Don't Judge me by the type of books I read.

I love to read. That is a pretty simple statement that is self explanatory. Although I do have my favorites among the sea of different genres I’m willing to try a book before I pass it on. With that being said dark paranormal is one of my favorite genres. I love the dark, goth, and gritty aspect of the whole world. So while I’m in the library or at a bookstore I see some stares, especially if I am with someone. Now, I am a woman of color so the stereotype is evident but with diversity blooming outside of the reading world why shouldn’t it bloom within the reading world?

I find that I connect so much better with genres outside of the norm of what is expected from me. Worlds that are built from the imagination like the shadowhunters or the Lord of the Rings trilogy are profound evidence of what the imagination can create! Those worlds are far from reality that it makes escape that much sweeter whenever a break is needed from the chaos of our surroundings. 

It's no foreign thing to be able to experience different work by authors that are not on our auto buy list. When Fifty Shades came out there were tons of different opinions of the book and most may not have been the most sanitized. It was new to the scene and most people stayed one sided with the story. I will admit that it did slightly deter my interest into reading it, I wanted to read it  but I was embarrassed to check out the physical copy from the library. Once I downloaded the ebook I realized a whole new meaning to the story. It wasn’t as one dimensional as I thought it would be. It had love, heartbreak, laughter, growth, and bittersweet moments that stories need. I personally read for escape, entertainment, or depending on my mood that is the genre that I will go for. It may not be a self help book for when times are bad but because of how the story gave me an outlet is the self help. 

There are plenty of different reading taste that are available and no one should be ashamed or embarrassed to place a book on the counter because of what someone is thinking. If erotic is my choice of genre then by all means I will pick that beauty up and read it proudly. I understand the thought process of how it may feel. I work at a library and there were plenty of times I was gently put aside and asked about certain topics for books. 

Diversity in the reading world is alright and it should be embraced proudly.