Hello,

Contrary to what the title says this isn’t a debate. It’s a discussion between you and me.

It’s your favourite writer. I’ve been MIA this month. I’ve only posted twice and for this I deeply apologise. I’ve been caught up in life and well,

Let’s leave that for now.

Today’s edition is on the underlying effects of reading romance novels.

Before I proceed might I say that I am a huge fan of novels in general. I’ve been a reader for over 8 years of my life. I’ve read every genre from; Sci Fi to romance to young adult to college love to paranormal to thriller and many more.

I’ve gone through countless Harlequin Productions and many other authors that I can’t even mention because they are so many classics and very good books that I hold dear to my heart.

From all these years of reading different types of novels, I never saw an issue with predominantly romance novels until recently.

I mean who doesn’t like a story with a good plot where the lead male character and the lead female character end up together and its rainbows and sunshine.

But recently I started realising the thoughts that these books had put in my head.

After all the human mind acts based on the information accumulated in your subconscious.

Slowly starting to recognise the facts that I am to reveal has helped me carve out a new path to self discovery and I hope it helps you too.

Now I would like to state that I’m not calling out any romance book for promoting certain stereotypes neither am I telling you to stop reading romance novels. I’m simply trying to make you more aware about these things and how they subconsciously play out in your daily life.

With that being said, Let’s get down to business.

The first thing that I noticed was how romance novels always portrayed this shy, naive and virginal character.

I’m not saying all novels portray the lead female character as such but evaluate all the books you’ve read and you’ll see that 80% of the female characters are portrayed this way.

Now why this is not the problem precisely the problem. The issue is that having reading countless books that portray that, you subconsciously start to think that is the character to adopt or at least that was how it felt for me.

Having now realised that one of the most attractive things is self confidence. It was contradictory to me and I had a hard time, well I’m still having a hard time trying to build up my confidence.

Also the topic of virginity is one that should be discussed between you and your partner and there should be no invisible bar set. If you want to keep yours that’s fine and good. If you choose not to that’s also fine and good.

Just like the title of my novel. CHOICES. We will die and live by the choices we make. You will find the book on this same page, you can check it out and maybe you will like it to.

Back to the matter up for discussion today.

The second thing that precisely caught my attention was how these books stylishly shamed slim or slender women.

I can already feel you trying to analyse if this is true or not. Keep reading further and I’ll prove this claim.

Try to remember the novels you’ve read. Predominantly romance novels. Can you remember ever reading through sentences that sounded something like this;

* I appreciate a woman who can eat properly. ( this usually goes through the lead Male’s mind when him and the new girl are sharing a meal, probably over dinner.)

* she has way more body that (insert the ex of the lead male character) . This sentence comes after he has started seeing a new girl and then compares her to his ex.

* she not just bones unlike (insert the name of the ex). The same scenario I explained earlier applies here.

If you can’t remember any of these sentences that’s fine. But don’t you find it rather surprising that the lead male always has an ex.

And this ex is always a model or has a model like body, hardly eats to keep her body, is a gold digger and is confident.

But then the new girl has a hourglass figure, eats properly, is not after his money and is shy.

The exact opposite .

Its surprising to me how a severe issue like anorexia and other eating disorders are handled with levity.

That aside what bothers me is the character roles attached to the different body types. The slim girl is vain and pretentious while the girl with the hourglass body is sweet and desirable.

Precisely where all this has been leading up to is the desirable aspect. And I’m not just talking about in a sexual manner.

I have a slim figure but I noticed I started to subconsciously detest my body the more I read. The only thing is I didn’t realise until recently. I felt undesirable and hence why through out high school I never went out of my way to make friends and if I did and I was shut down I would blame it on my figure.

Now that I look back on those days, I wouldn’t even look in the mirror.

And I’m sure this hasn’t only happened to me but a lot of other readers out there.

As I stated earlier this is just to create awareness and make you more aware of these subtle signs and how to overcome them.

I can’t go through all the effects in a few lines. Like I said at the beginning of this write up, I’ve been a reader for over 8 years.

But there will definitely be a part two and maybe even a part three.

So keep a look out for that.

Till next time dear reader.