What do you guys think will be the big trends in publishing and reading over the next couple of years?

I'm particularly interested in any genre predictions you guys have. I feel like young adult readers will continue gravitating to romance and dark romance specifically and that publishing will continue to reflect that. It seems like genres like romance become extra popular during times of political and economic turmoil. People want some escapism. I feel dark romance especially plays into the fantasy that people are seeking while also addressing some of the stressors present in real life. Lately though, as we dive deeper into more turbulent times and more people become aware of the struggles afflicting the world globally, I have seen an increased interest in non fiction with historical or political science theming. People want an escape, but they also want to feel informed and like they are doing something about causes they care about. So while I do think romance will continue to be popular (romance will always be popular), I sense increased interest in these more grounded informative works.

Outside of genres, I also predict (hopefully) that reading will continue to get more popular. Lots of people are getting disillusioned by social media and are trying to find other ways to engage themselves. I've seen some people take to reading for that reason. That might be wishful thinking, though. I'll always want there to be more readers lol.

What are your predictions? Are you sensing any growing trends with your own reading?

I usually try to align my audiobook time with my only free time, which is usually evenings. I try to do this before bed, and by that I mean I'm already snug under the covers.

It's no surprise those soothing narrator voices knock me tf out 😭 I remember first listening to Lights Out, I had slept through the night well over a couple chapters and had to start back again where I last remembered.

Does anyone else read audiobooks at night? When do you normally squeeze in the time? I can't focus on an audiobook when I'm doing typical tasks or errands, so I usually have to do a low attention activity or when I'm comfy in bed (which results in beddy bye time).

Which genre would you pick?

I'm curious if any of you guys are able to really love a book while really hating the protagonist. I don't know I can seriously hate reading a protagonist and love a book, because if I intensely clash with the main character it tends to reflect poorly on the rest of the story for me. I disliked reading Johnny from House of Leaves so much that it worsened the whole book for me. He wasn't even particularly malicious or anything, just unenjoyable.

On the other hand... mostly every character in Wuthering Heights is kind of objectively awful and malicious. But they're entertaining and intentionally frustrating so it doesn't make my reading experience worse. I don't really "hate" them in that way.

What about you guys? Any protagonists that you hate in books that you love? Or is it a total deal breaker for you if you don't enjoy the characters?

My personal sweet spot is 200-400 pages, though certainly I read and love books that don't fall in this range! But I think this is a good length to get engrossed in a book without it becoming too much of a time commitment.