mentioning tropes! 😅 That would be easier on me actually!

September Topics:

September 5: In Which Season Do You Do Your Best Reading? (Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly)

Prompts: Is there a month, quarter or other specific time of year when you do your most reading and why do you think that is? Does this tend to fluctuate every year or is your reading pretty ‘steady’?

September 12: Following the Reader

Prompts: What makes you want to follow a bookish account on social media? What makes you want to follow a book blog? Are you very discerning or do you follow back whoever follows you? Do you prefer or find it easier to engage with other readers on one platform over the other (i.e. blogs vs. bookstagram or booktok)?

September 19: Favourite Genre Recommendations

Prompts: What is your favourite genre(s) and what makes it your favourite? If someone wanted to try your favourite genre(s), what are five books that you would recommend to them and why those books specifically? Has your favorite genre changed over time?

September 26: Are Published Books Losing Quality? The Impact of Social Media Platforms and Trope-Based Marketing

Prompts: Reading has become increasingly more “popular” due to platforms like booktok and bookstagram, which tend to promote certain types of books. It has also given rise to the “trope only” marketing trend. Do you think the hype that’s been created on these platforms has impacted the quality of books that are published these days? Do you think it’s impacting only certain genres or do you notice it across all genres? How do you think this will impact book quality and publishing in the years to come (i.e. is it just a phase or will it continue)?


Let’s Talk Bookish:  Favourite Genre Recommendations | 9/19/25

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:

September 19: Favourite Genre Recommendations

Prompts: What is your favourite genre(s) and what makes it your favourite? If someone wanted to try your favourite genre(s), what are five books that you would recommend to them and why those books specifically? Has your favorite genre changed over time?

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What is your favourite genre(s) and what makes it your favourite?

Right now my favorite is fantasy (adult or young adult) with romance. It used to be romantasy until the genre got flooded with books with the same tropes. 😅

If someone wanted to try your favourite genre(s), what are five books that you would recommend to them and why those books specifically?

ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses) series by. Sarah J. Maas – I get that people love or hate it, but I love it! But the world building is great and the romance. Same with the Thorn of Glass series – world building.

The Bridge Kingdom by. Danielle L. Jensen – love this first book of the series so much. Love the characters, the betrayal, the high stakes and action!

Legendborn Series by. Tracy Deonn (but I think this is more YA Urban Fantasy? I still recommend it.) – the world building, characters, black girl magic/power.

Crowns of Nyaxia series by. Carissa Broadbent – world building, the romance, Vincent!

The Folk of the Air series by. Holly Black – scary Fae, love how Jude had to navigate this dark/threatening world

Has your favorite genre changed over time?

I’ve been reading since I was in middle school (a long time ago LOL – I had the original Vampire Diaries books back in 1991 😅 and let me tell you my first book boyfriends were Stefan and Damon Salvatore). So yes I went from young adult horror/paranormal, young adult romance, historical romance, fiction, contemporary romance, then back to young adult when Twilight and Divergent and all those vampire books came out (what a time!), back to historical romance fiction lol…then contemporary romance, fantasy (with romance) for a long time, then romantasy. I think I’m back to mostly reading fantasy (young adult or adult with romance) sprinkled with contemporary romance, and horror. I can’t stick to one genre or I will get bored.

September Topics:

September 5: In Which Season Do You Do Your Best Reading? (Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly)

Prompts: Is there a month, quarter or other specific time of year when you do your most reading and why do you think that is? Does this tend to fluctuate every year or is your reading pretty ‘steady’?

September 12: Following the Reader

Prompts: What makes you want to follow a bookish account on social media? What makes you want to follow a book blog? Are you very discerning or do you follow back whoever follows you? Do you prefer or find it easier to engage with other readers on one platform over the other (i.e. blogs vs. bookstagram or booktok)?

September 19: Favourite Genre Recommendations

Prompts: What is your favourite genre(s) and what makes it your favourite? If someone wanted to try your favourite genre(s), what are five books that you would recommend to them and why those books specifically? Has your favorite genre changed over time?

September 26: Are Published Books Losing Quality? The Impact of Social Media Platforms and Trope-Based Marketing

Prompts: Reading has become increasingly more “popular” due to platforms like booktok and bookstagram, which tend to promote certain types of books. It has also given rise to the “trope only” marketing trend. Do you think the hype that’s been created on these platforms has impacted the quality of books that are published these days? Do you think it’s impacting only certain genres or do you notice it across all genres? How do you think this will impact book quality and publishing in the years to come (i.e. is it just a phase or will it continue)?


Let’s Talk Bookish:  Following the Reader | 9/12/25

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:

September 12: Following the Reader

Prompts: What makes you want to follow a bookish account on social media? What makes you want to follow a book blog? Are you very discerning or do you follow back whoever follows you? Do you prefer or find it easier to engage with other readers on one platform over the other (i.e. blogs vs. bookstagram or booktok)?

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What makes you want to follow a bookish account on social media? What makes you want to follow a book blog?

Right now on tiktok because I’m building my following, I’m basically following anyone who follows me – unless it’s an account that doesn’t post anything. I pretty much do the same for book blogs but I feel like even though I follow people here on wordpress, I don’t always see the blogs.

Are you very discerning or do you follow back whoever follows you?

Pretty much follow back unless I check the account and I don’t really vibe with their content. But for booktokers, bookstagrammers or book bloggers, it’s usually a follow back.

Do you prefer or find it easier to engage with other readers on one platform over the other (i.e. blogs vs. bookstagram or booktok)?

I feel like booktok is so much easier to find new followers and comment and such. I love how people are authentic on there, don’t have to make their videos or photos pretty or anything. I feel like bookstagram years ago had more engagement and now it’s so different – I basically only see accounts that have 1,000+ followers. Smaller accounts, not so much. I think I post the least on bookstagram just because I have to make pretty posts (and I’m lazy lol) it’s easier on booktok. Blog engagement I think is in the middle – it took me years to build up a good following but I love the community!

September Topics:

September 5: In Which Season Do You Do Your Best Reading? (Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly)

Prompts: Is there a month, quarter or other specific time of year when you do your most reading and why do you think that is? Does this tend to fluctuate every year or is your reading pretty ‘steady’?

September 12: Following the Reader

Prompts: What makes you want to follow a bookish account on social media? What makes you want to follow a book blog? Are you very discerning or do you follow back whoever follows you? Do you prefer or find it easier to engage with other readers on one platform over the other (i.e. blogs vs. bookstagram or booktok)?

September 19: Favourite Genre Recommendations

Prompts: What is your favourite genre(s) and what makes it your favourite? If someone wanted to try your favourite genre(s), what are five books that you would recommend to them and why those books specifically? Has your favorite genre changed over time?

September 26: Are Published Books Losing Quality? The Impact of Social Media Platforms and Trope-Based Marketing

Prompts: Reading has become increasingly more “popular” due to platforms like booktok and bookstagram, which tend to promote certain types of books. It has also given rise to the “trope only” marketing trend. Do you think the hype that’s been created on these platforms has impacted the quality of books that are published these days? Do you think it’s impacting only certain genres or do you notice it across all genres? How do you think this will impact book quality and publishing in the years to come (i.e. is it just a phase or will it continue)?