If I had a penny for every time I've hesitated when asked the question 'So what kind of books do you like to read?', I would have enough pennies to finally afford the expansive home library bookstagrammers dream about. Even with internet's 'baby girl' Jacob Elordi doing his part in popularising reading, romance and erotica are often dismissed as silly little books meant to be read as guilty pleasures, never talked about in public, especially not in the presence of "serious" readers in "intellectual" circles.

The Role of Romance Books

Romance, a genre that is majorly written for women, by women, with most stories centering women, often explores themes like love, identity, consent, and agency. They not only validate women's experiences and feelings, but also celebrate women's stories. But as is the case with so many other things that majorly interest women, they are belittled.

Even with romance holding the plaque for the 'highest earning genre in fiction' and more and more romance only bookstores opening with booming business, there's still a sense of shyness about liking to read about people falling in love. I have been a part of multiple book clubs and I can count on one hand the instances where people chose to talk about a romance book, always opting for genres that would be more socially accepted or appreciated. And the reason is certainly not a lack of romance readers. Romance books make up just under 50% of the global paperback book market which represents a whopping total of a one and a half billion dollar industry.

Moreover, romance novels are not haphazardly written, they are meticulously crafted and extensively researched. In fact, it is the most heavily market-researched genre in the industry. Writers and publishers understand the nuances of their target audience, ensuring that their stories resonate with readers on a deeply emotional level.

The criteria a book needs to fulfill to be considered a romance novel is- the story needs to have an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending and the primary focus should be on a romantic relationship. Both of these give the readers hope. In a world that tells women to frame their whole life around (mainly heterosexual) romantic relationships and simultaneously ridicules them for wanting romance, these books work to dispel the idea that romance is about women being self-indulgent. Romance novels allow women to reflect, to escape, to play, to learn.

Erotica and what it encourages

When discussing romance, it has to be said that erotica is so much more than just porn on paper. Erotica feeds women's need for fantasy, it sparks her imagination, and can certainly carry over to her relationships too. Sex has always been a taboo and despite tremendous progress to dispel this notion, sex talks are still often limited to educational or health related subjects.

Erotica is also believed to be somewhat old fashioned, involving stories that put women in a weak light. Most people get this idea looking at the covers where we see men with hair blowing in the wind, a damsel in his arms, shirt buttons powerless to contain the mighty pecs. But erotica romance is a frontier for feminism. The stories embrace women as strong, opinionated, sexual beings while catering to the female sexual gaze. And a well-educated woman in the sex department is a powerful one.

Frankly, reading romance and erotica has taught me more about my attachment styles, my love languages and my sexual preferences than any of my real life experiences have.The fact that I often find myself holed up in my room reading a steamy book when I should be out in the world experiencing life is besides the point.

Catalyst for change

There's a reason romance and erotica have been around for ages. Even after being scorned, shamed and ridiculed by the British government in the 18th and 19th century, because they pushed women to think about their pleasure and agency which was a threat to the status quo, the books persevered.

According to studies, women who read romance or erotic novels have a striking 74% more sex with their partners than those who don’t. And not just more, but more communicative and therefore better sex. 

Despite being labeled as “guilty pleasures” and consumed in secrecy, these books have made an immense impact on people’s lives. Imagine what would happen if we dispel the shameful notions around these genres and provide them with the same acceptance and respect we reserve for “more serious” genres. 

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