Here are my favorites of 2020 :) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hrqUf7ylnZuvZ40.html

im so glad we all agree that AFTER should've never got the hype it did

Fanfics like after portrayed Harry as a womanizer and those years were so hard for him. Yeah everyone knew they were fanfics but still they made a wrong image of him. So sad...

I hate After too, the whole story is just so disgusting and tries to turn abuse into something "romantic". Thank you for the video, Cari! It was fun :) Happy new year

Romanticized or brushed over toxic relationships is just something I am so sick of these days... Even if the problems are obvious to most people, I know that for even just one person it could make these things seem normal....

I read all the fanficton for After years ago because everyone kept talking about it and it was sooo baddd I couldn’t read some parts because it was so wrong and f up , I still can’t believe she got a book and movie deal , yikes 😬

"Her writing reminds me if a pinterest aesthetics board" couldn't agree more

My worst book was also "the subtle art of not giving fu*k" , for me this book was rude it didn't help me a bit rather it felt I was being bullied (I can't pinpoint that feeling),so yeah this book was filled with fu*k and mean words ,I made me felt terrible which after reading any book it shouldn't.

A little bit late but I am just rereading "The Starless Sea" and thought I would share why I love it so much. And just to be clear, I totally get why someone would not like this book. I am aware that I have in some ways a very strange taste in books. Hopefully someone will find this interesting: 1. I just love weird books. There are so many books out there that feel more like written movies that follow the same old structure and I am personally of the opinion that books can do so much more than that. So when I read a book that does something unique that wouldn't work in a movie or a comic I will be at least interested. This is the same reason I love the Locked Tomb Series by Tamsyn Muir. 2. Interesting stakes. This fantasy book isn't about stopping the end of the world. It is about deciding the fate of basically a library. Obviously there is more than that because a love story is intertwined with that but even though I do enjoy a good fantasy story, always reading of the end of the world can be boring. And having characters who love stories fight for a special place that protects them works really well for me. 3. I love when a story doesn't tell me what is going on but has enough hints for me to puzzle things together. Having little short stories interspersed in the main plot that are either world building or tell the backstory of some of the characters is kind of genius. Because flashbacks and lore dumps can be kind of boring. Having this information in those stories and reading them alongside the main character so that he can speculate what from those stories is true and what is embelishement immersed me so much more in the story. 4. No obsession with plot. I often love reading a plot heavy book. But I sometimes want something different. And it is not like Starless Sea doesn't have a plot. It is just not something big or complicated. The barebones plot can be explained in less than a page. But because of the strange world with rules the characters never really grasp this book is a lot more about characters and atmosphere. And I love it. 5. The characters. I love Zachary, Dorian, Kat and Mirabel. They are all so different characters. Some of them are super relatable and others are very aloof. Of course they are not the most deep characters out there but their interactions are enough to make me care about them. And because the book plays with the fact that those characters are also part of a story, them maybe not always being the most realistic characters feels like part of the point. Like there is a very rushed love story here but it feels like it was meant to reflect all those stories out there (and in this book) about people falling in love fast and deep. I totally get why this book isn't for everyone. It is strange, refuses to explain basic rules of this world and it can feel like there isn't a lot of substance here. For me this book (like most of the best books I have ever read) was an experience. And I am lucky enough that this wasn't the only book I felt like this. There is (as I already mentioned) the Locked Tomb series. There is "The Actual Star" by Monica Byrne. There is "Light from Uncommon Stars" by Ryka Aoki. And there are books like "Last Exit" or "Empress of Forever" by Max Gladstone.

I'm in the home stretch of The Starless Sea. Given your remarks in an earlier video about this book, I know that I've liked it overall more than you, and I understand completely why it isn't your cup of tea. There's an esoteric quality to the structure that even if you get that it's a book about books about stories about stories and parallel worlds featuring archetypical elements of myth and folklore, it takes a lot of concentration to "hold" everything together in your head as you're reading it. You really have to get just past the halfway point before a lot of the seemingly disparate characters and interludes make sense, and you get to have some "whoa" moments. Reading it is like watching someone else play an RPG video game where you can't interact with the player, you just have to wait until they uncover secrets and open doors.

