Ha s anyone seen the recent R.F. Kuang controversy? I'm not extensively informed but I do know she introduced an Israeli character in her most recent book Taipei story, I'm not sure how to feel about the author and wether or not to support her, or if it's even her fault at all, would love to hear some opinions on the matter

Do you have a strong bookish opinion about something?

I want to hear them all! I especially want to hear some hot takes that are quirky/niche/diabolical/outlandish

Let’s go!

Hello all 👋 So I have been learning Chinese for a while now (not my native language) and like to read fiction in Chinese to help build my vocabulary. I'm wondering if anyone here also likes to read in a foreign language as a study method. If so, I would love to hear your recommendations of books you've enjoyed (maybe books that are not too challenging), or feel free to share what you're currently reading. Of course not every book is in every language, but a lot of the more popular books seem to get translated into lots of different languages.

I'm currently reading a Goosebumps book (Legend of the Lost Legend/失落的傳說) and just finished volume 3 of the Frieren manga which is very cosy. Also have enjoyed reading BL in Chinese, which is a genre I don't read in English 🤔

It's great when you meet people who love your favorite books. You know what's even better? Finding people who hate the same books as you do!

I often go find one-star reviews of books I despise and give the reviewer a follow. It's funny to me that mutual hatred is more often a better predictor of shared taste than mutual endorsement :))

Here are some popular books I cannot stand or found underwhelming (apologies if this offends anyone here):

First and foremost, the star of the show: A Little Life ✨: this is easily one of my MOST HATED books of all time. I could make a five-hour video explaining why that is, but others have already done that. I hate it so much I'm using it as a coaster just to be disrespectful.

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson: I know, I know, this is a favorite among many. This one I don't "hate" tbh, I just didn't care for the writing, the corny dialogue, the characters, and some plot points I found ridiculous. The world-building and the magic system was cool though. (I had this feeling it would be a much better experience as a video game!)

The Jade City: yes, another very popular fantasy, but I disliked it so much I DNF'd it after 100 pages. I really hated the objectification and over-sexualization of female characters, and I didn't care for the male characters or the plot either.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tart: I'm a sucker for big, slow-paced books with good writing so I had high hopes for this one but good grief this one KILLED ME. It was SUCH A DRAG. loved the prose but this did not have nearly enough substance to justify this much yapping. I might read her other book though.

The name of the wind by Patrick Rothfuss: I read this many years ago in farsi and I don't remember much except the main character was very clearly the writers' self insert and utterly insufferable. Some say this has good prose, but I read a translated version so this had no redeeming qualities for me.

What are your most hated books? Name them in the comments and see if you can find friends:))

Hello all 👋 So I have been learning Chinese for a while now (not my native language) and like to read fiction in Chinese to help build my vocabulary. I'm wondering if anyone here also likes to read in a foreign language as a study method. If so, I would love to hear your recommendations of books you've enjoyed (maybe books that are not too challenging), or feel free to share what you're currently reading. Of course not every book is in every language, but a lot of the more popular books seem to get translated into lots of different languages.

I'm currently reading a Goosebumps book (Legend of the Lost Legend/失落的傳說) and just finished volume 3 of the Frieren manga which is very cosy. Also have enjoyed reading BL in Chinese, which is a genre I don't read in English 🤔

This is partly in response to @valkyrie_221B's excellent post "Reading is a spectrum" in which the question was posed: "have you guys ever read two (or more!) books at the same time where the themes/subjects are not even close to each other?"

I couldn't think of an immediate answer (although I am sure I've had some weird weeks like what is mentioned), but something else came to mind that was just too much of a side tangent to comment there.

So, instead I ask: For those of us who read more than one book at a time, what are the moments where there was some overlap between two unrelated books you were reading that you didn't expect?

For example, a few weeks ago I was reading two different books where the aunt in the story was (or was physically presenting as) younger than her own nephew.

I legitimately could not care less about anything that has happened so far. Each time I try to read, I fall asleep. How much more should I give this?

Hello everyone! Happy 1st of May! I have been discussing with a few book friends which type of book they prefer: Ebooks or physical books. Most of them say they prefer physical ones. I can't really decide. Ebooks are definitely cheaper and if I make a mistake while annotating I can just erase it, HOWEVER physical books are a different experience.

So do you prefer physical books? Or Ebooks? And why??