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It is said that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But many do it anyway. Some go a step further by judging people for the books they own or proudly display on their shelves. When a reader who goes by the name BaileyReadsGood recently asked, “What’s a book that, if you see it on someone’s shelf, you immediately start judging them for it?” the internet didn’t hold back.
The book lover received over a thousand comments on her TikTok post. And it’s been viewed more than 68,000 times. Scroll down to see what people had to say, so that you can clean up your bookshelf before your next guest comes over. Don’t forget to upvote the ones you agree with, and let us know in the comments if you have any books to add to the list.
RELATED:
This book enthusiast was curious to know what should *not* be proudly displayed on anyone’s bookshelf
Image credits: baileyreadsgood
From the Bible, to the classics, and some modern best-sellers, people didn’t hold back…
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
Image credits: amazon
@baileyreadsgood you get excited to make a friend and then see them proudly displaying books by problematic authors even when you know they know 😭 #booktok#readersoftiktok#fantasybooks#cozyfantasy#fantasyromance♬ Omote – Yuki Chiba
“Anything Colleen Hoover”: here’s why people are divided over the It Ends With Us author
One of the names that came up a few times was Colleen Hoover. In case you’re unfamiliar, Hoover is an American author who has written several books, mainly romance novels. Perhaps her most famous one is It Ends With Us. The best-seller was recently been adapted into a Hollywood movie, which, if you’ve been following the Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni drama, you’ll know has racked up its own fair share of controversy.
Critics have hit out at Hoover for romanticizing domestic violence. The way one op-ed, published on domesticshelters.org, puts it is that the book “feeds into the very structures of toxic masculinity that it purports to combat” by “romanticizing red flags” and glorifies a “charismatic-but-dangerous man.”
Some felt the book’s bright and cheerful cover was inappropriate for its heavy and triggering theme. Hoover came under fire again in 2023 when she announced the release of a coloring book based on the main female character of It Ends With Us.
As Glamour reported, many “criticized this as an out of touch and inappropriate way to sell merch, and the backlash was so vocal that Hoover and her publisher decided to cancel its publication.”
The author quickly pulled the coloring book and addressed the controversy in a post on Instagram. “I hear you guys and I agree with you,” wrote Hoover. “No excuses. No finger-pointing. I have contacted the publisher to let them know I would prefer we don’t move forward with it. Thank you for the respectful discourse and accountability. Nothing but love.”
Hoover’s publishers later weighed in. “We developed this book to be uplifting and empowering, mirroring Lily Bloom’s story; we appreciate the feedback and discourse and have the greatest respect for Colleen Hoover’s fans. Thank you for the honest conversation and passion for the world Colleen has created in her books and the characters within,” read Atria Books’ post on X at the time.
Despite the controversy, It Ends With Us has been hugely successful, having sold more than 10 million copies worldwide in print, ebook and audio form since its first release in 2016.
Image credits: Matias North / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Many people felt no one should be judged for what books they read
Some readers were thrilled that the question had been asked
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What do you think ?
Parmeisan 9 months ago
If I see something problematic then I would probably ask them about it. If the answer is "oh yeah I really love Mein Kampf it's basically my Bible" then I'll go ahead and judge. Otherwise you never know if they studied it in school, are trying to understand the mindset, inherited it from someone, didn't know what it was, etc etc. So yeah, I think if they really loved something and it goes deeper than a difference in tastes, then judge away.
Ms.GB 9 months ago
Yeah I have a lot of books that I read a couple chapters and decided it was awful and just set it on the bookshelf never to be opened again unless someone else wants it or it's donation time.
Load More Replies...
Space Invader 9 months ago
You can judge me for the books I read. But then I have to judge you for being so quick to judge others.
Robin Roper 9 months ago
Come on, Harry Potter? My son and I read all these books together and made wonderful memories together. When I see these books on his bookshelf, I smile. Other than HP, I've not read any of these books or any from the authors; I tend to read non-fiction but just started to reread The Godfather; I read it the first time over 50 years ago.
Space Invader 9 months ago
Besides, what if it's a Harry Potter first edition now worth more than $1500?
Load More Replies...
tameson 9 months ago
The Bible, really? My spouse and I have both basically been life-long atheists. And we have a copy of the Bible. Along with The Book of Mormon and The End of Faith. There is probably a copy of the Quran around here somewhere. Those are important books in the history of the world and current events. Just because you read something doesn't mean you agree with it.
