Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme that was created and hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books and then cohosted with Dani @ Literary Lion. It is currently hosted by Aria @ Book Nook Bits and Dini @ dinipandareads. This meme has a discussion format, where participants get to talk about certain topics, share opinions, and spread the blogging love by visiting other posts. You can learn more about this meme here!
Hi friends! 👋
Welcome back to my little bookish corner of the internet. Whether you’re a longtime reader or just stumbled your way here through a shared post or late-night scroll, I’m so glad you’re here. There’s something so comforting about knowing we’re all connected by a shared love of stories, fictional worlds, and characters who feel a little too real. So grab a cozy drink, get comfortable, and let’s chat about books—because today, we’re diving into what the past year has looked like in the bookish world and all the trends that shaped our reading lives. ✨
The topic is
Bookish Trends of 2025
Prompts
Looking back on the past year, what bookish trends have you noticed? Are certain tropes, types of blogging, or other book-related content becoming more popular? If you did this post last year (Bookish Trends of 2024), do you notice any trend changes from that post? What changes do you foresee in 2026? What bookish trend would you most want to see become popular, or come back?
One of my favorite things to do at the end (or beginning) of a year is take a step back and look at how our little corner of the internet has shifted. Bookish spaces are constantly evolving—new tropes rise, reading habits change, and the way we talk about books online never stays the same for long. So today, let’s talk about the bookish trends that defined 2025, how they compare to 2024, and what I think we might see heading into 2026.
Bookish Trends I Noticed in 2025
1. Cozy Is Still King (and Getting Cozier)
If 2024 leaned into cozy fantasy, 2025 fully embraced cozy everything. We saw a rise in:
- Low-stakes fantasy and sci-fi
- Small-town romances with minimal angst
- Found family stories where the plot revolves around community rather than conflict
Readers seem more interested in vibes than epic, world-ending stakes—and honestly, I get it. The world is stressful enough.
2. The Romance Trope Renaissance
Romance has always been popular, but 2025 felt like the year readers became hyper-aware of tropes. Book marketing leaned hard into:
- One-bed trope
- Fake dating
- Friends-to-lovers (having a major comeback)
- “He falls first” discourse everywhere
Rather than being a downside, trope labeling became a selling point. Readers want to know exactly what emotional experience they’re signing up for.
3. Shorter Reviews, Deeper Discussions
Long, spoiler-free reviews didn’t disappear, but many bloggers and creators shifted toward:
- Mini reviews
- Reading wrap-ups with quick thoughts
- Discussion posts about themes, characters, or vibes
It feels like less pressure to be “professional” and more permission to be honest, messy, and personal about reading experiences.
4. Reading as a Lifestyle, Not a Challenge
In 2025, traditional reading challenges felt less rigid. Instead of strict numbers, readers focused on:
- Mood reading
- Seasonal reading
- Curated TBRs (comfort reads, rainy-day reads, etc.)
Reading became more about how books fit into daily life rather than how many were completed.
5. AI Conversations (For Better or Worse)
AI became a noticeable part of bookish spaces in 2025—from cover design discussions to debates about AI-written books. Many readers expressed concern, while others focused on protecting:
- Human creativity
- Indie authors
- Authentic storytelling
This trend sparked some of the most thoughtful discussions I’ve seen all year.
How This Compares to Bookish Trends of 2024
Looking back at 2024, that year felt more focused on:
- High-output reading goals
- Aesthetic-heavy content
- BookTok-driven hype cycles
In contrast, 2025 felt slower, softer, and more intentional. There was less pressure to read everything and more encouragement to read what genuinely brings joy. The shift from “keeping up” to “tuning in” is probably the biggest change I’ve noticed.
What I Think We’ll See in 2026
Here are a few trends I wouldn’t be surprised to see grow in 2026:
- More intentional book blogging – fewer posts, but more meaningful ones
- A rise in midlist and backlist love as readers move away from hype culture
- Genre-blending books that don’t fit neatly into one category
- Community-focused spaces like buddy reads, readathons centered on themes rather than speed, and smaller book clubs
I also think readers will continue pushing back against burnout culture in reading.
A Bookish Trend I’d Love to See Come Back
If I could revive one trend, it would be long-form discussion posts—deep dives into characters, themes, or emotional impact. Not everything needs to be fast or viral. Sometimes I miss spending ten minutes reading a thoughtful blog post that feels like chatting with a friend over coffee about a book we both loved.
What bookish trends stood out to you in 2025? Were there any you loved—or ones you hope quietly fade away? Let’s talk bookish in the comments. 📚✨
Rispondi