I am just throwing this out here because it has been on my mind today. With the app being newly released, there are going to be a lot of excited new users here. (I was one of them!) Not everyone can read between the lines of what is “expected” or “wrong” in the vague FAQs. Many of us come from other book spaces and socials, so it is only natural that we bring some of that energy here too.

What has been disappointing is how quickly that excitement can fade when every post feels policed by other users. It started to feel less like a fun community and more like being told by my mom that I could not express myself because “those are the rules.” You all had to learn when you started, but there are not clear black-and-white outlines for what people have been policing on posts.

I was genuinely thrilled about this space. I even recommended it in several of my book groups, but I also had to warn them that it does not really feel like a safe space to post whatever your happy heart desires. I wanted to share this because it has happened multiple times over the last day, and I know I am not the only one who feels this way.

I can see how great this space can be, and honestly it has been weighing on me all day. I just hope moving forward we can make it feel more welcoming and encouraging for everyone, especially those who are new and simply want to share the joy of reading.

Edited to add what exact experience:

I made a list with books from Elsie Silver not all of them but the ones I liked. Someone then commented to guide me guidance that is not what list are for. Deleted the list.

Made a post in PB Club and do not remember the exact wording but it was asking for spooky vibe recs. Someone commented to guide me to look in the forum.

Posted in the PB Club, where can a new user learn so I don’t do something wrong again to try and learn. Given guidance to see the FAQs. I read the FAQs.

This is what I read: Copied this from the FAQ section More generally, a couple questions you can ask yourself before posting: 1.Will my post spark discussion? Does it provide enough context for someone to respond? 2. Is it something others have posted before and can I just comment my thoughts instead? Not every post needs to be insightful or analytical. Reactionary/funny commentary is great when it’s related to the book.

Where should I post what? For book or series-specific posts, post to the book forum. For your post to be sorted in readalong order, make sure to enter a page number or percent. For general bookish chatter, post in the Pagebound Club. For genre/niche convos, post in the Quest forums.

Thinking I had a good understanding. Made a post asking about other options people are using for their kindle oasis with very specific questions like the durability, pros and cons, etc. Also how did this work getting away from Kindle Unlimited? Someone commented and guided me to the forums again.

I just went back to look over the FAQs in the app and the same things are mentioned. It’s vague.

Copied straight from posting guidelines in the app:

Other ways to talk about books For general bookish chatter not specific to a book or series, post in the Pagebound Club. For genre/niche convos, check out the Quest forums. Head to the Discuss tab to see what the community is posting about.

I also do not see anywhere in the FAQs guidelines about list so who determines what qualifies as a good list as well?

This is why I shared my first comment and have now added this for the true context for better understanding.

I want to hop on the Elsie bandwagon so bad, buttttt I always have a hard time with cowboy romances. I'm from the south and grew up around cowboys, cows, hell I live right next to a chicken farm. Andddd the nicknames in the books either drive me nuts or I just cant push aside my own experiences enough to enjoy it. Bc in reality, or at least my experience, the cowboy experience is only so positive. Sure, southern hospitality is superrr nice, but I've never met one who wasn't also a raging redneck, racist, or misogynistic due to the southern values taught in my area (stereotype that is sadly true). But!! I'm diving into this, pushing my feelings aside, and giving this a genuine try! Because I've heard SO much praise from this author, I've got FOMO, and I'm actually interested! Let's go babyyyy

this......is not for me....

i don’t want to read this but i shall do it for the sparkly pumpkin 🎃

i’m sorry.. is there a talking plant?

Bartholomew 🥺

a bit too insta luv for my taste I am wondering if the otger books are worth it as I want to listen to the forth book ( it is with my favourite voice actor). might just do that and ignore the other books...

I know there's been quite a few posts recently with regards to e-readers, but most people recommend Kobo, which doesn't seem to be available (or any other brands for that matter). The only two I am able to find - at least from a trusted shop - are: Kindle (a variety of models) Boox Go 7 (B/W or Colour (Gen II)) I have never owned an e-reader as I've always been a physical book person (but there's no denying the pros of ebooks), so I have zero experience and have only recently started considering it.

Questions:

1. Why are we hating on Amazon? (I will say, I am leaning more towards the Boox anyway because I like the ability of having different apps (Libby, Bible App, Other reading) and not being locked into a singular space).
2. B/W vs Colour (The obvious are for note-taking or reading graphics etc., but is there any other reason why colour would be better? - I don't typically read books where I will need colour, and I assume I can still highlight in black and white, I just won't have different colours).
3. As I said, I like the idea of not being locked into a singular space, but since a Kindle has Kindle and Kobo has Kobo - very creative naming - for buying books, how does that work on a Boox? Where do you buy and read etc. Can you use Google Play Books?
4. Kind of following on the previous question, but how does ebook book ownership work? I've read some stories of people who have had books simply disappear or copies being updated etc, but all I'm sayin' is if I'm paying physical book prices for ebooks, I damn well better own it and have peace of mind that it won't just up and vanish.
5. What is the battery life like?

Anything else regarding e-readers that newbies need to know / consider?

Guys I am in desperate need of romance book recommendations. can you guys recommend me some😄❤️

Anyone else bad at giving well loved books a high rating even if you didn't like it as much as you thought you would? I will talk about how much I disliked a book and then look back at my goodreads rating and realize I gave it like a 4. I'm so bad at this!

I was talking to a friend today and recommended a book to her and she told me she really doesn’t like to read series that much. Her answer was basically because it’s just too much for her. Whereas I’m the opposite. I LOVE getting hooked into a series and following the same story and characters thru multiple books.

Which one are you? And why? I would especially love to hear if there’s any others out there who also avoid series but obviously I also love to hear why people love series of books like I do lol

I am an extremely lucky (and temporary) position where I am able to get 4 library cards from 4 different libraries for free. I've become a bit spoiled with the selections and was hoping I could find a way to keep those library cards (even if I have to pay) after I am no longer eligible for some of them.

I heard that some libraries offer library cards to people out of their district for an annual fee, and I was wondering if anyone had experience with this type of system. I'm hoping to phase out of using Kindle Unlimited in the future, and was looking at multiple e-library cards as a solution. Honestly the total price may end up cheaper, but even if it doesn't I would gladly give my money to libraries instead of the oligarchs over at Amazon.

(P.S. I've tried Kobo+ but was not impressed by their catalog or UI, so I probably won't move to them for a while 🙃)

I tend to have a somewhat strong imagination, the imagery in my head when reading can be pretty good. But does anyone else follow real estate social medias or Zillow to find places to imagine as the characters home in the book they’re reading?

For example, a lot of people have read The Spellshop by Sarah Durst, and a friend sent me a listing for a slightly overgrown home in Ireland. It boasted a long shrubbery crowned driveway and a quaint, slightly rundown house with a greenhouse attached. When I saw the listing, I thought to myself, Kiela, Caz, and Meep would LOVE this space.

I’ve done it unintentionally with other stories, but does anyone else do this? Or do you have another way of imagining our book worlds?

what’s the most specific or absurd reason you’ve dnfed a book??

mine is that the author used “rizz” it was awful

if you’re a romance reader, what’s one book you will ALWAYS recommend?

looking to add some books to my never ending tbr :)