Magpie 9 months ago
Exactly! I have both the Bible and the Holy Quran. I'm an atheist. The Bible is the key for understanding the Western culture - interpreting the history of art for example is far more easier when you know what's going on in a picture.
Load More Replies...
Michael P (Perthaussieguy) 9 months ago
I'm an Atheist. I have a Bible (I have 2 actually). I've read it. It's the main reason I'm an Atheist
The Loneliest Monk 9 months ago (edited)
I would have to see a pattern before I judge someone. One dubious book choice might mean they were just curious about it.
Child of the Stars 9 months ago
Or it was a gift. I have one or two books on my shelf that I will never read because someone gave them to me but they're really not something I want to read.
Load More Replies...
Lee Gilliland 9 months ago
What a stupid idea. I studied Hitler and the T*********h quite a bit. Has nothing to do with my background, belief system, etc.,etc. I have any number of books on the subject. But it's not as if I agree with ANYTHING of that era.I just enjoy reading history.
Electric Mayhem 9 months ago
I'm dying to know what the censored word in your comment is.
Load More Replies... Little Bit 9 months ago
What I choose to read is my business. What others choose to read is their business. We all have different tastes and interests. Why not actually get to know someone before you start judging them?
Crystalwitch60 9 months ago
This totally , says more about them than us don’t it
Load More Replies...
ThatCrazyChick 9 months ago
Judging people for what they've read? That's insane. Just because you read something doesn't mean you have to agree with it. Sometimes it's good to try to understand the opposing issues. Why judge someone who is a Jew, Muslim, white man, transgender, gay, or a lady of color? Or people who have different political opinions? Judge someone on how they treat you and others. We should try to ignore the media propaganda that tries to turn us against each other and try to see the best in others. We probably shouldn't judge someone for educating themselves by reading books.
Shannon Donnelly 9 months ago
Exactly!! How else are you supposed to learn about WHY you disagree with things if you don’t fully understand them?? To get a clear picture about any subject, you need to understand the various viewpoints that surround it, some that you agree with, some that you may not. I’ve read many books over the years that I fundamentally disagree with, but reading them has made me a better person because they cleared up any discrepancies I might have had on some issues. Others have made me think much more deeply about subjects that I originally thought were pretty black and white when they were anything but.
Load More Replies...
Auntriarch 9 months ago (edited)
Of course I expect a person's bookshelf to tell me something about them. Mine will tell you that I'm a Terry Pratchett fan and I'm inordinately interested in food. Make of that what you will.
Carl Roberts 9 months ago (edited)
This entire article is garbage , But I want to point something out.The Bible is listed, but the Q'uran, and the Torah, aren't. Because only people who follow one specific religion are allowed to be judged by the denizens of the interwebs. I've said many times before, I'm an atheist, but I'm more than fed up with the constant hypocrisy from those who constantly attack Christianity, while calling you an -ist or -phobe of you criticize the other two Abrahamic religions.
Corvus 9 months ago
The Torah is a PART of the Bible. It makes no sense to mention it as a separate thing.
Load More Replies... Livingwithcfs 9 months ago
mine is not so much the books but people's attitude to the author. they suddenly don't like the book because they've heard something about the author they don't like... hey guys, everyone in the world that upsets someone at sometime, even the Bible
Cathy Lemay 9 months ago
At least they're reading. Gee,this is very judgemental. My old English teacher always said it doesn't matter what just that you continue to do so.
For All Pedernity 9 months ago
I'll judge you if you sort your books by the color of their backs or turn them all with their backs against the wall.
tameson 9 months ago
I've read 3 Ayn Rand books. They were all interesting reads. And they helped me to understand and critique laissez-faire capitalism when it became a thing in American politics. If you don't read and understand the positions of other people how can you fight against them when necessary?
Load More Replies... Roni Stone 9 months ago
I was a philosophy and religion major in college and a philosophy grad student. I have a LOT of objectionable "I'm gonna judge you" books. I still love having them around. And I really like to travel with some of the more objectionable ones. LOL
G A 9 months ago (edited)
I've never come across any of these authors, TBH (except HP obvs). I might judge women having the 50 Shades of Grey books, for example. Or someone who buys Andy McNab books.
Anony Mouse 9 months ago
I judge people who make giant-face tiktoks starring their own giant narcissistic face in close up. Oh, and the left behind books.
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 9 months ago
For the most part I don’t care. My only issue with a lot of these smutty romance books is they’re just badly written. Like yeah have your own fun, but like, they’re so badly done it’s just obnoxious.
