Bookish Community

The Evolution of Fanfiction from Secret Hobby to Publishing Powerhouse Twenty years ago, the word “fanfiction” or “fanfics” was not in the lexicon of common media. Those of us who were around and reading fanfiction in the early 2000s were quiet about it, discreet. Flat out secretive. Like anime, it wasn’t something people talked about, and if they did, they were shamed for it. Luckily, times have changed, and the public awareness surrounding fanfiction has grown thanks to the

Should paid book reviewers and influencers on BookTok make us question the integrity of all the book reviews we see on social media? For as long as there have been books, there have been those who review them. We currently live in a world where BookTokers have arguably eclipsed BookTubers and Bookstagrammers, and in that context, one might consider the nature of reviews to have taken a turn toward the sensational. What we have learned as a community is that sensational review

Because even the mids deserve attention I’m going to say something that will come as a shock to no one: The book community is a proud one. Readers take great pride when they announce how many books they’ve read at the end of the year. Each of them cannot wait to make that social post announcing they stayed up all night feverishly reading the latest big release, and now they know the spoilers. And of course, the gold star of all accomplishments is the opportunity to recommend

In Defense of Sciona Freynan (and Women Who Refuse to Apologize for Ambition) One of the most isolating feelings I’ve experienced in my short life has been moments when I’ve looked around a room full of women and convinced myself I was the only person who was fed up with the status quo. I was the only person who wanted more. I felt this often growing up in a conservative religious setting. I’m older and wiser enough now to know that perception isn’t everything – I’m sure ther

From hype to hate, what BookTok drama says about readers, reviews, and trending content Since the rise of TikTok and the emergence of the BookTok niche, we have seen numerous developments resulting from the community that BookTok has fostered. Increasingly more physical books have been bought. More indie-published books are being traditionally republished. The bookstore franchises that were going out of business are now busier than ever and building new stores. And of course,

Because redemption means keeping authors accountable for their characters' flaws. If you’ve ever listened to the podcast Jac and I host, Book Talk for BookTok, then you know we are consistent: consistently critical of characters and their journeys. When we covered Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) and then A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMAF), we were shocked at the outcry from our listeners who were appalled at our critical comments about Rhysand, High Lord o

Because those MMCs are a total package. Do romance novels give women unrealistic expectations when it comes to men? This is a question I’ve heard many times on the internet, uttered by random men on trains, and (if I’m being candid) something I continue to ask myself on the regular. In a world where we read about men who are over 6’2”, have abs for days, and possess “throbbing members” that can barely fit, are these male main characters (MMCs) setting us up for failure or set

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. **Updated on November 18, 2025, to correct some misspelled names and add additional mother examples.** There are a variety of tropes that fantasy fans have come to expect in the stories they read. Perhaps the protagonist discovers they are all-powerful. Or a wise elder lurks somewhere unexpected and appears at the right time to impart wisdom. And don’t forget the companion who provides comic relief. Another likely trope? A dead parent. B

Romance & dark romance unpacked: empowerment, responsibility, and the line between fantasy and reality.

"Plagiarism" is a word we hear more frequently in this modern culture of reviews and the desire to go viral. The art of fiction is not so cut and dry, particularly in the fantasy genre. The reason being that many fantasy concepts can be drawn from mythology. it's crucial for readers to examine themselves when accusing a book of plagiarism. Is it because it resembles one of the seven basic plots all stories model, or because it is filled with tropes and combinations that are f