One thing that I hate in After is the fact that the author literally used two of the best literary characters (Darcy and Lizzy) to illustrate Tessa and Hardin, when neither Tessa or Hardin or their relationship is anything like Pride and Prejudice. In theirs there is toxicity and lots of other bad things, while in pride and prejudice there is love, mutual respect etc

Spinning silver is like my top 3 favorite books, and I loved uprooted too so this made me so sad haha. I did struggle through the beginning of uprooted, but I felt it picked up in the second half and I really liked the ending. I think I’m just super desensitized to immortal lifespan type age gaps though because they never bother me at all lol.

I agree The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is just an excuse for the author to curse a lot and toot his own horn. Not a lot of novel ideas in there.

I loved Uprooted. The Dragon’s name is Sarkan and he doesn’t age, so I never thought of him has crusty. Also Agneiska will also live longer than normal. I enjoyed the ebbs and flow in the intensity of the plots. Riveting read. I will definitely be looking out for her other works.

A friend of mine read 'The Subtle Art of...' and thought it was excellent. I didn't think it was worth reading based on the title. We live in a world where people need to be less self absorbed and more caring to others so I can't really see a reason for the book to exist. We need to care more.

totally agree with you about "the subtle art of not giving a f*ck". don't understand why everyone loves it so much.

I remember reading After when I was in a high school (long time ago), and it was....so BAD 😂. I genuinely can not believe that the author was offered a book deal (no offence to her), but as someone who studied and graduated literature I'm confused that such things are published, and later they even make a film about it? Also, as a teen reading it, I thought (then) that someone my age wrote it, but the fact that she was in her 20s writing and glamorizing abuse (in a way) it's disgusting... just my opinion...

Iv considered reading the subtle art but as you said I feel like the most self help books I read the more bored I am of the genre because it feels like its just (mostly white) people talking about their privileged life’s and their unrealistic experiences

Spinning Silver and Uprooted are absolutely magical books, some of the best I've ever read

You inspired me to read again, currently reading 'Never Let Me Go' and really enjoying it. I'm now going to study English Lit at Uni next year!!!!

I didn’t read anything here so I guess I just luckily (?) avoided this books 🙈🤷‍♀️

Conversations with Friends was actually one of my favourite books of the year! It’s super interesting to hear another persons opinion on it, I think Sally Rooney’s writing style is quite polarising. She’s got a new book coming out in March which you should give a try if normal people doesn’t appeal! ☺️

I read After as a teen and loved it and wanted my relationship to be like that, and because of that I was disappointed in my own first relationship because there wasn’t enough drama and enough jealousy and enough possessiveness... and I realized with time that those things aren’t good or healthy and shouldn’t be wanted in a relationship 😬 so the book (or the fanfiction which is what I read it as) definitely can affect young girls and make them think that that type of relationship is good and desirable when it’s really freaking abusive.

Looking back i can't believe that i read after when i was 14, it really made me want that type of love, and now i can see WHY it's so problematic omg also those earrings match your eyes in such a cute way! happy new year cari

I loved The Starless Sea, but I totally get it. It's definitely not for everyone. The Night Circus has more of a plot. It did kill me to hear you say bad things about it though.

i got a lot of books that you recommended this christmas! i went from not wanting/liking to read at all to having 11 new books! thank you so much!❤️

I agree completely with The Subtle Art. I recently just sold my copy because I felt like I wasn’t getting anything substantial from the book? Surprisingly, so many were interested in buying it from me. I will never get it.

I loved the Starless Sea, but it's probably because I listened to it on audio while crocheting a massive blanket. The narrators kept me company and it was really lyrical and moving, while not being something where if I missed a second I'd be lost . I know I wouldn't have liked it in print.

The Starless Sea is actually my favorite book so that hurt a bit 😂 No, no, but I definitely understand how people may not like it, so it's cool 😂 I'm so glad that there's someone else who didn't like Uprooted! I felt like this book was so hyped and I hated it 😬 Happy New Year's! 🤍

Uprooted definitely feels like two books in one. Novik chooses to focus the story on the least interesting parts lol Also, I love that damn book LOL

Early mornings and a Cari Reads video. Undisputedly my favourite way to start the day. Happy new year!

I love you cari! can't wait fro what this new year will bring to you and what books will end up in your hands

i was also really turned off by the subtle art.... it was so popular and talked about that i had huge expectations but not only did it not meet my expectations, but it felt like... the author kept swearing and it didn't feel like a self-help book at all! i feel more at ease knowing that there are people out there who didn't like it either!

I am so happy to hear it is not just me...My sister and I listened to the Audible version of the Starless Sea and just could not get into...so confused... then I was thinking maybe it would have been better to have the book in front of me but now I'm thinking it wouldn't have made a difference. I have a friend who just LOVED the Night Circus and I'm glad I gave this author another chance because it was a really good read....

