Op-eds, book recommendations, and quick explainers. Check back here for the latest bookish conversations.
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BookTok Algorithm: Are you actually the problem?
BookTok may a reputation for over-hyping books, but a well-curated algorithm makes all the difference. Here’s some tips.
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Chekhov’s Gun: How to not give readers blue balls
Have you ever felt like a book set you up for something, only for it to never actually happen? The principle of Chekov’s Gun explains it.
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The Thing About Tharion Ketos: A useless POV
Tharion Ketos, the well-known Mer character from the Crescent City series, needs some work. Let’s discuss.
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Unlikeable Vs. Poorly Written: A character analysis
How can you tell when it’s a poorly written character, and not just an unlikeable character? Let’s dive in.
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Fanfiction is in Jeopardy: Here’s how you can help
A popular fanfiction author removed their works from AO3 due to binders selling their work illegally. Here’s what you can do to help.
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Short vs. Long Chapters: The great debate
Does chapter length matter? If you’re a mood reader, then yes. In this blog, I discuss the merits of short vs. long chapters.
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Your Guide to the Sarah J. Maas Universe
SJM has over 16 wildly successful published books. Where to start? Here’s your comprehensive guide: expectations, reading order, and more.
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The Book Overconsumption Debate: It’s not fast fashion
The idea that people are overconsuming books has been making rounds on social media — and I’m here to disagree.
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Adding a Romantasy Section to the Goodreads Choice Awards: A good thing, actually
In 2023, Goodreads added a new section to their choice awards: romantasy. While this move has garnered some criticism, it’s actually a good thing, and here’s why.
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2023 Top Reads
2023 was a great year for me in books, especially fantasy. Here are the highlights.
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Books, Art, and the AI Question
AI is the future — so what does this mean for art and creative endeavors? Let’s discuss.
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Established Couples in Romance: Boring or heartwarming?
Once the main couple in a romance series are together officially, are they still interesting to read about? In my opinion, no. And I’ll tell you why.
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Gray Area: Morally gray characters and you
Morally gray characters who straddle the line between good and evil can be some of the most engaging to follow. But they aren’t without challenges, especially in romance. Why do we like them, and what are their pitfalls?
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Narnia, and the Problem with Moralistic Literature
This blog explores the pitfalls of moralistic literature, with The Chronicles of Narnia as a prime example.
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Beware of Sharks: The plot missteps of ‘jumping the shark’
If you’ve ever felt a series inserted gimmicky or sensationalized plot points in a weak attempt at keeping your attention, it may have “jumped the shark.” Let’s talk about it.
