How is everyone in this story so gay but somehow no gay things happening? 🧐

“When you spend so long in darkness, you find that the darkness begins to stare back” what is this tumblr sounding stuff. It does make sense for the moment but man is it kinda cheesy and a bit cringe.

What sparked your curiosity to join this space? Im sure a lot of us are similar, but im still curious. Was it conversation, community, tracking, or maybe inspiration?

I started tracking my reading in 2025 on another app and found myself looking for more. People around me aren't big readers and my previous app was great for tracking/setting goals but not for engaging with their community. I first saw Pagebound advertised on TikTok as a indie, anti-ai, women created site/app and i was intrigued. I joined Pagebound because I wanted engage more with other members and have more conversations around books while still tracking my personal goals.

So im curious, tell me what you're here for or what first brought you to this app.

Dear PB friends,

I’m looking for advice on posting measured critiques of a book in its associated forum. While I know that PB was created to foster discussion, I find myself concerned that I’m going to ruin people’s experience of the book by posting my negative-leaning opinion. Criticism, even when balanced and accurate, can feel like a wet blanket for those who are here to decompress and just enjoy a good read; I want to preserve that experience while also meeting my own need to dive into the depths. (I’m not always a depths person. Sometimes, I turn to reading to relax as well.)

There are the obvious Don’ts: no/little context, no/little rationale, namecalling, centering oneself when outside of the target audience, etc. But, in your opinion, what are the subtler Don’ts?

Help me, so I can silence the will.i.am in my head saying, “why don’t you put it on the blog.” Thanks in advance!

I wanted this to be the year where I read more nonfiction: the year where I gained deeper knowledge of social and political topics I'm already interested in; the year where I broadened my understanding of not only issues that I face, but also, perhaps more importantly, the issues that challenge those outside of my own experience. I want to read Not a Nation of Immigrants, Let This Radicalize You, How to Be an Antiracist, and others like them. I put these books onto my e-reader. I want to gain new knowledge so that I can fight harder, understand more, help more.

But I'm American. This week happened, and I'm tired. I feel like I need to read these books and others like them more than ever before, but it just all weighs so heavily on me now. It makes me sadder than I already am, and it feels like... so much? I feel like it's a failing that I'm more drawn to Ten Tomatoes That Changed the World right now, or that I'd really like to read my first Brandon Sanderson. I don't feel like I know enough, or do enough, or contribute to the conversation like I should. Being this drained from simply the idea of learning more feels like self pity, and I really am seeking to broaden my mind outward right now.

I don't know. I don't know if I need to read these with a friend, or if I need a kick in the ass to stop whining, or what. I guess I'm looking for suggestions? Or... something.