Just posted this photo on socials and wanted to share here as well! I got the warm fuzzies putting this together, reflecting on how far we've come. Thank you to everyone who submitted photos! It's lovely seeing some of the faces & furry friends behind the avatars.

It’s been an incredible year, from launching web in Jan to the app in Oct, with our reader community growing to 75K—we are so grateful for every person who gave us a chance, told a friend about us, left a review in the App Store, made a one-time contribution, or joined Royalty.

Working on Pagebound has been the most rewarding experience of our lives, and we're so grateful to you all who've made it possible. Truly so proud of our kind, welcoming, thoughtful community. You've made this the best bookish corner of the internet.

I think Ishiguro should be represented on this list FOR SURE. I'd personally recommend adding The Remains of the Day - it's the definition of a quiet novel that leaves you absolutely devastated. I think Never Let Me Go would also qualify, but I feel like it's not nearly as "quiet", if that makes sense? But yeah, I wanted to rec The Remains of the Day!

Also, different point, but I wanted to add to the conversation regarding whether A Little Life should be on the list. I think "quiet" novels are mainly constructed against the idea of spectacle (as in, they shy away from it), and I think A Little Life very much utilizes spectacle and, for that reason, doesn't fit this list at all. Just wanted to throw that in since I was commenting anyway lol