A few weeks ago, the hosts of the Currently Reading podcast had a great episode about the themes of their reading lives. We always talk about the genres we like to read or the types of books we like to read (short books, long books, plot-driven, character-driven, etc), but have you ever stopped to think about why you like to read the books you like to read? When you take stock of the books you read, are there any strong themes that emerge? I loved this post and the way it made me stop and think about the types of books I gravitate towards. Why do I love the romance genre so much? Why is reading diversely so important to me? What themes do I need to really sink into a book and fall completely in love with it?
It took me a while to come up with my reading themes, but I finally came up with three buckets:
Gaining a New Perspective
I am a sponge for information and I love learning new things from what I’m reading. Even more than that, I love when a book can provide me with an entirely new perspective and force me outside my comfort zone. Whether that’s learning how gay teens in the 1980s were dealing with the AIDS crisis (Like a Love Story), or reading about a little boy growing up in the Midwest who wants to be a girl (This Is How It Always Is), or reading stories from the disabled community about what it’s like to be in their bodies (Disability Visibility), or learning about the racial caste system of the United States (Caste). I read to expand my worldview, gain a new perspective, and get out of my white, cis bubble. Reading diversely is important to me because I don’t want to only read books written by and about white people. I want to read books that are going to challenge me, that are written by and about marginalized communities, and that give me a perspective entirely different than my own. In doing so, I hope I am developing a greater sense of empathy for the people around me and a broader worldview than you might expect from a white girl growing up and living in Florida.
Delightful Happy Endings
My reading life isn’t always so serious, though. Sometimes, I just want to read a lighthearted romance novel that gives me a happy ending. I’ve been thinking a lot about why I love the romance genre so much—what does it give to me, considering so many people (women, especially) don’t love the genre? And I think what I love so much is the predictability of romance novels. I love knowing there will be two people falling in love and, at the end of the novel, they will find happiness with each other. It’s the journey to that final destination that we’re discovering, not some wacky final twist at the end. Romance novels are about the human experience. And they’re also about women finding their voices, men learning how to be vulnerable, people conquering their fears and coming to terms with their past. They may be plot-driven, but the good romance novels are the ones that make you care deeply about the main characters at the heart of the story. You laugh with them, cry when they get hurt, and get butterflies in your stomach when they kiss.
Delightful happy endings encompass a lot more than the romance genre, too. After all, this is a theme in my reading life so I’ve found these stories in YA (Tell Me Three Things), in commercial fiction (Other People’s Houses), and in historical fiction (Cocoa Beach). Sometimes, a lighthearted story with a happy ending is exactly what my heart needs.
Meaningful Character Connections
I had a hard time naming this theme (and I still don’t really like the name) and it’s one that I feel can be the hardest to describe. I’m not talking about character-driven stories here, but rather, I love books where I can feel meaningfully connected to the characters. I want to fall in love with the characters, so much so that finishing the novel feels like leaving some of my best friends behind. I want stories that connect me to people—their histories, their experiences, what they love and hate, who they love and hate, the things that have shaped them. The last book I read where I felt a palpable connection to a character was Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson. I loved Jade, the main character, so damn much and the last 30 or so pages had me tearing up because I was so happy for her and the goodness in her life. I was so sad to finish the book and leave Jade behind.
Character-driven stories tend to provide the most meaningful connections (Writers & Lovers certainly did that), but plot-driven stories can do the same (The House in the Cerulean Sea, most definitely). In fact, there’s really something special about a plot-driven story that allows you to meaningfully connect with the characters because those books can sometimes rely more on story than on characters, and I love when a book can express both beautifully.
What are your reading themes?
Yes, meaningful character connections are a huge reason I love certain books, but I feel like it’s hard to seek out books that fit into this theme, you know? You don’t realize til its almost or all the way over that you felt a deep connection to the characters.
I love fun, fluffy reading for about half of my reading. No scary, murder, true crime, or gut wrenching stuff, please! The other things I like are similar to yours: new perspectives, enjoying the character or real person overcoming oppression — like in the escaped from a cult memoirs — and books about people moving to/living in new places and figuring out how to fit in/live there are some other favs!
Those are some great themes, and all things I like to include in my reading life, too! There is just something that finding characters that truly resonate with you that makes reading so worthwhile.
