Have you guys ever imagined something from a book incorrectly and then realized it too late? Like, maybe you somehow missed a descriptor while you were reading and you only realized it when it came up again later on?

My BIGGEST screw up was imagining an MMC with dark hair only to realize he was blonde… on my third or fourth reread of the series!! I have no idea how I missed the description of his hair color MULTIPLE times but, I did, and by the time I realized the truth, it was too late to change the image in my head. This happens to me on occasion with hair color, eye color, etc., but it also happens sometimes with setting. For example I’ll read “She set the remote down on the table to her left”, and I’ll be like LEFT?!? Since when is the table on the left?!? But then I go back and reread and… yeah, it’s always been on the left.

This, however, is different than when it’s the author’s fault😡. Like, sometimes authors will wait until 60% of the way into the book and randomly throw in a line like “I gathered my blonde tendrils into a loose bun” and it’s like ummmmm excuse me?? You’ve already given me NOTHING but time to imagine the characters how I want, and NOW you want to tell me something crucial about their appearance?? It’s actually one of my pet peeves while reading when authors don’t establish things early on. Obviously I don’t need every book to start with some cheesy scene where the character is looking in the mirror, unsubtly describing themself for me- but I should at least know the basics by 15% in or something.

Anyways… any thoughts lmao?

When listening to audiobooks, do you prefer the app you're using to show each individual track or do you prefer full audiobook length?

Currently testing out Book Beat and I don't like how it's the full book length. I think I personally prefer individual tracks like Spotify does, it gives me a natural stopping point.

I'm currently reading our unofficial readalong book The Bog Wife and although I am loving it, I think I've realised that I find cranberry bogs quite soothing for some reason? And that got me thinking about if the cranberries are making this story less creepy/scary for me, what would drive the horror factor all the way up.

I think vines might be it for me, though I can't think of a botanical horror book I've read with them (recs?). It's the idea that they can get in anywhere 💀

So what is the scariest plant for you?

Loving this so far, the use of italics and bold for different characters is very interesting. The world is so alive already from the word choices and evocative imagery.

There’s an obvious antagonist set up, but how will the third character factor into the plot?