The way you felt about The Starless Sea is exactly how I felt about The Night Circus! I actually ended up finishing the whole book even though I literally have no clue what the plot was. I could not empathize with any characters and I literally just don’t even know what the actual point of the book was. Very disappointed that that was one of the only books that I had time to read this year. I gave it like 1/5 stars on goodreads 😒

Starless sea only ties together in the end and honestly I was lost during the whole plot 😂. But the imagery was what got me through it

I wholeheartedly agree with your opinion of Conversations with Friends!! You took the words out of my mouth. Like why did it exist? What was the reason to have that situation on paper?

you literally posted at exactly 12am in my country :D happy new year cari💘💘

Okay, I'm about to go to bed, but I NEEDED to make this comment first! I bought The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck at an airport last January and read it on a small layover plane with so much turbulence it felt more like a rollercoaster. Now, I will say that my experience may have been slightly negatively biased by the elderly man across the aisle from me that did not take his eyes off of me the entire flight, but I also got a weird superiority-complex vibe from the author. It felt like the author was just writing a book about how he's kind of a jerk and wanted to get away with it. Now, I understand that some people need that in their lives, but it turned me off so much that I haven't picked up the book again since the plane landed. Glad to know I'm not alone! Love all of your videos! Would you ever consider doing a read with me livestream?

me and a friend had to read a starless sea for a book club, I read 1/4 and dropped it and my friend finished it but didn't understand anything, the rest of the memebers of the club were like 5 stars!! beautiful!! and my friend and I were sooo confused lol, it's just like you said, the author describes scenes in a very aesthetic way but the plot put me to sleep 2 times

I listened to Blood and Ash recently. It's yet another novel that glorifies a man being abusive in many ways towards the so called "intelligent" female protagonist. I was left so angry by the end of it and wanted to know wtf the author was thinking. It could have been such a good book!

EXACTLY how I felt about Starless Sea!! So much potential w the beautiful world she creates but I couldn’t stand reading it because it was such a mess

Hahaha I've read the starless sea probably 5 times since it came out. It's so lovely. Its not perfect- but its wonderful and magical and ethereal and every story is connected. cats clocks doors keys hearts books boats bees owls its perfect even though imperfect. the audio book is GLORIOUS. everyone ive talked to likes it better the more they reread it. you dont have to like it. there is certainly plot. i've considered starting a youtube channel just to explain this book better to people, but no one has to enjoy a book. hahahaha

I totally agree with after getting the unwanted hype. I think cherry on wattpad is a better fan fiction it could also be made a novel

What better way to start the year than by watching Cari! Also you should definitely give a shot at reading Normal People. Do it for your inner Irish women! I was studying at Trinity College in Dublin, where some of the book is set, when it came out and a lot of people were reading it and, on top of being one of my favorite book of the year, I've only heard people liking or loving it! So I think it's definitely better than Conversation with friends.

Cari!!! If you havent read it yet, i highly recommend reading the raven cycle its soo good!!!

I love that you mentioned The Starless Sea and Uprooted. I was disappointed with both of those too 😕 Especially Uprooted because yeah. What was that ending?

I tootally agree with you on the uprooted thought.. I'm kinda skeptical to read her spinning silver after reading uprooted ;;w;;

I agree so much with your opinions on Erin Morganstern's writting. I only read night circus and I loved the description the setting but the plot? So convoluted, I don't even know what the point was, and now I can't remember most of it.

i loved conversations with friends. i read a review which said that the emotions are portrayed vague because they headcanon Frances as autistic. And i loved that approach because i suspect that i'm also on the spectrum and omg I loved Frances. Really weird i guess but I can see that for others the emotional part was too vague. But for me it just made sense. I also just feel stuff very simplified sometimes

Happy new year ! I haven’t read any of the books. I enjoyed Normal People because of the writing and how she manages to convey the characters’inner thoughts and fears. I never wanted to read After or before 50 Shades because they show abusive relationships. What’s crazy about it is that they were written by contemporary female authors. I will go to your main channel now. It was -2 degrees in France at noon which is really cold where I live. But the sunshine is beautiful. 2021 sounds good ! Bonne année 🎈

Omg I just found your channel and the 2 books I’ve read from your list (Conversations with Friends, The Art of Not Giving a F*ck) are also some of my least favorites and I never seem to find anyone who also dislikes them! I’m always so confused like are we reading the same book?? Ofc it’s great we all have our tastes so all books have an audience but it’s exciting to bump into someone with my taste.

