I totally feel your shame. But as a women's fiction/romance writer myself, I strongly agree with you when you say that these novels can actually help heal. Maybe that's putting it too strongly, but I believe watching a fictional character go through something and change her life makes me more able to emulate her and do it myself. I think that's part of the embarrassment--it's so personal, as you mention.
It is definitely part of the embarrassment. I’ve been working on being more open about it because romance books are read so widely that more than likely talking about it will gain you a friend.
Me? I light up when somebody asks me that question! but I totally get your points above why you wouldn't want to disclose. Also, I read Funny Story last month and I still think about it!
Oh my gosh, I love A Million Junes and it feels like one of those books no one else has read!
I read an article years ago that examined the phenomenon from like the 1800s or early 1900s of women having "hysterias" which was a physical reaction to a book. The article examined this phenomenon and made the argument that hysterias were men being dumb about women having a reasonable response to a well written book (or maybe that's the way I remember it).
My point, though, is I think romance, fantasy and horror are genres that elicit a physical sensation in reaction to reading the book. Our hearts race. Our breath quickens. We feel anxiety and excitement and genuine emotions.
And I think it's that emotional/sensational response to a book that causes a lingering taint of disdain. Just like the argument made in the article, I think it's a ridiculous perception because there's nothing wrong with responding to a book. In my mind, it's the mark of a well written story that it engages the reader to that sensational degree.
I love this - no one else I’ve met has read A Million Junes either! And that is so so interesting! I love this take & I would love to do an article on history / books … thanks for the idea lol🤍
I get it. I recently went to the hair salon. I always bring a book with me, since I spend a lot of time under the dryer. I'm currently reading Fourth Wing, but I didn't make it known that's what I was reading. I kept the book flat on top of my purse or low enough that no one could read the spine or front cover. I normally read women's fiction, historical fiction, or mysteries. But I do read some YA and fantasy. When reading in public I tend to do that hiding the cover trick if it's a book that's considered controversial or low brow. It's a hard habit to break because I don't want to have to explain why I'm reading something. 😊
Some times I like the question, but other times I feel embarrassed sharing what I’m reading but I don’t know why I would be embarrassed in the first place
I totally feel your shame. But as a women's fiction/romance writer myself, I strongly agree with you when you say that these novels can actually help heal. Maybe that's putting it too strongly, but I believe watching a fictional character go through something and change her life makes me more able to emulate her and do it myself. I think that's part of the embarrassment--it's so personal, as you mention.
It is definitely part of the embarrassment. I’ve been working on being more open about it because romance books are read so widely that more than likely talking about it will gain you a friend.
And how nice to get another friend with similar taste in reading!
Me? I light up when somebody asks me that question! but I totally get your points above why you wouldn't want to disclose. Also, I read Funny Story last month and I still think about it!
I love that! I’m working on it myself. And Funny Story was amazing!!
Oh my gosh, I love A Million Junes and it feels like one of those books no one else has read!
I read an article years ago that examined the phenomenon from like the 1800s or early 1900s of women having "hysterias" which was a physical reaction to a book. The article examined this phenomenon and made the argument that hysterias were men being dumb about women having a reasonable response to a well written book (or maybe that's the way I remember it).
My point, though, is I think romance, fantasy and horror are genres that elicit a physical sensation in reaction to reading the book. Our hearts race. Our breath quickens. We feel anxiety and excitement and genuine emotions.
And I think it's that emotional/sensational response to a book that causes a lingering taint of disdain. Just like the argument made in the article, I think it's a ridiculous perception because there's nothing wrong with responding to a book. In my mind, it's the mark of a well written story that it engages the reader to that sensational degree.
I love this - no one else I’ve met has read A Million Junes either! And that is so so interesting! I love this take & I would love to do an article on history / books … thanks for the idea lol🤍
I get it. I recently went to the hair salon. I always bring a book with me, since I spend a lot of time under the dryer. I'm currently reading Fourth Wing, but I didn't make it known that's what I was reading. I kept the book flat on top of my purse or low enough that no one could read the spine or front cover. I normally read women's fiction, historical fiction, or mysteries. But I do read some YA and fantasy. When reading in public I tend to do that hiding the cover trick if it's a book that's considered controversial or low brow. It's a hard habit to break because I don't want to have to explain why I'm reading something. 😊
I have done the exact same thing. It’s hard when I feel ashamed of feeling ashamed, you know? But I’m trying to work on it every day
Some times I like the question, but other times I feel embarrassed sharing what I’m reading but I don’t know why I would be embarrassed in the first place
Exactly!!
Yes!! This is all so true for me as well. I’ve been getting better and better at sharing which makes me feel more and more like myself :)