Finally was able to do a reread. I read it for the first time last year. I still remember the shock element of the first book. Back then I was not sure I would be interested in the whole story just cause so many people were saying it's bad. But after the first book I needed to know what happens next. And it ended up being one of my favourite stories.

This time I spent more time reading and adding notes and the story just hits differently now that I know more about reasons why some of the things happened. It is just so painful to read about all of the things they go through and about all the messy things that happen.

I’m curious to see if anyone has had a similar experience with a superstition (or coincidence?) when reading.

I bought a bookmark in Nepal in 2024, and every book I’ve put it in, no matter how good it has been, has put me into a slump. Every time I lay a finger on it, it’s like my motivation to read just withers immediately 😭

My current goal for myself is to limit buying and checking out books from the library to read what I actually own on my shelf. I've already broken both of my "rules," went to a new bookstore and wanted to support as they were closing, and then read the first book in a trilogy and then immediately checked out the next two from the library. I think this is to say, why is it so hard for me to stick with what I have!! Why am I so obsessed with wanting more? Of course, buying things always contributes to consumerism, but why am I frustrated with the library? I still feel like they're constantly pushing new books? And I'm never content with just what I have in front of me. IDK if anyone understands what I'm saying, but TLDR I'm just annoyed with the publishing industry and my own vices of succumbing to capitalism.

Thanks to another book club talk that turned into rants after rants from all of us involved…I need my bounders (is that what we call ourselves?) opinions on tropes that illicit a visceral reaction from you!

For me, it’s cheating trope. I just… don’t have it in me when this leads to a second chance. Because, I’m sorry, but there is no amount of groveling that’s going to make me root for them to get back together. Once it’s done, it’s done. No rewrites. No retries. And don’t even get me started on the miscommunication trope piled on top of that! If a simple question or conversation could solve everything, I’m immediately annoyed. 😒

Whereas my book club friends eat that shit uppppp. No thank you.

So now I have to know, what’s the trope that has you immediately thinking, “nope, not reading that”? h