...and this is a hill I will die on. I find the idea that classic literature is too difficult for most people to understand to be anti-intellectual and condescending. I promise you are not "too stupid" for classic books, I promise you can read them if you want. High school and even middle school students study classics, you don't need an advanced degree in literature to understand them. Will a classic be more difficult than a contemporary book? Possibly. Will you understand every little detail in it? Maybe not. But that's fine! That's how you learn new things! And if you want something explained, there are plenty of study guides and critical summaries and analyses and video essays and podcasts and so many other resources out there to help you bridge the gaps in your understanding. Some classics even come with annotations and explanatory notes from scholars and editors because they don't expect readers to fully understand the text on their own!

And not all classics are dense literary fiction if that doesn't interest you, there are classics in genres from sci-fi to fantasy to horror to romance and everything in between. I'm not trying to say you have to read classic lit to be a "real reader" (that's also a stupid idea), but I don't think people should preclude themselves from reading huge swaths of literature because they fear it will challenge them.

Hey everyone! I am wondering if anyone could recommend any books that contain experiences of people experiencing gender dysphoria due to their period? Thank you 💗

Libby's allowing and promoting ai "books" on their app 😭 I'm genuinely so disappointed. Does anyone know of any alternatives for audio- and e-books? I'm debating deleting my libby account but I'm not sure what else is out there for accessing digital content from libraries

I hardly read introductions unless they're part of the book. I feel like they spoil the mood sometimes. I want to know everyone's thoughts! Is it a literary sin or totally fine? 😂

1. Isabella’s self-involvement has matured into pluck & daring & I like her much better for it! Her tale of escape is harrowing as FUCK and I really admired her audacity in the face of her oppressor. The whole time I was like, “damn girl! Tell him! GOOD FOR YOU!!” The only thing I’d also add: while I totally understand her perspective, Isabella adamantly refusing to acknowledge Heathcliff’s humanity left a sour taste in my mouth. Calling him a beast & a demon etc…😒. Girl it’s a man who is your abuser. No more, and no less either. Idk apart from the racist undertones of that description, giving him this beastly/demonic aspect just gives him more power over you.

2. Am I supposed to feel bad for Hindley? Cos I don’t. The lout made his bed & he lay in it. Over and over again. You know Heathcliff has something of an excuse for being a monster to everyone…what was Hindley’s? I do feel sorry for Hareton, but Hindley? Nah.