Last week, I wrote my first own Let’s Talk Bookish post and I really enjoyed this, so I’ll be doing this for the upcoming weeks at least. Are you curious for next week’s topic and prompts? Please contact me and I’ll share the information. Since I’m not the official host of this meme, I can’t plan ahead, I’m sorry. So, I have to do this week for week. This week, I’m discussing Bookish Etiquette, because there’s going on a lot on bookish social media.

Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme that was originally created and hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books starting in August 2019, and was then cohosted by Dani @ Literary Lion from May 2020 to March 2022. Since April 2022, the meme moved to another host, Aria @ Book Nook Bits. Let’s Talk Bookish is a meme where participants discuss certain topics, share their opinions, and share their love by visiting each other’s posts.

Prompts: On social media, there’s a lot of bookish discourse going around. Selling ARCs (Advanced reader copies), tagging authors and publishers in reviews, only posting positive reviews… We’ve seen it all. Do you think there’s something such as bookish etiquett? Why or why not? What do you think, regardless of there being bookish etiquette, are do’s and don’ts as readers and/or reviewers? Do you agree on all the discourse, or do you stay far away from all the drama?

Do you think there’s something such as bookish etiquette? Why or why not?

I definitely think there’s something like bookish etiquette, albeit unwritten. I’ve learnt a lot over the past years as a book blogger. I don’t take part in ARC reading or blog tours for instance, but I definitely know what to do and what definitely not to do. However, I don’t agree on everything. Of course, I agree on the fact that ARCs are never for sale since these are unfinished copies. However, I disagree on the fact that audiobooks or e-books can’t be returnt. Yes, authors and publishers lose money over it, but people who are able to read physical books are able to unhaul or donate them. People who can’t read physical books for whatever reason, can’t. I’m one of those people and sometimes I wish there was not such a taboo on returning audiobooks or e-books. On Audible, there is a return option. I barely use it, because it gets blocked for you when you overuse it. For e-books however, there is no such option. You can delete it, but that’s a permanent solution. I think however, that bookish etiquette is necessary, because authors and publishers deserve respect, regardless of your opinion on their work.

What do you think, regardless of there being bookish etiquette, are do’s and don’ts as readers and/or reviewers?

I think one of the biggest do’s is to be honest in your review. Don’t write a glowing review if you really didn’t like the book. This radiates from your review and makes it less credible. When you do this more often, your credibility will be questioned. I therefore don’t agree on posting solely positive reviews. Personally, I value honesty over positivity and if I didn’t have an enjoyable experience with a book, I won’t scare away of sharing this. Nobody can like everything, it’s okay if you don’t like a book or anything. Please don’t be afraid to share. However, when you share your opinion, always be respectful and don’t tear the author, publisher or book down. I’m sure you can find something positive about the book, please include this as well. Furthermore, I definitely think you can tag author’s and publishers, in positive reviews at least. In my opinion, three-star reviews are positive as well, because you don’t really dislike said book. Indeed, don’t tag authors in negative reviews, that hurts. However, remember that reviews are for your fellow readers, but author’s can still see them.

One of the biggest don’ts is spoilers. Never ever ever include spoilers in your review! Also, don’t write reviews for books you’ve DNF’ed and definitely don’t rate them. You of course can explain why the book didn’t work for you, but writing a whole review with star rating is a bit unfair as you didn’t finish the entire novel. Of course, don’t sell advanced reader copies (ARCs and don’t tear other readers down for their reviews or reading tastes. Thankfully we’re all different readers with different tastes!

Do you agree on all the discourse, or do you stay far away from all the drama?

This answer is short and sweet: I both do and don’t agree on most of the discourse. However, I tend to stay away from the drama because lately, I think people are offended way too easily which makes the boo community – and social media in general – a toxic and less likeable space. I don’t experience this in the blogosphere thank goodness, but it’s the worst on bookish social media such as Instagram. Furthermore, I’m in my 30s, too old for all the drama…

What do you think? Is there some sort of bookish etiquette according to you?