WOAAAHHH HAPPY NEW YEAR CARI!!

you are not alone, cari! i've read the subtle art of not giving a f*ck and i dislike it as well. it's definitely the worst book i read in 2020

I respect you Cari, and your opinions! Which is why it really amuses me that we have such different ones about books! I only read 3 out of these and I loved the night circus and the starless sea, I didn't think the plot was complicated at all and very easy to follow 🤣 and for Uprooted, when I first finished it I felt upset. Upset, because I hated the romance but loved the plot. To me it was obvious she loved kashia and I was confused as to why the dragon was even in the picture because he was a crotchety old man. But after thinking about it I loved how the story wasn't one dimensional, she went to learn magic, then saved her friend, and then the kingdom. Still love you tho Cari 😉

Did you read Julia Cameron's "The artist's way", its about creativity and writers block. It has exercises to practice writing

Hi, i love your channel, i love you as a person, and as you said at the beginning of the video, it’s your opinion and i know, when watching these videos that everyone is different and everyone has different opinions but The Starless Sea being in this video really hit me hahahahahaha again, i respect it. Have you read any Murakami? I feel like you won’t like it? But you might want to give it a try maybe you don’t like magical realism? Try kafka on the shore :) Interesting video by the way!

After by Anna Todd Conversations with Friends, A novel by Sally Rooney The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern The Subtle art of not giving a F by Mark Manson Uprooted by Naomi Novik I haven't read the others but I do disagree about the Starless Sea, I really enjoyed that book and was quite sad when it ended. One book I just couldn't get into was the Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter. It was a bit too much endless droning detail in the war scenes that I just couldn't get into.

I loved the Night Circus but I really couldn't get into The Starless Sea. I felt like she was trying too hard to live up to the hype of her last book 😕 I am really hoping that I like her next one!

Hi Cari :) Thank you for this video! From which library do you borrow books?

i didn't like cwf much at all but i adored normal people -- after reading both i feel like the former was a very rough draft for the latter. i do read mostly contemporary though so i'm curious to hear your thoughts!!! happy new year

When it comes to The Art of Not Giving a F*ck, I honestly think I liked it because I was SO lost that almost anything could have sounded great and helpful 😅 I've read it literally a year ago and can't remember anything, so I suppose it wasn't really groundbreaking for me, just something that felt right somehow at the moment. Would I re-read it? Nope haha

I actually don’t mind when I hate characters in a book. But I feel like it had to be written well and it be written in a way that’s like putting a lens on situations like that. But the glamourising or normalising is, not okay. I’ll be steering clear of After for sure! I totally agree with you about The Night Circus absolutely GORGEOUS book, but I have kind of forgotten the plot haha which says a lot: Also I didn’t finish The Subtle Art... it just didn’t grab me like I thought it would.

happy new year and thanks for the wonderful videos. Kisses from Brazil Feliz ano novo!

My therapist actually recommended the subtle art to me because I cannot stand the normal tone and pace of self help books but I process things well by reading. It addressed some issues that I struggle with and I found some of the advice crude but surprisingly useful. However, I tried to read the authors other book and I couldn’t relate to it it nearly as much.

Erin Morgenstern isn't for me then, I need things to happen XD oh I don't like Uprooted nor Spinning Silver 💔 My most disappointing book I read this year was My sister the serial killer, everything felt incomplete in that book

RE: Conversations With Friends - weirdly, I really enjoyed the pace of the first 200 pages and then suddenly, I hated all of it?! Did you find it hard to read or did you fly through it quite quickly? Normal People is definitely her best book but the lack of communication between the characters might be a bit aggravating.. I'd definitely recommend it to you but keep your expectations sat comfortably on neutral ground (just in case)!

