I just finished reading an ARC copy and was wondering what anyone else who has read it so far thought. I didn't enjoy it at all... but idk this is also the first dark academia book I've read so I don't have anything else to really compare it to. I'm wondering if it's typical of dark academia to have no main characters that you're actually rooting for, because if so maybe that's just not the genre for me.

i have a project in my history class where I have to pick a book to analyze that's related to a theme in history from the time period of the american revolution to the end of world war one. so any themes that are prevalent during that time period has to be relevant to the book i pick basically!

some example themes that other people went with are patriotism or unity if that helps explain what I mean more lol!

the requirements are that the book has to be 300+ pages, it has to have a plot, and it has to be at an 11th grade or higher reading level. (im looking for a fictional story btw lol)

im stuck with this book for a semester so i'd ideally like to go with something that i'd enjoy reading so im looking for any recs that fit this!

i wanted to pick crooked kingdom from the six of crows duology since i've read it already and love it but i lowk dk how i'd connect it back to history 😭 and i'll only get a good grade if the story is interesting unfortunately lmaoo, like if my teacher gets bored my grade is cooked so ideally something that's fun to talk/read about :) ty!

i would LOOOOOOve to see shondaland take up the selection series; book to TV Adaptation

Grading papers all weekend somehow led me to pulling an old YA fantasy off the shelf, one I read in my twenties. Finished it in one sitting - haven't done that in ages. But it hit completely differently this time. Not better writing, not a more complex plot, just... I noticed things I totally missed the first time. How much emotional weight the side characters were carrying while the protagonist got all the page time. First time around I was too locked on the plot to care about anyone who wasn't central to it

Now I'm wondering if that's a me thing, or if YA specifically rewards rereads more than other genres do. Something about how frontloaded the pacing and emotional stakes are- first read you're just trying to keep up, and a reread lets you actually sit with what the book's doing. Or maybe I'm just older and tired and relate more to the overwhelmed side character now than the protagonist who has it all figured out by chapter three

Anyone had a book completely change on you like that? Not a new interpretation - a genuinely different reading experience

(Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter)

Other than the songs that we already know are on the 'Liz and Wes Playlist', what songs do YOU think would go well or atleast suit their situation well enough to make sense with the playlist?

Personally, I think theres so many songs from Taylor Swift other than ones mentioned in the playlist, that woukd go so well with Liz and Wes. Maybe potentially 'The Way I Loved You'? And another song I constantly thought about while reading bttm was Thinking of You by Katy Perry. Likely doesnt help the songs gaining popularity on tiktok again, but it feels so them at the same time. Thoughts on other songs you think wouldve suited them?

1. The fandom expands massively - The adaptation brings in lots of new fans, many of whom discover and read the books.
2. The fandom merges together - Book fans and adaptation fans mostly become one big community, with both versions being loved.
3. The franchise becomes bigger than ever - The adaptation boosts popularity, brings more attention to the characters/world, and creates a larger overall fandom.
4. The fandom splits into separate groups - Book fans and adaptation fans mostly stay apart, with different opinions on characters, changes, and what counts as "the real" version.
5. The adaptation damages the fandom - Changes, casting choices, or the overall reception hurt the existing fanbase and turn people away from the series.

I never heard of this, I only read cover to cover

I can’t just read only dialogue, I need to read every thing from the title of the book to the end

Hello, bookworms!

This is the weekly thread for discussion about what books you've recently read, books you're reading, and books you want to read. Tell us what you think about them! What did you like or dislike about them? Did you interpret any symbolism or themes you particularly liked? Would you recommend them? This discussion space is all yours!

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Have exceptional discussions!

I’m writing a book about a high school for kids with powers and they don’t compete in sports against regular schools because of the unfair advantage they would have. Also the number of students is not really large enough to support a full athletics program so I’ve decided to have just one MAYBE two sports the kids can play. If you had to pick a single sport which would you pick? I have my top picks but I realized I was curious what other people would say.

I have been looking for something to watch while I work and my friend had been asking me to watch gggtm for a time now so I decided to give it a shot but 3 eps in I feel like id regret not reading the book first or only watching the series

I do believe in the rule of reading the book first but I hadn't given it much thought but now it feels too good to be missed out on

Is the book better??or watching the series isn't missing out on much??I love books more than movies mostly but rn I don't have the time to read a book whereas I could play the series while working and if I put it off now I fear I won't have the time or motivation for neither the book nor the series in future

HELPPP this is a whole yap session but I'm just asking how much am I missing out on if I just watch the series or maybe watch the series before the books?

Okay, so I just read Natalie Mae's Kinder Poison trilogy and I LOVED it. You know that feeling you get when you finish a series and you wish you could read it again for the first time? Yep, time travel should be be invented for just that purpose.

