Whether for personal development or studying purposes, learning how to read critically can be useful. Not only can it help you to understand a book with more depth, but it can also lead you to make more informed decisions when teasing out what you like and dislike when it comes to reading.
Author Archives: Rio
Should You Read Outside of Your Comfort Zone?
As a reader, finding a genre of books you can devour in one sitting is an addictive feeling and it can be tempting to never stray from your established favourites. But what happens when you begin to wonder what else is out there? What you could be missing out on?
Things to Consider Before Lending Out your Books
Have you ever been asked to lend out one of your books and been unsure about how to respond? Me too, but I’ve learned that as a reader, it’s best to be prepared for this question if it comes your way.
Many Book lovers, for good reason, refuse to lend out their books. This is usually due to either bad past experiences or personal preferences, and there is nothing wrong with making this choice. Even friends can disrespect your belongings, so it’s no surprise that most book lovers advise against trusting anyone with your precious books. Even if you think you’re okay with other people temporarily possessing your books, chances are you may still be shocked by the result.
Monthly Wrap-Up – April 2023: Short and Sweet
This month, I read three books that were all relatively new to my TBR, so maybe next month I’ll end up doing the opposite. Reading three books a month has always been my sweet spot, and though I wish I could pick up the pace to keep on track with my 50-book goal for 2023, I’m sure I’ll make up for it in the future… maybe. As usual, there’s a decent range in the genres I read, two of which I enjoyed and one that I’m still not sure about.
I’m Not a Fan of the Fated Mates Trope
Could you resist the pull of someone who was fated to be in your life? Would you want to? Well, it wouldn’t really be up to you, would it?
As romance readers, we all have our most and least favourite tropes, and I’ve been exploring mine in the hopes of working out exactly what I like when it comes to romance. One of my least favourite tropes is Fated Mates. Often found in romances with shifters—beings who can change into more than one form—the fated mates tropes has both intriguing and unsatisfying qualities, and I will discuss both in this post.
8 Unhinged Books You Need to Read
In a vast sea of literature, amongst every possible genre, some books stand out for embracing the weird and wonderful, for delving into topics often left untouched. When you stumble across books like these that leave a lasting impression thanks to their bizarre content, it’s hard to avoid discussing them, and that’s what I intend to do here.
3 Reasons to Lend Books to Friends (and 3 Reason Not to)
Picture this: you’ve just finished a life-changing book, given it a 5-star rating and rush to sing its praises to your friends without spoiling it because they just have to read it. One of your friends seems really into your glowing review, so much so that you can see what’s coming before it happens. When everyone else has moved on, they’re still wondering about that book, questioning you about it… Then they ask to borrow it.
Monthly Wrap-Up – March 2023: Adventuring into my Discomfort Zone
March was another great month of reading for me. Once again, what I lacked in the volume of books I read was made up for by their quality. I read four books this month, one of which I have chosen not to include in the wrap-up, but I promise I read it and that it was amazing! It was a month of stepping outside of my comfort zone and dipping into some good recommendations, and thankfully I was not left disappointed.
I Don’t Like the Forbidden Love Trope (and here’s why)
As an avid romance reader, I’ve encountered my fair share of tropes. I’m definitely in tune with my tastes and aware of what I usually do and do not like. A trope is not inherently bad, but as with everything in life, I prefer certain tropes over others. Though a favourite for many, I look at the forbidden love trope and often feel disappointed. Can I really ship them when they might be siblings? When their age gap is huge? When the power dynamics are questionable? When they’re from different species?
Why I’m Banning Myself from Buying Books
Adding books to my TBR feels good, but it doesn’t feel as good when they’re still there two years later wondering if I’ve lost interest. What always shocks me is that it’s the books I want to read the most that I end up putting off for the longest. Why? I’m not too sure, but I think it comes down to the fact that the more I want to like something, the more afraid I am of being left disappointed.
Read 'N Riot 