I'm glad i'm not the only one who thought the same about Erin Morgernstern's books 😂

despite the starless sea being my favorite book, i completely understand why it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. in terms of plot...there really isn’t one lol. but like you said, her imagery is just SO stunning and i fell completely in love with the world. i just felt like i was completely immersed in a fairytale. for me, if a book has pretty writing and a whimsical and weird world, i’m pretty much sold. like i said though, if you’re someone who needs a strong plot, then this one probably wouldn’t be the best one for you, because it was definitely confusing at times

we need an after + after sequel movie reaction 🙇🏻‍♀️

Yayayay thank you for your amazing videos!

i totally agree with u on the starless sea! but i really loved the night circus, which just made me extra disappointed... :(

I almost bought “The Starless Sea” because I really, really liked “The Night Circus” (I still can’t get over the magic of it) but I read the reviews on GoodReads and I was like: 😅 never mind

Thank you for mentioning Erin Morgenstern and her book "The starless sea". I had heard so many good things about her and her books and I bought the Night Circus as an audio book. Just like you, I find her writing style beautiful and she creates images in my head that are incredibly beautiful. Unfortunately the story is so mundane and the ending so bad that I was really disappointed in the end. After I know your opinion, I will probably not read “The starless sea”.

Never read After but I've scanned the movie on Netflix and i just don't understand whats going on. Please someone spoil me what was the issue that was forgiven in that book. Haha so curious about it

yeah I felt meh about uprooted. I absolutely loved A Deadly Education, though! I was disappointed that I didnt really like Uprooted because I liked a deadly education so much, and I thought uprooted would be perfect for me since my main favorite genre is fantasy.

I didn't like 'conversations with friends' either. Most of the times, it felt like I was reading a kid's diary and whenever something important happened, the author just described it and moved on. I was like, why? Give us a reason, give us some explanation. But, well, she didn't and it was impossible to connect to the plot. And I completely agree with the 'vague emotions' part. I couldn't connect to any of the characters, so to me it mostly remains as story where everyone just cheats on everyone and that's it. 😐

I absolutely loved the night circus, and rushed to the store for starless sea, I couldn’t get through it! The first few pages were amazing, the way she can write a scene, the one about the pirate… just beautiful, but then she can’t build a story/plot, it was all telling, no showing. It worked in the night circus and I still adore that book. I hope she continues to write, and gets better at plots.

The way I gasped when you said Uprooted! That’s one of my favourite books but everything you said is absolutely right and the way you talked about it was so funny I loved it!!

My top worst book of 2020 was A Head Full Of Ghosts by Paul Trembley. The writing itself is completely fine, the story however has left me shocked and traumatised! 2nd place would be a re-read of Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice. I loved this as a 16 year old, now in my early 40's I could not get over how tedious and depressing it was. The only part I still loved was the ending, it does make you want to read the next book in the series.

The first video I'm watching in 2021!! This is already a good year... And, I don't know if it is an unfortunately case, but I've read none of these books, so! Great video, love ya!

I also hated Conversations With Friends (still have about 40 pages to go and can't motivate myself to finish) and really couldn't get the hype at all! It actually created a reading slump for me so I'm glad that I'm not alone here.

I adore the Night Circus so much. It's so romantic and beautiful.

happy new year guys! 💞✨

the content we deserve !!

I loved the starless sea BECAUSE there was so much going on. I definitely see the point of there not being that much of a plot, but I just very much liked playing detective in this beautiful world and trying to piece together all the fragments of stories. What I will say though is that after reading it twice (the second time with a million post its at hand) and making elaborate mind maps like some sort of conspiracy theorizer to try to understand everything in this book, I’m still not sure about a lot of stuff. I have some theories about things, but there is so much I’m still trying to figure out. So yeah, it’s a book that has a lot going at the same time, but also not a lot of plot, which makes it... different, I guess. From what I’ve seen it’s extremely hit or miss. Either you love it (and dedicate your summer vacation to investigating all the different pieces further... :)) or you hate it. For me, the aha moments of making a connection, paired with the beautiful writing and incredible world made this one of my absolute to reads 2020 even though I thought the build up of the romance was rather weak and the end of the book feels somewhat akin to a drug trip. So if anyone else liked it and would like to talk theories... :)

I like the Subtle Art but I listened to it as an audible instead of reading it. That could be why. It’s been a couple years now since I’ve heard it but I know I enjoyed it when I listened to it. May have to revisit it and see if it still hits the same. Thank you for your videos, they are very enjoyable to listen to

I also could not get into A Starless Sea but didn't know why and I kept picking it up over and over. Your description of Morgenstern's writing totally hit it - like a pinterest board of random pretty things but no clear plot that sucks you in. I read The Night Circus a few years ago and hardly remember anything that happened for the same reason. AND I thought Uprooted was a totally mediocre story that re-used too many tropes of how women get represented in fantasy! I usually don't get why I don't like books that everyone else seems to really enjoy, and watching this was helpful to know I'm not just crazy :p