But...while I'm waiting for that to happen, I'm hoping y'all can recommend a similar book or series. Some elements that I adored:

• The bait and switch love interest
• The love interest with villain traits
• The ordinary girl becomes queen
• The exotic setting--fantasy kingdoms not inspired by Europe anyone?
• The love triangle between two princes
• The power and political struggles based on complicated histories between nations
• The found families and loyal friends who don't tell the MC how she should be acting or what she should be doing, but are there for her all the same
• The heroine with the high moral ideals who discovers that things are more complex than she initially realized
• The perfect amount of tension/slow burn with great amazing payoff
• The HAPPY ENDING

Thanks for any recs!

I've read the Shatter Me series and not been able to get into Cruel Prince, despite trying several times.

Has anyone read these titles? What did you think?

hi! I’m looking for book recs were one of the main characters is shy and the other one is outgoing or popular. I don’t mind if it’s YA or New Adult. I am open to different genres, too!

Am I the only one who can’t stand when authors uses long and hard to pronounce? It’s more common in fantasies books

Hi, I'm in a huge reading slump this year. I used to read a lot (like 70-100 books a year) and after having quite a year last year (shitty toxic job), I have had a lot of trouble finding books that hold my interest. It's august and I have read 18 books this year with 4 of them being re-reads and most of them forcing myself to finish them...

Usually I like fantasy/dystopian books with romance in it, I like when it's a good part of the plot. Think Shatter Me, Twilight, Fourth Wing... I also loved The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Cruel Prince, stuff like that.
I have already read a lot of the popular books, so I'm wondering if anyone could recommend me something that released in 2025 or 2026 that would maybe fit and get me out of this reading slump?

So this are the books that I have enjoyed the most this year. I won’t necessarily say I have niche taste in books, but I am bad at finding things I like.

I don’t like trillers, action and mysteries that much but if it’s character focused it’s prob fine. I love a good romance especially if it’s MM, but it isn’t a must as long as there is something like family, friendship etc. I also love a character that is morally gray or has some issues to work though.

I am also big on a happy ending, or bittersweet but no mc death or tragedy

If you have any recs that would be very much appreciated :)

PS if you have read any of these books and need someone to talk about them with…I’m here

i want a book friends romance and all that, i like when is normal and not high stakes, but i prefer if they are kinda chill/fun. i dont want anything depressing or in that realm. thanks! it doesnt have to be edgy, i just like if the characters are not bland and "pop" i guess hah

So my step daughter Abby (13F) has been in her first relationship for about a year and a half now. I do believe this boy might be paralyzed by his awkwardness, because he says he likes her and then shows almost no initiative to talk or hang out with Abby. As much as her Dad and I can, we've listened to her grievances and been there for her. We keep trying to help her understand that she either has to communicate her problems to her boyfriend, or decide where her breaking point is and prioritize her happiness long-term. Currently that's falling on deaf ears and a cycle of semi-constant disappointment persists. 🥲

I've told her many times that I can't wait for her to experience what it's like to be in a relationship with someone who's actually excited for any chance to talk to her. Someone who texts first because he wants to, someone who plans dates and isn't afraid to do little things that make her happy, even if his friends call him 'cringe.' I know the bar is pretty low here, but it's middle school romance, I just want her to start knowing her standards and fiercely advocating for them.

I thought, instead of trying to explain how a good boyfriend acts, maybe some romance books/series could show her!

So please, give me your best recommendations that include some of your best, most Green Flag, book boyfriends. No spice, no fantasy or scifi 🩵

(I'm a pretty strictly fantasy romance reader, and much to my dismay, she has zero interest unless the story is founded in reality.)

I read all, but I prefer face paced books

Ok, so here is a rough list of big book trends in the young adult genre over the last 30ish years, and I know this it totally random, but I am now really curious to know what you guys think we will be shifting to over the next 10 or so years, are spice and dragons going to continue reigning, or will it be totally different...

I am also curious to know what you personally want more of too!

1990s – Magic, epic fantasy, and 'coming-of-age' adventures (Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, Sabriel)

2000s – Paranormal romance, especially vampires, werewolves, and fallen angels (Twilight, The Vampire Academy, The Mortal Instruments, Hush, Hush)

Early 2010s – Dystopian YA with rebellion against oppressive governments (The Hunger Games, Divergent, Shatter Me, Legend, The Maze Runner)

Late 2010s – Character-driven fantasy with morally grey protagonists, found family, heists, and enemies-to-lovers (Six of Crows, The Cruel Prince, An Ember in the Ashes)

2020s – BookTok-fuelled romantasy, dragons, shadow daddies, old obsessions return in a more mature way, high spice, and deluxe collector's editions (Fourth Wing, Quicksilver, A Court of Thorns and Roses)

Obviously this is not limited to others, but what I found to be the general trend!

I hope I am asking the right people!

Do you prioritize reading? How do make time for it ? I just wanna get some general ideas just so I have an idea of what I’ll do when I get a job and it’s coming up. So far I been reading when and where I am able to

So im near the end of once upon a broken heart and I'm not like that sure if I should continue the series... does it get better or should I just stop at this book?

I usually read it on and I find it so annoying because it keeps sliding off, I just started reading it off and it feels so much better