i'm intrigued - does anyone else have a classic (or just super popular) book that they think is sort of underrated? like a book that is well-known and well-respected, but isn't getting its due for the right reasons? or a book with a reputation that makes people less likely to read it?

for me, i think the handmaid's tale gets the right amount of credit for worldbuilding/speculative work, but i've never seen much appreciation for atwood's narration itself, especially her depiction of re-living trauma. also, i was taught othello in school as important for its discussion of gender and race. all true, but i've seen lots of people go in thinking it's quite serious, and totally missing all of the jokes (which is half the point)

would love to hear new perspectives on old favourites!

Incredibly rare that a first chapter has me so invested and intrigued about a book. Must keep reading

I saw someone asking for recs for a vacation and thought, “hey why don’t I do that?” so here I am! I’m going to New York for the first time and I know I want to visit NYPL, The Strand, and Book Club (if I’m nearby!) but what am I missing? Let me know!!!

I want to read more Science Fantasy, as in combo Sci-Fi Fantasy, but need some good recs! I don't tend to like super long series, so nothing longer than a trilogy preferably, and also no unfinished series. Standalones are also very welcome! I tend to prefer women writers, but as long as they actually know how to write women I will also read books by men.

Examples of Science Fantasy I loved- The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin Iron Widow/Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao Hunger Makes the Wolf/Blood Binds the Pack by Alex Wells

Do you remember a specific reason or memory that sparked your love for reading?

For me, I think it's because my mom made me do the Hooked On Phonics readings every day until I was like 6 and they were so boring that when I got my hands on my first chapter book I was like holy crap? A plot? Suspense?? I was so suprised at what a book could be about that I then needed as many as I could. Shout out to The Magic Tree House and Rainbow Magic series.

And then as I grew up, reading was just always the one thing I knew I always had access to whether that was a book, wattpad, creepypastas, what have you. Especially in high school and college, reading became my mode of self-regulation. This is also where my love and obession with public libraries really grew because no matter what, I could always have a book. Even when if money is tight, I can at the very least, read a book for free. Even when I was having health problems and leaving the house wasn't optimal, not only could I have a book no matter what, I could have it delivered! You're telling me, I get the retail therapy fix of shopping online and getting a package delivered to my front door with no extra charge??? (BIG ups to the Hillsborough County Public Library Co-op; yall got me through one of the hardest parts of my adult life ❤️‍🩹) If public library systems have no fans, I'm deceased.

Even through therapy, I could never get the mindfulness thing down, but reading (print) to me is my meditation. I sit down, my body is still and my mind is focused on one thing. I'm mindful and enjoying the feel of the book or my e-reader (which I have in a book-like case) in my hand, and if it's a physical book, I do absolutely adore the smell of the paper lol.

So for me, I guess my love for reading started out of a desperate craving for real stories (and a desperate escape from homework on the weekends, although I am very grateful my mom made me do). And it continues because it's such a reliable and consistent way to not be bored lol.

My wife and I are going to London & Edinburgh in June. Followed up by Dublin in July. We would love to have bookshop recommendations to visit.