I also don't like the subtle art of not giving a f*ck. I dnf'ed it because I just don't like the way author talk about other people in his book. I don't remember exactly what he said but one of them is when he mentioned how some women use the victim mentality to make people feel bad for them. Like I said he didn't exactly say that but that's what I think he was saying when I listened to that part of the book

I gotta pause this VDO and make my quick comment to you first. I paused at your comment on "A Subtle Art of ....". I'm on your side! really! You are not crazy for not into this BOOK, if you're crazy I think I am too! LOL I got this book in 2019 after seeing lots of people hype over this book plus when I post that I was starting the book, many people reach me and say how wonderful it is to them and make them change. I respect you for able to read it till 90% of the book tho. I put it down from reading 1 or 2 chapters. I agreed with all of your comments on the author's tone in this book. It was just .... yeah too many fu*k and too many blabbering on other people. I was even trying to come up with the assumption that maybe I'm the person who just not giving a fu*k already before reading the book. Anyway gotta continue my watching :) Happy New Year to you Cari. Thank you so much for all of your contents in both channels, love them all.

I read the whole AFTER series because I am a little older than you perhaps it helped and I was more curious about Tessa’s character development. Like you I could not get over what happened and the existence of other books in the series. My conclusion is that the dynamic changes between the main characters mid third book and it becomes a more balanced relationship. Yet I don’t want to read the series about Hardin nor watch the movies. And it is certainly not a recommended read for young teenage girls, who might think it is ok to be treated like Tessa was treated by Hardin. It is a very toxic relationship.

I haven’t read Conversations with friends but I did read Normal People. I liked it but I totally know what you mean about the emotions. Everything felt very detached

not to mention Conversations with Friends hella glossed over/glorified just straight up BAD female friendships and served it up as the "modern" female friendship ... like pls dont present your toxic characters as "normal" or exemplary of young women today

I also read conversations with friends in 2020 because I read normal people in 2019. I loved normal people - especially the characterization of the main characters. When I started to read conversations with friends I absolutely couldn’t enjoy the first half because the characters made me so angry most of the time and the whole plot about the affair made me so uncomfortable. Personally I like her writing style and I think the ”dry“ descriptions of the emotions are interesting. But I totally understand your point why you did not like the book. I actually enjoyed the second half but I think normal people is still better. Just like conversations with friends it is also a book about relationships, miscommunication, the difference between classes in society and dealing with your emotions... The difference are the main characters: even though normal people deals with miscommunication you can understand or even relate why these two characters act like they do.

I didn't get to read much this year but one book that kinda let me down was the Truly Devious series. It's weird cause I reallly enjoyed it but the characters and parts of the plot were a let down. The plot was so interesting and so cool but most of the characters were just meh. And the love interest was literally the worst but she gave so much book time to him when she couldve taken that time to make her meh characters into really interesting ones. And basically the love interest's plot just didnt make sense to me why it was in there??? For me the love interest just took away from the book and the amaziiinggg plot. So not a worst book but it became a let down as I continued reading it because of one character and the author being overly obsessed with such a shitty character.

i really liked Uprooted, the plot was interesting but i totally agree that the romance is a bit creepy with the old thing being always reminded to the reader

Starless sea was a complete m7ss for me. Gave it a 2.5 stars. Erin starts really well but I'm always lost towards the end. Same happened with the night circus

the starless sea is a great book for people who, after they read it, kind of live within the universe of the book in their heads. thinking about the characters, and the small snippets you're fed, all the puzzle pieces you're given, etc., and analyzing the hell out of it. allowing the book to occupy your thoughts after you finish it. also, for people who like books that are great to reread. Its a good book IMO, i enjoyed it, but i feel like there was so much potential for it to be better. and i've found that my positive opinion of the book comes from my personal filling-in-the-gaps after finishing it, rather than the story itself as i was consuming it. I really wish it was polished a little bit more, it'd probably be one of my top 5 books

I get what you mean about not really liking 'contemporary'. I mostly read historical and fantasy books these days but I try contemporary every so often to change things up. Just finished Such A Fun Age and the fact that most of the plot is based around a video someone has on their phone did nothing for me 😅

I have to admit that I stopped wanting to read books because of similar reasons. I tend to find it hard to decide on a book to read specially after reading reviews (because it seems like I would agree with the reviewers if I were to read those books) or even after reading the plot. Oh and those books that talk about abuse and either glorify it or not discuss it properly are the worst specially when they are directed towards a younger audience!!!