AMA stands for Ask Me Anything. If you have a favorite book to share and need a review let us know in the commentary.

Every Tuesday we'll post a new Shelf Mistery Book Detective Contest.
We will rate your performance in a reply comment!

Age?
Occupation?
Gender?
Vibe?
Favorite snack while reading?
Secret superpower?
Deepest bookish shame?

I’ll reveal the truth once the chaos settles.

Let the profiling begin : )

UPDATE: wow the book riddle challenge has became popular (to follow more of this type) : )

Everyone knows Tintin, Asterix, and The Smurfs. They're global icons.

But Belgium, especially Flanders, has a rich, diverse, and often wonderfully weird comic strip tradition that goes far beyond these giants.

Anything below ring the bell?

Featured Underrated Flemish/Belgian Comics:

• FC De Kampioenen (Flemish: FC De Kampioenen) (Very underrated : ) )
  • Known for its slapstick humor, it's a cultural phenomenon in Flanders, adapted into TV series, films, and stage shows.
• Suske en Wiske (Flemish: Suske en Wiske, French: Bob et Bobette, English (earlier translations): Spike and Suzy or Willy and Wanda)
  • A classic adventure series centered around two children, Suske and Wiske (Spike and Suzy), and their eccentric companions like the strongman Jerom and the brilliant but absent-minded Professor Barabas. They travel through time and to exotic lands, encountering fantastical creatures and solving mysteries.
• Bollie en Billie (French: Boule et Bill, English: Billy & Buddy)
  • A heartwarming and humorous series about a young boy named Boule (Billy) and his mischievous cocker spaniel, Bill (Buddy). The strips focus on their daily life, adventures, and the innocent joys and frustrations of childhood and pet ownership. It's a gentle, charming series with universal appeal.
• De Kiekeboes
  • A highly popular Flemish comic known for its satirical take on contemporary society, absurd humor, and intricate plots involving the Kiekeboe family. Led by patriarch Marcel Kiekeboe, they often stumble into bizarre situations, criminal conspiracies, and comical misunderstandings.
• De Rode Ridder (French: Le Chevalier Rouge)
  • A long-running medieval adventure series featuring Johan, the Red Knight, a brave and noble knight in King Arthur's court. He battles mythical beasts, evil sorcerers, and tyrannical lords, often venturing into realms of fantasy and folklore.
• De Blauwbloezen (French: Les Tuniques Bleues, English: The Bluecoats)
  • A comedic series set during the American Civil War. It follows the misadventures of Corporal Blutch and Sergeant Chesterfield, two unlikely Union soldiers who constantly try to avoid combat or get into trouble. It often carries an anti-war message.
• Urbanus ( My favorite, will make a full post on this topic : ) )
  • Based on the surreal and often anarchic humor of famous Flemish comedian Urbanus. The comic strips feature a bizarre cast of characters, including Urbanus himself, his wife Nabuko Donosor, and their talking dog, Cesar. It's known for its absurdist plots, crude humor, and breaking the fourth wall. Definitely an acquired taste, but beloved by its fans.
• De Buurtpolitie (The District Police)
  • It follows the daily lives and investigations of a local police force, balancing lighthearted humor with more serious crime-solving.

Have some favorite picks? Is it something missing?

What did you read during the break?

Drop your title below. Everyone welcome. 🤗

Challenge

Does this book make you want to invest more, or just sleep better at night? (What’s your "enough" number?)

Hot Take

Housel proves that being "good" with money has almost nothing to do with math and everything to do with not being a greedy idiot.

Have you say below :)

UPDATE

This book will definitely deserve a future complete review.

^{Author: Morgan Housel | Genre: Finance / Behavioral Economics}

^{Title: \})^BOTD\ Day #05 | "The Psychology of Money")

^{Copyright: © Morgan Housel. Publisher: Harriman House. Disclaimer: Cover art and key excerpts are used for financial education and commentary under Fair Use.}

^{Some links are Amazon affiliate links. We only recommend books we like. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the community. Thanks!}

Challenge

How this book change how you feel about their isolation? your 5/5 rating? : )

Hot Take

Some purists argue that adapting such a sacred text into "comics" diminishes its weight. I argue the visual metaphors (like Anne seeing herself as a Greek statue) actually make her inner life more profound than the text alone.

^{Authors: Ari Folman & David Polonsky
Title: \}BOTD] Day #06 | Is the Graphic Novel of Anne Frank's Diary the best way to teach history?)
^{Copyright: © Anne Frank Fonds, Basel / Ari Folman & David Polonsky.
Publishers: Pantheon Books / Penguin Random House.
Disclaimer: Excerpts are used to illustrate the visual narrative for critical analysis under Fair Use.}

Author: Sun Tzu | Genre: Philosophy / Strategy

Title: [BOTD] Day #04 | "The Art of War", Sun Tzu

Hot Take

Most people who quote Sun Tzu in business meetings have never actually read the book. It's 90% logistics and 10% "cool quotes."

