I love reading. It is probably my favorite thing to do. Reading is great. Everyone should read as much as possible. Quick point of clarification: What I mean is that I love reading fiction and I think everyone should read more fiction. The reason is pretty simple: Reading Fiction is Fun!!!
There is, however, a problem with reading fiction. Just like everything else in the world social media has ruined the simple joy of reading fiction. There is booktok, bookstagram, goodreads, and all of those other sites that want to tell you what to read and what books are bad. And I am sure there are bad books out there, but you should find them yourself.
When I was a much younger person I thought I needed to read “literary fiction” to be a reader. That I shouldn’t be reading sci-fi, fantasty, etc. because those aren’t “good”. Whenever I started to feel that way I would read a “good” book and not really enjoy myself and go back to reading enjoyable books. The books I wanted to read are always better than the books I was told I should read.
STORY TIME: When I was in elementary school I was part of a program called great books. The idea was to get children to read “great” books and discuss them. You had to read the books in a certain time frame and discuss them during lunch. It was a BIG DEAL to be part of great books. I think I was invited every year that it was available and I never made it past the first book, not because I was bad at reading but because the books we read were not interesting. That meant that I got kicked out every year. I blame Tom Sawyer and their ilk for my failure at great books. STORY OVER
At this point you are probably wondering “What is the point of this post?” Well, like all my posts I am not 100% sure. But here goes:
I think that as a society we put too much pressure on people to read books that have the best marketing or have been reviewed well. I think it is more important that we get people to read books. They can be absolute trash but if you enjoy it, good for you. “But Dylan, " you say, " it has been years since I have read a book and I don’t know what I like to read.” That is totally fair. Do you have a favorite type of movie, tv show, or video game? There are probably books that fit in those genres.
Over the last year (plus) I have been reading a lot of romance novels. Like a ton. I would venture to say that it is my favorite genre to read. I enjoy books about love. Since I tend to read for pleasure, romance novels work out well for me because they generally have a happy ending (not always but mostly). And Romance Novels exist in every genre. Here are some recommendations complete with links to romance.io (which is a romance focused website with spice ratings and reviews).
For true crime people: All the Missing Pieces is about a true crime podcaster that drives around the country trying to solve cold case, including that of her sister. Super fun and interesting.
Alternate History: American Royals is a what if America had royalty. Pretty fun all around with some mystery and court nonesense.
I hope you like Fan Fiction: Spoiler Alert This book is not fan fiction, this book is if someone who writes fan fiction who meets one of the stars of the show that they write fan fiction about. Super duper fun and I enjoyed the shit out of it.
Force proximity in Alaska: Under the Sitka Sky Someone goes home for reasons, gets stuck on an island after a plane crash with a childhood friend… one thing leads to another and LOVE HAPPENS.
Wierdo Sci-fi/fantasy with birbs: The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love was one of the most fun books I have read recently. AND THERE IS A SEQUEL. Basicall about two professors of bird stuff trying to get tenure as part of a contest to find this rare bird. It is pretty great.
Have I mentioned that I love a fauxmance?: The Bigger Picture. You know how sometimes your sibling is running for office (or something) and is fake dating someone because it helps (there are more reasons) and then you move in with them for reasons and fall in love with the person your brother is fake dating… so basically awesome.
Speaking of Fauxmance: In Development was the first one I read. Pop star and Actress fake date for career reasons. Queer awakening and just all around fun read.
For my DnD nerds: Dungeons and Drama Bascially angsty teens fall in love at a game store. Pretty cute and sweat with all of the trappings that us nerds wanted when we were young.
Are you crafty and/or love sports ball: Close Knit is a book about a yarn influencer and a premier league footballer who enemies to lovers the shit out of life. It involves a bunch of footballers learning to knit which is a plus. Speaking of knitting you should go buy some yarn from Little Squirrel Yarn to help support my book habit.
All of the books by Abbi Waxman are amazing. There is a few that take place in the same universe and a couple that are stand alone. Start with The Bookish Life of Nina Hill and go from there.
Black swan kind of: Reverence is a lot darker than most of my reading but it is very good. It is probably historical fiction if you want to place it in a sub genre. Ballet and cold war shenanigans for the win.
Heartbreaking: The Unfinished Line This is a stand alone book that takes place in the same universe as Jen Lyon’s Senator’s Wife series (which you should also read but you don’t have to). It is wonderful and the only book on this list that doesn’t have a happily ever after (kind of, it is weird, just read it, but also have tissues handy).
Royalty/Queer Awakening/Fauxmances… Yes Please!! Ascending is the first book in the Royals series. It is a lot of fun and all the books are in a shared universe so once a characters story is over you still get to see them again.
Monsters need love too: The Belladonna Series. Imagine if you liked poison and also fell in love with death… that is this series. Pretty fun and great world building. I devoured this series and really enjoyed it.
There are so many more that I have read and enjoyed. I recommend everyone start reading romance novels right now. Or read what makes you happy. Read for enjoyment and entertainment. Don’t let anyone tell you what you should read… except me with the list of books above.