TheGayUmbrella 9 months ago
The Six of Crows person is my favorite person ever and they deserve nothing but happiness.
nicholas nolan 9 months ago
OK, I can see not liking ACOTAR if you don't like "spicy" books. But Throne of Glass? That s**t is GOOD! Assiassins, magic, prophesy, war, demons, multidimensional(and, fair, some one dimension(but fun)) characters! Lighten up, Francis.
Dancing Armadillo 9 months ago
Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice. My friend lent me a couple of books saying this one was her absolute favorite … read it and it was a lot of S&M -BDM… a guy was even impaled on a statue.. I was like wow .. so this is a window into her and her husband’s life that I don’t want to know about. So I totally judged her. When I gave the books back - I told her she needs to warn people about her favorite book.. she gave me a confused face then i pointed at said book. She laughed and said that wasn’t her favorite book the other one was. She said she lent me the Sleeping Beauty because it was an extremely controversial taboo book back when we were in high school. It’s been 10 years and I still bring this book up and how I know she’s just kinky.. lol.
Casey Payne 9 months ago
Keep these book snobs away from my library! Each one of these people act like finding a book they hate is equivalent to finding out that the lampshades were made out of human skin. I have over 700 books. Someone is going to find something that they may not like. Well, I didn't pick any of my books for someone else's enjoyment. And as far as finding disgraceful books in someone else's home - hey, they at least they read and collect books. That alone is miles above visiting someone's apartment and finding nothing but basic necessities and a laptop. Suddenly that stilted, monosyllabic text conversation comes into stark focus as you realize that it's the best conversation you are going to get out of them.
Kathy Brooke 9 months ago
I have a full set: Bible, Tanakh, Quran, Bhagavad Gita, Teachings og Buddha... I have lots of books by authors who turned out to be problematic. I can enjoy your book regardless, and none of the writers were perfect. Only thing I'd judge you for is "The Art of the Deal"
SummerTime 9 months ago
Some of these books are really good and if this lady learned to not be so judgemental and actually pick up and read the books she might actually enjoy them.
Lara Verne 9 months ago
Yeah, sure bro, you can't enjoy cake that tastes divine, because baker is an a*****e. What would they think about my bookshelf, where The Little Prince met Lovecraft.
Heras buddy 9 months ago
Maybe they received the book as a gift. They may keep it to not offend the person who gave it to them. When I had space I would rescue books from dumpsters. Might never read them but I would try to find someone who would.
detective miller's hat 9 months ago
I have 7 different translations of the bible. Why? Because I wanted to see if there were differences just among the various English translations. There are. Lots and lots of them.
OpheliaPoe 9 months ago
I promise, if have a controversial book it's because I got it from a free library and thought it LOOKED interesting from the cover art or one little blurb on the back. 99% of my books are from free/little library boxes and I neither read any reviews or research authors in advance. Some books I start and realize very quickly why someone gave it away, lol!
Emilu 9 months ago
95% of me is like “I wouldn’t judge someone based on what they read” and then the other 5% is like “if you have A Little Life on your bookshelf I will judge you because that is the most melodramatic t*****e-p**n rubbish that I have ever had the misfortune of reading. And I read fanfic.” So yes, I try to be good. It usually works.
marianne eliza 9 months ago
Anything by the orange blob. Or its ghost writers. Or about the orange blob. Or sold by the orange blob.
G A 9 months ago
I did think that, but thought the self pitying MAGAs would be howling persecution.
Load More Replies... Crystalwitch60 9 months ago
And judging people says far more about the person judging than it does the one you are judging !!! so think on before you go doing so lol it tells us all about you ! mostly that ur not worth our time n space !
nicholas nolan 9 months ago
lol "don't judge me for what I read!" "No bloody bible here"! You GOTTA take a look at yourself, dude.
Load More Replies...
Parmeisan 9 months ago
If I see something problematic then I would probably ask them about it. If the answer is "oh yeah I really love Mein Kampf it's basically my Bible" then I'll go ahead and judge. Otherwise you never know if they studied it in school, are trying to understand the mindset, inherited it from someone, didn't know what it was, etc etc. So yeah, I think if they really loved something and it goes deeper than a difference in tastes, then judge away.
Ms.GB 9 months ago
Yeah I have a lot of books that I read a couple chapters and decided it was awful and just set it on the bookshelf never to be opened again unless someone else wants it or it's donation time.
Load More Replies... Space Invader 9 months ago
You can judge me for the books I read. But then I have to judge you for being so quick to judge others.
