I’ve been thinking a bit about pop culture references these last few days, and how they can really ruin a book for me, and I’m just wondering if I’m the only one? Or is this something that’s as universally disliked as stickers on book covers.

I’m not the most pop-culture savvy person, so half the time I just don’t get the reference and it leaves me feeling like there’s a joke I’m just not getting. And then there are the references that I do recognise but leave me feeling uncomfortable. Harry Potter references are very jarring now - even in books written years ago, they still gives me a moment of pause.

I’m also aware that I’m a lot more forgiving of older pop culture references, though I suppose those might be better termed cultural references. I’m more likely to be put off by a book referring to insert currently popular singer here than Queen or the Beatles – but what’s the cut off? No one would consider Shakespeare or Austen pop culture (though it was at the time it was written) but why should I give that a pass when I would sigh if someone referenced more modern literature.

Personally, if we need to know what the main character listens to or watches, then I'd rather the author just make something up. I probably have a better chance of working out what something is from the name and what I know of the character than I do of understanding most modern references.

So what are your thoughts on pop culture references? Do you love them or hate them? Does your opinion change based on how dated they are or whether you get them?

Sooo I thought of this question because I've been wedding-cake tasting: if your current read were a cake, what flavor would that cake be?

You can also say the flavor of the icing or even include a filling flavor! And if anyone is curious, my husband and I decided to do a pumpkin flavored cake with a browned butter buttercream with a cream cheese filling. 😋

I would say my last read, The Girl that fell beneath the sea, could be a vanilla cake with a salted caramel icing or filling somewhere. 😁

What are your most-read authors?

I think the three authors from whom i've read the most books are Tahereh Mafi (9 Books), Leigh Bardugo and Jennifer L. Armentrout (both 7 Books). I've also read a lot by the German author Sebastian Fitzek, but i don't know how many of his books i've read. I think at least 9 or 10.