In an attempt to be more positive about the middle, I am challenging myself to make all Sunday posts about the good parts of the middle. Or, at least a lighter take on the middle.
I adore being in the middle of a book. There is a certain magic to be in someone else’s, whether fictional or non-fiction, world. In the middle of the book, you usually know enough to understand what’s going on, juicy things are probably happening, you’re wondering how it will all end, I could go on and on. I just love it so much.
Being bookish also lends to a cozy aesthetic. It goes well with my desire to be laying down, cuddled under a blanket, and no one talking to me. I could look at book nooks on Pinterest ALL DAY. I daydream about a library of my own one day. Yes, Belle was my favorite Disney princess, how did you know?
I have always been a reader. Going to the library was something I loved to do when I was younger and never fought the reading opportunities in school. Now as an adult, I have decided I am only reading for my pleasure. While I am so proud of my academic achievements, I am not interested in reading more things that feel like homework. I’m not going to read the classics. Genuinely, I am glad that you love them, and they improved your life. I’m just not interested. You do you.
This also has inspired another important component of my book hobby – You are not allowed to tell me what to read. As much as I love the idea of a book club, I would rather not join yours. I don’t want anyone to tell me what to read. Even when people make recommendations, my instinct is nope, not going to do that, don’t tell me what to do. If there is a book that you would like me to read, you just have to gently say, hey I liked this, and leave the room slowly.
I don’t often mention my reading because of two big factors that instantly get judged:
- I read mostly Romance Novels
- And prefer them in audiobook
Each of these things opens a can of opinions, that I often don’t want to get into. I hesitate to share that I am a reader because it usually has a follow-up question about what I like to read. This could be controversial. But because I’m rolling with transparency, here are my thoughts.
Romance novels are good guys, be cool
I have strong preferences in my romance novels. Frankly, they don’t reflect on me in the best light, and I won’t share them. I could also go on a long rant about how romance novels have consistently been downplayed in our society because they are considered “women’s” and less valuable, even though it is consistently one of the biggest if not the biggest genre in terms of revenue… but I won’t.
What I will say is that, I love Romance Novels because I love the middle of them. I already know how they will end, with a Happily Ever After (and YES, I want my HEA, and if it doesn’t have it, then it is just straight fiction). I know how they will start in most places thanks to the tropes we see (are we talking enemies to lovers, second chance romance, or the dreaded accidental pregnancy?). The middle is where it is interesting, how will this author take all of this comfortable elements and bring them together in an interesting way that will make me happy?
If you’re dying to know, I prefer a rom-com romance, with some spice because closed doors feel unrealistic, with a preference for enemies to lovers and dual point of view (pov – I was just going to write pov but then worried that those who aren’t familiar with the genre would think I was typing something scandalous).
Audiobooks count as reading
I am not going to change anyone’s mind on this topic, so it feels a bit ridiculous to even write about it, but I do consume the most of my books via audio. I absolutely love how the narrators bring the story alive through their reading. It enables me to always be working through a book, whether I am making dinner, walking my dog, or driving to work.
I also think the books I like tend to be well suited to the audiobook format. Romance doesn’t usually have complicated names, minute plot points that later become important, or would be 20-something hours long. They do make it a little awkward when there is a spicy scene, and you’re going about your day praying that an accident doesn’t happen for people to know something really raunchy is happening on your headphones. I do also love a celebrity memoir or essayist that reads their book. It then feels like your friend Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, or Casey Wilson are just gabbing with you as a friend.
Audiobooks make reading accessible. They still rely on the power of the word to convey the message. They are also why I love recording the voiceovers for these. I am my own little audiobook narrator.
So, I hope for you on this Sunday, you can take some time and curl up to get lost in the middle of the book.
Thank you for reading The Mddl. Your girl would like to get paid some day so please share with anyone you think would like it.