What a fun way to examine your reading life. I can definitely relate a lot, esp. with the “predictable happy endings” thing right now. I used to NEVER read romance, but I’ve found myself reading it a lot more since the pandemic hit, just because I needed something predictable. I’m also a huge fan of character-driven novels, though I don’t need to like a character to enjoy the book (although that’s definitely a nice bonus!).
Definitely one theme for me is reading books that help me see the “ordinary” with fresh eyes. So much of my life right now deals with a lot of repetitive tasks — laundry, changing diapers, making meals, tending small humans — that I need a way to see those things from a higher perspective in order to remind myself that all those tiny acts of service and nurturing have meaning and purpose, and so I shouldn’t begrudge them or wish them away.
Thanks for the thought-provoking post 🙂
I can see how reading books about ordinary life can be so meaningful for you during the stage of life you’re in! I think that’s one of the things I like about the romance genre – lots of times, the characters are just going about their regular lives and it’s just fun to have that connection with them.
I liked this episode of Currently Reading, too, and it really made me think about my themes, but I haven’t quite nailed them down. But gaining a new perspective is definitely one of my themes. I’ve tried to be better about reading diverse books/owned voices books. I also am drawn to books that really explore relationships, whether it’s a marriage, parenting, friendship, etc. Those are the books that appeal most to me!
I have read more romance in the last couple of years, but I have to say they sometimes stress me out even though I know there will be a happy ending. As I’m progressing through the book, I kind of hate the feeling of knowing some conflict is going to arise! Even though I know it will work out!
Oh that is so interesting to me that reading romance can be stressful to you! I definitely know what you mean, though. A lot of the conflict comes from miscommunication and it can be really annoying to know what’s coming for them when all they need to do is TALK to each other. You just want these people to be happy in love, wah.
The books I most enjoy are the ones that are “slice of life” stories, that make ordinary life seem extraordinary. I think every person in the world has an incredible story, don’t you? I just love books that are about regular life. I don’t tend to enjoy mysteries or fantasy at all. I don’t like to suspend disbelief. I just like stories where I can nod along and think, yes, I can see that.
I also like books that open my eyes to new ideas, as you mentioned in the first paragraph. I love reading about different cultures, different worlds, different people. I am a very privileged white Canadian woman, so I like to open my perspectives up.
I don’t read too many romances, but I do like the occasional light one, because it’s just soothing and relaxing to know that Everything Will Turn Out In The End.
Ahhh, I love this comment so much! I really do believe that we all have a story to tell, and everyone’s ordinary looks extraordinary to someone else. It’s fun to think about! And I love when we get a glimpse into someone’s ordinary and realize we’re all more similar than we imagine.
I think for me I’m looking for hope in most of my books. That’s why I read so much romance and fantasy – in both of those genres, there’s always a glimmer of hope at the end that things will get better. I also like to read about meaningful relationships that aren’t immediate family (I am not close to my birth family – I see them occasionally, but it’s all superficial), so I like books about found family or relationships centered around a person and an animal. I’m always up for a boy and his dog narrative! Anyway, I do read “serious” stuff on occasion, but my heart is always looking for something more uplifting.
I love this! I think you will really like All the Lonely People if you love a good found family book. It really dives into that topic, and it’s really sweet. That makes a lot of sense that you find it hard to relate to books that are heavy on the family theme, and it probably doesn’t make you feel comforted or filled with hope, which is what you want in your reading!
What an interesting way to think about our reading lives… Your themes are really interesting, and I love your openness to diversity and learning. It’s something I’ve always noticed in your books-related posts! I am trying, in the limited time I have now for reading, to expand my horizons. Whether it’s working is another question…
My themes? Right now, mindless fluff for one – I’m with NGS, I want some hope and/or a plot line that ties up very tidily by the end. I have enough uncertainty in life – I don’t want it in my books, too! 🙂 And, learning. I love non-fiction and thinking about things that I don’t typically consider in “real life”!
Thanks for saying that about the diversity in my reading! It’s something I have been actively working towards, and it is something I have to be constantly aware of. There are just so many more white authors whose books are publicized at a much greater frequency. But I’m trying!
Mindless fluff with tidy endings is why I love the romance genre so much. Sometimes, I need something formulaic where I know a happy ending will be the result!