Buying and Reading Trendy Books

I stick to reading what I actually want to read, not just what’s trending. I refuse to let Bookstagram or BookTok convince me to buy books that could end up being a waste of my time and money. I’m all for reading what genuinely appeals to me and keeping my TBR (to-be-read) list my own.

Participating in Reading Challenges

I admire those who read for a living—I wish I could do that, but it’s not my reality. I squeeze in reading whenever I can, but sometimes life just gets too busy, and my books sit untouched for days. I cannot imagine pressuring myself to read because of an online challenge that requires me to finish a book in a week. I prefer to keep reading a pleasurable experience and the only way to preserve the pleasure of reading is by picking up a book when I am relaxed, not to check a box. What do people who read all day do for work? Genuinely asking, because you’re living my dream! I’d love nothing more than to explore coffee shops, libraries, and all things bookish for a living, but alas, here we are.

Hard Copies Over Audiobooks Any Day

I know it’s old-school, but I love physical books. There’s something about the smell, the feel of turning pages, and the experience of going to bookshops and libraries. Plus, I read to get away from screens, so audiobooks and Kindles don’t do it for me. And, okay, I’ll admit it: I love showing off my book collection when friends come over.

Silent Book Reviews

Even though I’m still new to the book community, I respect the art of reviewing. Reading thoughtful reviews has helped me decide on so many books over the years. But something I don’t get? “Silent book reviews.” A thumbs-up or thumbs-down doesn’t tell me anything! Did the person even read the book? Does this help the author? So many questions. Is that what a book review is supposed to be?

Book Hauls

Books aren’t cheap, and for that reason, I buy one at a time, read it, review it, and then move on to the next. I’m trying not to be impulsive about book buying, especially as I find my place in the online book community. The last thing I want to do is get pressured into buying books I’ll never read just because they’re “in,” like some random horror novel when horror’s not even my genre. I’m all about being intentional with my reading choices right now. The #TikTokmademereadit trend can miss me.

What’s your experience with Bookstagram?