I’ve been getting a lot of pop fiction recs lately (thanks, BookTok), and while I don’t mind being influenced, I’ve started reading more intentionally as I figure out what really stays with me.
At this point, how I read depends on the format:
Audio: Must be beautifully narrated, rich in theme, and not overly dense in context. I like stories that feel layered but don’t require constant decoding.
Physical: I’m not gentle with my books — I highlight, dog-ear, and revisit them often. If I’m buying a hard copy, it has to pull me in the way Kristin Hannah does. Her books consistently wreck me in the best way.
Kindle/eBook: Quick, emotional, and easy to consume. I use this format when I want something fast-paced yet meaningful enough to stick.
I tend to reach for stories with emotional depth and strong storytelling, but without heavy focus on race, sex, or gender themes. Modern fiction often loses me when it feels like it’s trying to prove a point instead of telling a story. I want something that makes me feel — like Project Hail Mary did, in its blend of humanity, curiosity, and heart.
For those of you who read across formats:
• What titles have stayed with you long after you finished?
• Which audiobooks truly drew you in?
• What physical books have earned the kind of wear that only a great story deserves?
• And which eBooks kept you up later than you meant to be?
I’d love to find the books that meet you where you are emotionally as a reader right now.
by Dinkandboop