Robin Roper 9 months ago
Come on, Harry Potter? My son and I read all these books together and made wonderful memories together. When I see these books on his bookshelf, I smile. Other than HP, I've not read any of these books or any from the authors; I tend to read non-fiction but just started to reread The Godfather; I read it the first time over 50 years ago.
Space Invader 9 months ago
Besides, what if it's a Harry Potter first edition now worth more than $1500?
Load More Replies... tameson 9 months ago
The Bible, really? My spouse and I have both basically been life-long atheists. And we have a copy of the Bible. Along with The Book of Mormon and The End of Faith. There is probably a copy of the Quran around here somewhere. Those are important books in the history of the world and current events. Just because you read something doesn't mean you agree with it.
Magpie 9 months ago
Exactly! I have both the Bible and the Holy Quran. I'm an atheist. The Bible is the key for understanding the Western culture - interpreting the history of art for example is far more easier when you know what's going on in a picture.
Load More Replies... Michael P (Perthaussieguy) 9 months ago
I'm an Atheist. I have a Bible (I have 2 actually). I've read it. It's the main reason I'm an Atheist
The Loneliest Monk 9 months ago (edited)
I would have to see a pattern before I judge someone. One dubious book choice might mean they were just curious about it.
Child of the Stars 9 months ago
Or it was a gift. I have one or two books on my shelf that I will never read because someone gave them to me but they're really not something I want to read.
Load More Replies... Lee Gilliland 9 months ago
What a stupid idea. I studied Hitler and the T*********h quite a bit. Has nothing to do with my background, belief system, etc.,etc. I have any number of books on the subject. But it's not as if I agree with ANYTHING of that era.I just enjoy reading history.
Electric Mayhem 9 months ago
I'm dying to know what the censored word in your comment is.
Load More Replies... Little Bit 9 months ago
What I choose to read is my business. What others choose to read is their business. We all have different tastes and interests. Why not actually get to know someone before you start judging them?
Crystalwitch60 9 months ago
This totally , says more about them than us don’t it
Load More Replies... ThatCrazyChick 9 months ago
Judging people for what they've read? That's insane. Just because you read something doesn't mean you have to agree with it. Sometimes it's good to try to understand the opposing issues. Why judge someone who is a Jew, Muslim, white man, transgender, gay, or a lady of color? Or people who have different political opinions? Judge someone on how they treat you and others. We should try to ignore the media propaganda that tries to turn us against each other and try to see the best in others. We probably shouldn't judge someone for educating themselves by reading books.
Shannon Donnelly 9 months ago
Exactly!! How else are you supposed to learn about WHY you disagree with things if you don’t fully understand them?? To get a clear picture about any subject, you need to understand the various viewpoints that surround it, some that you agree with, some that you may not. I’ve read many books over the years that I fundamentally disagree with, but reading them has made me a better person because they cleared up any discrepancies I might have had on some issues. Others have made me think much more deeply about subjects that I originally thought were pretty black and white when they were anything but.
Load More Replies... Auntriarch 9 months ago (edited)
Of course I expect a person's bookshelf to tell me something about them. Mine will tell you that I'm a Terry Pratchett fan and I'm inordinately interested in food. Make of that what you will.
Carl Roberts 9 months ago (edited)
This entire article is garbage , But I want to point something out.The Bible is listed, but the Q'uran, and the Torah, aren't. Because only people who follow one specific religion are allowed to be judged by the denizens of the interwebs. I've said many times before, I'm an atheist, but I'm more than fed up with the constant hypocrisy from those who constantly attack Christianity, while calling you an -ist or -phobe of you criticize the other two Abrahamic religions.
Corvus 9 months ago
The Torah is a PART of the Bible. It makes no sense to mention it as a separate thing.
Load More Replies... Livingwithcfs 9 months ago
mine is not so much the books but people's attitude to the author. they suddenly don't like the book because they've heard something about the author they don't like... hey guys, everyone in the world that upsets someone at sometime, even the Bible
Cathy Lemay 9 months ago
At least they're reading. Gee,this is very judgemental. My old English teacher always said it doesn't matter what just that you continue to do so.
For All Pedernity 9 months ago
I'll judge you if you sort your books by the color of their backs or turn them all with their backs against the wall.
tameson 9 months ago
I've read 3 Ayn Rand books. They were all interesting reads. And they helped me to understand and critique laissez-faire capitalism when it became a thing in American politics. If you don't read and understand the positions of other people how can you fight against them when necessary?
