Book Blogger Hop

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this week’s question

Sometimes, readers get into funks and maybe stop reading or feel like reading is work. What do you do to get yourself out of a reading funk? (submitted by Nicole @ The Christian Fiction Girl)

Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever had those kinds of funks. Maybe that’s a positive side effect of being a mood reader? I think I’ve just integrated reading as such a huge part of my life that it’s become a nonissue.

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Book Beginnings

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This week’s Book Beginnings comes from The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell. This is a thriller, like last week’s choice, set primarily in England. I’ve read it before, but it’s been a few years, so I’m rereading to refresh my memory before starting the next book, The Family Remains.

It’s a twisty thriller with culty vibes, told from multiple perspectives and timelines. I love that it has what seems like disparate storylines… until they’re not. It’s a great read!

StoryGraph

It would be inaccurate to say that my childhood was normal before they came.

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Let’s Talk Bookish

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topic: Guilty Pleasure Reads

Do you agree with the term since it has a somewhat “negative” connotation?

I hate, hate, hate it. “Guilty pleasure” suggests there is something wrong with whatever they are reading, that there is something wrong with enjoying it. I don’t think anyone should ever feel guilty about reading something that brings them joy. It doesn’t matter if it’s niche, or not universally enjoyed. If it brings them pleasure, it has value. Reading is personal choice, a different experience for everyone, and it serves a different purpose, fills a different need, for everyone.

Should you feel ashamed or “guilty” for enjoying a certain genre or non-traditional type of book (i.e. graphic novels, manga)?

Absolutely not. I can’t stand the shame that some try to lay on others over what they read. Let me say it loudly…

THERE IS NO SHAME IN READING WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY!!

That being said… I think there are some limits, mostly those that glorify sexual assault of children. I’m not talking about books with that content as part of the story, but that which uses it as erotica or sexualizes the victims in a pedophilic way.

What books do you love or are on your TBR do you think would be considered “guilty pleasures” by others?

In my opinion, none of them should be considered guilty pleasures. However, I’ll talk about the ones others have tried to shame me for, and the not-so-creative reason why!

• true crime: that I glamorize murder. Yeah, no. What I am interested in is the psychology of offenders and the paths that led them to crime.
• cozy mysteries (of any type): not real writing. To this I say, pish posh to you.
• thrillers: that I’m creepy for liking dark books. Yeah, well, I just like a good mystery with psychological elements. Sue me.

One thing I’ve taken flack for is my rereading. Like I should feel guilty for rereading something I love?!! I’ve been reading Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar saga, a still growing universe, since the first book… in 1987. I’ve literally spent years reading it and rereading, never NOT reading it. I’m so obsessed I’ve had an ongoing spreadsheet for years that tracks my reading of it, tracks the timeline, lays out the chronology of reading to include every book, every short story, every novella from every companion anthology. I HAVE NO GUILT!!