Aussie readers have been left with a towering problem following the release of a highly anticipated novel this week.
Fantasy author Sarah J. Maas released A Court of Splintered Harmony on Tuesday, arriving more than five years after her previous instalment in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series.
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The bestseller boasts the same kind of feverish fandom that gripped bookshelves circa 2007 when Harry Potter was at its height.
Maas has sold more than 75 million books across her catalogue, with her previous launch selling more than one million copies globally in its first week alone.
But when local bookworms unboxed the new paperback and placed it on their Ikea bookcases, an impossible-to-ignore problem began to be pointed out online: the new book is noticeably taller than the rest of the set.
For Queensland reader Kayla, the difference is a mild annoyance.
“I wasn’t too surprised by the size of this book because I already knew the trade paperback is always taller, but it’s still frustrating putting yet another book on my shelf that doesn’t match any versions of the series that I already own,” Kayla told news.com.au.
A trade paperback is a larger softcover format released first into stores to dominate new releases.
They typically measure taller and wider than the standard mass-market paperbacks that release months later.
The fan also purchased a hardback copy, but that also didn’t match the rest of her set.
“If we want a matching set, we’re left waiting for the smaller paperback edition, which could be another six to 12 months,” she explained.
“It won’t stop me from enjoying the story in the slightest (it’s actually super juicy). I would just love my bookshelf to be cohesive, which shouldn’t be this hard.”
She created a video post to point out the frustration, like many other readers are flocking to social media to do.
The clip reveals her trying to figure out where to place the book beside the smaller novels that have come before.
Judging by her comment section, it’s a problem others have had to troubleshoot.
“I’m triggered. Why is it so tall?” one user questioned.
Another admitted: “I literally went to the store, saw the size and DID NOT BUY IT for this reason. I’m waiting for the smaller size.”
“That is criminal,” a third added.
Elsewhere online, fans are making videos showcasing the height difference while forums have been flooded by readers poking fun.
Carly Dober, from Enriching Minds Psychology, pointed out one reason fans are collectively dog-earing the issue.
“I think a few things can be happening here – firstly, when people are used to a consistent format, that deviates, this can be stressful or unexpected and our brains don’t like this,” Ms Dober told news.com.au
“When there is a collection, and we perceive or anticipate something to fit into this collection, we do prefer uniformity.”
The height difference poses a particular frustration given the fandom’s obsession with the series.
“Fandom can involve identity and markers of identity which can include height and width of a book. Some people also may have a particular area in their room that they display the books in this series, and if there is an odd one out, it can look uninviting,” she said.
Her advice for readers glaring at their bookshelf is to “take a step back and acknowledge” their disappointment while trying to gain “perspective on how big an annoyance” it is.
“If it doesn’t actually impact your life, your relationships, your sense of safety or material wellbeing, it is just a preference that hasn’t been met. Will this matter in six months? two years? five years?” she posed.
“You may just have to hide this book if it’s in your line of sight and really annoying you for the time being.”