The Friday 5: Five Things That Give Me the Ick in the Book Community

Happy Friday, and welcome back to Friday Five!

If you’re new here, the idea is simple: every Friday I share five bookish picks around a different theme. Sometimes it’ll be books, sometimes characters, tropes, playlists, adaptations, or anything else that gets us talking.

This week’s theme is: Five Things That Give Me the Ick in the Book Communityive Books Iโ€™d Recommend for a Darker Reading Mood


Whether you’re looking for your next read or just fancy a bit of bookish chat, here are my five picks.

โ€œHow are you reading that many books?โ€

It’s 2026, why am I still seeing this question? 

ARC Entitlement

Nothing worse than seeing people act like they should get an ARC just becauseโ€ฆ 

Performative Reading

If youโ€™re not reading for joy, what are you even doing? I want to see genuine love and enthusiasm. Not fake takes and rage bait just for likes

Fandom Police

Iโ€™ve never understood why people like to think they dictate someone’s reading choices, opinions etc. Go out and touch some grass Iโ€™m begging you. 

The โ€œYou Read It, So You Support Itโ€ Mentality 

This one is probably one that frustrates me the most and makes me question peoples mindsets and attitudes.

Your Turn!

If you have a blog, why not join in? Write your own Friday Five, whether you choose this week’s theme or come up with one of your own, and leave me a link in the comments. I’d love to read it!

Not a blogger? No problem! Share your five picks in the comments and let’s keep the conversation going.

I’ll be back next Friday with a brand new theme!

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