It's my fault because I only read classics around 800 pages from Russian authors who had nothing else to do (Anna Karenina I watching you) I have always liked some classics • Wuthering heights • The picture of Dorian Gray • Emma • Crime and Punishment Those are great but they took EFFORT AND TIME

Now... I recently noticed a pattern of books that are usually way smaller in pages that genuinely magnetize me, I can't stop reading them, I can finish in two days. I am genuinely having fun with them

• Camilla, queer vampires, woman focused it started my introduction to fun classics • A moveable feast, genuinely calming, small, exploring Ernest Hemingway looking back at his time in Paris with many other writers and his mistakes during the best time of his life • Maurice, so much sass from depressed queer young men fighting their demons and hating women my god • The talented Mr Ripley, does it count? • REBECCA, couldn't do anything until I finished it, I would have sworn it wasn't a classic if it wasn't so well written, it was so easy to follow and engaging (Perhaps I should have added "the Bell" by Iris Murdoch but it's pretty recent to be considered a classic in my opinion so it just gets a honorable mention because my love for it exceeds the main point of this quest forum)

Does anyone else feel that way or felt similarly with other classic books?? I am on the hunt for more like them

What are some of your romance hot takes?

I'll be honest and say I don't read much romance-focused books, as in the central plot is around the romance. BUT my hot take is that the "you're mine" and "you belong to me" tropes are just not that good imo 😬😬

Like, what happened to the "you belong with me" vibes? 😭 I HATE possessive men they pmo soooo much. I just can't see the appeal. And some authors have literal TEENAGERS say this. Like, don't you have studies, dude? (I say this as a teen, I'd RUN if a boy said that to me.)

Also, why do I feel like romance books are more lust than love nowadays?? (cough Ana Huang cough, no offense to the people who like her)

How do you guys remember what you just listened to on an audiobook? I have the hardest time because while I am listening I feel like I understand whats happening but a few hours later I couldn't tell you what I just listened to.

I started audiobooks only recently as way to get through my stories while doing mindless tasks like cleaning/driving. I really like it because I am able to "read" a lot more but when I think about books I've listened to on audio I have a hard time recalling all that happened, where when I physically read the book I remember a lot more.

Do you guys have any tips on how I can work on this? I don't want to just give up audiobooks entirely!

i really wish there was a plot... the writing is beautiful but is it enough?

I am so ready to start reading some spooky season books that have a similar vibe as Slewfoot by Brom, PLEASE if you have any recommendations I would love to add them to my TBR! TIA

Do you take with you books to the beach? What goes into the decision of what book to bring? I'm planning a beach trip with my siblings tomorrow and ofc I'm bringing a book😎📚 Only thing is, I'm currently reading I Saw Ramallah and I have ~100 pages left but obv it's sort of a depressing read so not suitable for the beach😅 On the other hand, there are 2 other books on my radar that are part of a challenge I set for myself this year: The Familar by Leigh Bardugo & Homecoming by Kate Morton (sort of a mystery+thriller) I started Homecoming a while ago and I really like it, I put it on pause bc I'm solely reading for Palestine this month. It's a chunky book though😵‍💫 I haven't started The Familiar yet but my copy is tall (not really chunky but tall🙃) So Idk.. what do I pick? How do I decide? I'm leaning towards Homecoming but give me all your thoughts😂

Update: Compiled a list of these rec + a few others here Thanks all for the help :)

Hiya! I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for LitFic and/or Romance novels where the protagonist is childfree and/or being childfree is an aspect of the story or something that is explored. (Preferably with characters in their 30s/40s)

I know there are a lot of stories where the characters don't have kids but normally thats because they are younger and if they aren't its explicitly mentioned that they DO at some point want a family. I would love to read something from a childfree perspective!

Thanks in advance :)