diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_reading.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_reading.py
index 52d10aa6..e177de0f 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_reading.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_reading.py
@@ -58,6 +58,9 @@ class ReadingViews(TestCase):
                 "post-status": True,
                 "privacy": "followers",
                 "start_date": "2020-01-05",
+                "book": self.book.id,
+                "mention_books": self.book.id,
+                "user": self.local_user.id,
             },
         )
         request.user = self.local_user
@@ -77,6 +80,45 @@ class ReadingViews(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.user, self.local_user)
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.book, self.book)
 
+    def test_start_reading_with_comment(self, *_):
+        """begin a book"""
+        shelf = self.local_user.shelf_set.get(identifier=models.Shelf.READING)
+        self.assertFalse(shelf.books.exists())
+        self.assertFalse(models.Status.objects.exists())
+
+        request = self.factory.post(
+            "",
+            {
+                "post-status": True,
+                "privacy": "followers",
+                "start_date": "2020-01-05",
+                "content": "hello hello",
+                "book": self.book.id,
+                "mention_books": self.book.id,
+                "user": self.local_user.id,
+                "reading_status": "reading",
+            },
+        )
+        request.user = self.local_user
+        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+            views.ReadingStatus.as_view()(request, "start", self.book.id)
+
+        self.assertEqual(shelf.books.get(), self.book)
+
+        status = models.Comment.objects.get()
+        self.assertEqual(status.user, self.local_user)
+        self.assertEqual(status.book, self.book)
+        self.assertFalse(status.mention_books.exists())
+        self.assertEqual(status.privacy, "followers")
+        self.assertEqual(status.content, "<p>hello hello</p>")
+        self.assertEqual(status.reading_status, "reading")
+
+        readthrough = models.ReadThrough.objects.get()
+        self.assertIsNotNone(readthrough.start_date)
+        self.assertIsNone(readthrough.finish_date)
+        self.assertEqual(readthrough.user, self.local_user)
+        self.assertEqual(readthrough.book, self.book)
+
     @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.add_book_statuses_task.delay")
     @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.remove_book_statuses_task.delay")
     def test_start_reading_reshelve(self, *_):