What are some books and/or book series you are interested but can't get yourself to read? I've been meaning to read Les Misérables for years now, but it's so long. I did start, and loved what I read, but dropped it, and never had the courage to pick it up again. 🥲 Babel and Poppy War are very daunting for me. I keep seeing people talking about PW here, and so I get reminded that I'm curious about it. I also want to read Malazan, but I'm convincing myself that I'll wait a few years until starting it, but I definitely will! 🤣

I might be shitting on a lot of readers and okay, anyone can read whatever they want to. Who cares. But here's my qualm with it, the question annoys me so so so much whenever I see it below marketing posts and reviews. Why is this question so important? Is that the sole marker of your reading list? Not that there's anything wrong with spice but there are specific genres that are catered to your reading preferences so why would you ask that below random books? Especially IF IT'S YA??? THEY ARE TEENAGERS. WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO READ ABOUT MINORS HAVING SEX??? THAT'S WEIRD. (I'M LOOKING AT YOU SARAH J MASS) It gives this narrative that books need to be spicy to have good romance and that's just not true. It's because of this mindset that so many authors who have genuinely good stories with potential feel to need to have smut addded to them UNNECESSARILY because otherwise a lot of readers won't pick it up. THERE IS A WHOLE GENRE FOR YOU — EROTICA. IT'S CALLED EROTICA. Can you please pick up erotica instead of asking that question under posts about random books. PLEASE. LET ME ENJOY MY NON SMUT ROMANCE/THRILLER/FANTASY/MYTERY IN PEACE. I'M BEGGIN YOU Edit: A good example of this was people asking "does it have smut" under a post about The Last Tiger by The Riew Siblings. They'd clearly mentioned in the post that the book was a fictional retelling of their grandparents' very real story AND on top of that it was YA. And then you ask. Does. It. Have. Smut??? Be for real right now please 😭

I have been on Pagebound for a few months now and I genuinely think that Pagebound is such a wonderful idea come to fruition. I’ve been using other bookish apps for years and never felt inclined to post written reviews when I’m done with the books (I feel too intimidated sometimes especially when I feel differently about the books and the book community can be harsh 😰). But on Pagebound, the no pressure ability to post my thoughts at random intervals throughout the book helped me develop the confidence to post reviews on the books I finished reading as well and I’m starting to find joy in that. I’m glad I stumbled upon this site. It’s been magnificent and the community is amazing. Thank you so much!! ☺️