It’s no secret that romance novels are my life. I write them, I read them. I devour as many as I can get my hands on.
But I read an article a few weeks ago about people mocking each other for what they read. I remember when 50 Shades of Grey came out people loved it, but the ones who were against it called it “mommy porn” and said it was trash.
Who cares what you read?
It bugs me when people are judged for what they love. One of my favorite quotes is from a letter Ray Bradbury wrote. The end says:
Be your own self. Love what YOU love! ~Ray Bradbury
I try to live by that quote (even to the point that I intend on getting it tattooed on my wrist at some point). Which is why I could care less if you read romance novels, mysteries, trucker magazines, or children’s books. But for me, romance novels are the only option, or at least my favorite one.
I’m a die hard romantic at heart. Falling in love in real life is hard because of all the uncertainties and doubts. But falling in love in a book takes away all those worries because you know what’s going to happen.
Romance novels put words to the heartbeats in a love story. I love looking inside a person and hearing their thoughts, seeing their emotions. Romance novels, and all books really, let you know what is truly going on inside a person’s head. It answers the questions you wanted to ask when you were falling in love. You find out what the character is thinking, getting inside their head and feeling the same thing they are.
As hard as it is to fall in love in real life, falling in love in a book is so much better. You get to experience all the good parts, cry through the bad parts, and have it all be over in a few hours.
It’s like watching a great movie, except we all know the book is always better!
Love is what makes life worth living. Without love, life feels empty. Romance novels give you the chance to experience love over and over again.
And remember that each love is different.
When you think about your first love, hopefully you look back on it with fondness, remembering the good times. I hope you feel that way about every past love in your life. I’m sure there are some that ended badly or that weren’t what you thought they were, but none of that bad stuff lingers in a romance novel. Everything is wrapped up into one neat little package.
One package that gives you hope, lets you love, and provides an escape all in one.
I still don’t care what you read. I know what I like and why. I’m assuming if you’re reading this you like romance novels, at least a little bit. But I’m just happy you’re reading!