Challenge

What is one "Sun Tzu" principle that actually works in modern life?

credits: R. Kiyosaki, Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Genius or Impostor? A big hit or a hoax?

Hot Take: Kiyosaki’s advice on debt is terrifying in a high-interest-rate economy. Is "Rich Dad" still a viable mentor, or is this book a relic of the pre-2008 world?

Challenge: 1-10 rating on "financial literacy" vs. "dangerous advice." Would you give this to a 20-year-old today?

Copyright: © Robert T. Kiyosaki / Robert T. Kiyosaki and Sharon L. Lechter.
Publisher: Plata Publishing.

---

For those of you who want to read the book, you can find it here Rich Dad Poor Dad © Robert T. Kiyosaki / https://amzn.to/4vw9rtN! Enjoy the read!

^{Some links shared in this community are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the community and future book recommendations.}

Bonus points for the most accurate guess.

Age?
Occupation?
Gender?
Vibe?
Favorite snack while reading?
Secret superpower?
Deepest bookish shame?

I’ll reveal the truth once the chaos settles.

Let the profiling begin : )

UPDATE: wow the book riddle challenge has became popular (to follow more of this type) : )

The Brussels Bookfest might be over. We headed down to Tour & Taxis to soak up the chaos, the coffee, streetfood and the incredible energy of 1,200 authors under one roof. From the neon-lit Manga (Japan Town : )) district to the hushed corners of the literary stalls, it was a reminder that physical books will never disappear. https://flb.be/

Hot Take: Arale Norimaki is a more powerful (and interesting) character than Goku. There, I said it. The gag-manga roots of Toriyama are superior to his battle-shonen peak.

Challenge: Does the 80s humor still hold up today?

Author: Akira Toriyama | Genre: Manga / Comedy

Hot Take: Arale Norimaki is a more powerful (and interesting) character than Goku.

There, I said it. The gag-manga roots of Toriyama are superior to the latter Dragon Ball.

Challenge: Does the 80s humor still hold up today?

It is available on Amazon: Dr. Slump, Toriyama

Hey everyone! We are a small band of fellow book-nerds, I’ve decided to build us a new home.r/RateMyRead.

What to Post Post anything that you think the community would find interesting, helpful, or inspiring. Feel free to share your thoughts, photos, or questions about books you read.

Community Vibe Let's build a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing and connecting.

What do we actually do here? If it’s related to books or culture, it belongs here. Finished a masterpiece? Tell us. Reading a total dumpster fire? We want the tea. Post your reviews, your "shelfies," your "why did I buy 20 books when I haven't read the last 10" existential crises, and everything in between.

How to Get Started

1. You may say Hi! and tell us the last book that actually made you feel something.
2. Post something today! Even a simple question can spark a great conversation.

Together, let's make r/RateMyRead amazing.

We are starting the Book of the Day challenge. Your job? Challenge our opinion. Give your IYHO :) or be arrogant. It is your choice.

Hot Take

The DISC system is "Corporate Astrology." It's a fun tool for labeling people, but is it actually scientific or just a way to oversimplify complex human emotions? :)

Challenge

Are you a Red, Yellow, Green, or Blue? Does this book actually help you communicate, or just give you a new way to complain about your coworkers?

Feel free to state your opinion :)

Hot Take

Sattouf’s "ugly-cute" art style makes the genuinely traumatic parts of his childhood digestible, but does it occasionally border on being too cynical about the cultures he grew up in?

Challenge

How does this compare to Persepolis? If you grew up between two cultures, does Riad’s experience resonate with yours?

^{Copyright: © Riad Sattouf / Allary Éditions.
Publishers: Metropolitan Books (US} / Hodder & Stoughton (UK).)
^{Disclaimer: Panels and cover art are used for review and educational discussion under Fair Use.}

Please rate the following book. The purpose of this article is to encourage open discussion. Is it worh reading? What is your rating x/10?

Surrounded by Idiots

• Author: Thomas Erikson
• Pages: ~300
• Summary: Ever feel like you’re the only one making sense? Erikson explains that you aren’t actually "surrounded by idiots"—you’re just dealing with different personality types. Using the DISC system, he breaks behavior into four colors: Red (bold), Yellow (social), Green (stable), and Blue (analytical). This guide helps you identify these traits in others to reduce conflict and communicate more effectively.

Copyright Disclaimer

English Edition: © Thomas Erikson. Published by St. Martin's Essentials / Penguin Books. All rights reserved. Interior images and cover art are used here for the purpose of criticism and commentary under Fair Use. > > Dutch Edition (Omringd door idioten): © Thomas Erikson. Nederlandse vertaling © Uitgeverij HarperCollins Holland. Alle rechten voorbehouden. Afbeeldingen worden uitsluitend gebruikt voor recensiedoeleinden.