Time for some bookish confessions. We listen and we don’t judge.

We bring you the latest about upcoming books and poetry, interviews with authors and poets, and curated lists of books so you can find the best of the books you want to read. This means we read a lot of books here at little infinite. As every avid reader knows, it means we all have those weird bookish quirks.

Whether it’s how you mark your place in a book, or how you feel about mis-matched books in a series, social media is full of bookish confessions. Some confessions, like genre preferences, are prompting great conversations and book recommendations. Other confessions, however, are sparking a debates, such as whether or not dog-earing a page is a crime.

In the spirit of honesty, and just for fun, here are a few of my bookish confessions. Please be nice.

Bookish Confessions

I only read fantasy if there is romance

Thanks to the popularity of romantasy, a whole new genre has opened up. Dragons and fae off on adventures in some mystical and magical world isn’t exactly what I call page turning. I need that enemies to lovers trope, that “will they or won’t they” vibe, that undeniable tension between the main characters. Add in a helping of romance and I’ll happily join on the adventure.

Romantasy Books:

• Fourth Wing, by Rebecca Yarros
• A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J Maas
• When the Moon Hatched, Sarah A Parker

Cliffhangers drive me crazy

What do you mean, “The End”? We just got to the good part, how can the book be over? Investing time and emotion into a book, into characters, into a whole story only for it to end on a “to be continued…” is one of the worst ways to finish a book. Why did I read this far if I wasn’t going to know the ending? This trope is even worse when it’s part of an ongoing book series. Having to wait months for another installment of a series is one thing, having to wait to know how a story arch ends, is another.

Books with Cliffhangers:

• For the Wolf, by Hannah Whitten
• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, V E Schwab
• Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch

Some beloved classics aren’t that great

I’ve read a lot of classic books over the years, from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to George Orwell’s 1984. In all honesty, some of them really aren’t that good. The Great Gatsby has a lot of glitz and glam and heartbreak, but the narrator just goes on and on. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is better left in the past with it’s casual racism. Sense and Sensibility, I’ve never made it past the point where Marianne falls down the hill.

I’d much rather spend my time reading new books or even modern adaptations of classic books. Telling these stories through a new perspective might be just what they need to feel exciting for new readers.

Modern Adaptations of Classic Novels:

• Those Fatal Flowers, by Shannon Ives
• The Legend of Meneke, by Kritika H. Rao
• Helen of Troy, 1990: Poems, by Maria Zoccola

My five star rating system is mostly based on vibes

Were the characters compelling with exciting relationships? Was the plot engaging with excellent pacing? Was the world building unique? Is this book going to stick with me for years, influence my life, or change the way I think? Probably not.

Does it have good vibes? Yes – 5 stars!

I’ve rated books 5 stars that respected book reviewers would likely rate as low, fluffy, even frivolous. But, did I have fun reading it? 5 stars. Were the main characters adorable? 5 stars. Would I recommend it to others with similar taste? 5 stars.

My Recent Five Star Reads:

• Just for the Summer, by Abby Jimenez
• Not in Love, by Ali Hazelwood
• The Women, by Kristen Hannah

Books with my favorite tropes are an auto wishlist

I absolutely LOVE a great enemies to lovers romance – I ‘d probably love a mediocre one too. I really enjoy grumpy/sunshine tropes as well. So, when I hear that an upcoming release has either of my favorite romance tropes, I automatically add it to my wishlist. I can always read reviews or check out the author later.

Upcoming Books for 2025:

• Great Big Beautiful Life, by Emily Henry
• Beg, Borrow, or Steal, by Sarah Adams
• Temple of Swoon, by Jo Segura

I judge books by their covers

Admit it, you do it too. The design and artwork of a book cover is a big part of a publisher’s marketing strategy. It has got to be intriguing, eye catching, and magnetic enough to get someone to pick the book up. For me, if the cover is colorful, has dark and light contrasts, or jewel tones, I’m likely going to pick it up. But if the cover has photos, realistic images of people, or looks too much like a harlequin romance novel, it won’t matter how good the story, I’m probably not going to add it to my shelf.

Don’t even get me started on sprayed edges – they are my weakness.

Books with pretty covers:

• Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin
• Lies and Weddings, by Kevin Kwan
• The God of the Woods, by Liz Moore

What are some of your bookish confessions? Do you crack the spine of your paperbacks? Or discard your dust jackets? Every reader has a couple of little bookish secrets to keep. Continue to explore little infinite for more interviews, booklists, writing prompts, and more.