I'm bored so I'm gonna go get some more books, but I'm not entirely sure what ones to get and my friend isn't responding to my request for recommendations. If you could only recommend one book, one single book out of all the books you've read, what book would it be? And I'm not necessarily asking what's your favorite book. What's a book you would instantly recommend to anyone by default. What book instantly comes to mind when you think of recommending something. Standalone or series, any genre.

Right now the only thing I can think of is starting the realm of the elderlings or just getting more books from series I don't own all the books for yet.

Have you ever experienced reading a popular series and finding out that the characters everyone ships or the characters they love are actually the ones you dislike or think should not be together? Maybe the character that everyone hates actually has the best character development for you?

Lately, I’ve been struggling a lot with character empathy and initiating conversation to understand the differing perspectives surrounding book characters. I feel an overwhelming pressure to side with the characters that the majority of readers love. This is primarily due to social media being a reflection of what the majority thinks which makes it hard to find those who have different takes. However, I feel like my perspective is quite opposite from how other readers view the books. Seeing as social media is forever and anonymous depending on how you use it, I find it hard to be transparent when it’s so easy to be torn down for not having the same view as others.

I’ve always enjoyed reading complex characters. Truthfully, the best development for me is seeing a character devolve their morals into a more fluid grey area or watching polarizing characters work their way towards seeing the damage they cause by doing the inner and outer work necessary to develop patience and empathy. Those journeys are always messy, full of set backs, and rock-bottom lessons. Those stories really teach me something about myself.

However, the problem i suppose I’m having is more surrounded by having conversations about these characters. I always feel like my takes are controversial purely for the reason that they are soo different from the way the majority of the audience interprets things.

Some of the more popular answers I could think of are my profound respect and empathy for Nesta Archeron (ACOTAR) and my current annoyance and lack of patience for Violet Sorrengail (Empyrean). Both takes very much oppose the vast opinions I’ve seen surrounding the characters.

Particularly with Violet, I feel so much confusion in processing my feelings for her. In many ways, her fire reminds me of Nesta. Shes a very consuming and captivating character, however, my biggest problem lies in the intention of her actions. Though every time I try to open a conversation about her, I find myself hesitating or second guessing the action due to the responses I will receive by questioning an FMCs intentions.

I also deeply care about my impact on other readers connection with the book. My primary goal is to have a conversation that doesn’t invalidate someone’s connection while productively analyzing the characters to come to some sort of mutual, respectful understanding or a new perspective I had not considered. However, I have found that the degree of consideration nor the depth of my initial analyzation doesn’t prevent the amount of responses that seek to end the controversial thought rather than inspiring discussion.

For those of you that have polarizing opinions, or maybe even for those of you that don’t but are still interested in hearing those opinions, how do you go about having difficult conversations when your opinions are vastly different from everyone else?

How do you mentally prepare yourself to keep the conversation productive rather than feeling discouraged from even having the thought in the first place?

Have you ever experienced reading a popular series and finding out that the characters everyone ships or the characters they love are actually the ones you dislike or think should not be together? Maybe the character that everyone hates actually has the best character development for you?

Lately, I’ve been struggling a lot with character empathy and initiating conversation to understand the differing perspectives surrounding book characters. I feel an overwhelming pressure to side with the characters that the majority of readers love. This is primarily due to social media being a reflection of what the majority thinks which makes it hard to find those who have different takes. However, I feel like my perspective is quite opposite from how other readers view the books. Seeing as social media is forever and anonymous depending on how you use it, I find it hard to be transparent when it’s so easy to be torn down for not having the same view as others.

I’ve always enjoyed reading complex characters. Truthfully, the best development for me is seeing a character devolve their morals into a more fluid grey area or watching polarizing characters work their way towards seeing the damage they cause by doing the inner and outer work necessary to develop patience and empathy. Those journeys are always messy, full of set backs, and rock-bottom lessons. Those stories really teach me something about myself.

However, the problem i suppose I’m having is more surrounded by having conversations about these characters. I always feel like my takes are controversial purely for the reason that they are soo different from the way the majority of the audience interprets things.

Some of the more popular answers I could think of are my profound respect and empathy for Nesta Archeron (ACOTAR) and my current annoyance and lack of patience for Violet Sorrengail (Empyrean). Both takes very much oppose the vast opinions I’ve seen surrounding the characters.

Particularly with Violet, I feel so much confusion in processing my feelings for her. In many ways, her fire reminds me of Nesta. Shes a very consuming and captivating character, however, my biggest problem lies in the intention of her actions. Though every time I try to open a conversation about her, I find myself hesitating or second guessing the action due to the responses I will receive by questioning an FMCs intentions.

I also deeply care about my impact on other readers connection with the book. My primary goal is to have a conversation that doesn’t invalidate someone’s connection while productively analyzing the characters to come to some sort of mutual, respectful understanding or a new perspective I had not considered. However, I have found that the degree of consideration nor the depth of my initial analyzation doesn’t prevent the amount of responses that seek to end the controversial thought rather than inspiring discussion.

For those of you that have polarizing opinions, or maybe even for those of you that don’t but are still interested in hearing those opinions, how do you go about having difficult conversations when your opinions are vastly different from everyone else?

How do you mentally prepare yourself to keep the conversation productive rather than feeling discouraged from even having the thought in the first place?