Load More Replies... Roni Stone 9 months ago
I was a philosophy and religion major in college and a philosophy grad student. I have a LOT of objectionable "I'm gonna judge you" books. I still love having them around. And I really like to travel with some of the more objectionable ones. LOL
G A 9 months ago (edited)
I've never come across any of these authors, TBH (except HP obvs). I might judge women having the 50 Shades of Grey books, for example. Or someone who buys Andy McNab books.
Anony Mouse 9 months ago
I judge people who make giant-face tiktoks starring their own giant narcissistic face in close up. Oh, and the left behind books.
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 9 months ago
For the most part I don’t care. My only issue with a lot of these smutty romance books is they’re just badly written. Like yeah have your own fun, but like, they’re so badly done it’s just obnoxious.
TheGayUmbrella 9 months ago
The Six of Crows person is my favorite person ever and they deserve nothing but happiness.
nicholas nolan 9 months ago
OK, I can see not liking ACOTAR if you don't like "spicy" books. But Throne of Glass? That s**t is GOOD! Assiassins, magic, prophesy, war, demons, multidimensional(and, fair, some one dimension(but fun)) characters! Lighten up, Francis.
Dancing Armadillo 9 months ago
Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice. My friend lent me a couple of books saying this one was her absolute favorite … read it and it was a lot of S&M -BDM… a guy was even impaled on a statue.. I was like wow .. so this is a window into her and her husband’s life that I don’t want to know about. So I totally judged her. When I gave the books back - I told her she needs to warn people about her favorite book.. she gave me a confused face then i pointed at said book. She laughed and said that wasn’t her favorite book the other one was. She said she lent me the Sleeping Beauty because it was an extremely controversial taboo book back when we were in high school. It’s been 10 years and I still bring this book up and how I know she’s just kinky.. lol.
Casey Payne 9 months ago
Keep these book snobs away from my library! Each one of these people act like finding a book they hate is equivalent to finding out that the lampshades were made out of human skin. I have over 700 books. Someone is going to find something that they may not like. Well, I didn't pick any of my books for someone else's enjoyment. And as far as finding disgraceful books in someone else's home - hey, they at least they read and collect books. That alone is miles above visiting someone's apartment and finding nothing but basic necessities and a laptop. Suddenly that stilted, monosyllabic text conversation comes into stark focus as you realize that it's the best conversation you are going to get out of them.
Kathy Brooke 9 months ago
I have a full set: Bible, Tanakh, Quran, Bhagavad Gita, Teachings og Buddha... I have lots of books by authors who turned out to be problematic. I can enjoy your book regardless, and none of the writers were perfect. Only thing I'd judge you for is "The Art of the Deal"
SummerTime 9 months ago
Some of these books are really good and if this lady learned to not be so judgemental and actually pick up and read the books she might actually enjoy them.
Lara Verne 9 months ago
Yeah, sure bro, you can't enjoy cake that tastes divine, because baker is an a*****e. What would they think about my bookshelf, where The Little Prince met Lovecraft.
Heras buddy 9 months ago
Maybe they received the book as a gift. They may keep it to not offend the person who gave it to them. When I had space I would rescue books from dumpsters. Might never read them but I would try to find someone who would.
detective miller's hat 9 months ago
I have 7 different translations of the bible. Why? Because I wanted to see if there were differences just among the various English translations. There are. Lots and lots of them.
OpheliaPoe 9 months ago
I promise, if have a controversial book it's because I got it from a free library and thought it LOOKED interesting from the cover art or one little blurb on the back. 99% of my books are from free/little library boxes and I neither read any reviews or research authors in advance. Some books I start and realize very quickly why someone gave it away, lol!
Emilu 9 months ago
95% of me is like “I wouldn’t judge someone based on what they read” and then the other 5% is like “if you have A Little Life on your bookshelf I will judge you because that is the most melodramatic t*****e-p**n rubbish that I have ever had the misfortune of reading. And I read fanfic.” So yes, I try to be good. It usually works.
marianne eliza 9 months ago
Anything by the orange blob. Or its ghost writers. Or about the orange blob. Or sold by the orange blob.
G A 9 months ago
I did think that, but thought the self pitying MAGAs would be howling persecution.
Load More Replies... Crystalwitch60 9 months ago
And judging people says far more about the person judging than it does the one you are judging !!! so think on before you go doing so lol it tells us all about you ! mostly that ur not worth our time n space !
nicholas nolan 9 months ago
lol "don't judge me for what I read!" "No bloody bible here"! You GOTTA take a look at yourself, dude.
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