Welcome to Litsy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

2021 Goodreads Challenge ✅

#readingchallenge #goodreads #goodreadschallenge #2021 #2022 #ya #romcom #romance

Just finished! Can I just say this was the sweetest ending ever? I love Aaron and Divya! Definitely going to be reading more by this author — this book gave me all the feels 😍

So is anyone else having weird issues with being able to comment on posts?? Half the time I comment & when I hit save the comment just disappears... it's really driving me crazy, because commenting on all y'all's #BookSpin posts is how I keep track of what I've seen!!! Also, apologies if you end up with three comments from me on one post since I have no idea where they're going or if they'll decide to turn up later!!! 😂

This is a fun story which deals with some serious issues like Cyber bullying and discrimination.
Divya Sharma known as D1V in her gaming world, is the princess who needs no saving. She is a streamer for “Reclaim the sun“. This is not just a past time for her but a way to provide a living for her and her mother .
Aaron writes games for a local game developer. He plays video games against his mothers wish who wants him to be a doctor.

CW/TW: stalking, assault, doxing, mentions of sexual assault

This book is both a celebration and condemnation of gaming culture. Don't Read the Comments gave me serious Earnest Cline vibes. While I liked this book, it was hard to get through. There is a lot of fun gameplay, but there are also a lot of heavy topics (see CWs above) that make this more difficult.

I was given this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Divya is a heroine who does not need saving. This was a fun book that also dealt with serious issues like online harassment, racism, and misogyny in the gaming world. The novel was well plotted and enjoyable even for a middle aged adult who knows nothing about that life. The video game the author painstakingly created and vividly described made me want to give it a try.

Want to shamelessly share an article written by Eric Smith about when he started writing his new book, DON‘T READ THE COMMENTS. As the article says, that was when Phil Hilliker & I became good friends with Eric. Even though Eric is in Philly these days, we all talk frequently. It‘s been fun following his journey with this book. https://www.booksinc.net/endorse-reading-eric-smith?fbclid=IwAR1_vZgFKLUCsuOpe9d...

Inspired by #gamergate, and written during his brief time here in Richmond, Va, Eric Smith tells the tale of two teens who meet online through a game. One of them is a popular female online streamer who is being targeted by a vicious, jealous troll mob, and one is a teen boy who wants to write for video games, despite his mother's expectations that he follow her doctor footsteps. Alternately adorable, enraging, and deep, I loved this book!

Missing my sixth day of work due to the flu. Snuggling on up to do some reading and relaxing before I return to work tomorrow.

Had a lot of fun today at Fountain Bookstore‘s event for Eric Smith‘s latest, DON‘T READ THE COMMENTS. Eric, his wife, and their adorable corgi lived in Richmond for too short of time, but it was long enough to become friends. We got to spend some time catching up before and after. He‘s one of the nicest people I‘ve ever met. And a shout out to @MidnightBookGirl for doing a great job MCing the event. #youngadult

My personal connection to Eric Smith‘s new book is from October 2016. Eric joined me and our friend Phil Hilliker for a trip to my favorite writing retreat, The Porches. It was during those days that Eric started this book. Can‘t remember his word count for that trip, but he was a machine. The dog in the picture belonged to the Porches‘ owner Trudy and was named Maizie (she was a sweetheart and has sadly passed away since then).

Happy book birthday to Eric Smith! His new YA book DON‘T READ THE COMMENTS is finally out in the world. Eric is also returning to Richmond this Saturday at Fountain Bookstore. He‘s a great writer and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. If you‘re near RVA on Saturday, don‘t miss this event. I have a personal connection to this book that I‘ll share later this week. #BookBirthday #bookrelease #YA

PSA: Don‘t Read The Comments is on Hoopla audio!

Eric Smith gets a million cool points for referencing Dead Poets Society. Almost home, Littens! The train trip home has been a lot less fun thanks to a bunch of weirdos, but at least the books are good!

The life of a video game streamer is turned upside down by a group of trolls in a campaign to torment her off the platform. An unexpected online friendship with a boy hoping to become a game writer (against his parents' wishes), an armada of fans, & a police officer determined to fight against online abuse help her come out on top. Great for fans of SLAY. Bit upsetting at times because of the reality of online trolls, but a great, empowering read.

Sunday reading in front of the fireplace with this moody girl

Look what was in my work mailbox today. I have been wanting to read the tagged book. Thank you so much #InkYardPress for the galleys.