Book Talk Needs More Discussion, Not Demolition

Reclaiming nuance, respect, and critical thinking in fandom spaces

There’s a reason we love to talk about books.To analyze. To question. To tear apart a scene, a line, a look between two characters and say — what did that mean? What does it tell us about the world, the writer, ourselves?

That’s what makes storytelling powerful: interpretation.

But lately, online book culture — especially in fantasy romance and romantasy spaces — has been leaning more toward demolition than discussion.

A character flaw becomes “problematic.”

A story choice becomes “harmful.”

A reader or writer (*ahem* Ali Hazelwood) who disagrees becomes someone to bully, cancel, and not converse with.

We’ve lost the middle ground. And it’s hurting not just authors — but the entire point of storytelling.

Interpretation ≠ Invention

One of the most beautiful things about stories is that they invite interpretation.

• What did that character arc really mean?

• Was that relationship healthy or toxic — or both?

• Did the author intend this theme, or did it just emerge?

These are rich questions. They’re what turn reading into a conversation.

But there’s a line between interpretation and rewriting the story entirely.

“This character made a choice I don’t like” becomes “This book is abusive.”

“This scene made me uncomfortable” becomes “The author supports (insert accusation).”

“I didn’t connect with this couple” becomes “This isn’t real romance and readers who like it are brainwashed.”

That’s not critique. That’s demolition.

You Can Critique Without Condemning

Let’s be clear: you can absolutely dislike a character. Or a scene. Or even an entire book.

But healthy discussion means:

• Separating emotional reaction from narrative function

• Recognizing the difference between theme and endorsement

• Understanding that discomfort can be intentional — and valuable

• Allowing space for other people’s interpretations to be valid

You can say:

“This didn’t work for me because of XYZ.”

You don’t have to say:

“Anyone who liked this is a red flag.”

Fandom Doesn’t Need More Noise — It Needs Nuance

Platforms like BookTok reward bold, emotional takes. The spicier the hot take, the more likely it is to go viral.

But that algorithmic pressure is turning book conversation into a performance — not a dialogue.

The person who says “Rhys had a secret love child with Amarantha” with a straight face might get 50K likes.

The person who says “Let’s talk about why readers are rejecting Rhys' trauma backstory as canon while he was UTM even though he was trapped in a sexually coercive dynamic” might get 5.

But the second one is where the real insight lives. That’s the post that will make someone pause and think.

And isn’t that what we want books to do?

Let’s Bring Back the “Hmm. Interesting Point.” Moment

Some of the best conversations I’ve ever had about books ended with:

“I still don’t totally agree, but I see where you’re coming from.”

That’s the space where:

• You learn to separate taste from quality

• You start asking why something hit or didn’t

• You gain tools as a reader, writer, and thinker

We don’t have to reach the same conclusion. But we should all be asking better questions.

Authors Are Not Their Characters — And Readers Aren’t Either

Let’s say it again for the people in the back: A character doing something “bad” doesn’t mean the author is promoting it.

• Writing a morally gray love interest isn’t romanticizing abuse.

• Writing a character with privilege isn’t endorsing elitism.

• Letting a heroine make a selfish choice isn’t misogyny.

Likewise, a reader connecting with a flawed character isn’t broken or ignorant or toxic.

They just read it differently than you.

And that’s okay.

If Books Are Mirrors, Everyone Sees Something Different

Storytelling isn’t a purity contest. It’s a mirror — and we all bring our own reflections to it.

Interpretation is powerful. But it must come with humility. Critique is vital. But it must come with empathy. Disagreement is healthy. But it must come with respect.

We don’t need more takes. We need more thinking.

Let’s make space for that.