Everyone has different reading tastes and contrasting book opinions. Whether that’s a beloved classic they just can’t get into or a love for an overhyped genre. It’s these differences, though, that make literary discussions all the more interesting. With that in mind, here are 5 of my bookish hot takes.
There’s More than Physical Books
I love reading physical books. There’s something special about holding a book, feeling the texture of the cover, or even buying too many and struggling to fit them all on my bookshelf. At the same time, that doesn’t make physical books any better for reading than ebooks, or even audiobooks. I love reading ebooks, just as much as physical books, and nothing beats the convenience and comfort of reading on a Kindle or other device. I can take a Kindle anywhere, and fit multiple books into just one small space. Ebooks have allowed me to read far more than through physical books alone, so while physical books are great, there are plenty of more ways to read your favorite books.
Short Stories Count
I was never much of a short-story reader, and even now, I’d choose a full-length novel any day. However, English classes have made me realize that although short stories may be short, they never fail to deliver the craziest twists or meaningful commentary and themes. Most importantly, they definitely count as reading, so now, whenever I read a short story, I make sure to count it towards my Goodreads reading goal.
Predictability can be Nice
The idea of predictability in books or movies is pretty controversial. It’s often the unpredictability that makes a read really memorable. But with predictability, it can be comforting to know exactly what I’m in for while reading a rom-com, or satisfying when I guess the plot twist before it even happens. After all, it’s about the journey, not the destination, so even if I already know the ending, the read is still familiar and cozy. Predictability isn’t always the best or the most popular, but in my opinion, it can be very nice.
It’s Okay to Stick to Your Favorite Genre
In a world where diversifying reading tastes and setting goals to explore new genres like non-fiction, biography, or classics is becoming increasingly popular, my bookish hot take is: there’s absolutely nothing wrong with reading exclusively from just one genre. If reading romance or fantasy makes me happy, then that’s exactly what I’ll do. Reading, at least for me, is about enjoyment, so sticking to one genre doesn’t make my reading any less meaningful, it just means that I know what I love.
Classics are Overrated
While I understand that certain books are considered classics for a reason, I firmly believe that doesn’t automatically make them the epitome of the themes they portray, or essential reading for everyone. As times have changed, so have our reading tastes, leaving many classics firmly in the past. They may have timeless themes, but the writing can be dense, difficult to get through, or even reflect outdated ideas. I do believe classics have value and often are well-written for their time, but I also think they’re frequently overrated, and far less flawless than expectations might suggest. This doesn’t mean I won’t read classics, or won’t enjoy reading them when I inevitably do, but it does mean that they won’t be getting a 5 star rating simply because they’re “classic.”
