This is partly in response to @valkyrie_221B's excellent post "Reading is a spectrum" in which the question was posed: "have you guys ever read two (or more!) books at the same time where the themes/subjects are not even close to each other?"

I couldn't think of an immediate answer (although I am sure I've had some weird weeks like what is mentioned), but something else came to mind that was just too much of a side tangent to comment there.

So, instead I ask: For those of us who read more than one book at a time, what are the moments where there was some overlap between two unrelated books you were reading that you didn't expect?

For example, a few weeks ago I was reading two different books where the aunt in the story was (or was physically presenting as) younger than her own nephew.

Inspired by a few videos I’ve seen on BookTok.

I’ll go first with my pick: Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant.

This was soooo hyped everywhere I looked. Reddit, Tiktok, Instagram… The plot looked promising and I was told to expect building tension and full-blown horror! Instead I got bad prose, rushed plot, too many characters with boring backstories, and no horror. I’m still bitter tbh and although other reviews say Grant’s other works are better, I’m unsure whether to even try. I just wanted scary mermaids. 🥲

I can no longer force myself to read it. There's something about the writing style that bores me out of my mind, and I find the banter lack-luster and trying hard. A shame because the book cover is really nice. I had high hopes for this but its not for me unfortunately.

Hey guysss, hope everyone is having a wonderful day.

Just wanted to know if anybody has any suggestions for books on grief. Not grief self help type books. But I guess fiction where characters experience grief as a decent proportion of the story. Preferably grieving the death of a friend.

Very excited to see your recommendations :) Thanks <3

Hello! As you can probably guess by my username, I am a Kpop fan lol, and I was wondering if anybody has any k-pop related romance recs? I'd even go with just k-pop vibes. If you do pls let me know

Thanks, Alex

its my absolute fav trope, would love some more recommendations probably in a college setting

Hi! I have read a ton of audiobooks this year but most of them have been thriller/mystery books about people unaliving each other in various fashions or historical fiction books the stomped on my heart and tapped it back together ( with scotch tape not duct tape). 😬☠️

I’m looking to change it up with some Rom Coms that have made you laugh out loud. It could be the banter, it could be a character with unfortunate luck, or a best friend that has no filter. I love them all so I will take all the suggestions for audiobooks that fit this! 😍🤣

(Also I love all forms of books equally so if you have one that isn’t an audiobook send it my way. I will always accept book recommendations!) ❤️

My book club does meetings by theme, and the next one that is coming up is "matriarchal societies." I'd prefer to read a fiction book rather than a nonfiction book for this month. I've looked around, but I have found surprisingly few lists and titles. Many of the titles that most commonly come up are speculative fiction titles by white authors, especially those that take place after some sort of major world event that killed most or all of the men off. While several of these are books that I have read, or are on my TBR, I would like to be able to discuss a book by a BIPOC author at book club, since it's not uncommon for BIPOC authors to be underrepresented in the books that people choose. I thought that there would be many, especially by BIPOC authors, considering different matriarchal societies and cultures throughout the world.

(To clarify, I'm not necessarily looking for fiction books explicitly based on existing cultures and/or societies. Rather, I meant that I am surprised that it has not been easier to find more matriarchy fiction, whether historical, fantasy, or science fiction, published by BIPOC authors, since many of the matriarchies that come to mind are from indigenous groups across the globe.)

Do any recommendations come to mind, Pagebound Community?

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. I love to center AAPI authors specifically in May (and yes, all year round too, lol). I’ve discovered some of my all-time favorites branching out into genres but also just reading diversely. Some I’m looking forward to reading this month are Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang Emperor of gladness by Ocean Vuong I Did Something Bad by Pyae Moe Thet War Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai
Isha, Unscripted by Sajni Patel What are some of your favorite AAPI authors or books, and are you looking forward to any on your TBR for May?

Do you ever go into someone’s profile and find an incredible list they’ve made with only like two or three likes? Or make a super creative list you were really proud of that nobody saw? Solve list under hype today.

Tell us about a list you’ve made that you’re really proud of and didn’t get found by as many people as you thought it would. Maybe it’s a very niche topic, maybe you sued really random emojis, maybe you just created it when a lot of other people were making lists and it got lost. No matter the reason, share your lists below! Shame free self promo encouraged!!!

I just finished reading my first manga (Blue Period) and it was amazing! I’d love some recommendations for others to try.

Open to pretty much any genres - love slice of life, love horror and witchy, not as big on sci fi and I get triggered easy by bug/insect creepy crawlies.

Also really love when it’s about someone in a niche industry or having a very specific job and then getting into the complexities of that.

Anime I like if that helps - ERASED Komi Can’t Communicate My Dress Up Darling Overlord Spice and Wolf Dan Da Dan The Summer Hikaru Died The Ancient Magus Bride Food Wars Death-note