Required Reading Woes

It’s funny—writing is my passion, and I genuinely believe I’m good at it (not that I’m trying to boast, but every author believes they’re good at what they do or they wouldn’t publish anything, and yes, of course, there is always room for improvement). Yet, back in school, English was the subject that was a constant struggle for me. Not the grammar or the essays (I could handle those fine), but the required reading.

There was something about being told what to read that immediately took all the fun out of reading. It didn’t matter if the book was a classic or if other students thought it was a great read. If it was assigned, I dreaded it. Maybe it was the way these books were dissected in ways that stripped them of their magic, turning them into monotonous assignments rather than stories to get lost in.

That said, there are a few exceptions. I actually enjoyed some of the required reading—a variety from Edgar Allan Poe, The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald, and Hamlet by William Shakespeare. I also appreciated A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift, and I only separate this from the others because of its context, message, and year it was written (1792). Looking back, these writings make sense to me now. Those stories were dark, dramatic, and full of flawed characters, which is exactly the kind of reading (and writing) I gravitate toward today. Not to mention A Modest Proposal being so sick and twisted with its context but serving a strong and impactful message for the time.

Even so, I sincerely hope my books never become required reading in school. Granted, with my novels, I can’t imagine smutty romance will ever be on the required reading list for high schools or colleges, but even so, there have been articles, like A Modest Proposal, that turn into required reading, and I write plenty of articles on Medium. Even if the themes are meaningful or relatable, the moment reading is assigned for a grade, it loses something for me. The experience of discovering a story on your own terms—connecting with it because you want to, not because you have to—is what makes reading so powerful. I’d hate for my work to be stripped of that magic. It’s like cookies that don’t get baked with love; they’re just not the same.

Reading Recommendations

No official recommendation this week, but I’d love to hear from you! What’s a romance novel that gives you flashbacks to required reading in the best (or worst) way? Hit me up with recommendations on Tiktok, Instagram, or even on here through my contact page—this goes directly to my email.

Current Reads

I’m still making my way through Filthy Rich Santas and Love Hard by Eva Ashwood, but if you haven’t noticed, reading hasn’t exactly been my top priority lately. That said, I finally got my hands on A Touch of Darkness after waiting nearly 10 weeks on hold at the library.

I’ve been hesitant to start it, though. Retellings can be hit or miss for me, especially when a book outright tells me what it’s retelling (in this case, Hades and Persephone). I prefer discovering those connections and themes organically rather than having them spelled out upfront. And if you’ve been a Tiktok follower for a while, then you know that I don’t like when things are too clearly spelled out for the readers; I don’t think it’s necessary or helpful for the reader if you’re a good writer, but also, and this is a big one, everyone is going to take something different from your writing than you. Things shouldn’t always be directly stated in black and white; let readers figure things out for themselves. So, while I want to give it a fair shot, I’m also wary of how much I’ll actually enjoy it. We’ll see how it goes.

Recent Finds Unrelated to Reading

This week, I’ve fallen down a bit of a YouTube spiral with two channels I can’t stop watching: DFBGuide and Megan Anne. They’re wildly different from each other, but both have been my go-to for background noise and deep dives.

If you’re even remotely interested in Disney parks, DFBGuide is a must-watch. They break down everything from the best snacks and hidden gems to major park updates and budget-friendly tips. I’ve actually been subscribed to this channel for a long time, but every once in a while, I watch as many videos of theirs in a row as I can—specifically anything about rides, good food, and festivals. Even though I’m not currently planning a trip, I still find myself watching their videos for the fun of it. There’s something oddly comforting about hearing all the details of what’s new in Disney World and living vicariously through their videos. Their enthusiasm makes it even better. Every time I watch, I start mentally planning an imaginary Disney trip I won’t be taking anytime soon—but hey, it’s fun to dream.

On the absolute opposite side of the spectrum, Megan Anne has been another obsession for me this week. She covers everything from deep dives into influencers, her personal journey of weight loss surgery, and talking about more personal commentary on the weird, messy world of social media. I love her delivery—she’s soft yet blunt and has a way of breaking things down that keeps you hooked. One of the videos that really stood out to me was her take on Anna O’Brien of GlitterandLazers, which had me thinking about what social media tends to turn people into depending on the reason they do it. Sure, attention is obvious, and money is a secondary bonus, but it’s very clear when someone on social media is strictly in it for the money. Overall, I appreciate Meghan’s approach to covering topics with a mix of humor and depth.

Between these two, my YouTube watch history has been a chaotic mix of Disney food guides and internet deep dives, but honestly, if you know me, this is normal.

Recent Movies & TV Shows

I haven’t had the chance to watch any new movies lately, but I’ve been watching Survivor Season 47 (the most recently completed season). It’s been a great way to catch up on the drama and strategy, and I’m loving how the game keeps evolving. Survivor always manages to pull me back in with its unpredictable twists and compelling cast. And I just love Jeff Probst; he’s such an awesome host, and I’m not surprised he’s been the only host this whole time!

I’ve also been recommended Severance, but I haven’t started it yet. The premise has me intrigued, especially with its mind-bending mix of office life and psychological thriller vibes. I’m hoping to dive into it soon once I have more time to truly focus on the plot.