Reading Roundup #33: Avidly Reading Guilty Pleasures

The past week or so of reading has been filled with ups and downs, as I tried and dropped several books but also managed to complete a few (with varying levels of enjoyment). But they all have one thing in common – they fit squarely in the realm of “guilty pleasures”: tropey medieval romances, pure ’80s drama, glitzy Hollywood romance, etc. And then I topped it all off with Arielle Zibrak’s Avidly Reads Guilty Pleasures from New York University Press, which utterly enthralled me and, with its insights into the nature of guilty pleasures, felt like the perfect cap to the week!

The Castle of the Wolf (“The Knights’ Prizes” #1) by Margaret Moore: This felt like a pretty standard medieval romance, with all the conventions, but it was a fun, easy read, and mainly worth it for that one moment of girl power when the female lead gets to save the hero and take down the bad guy.

Rivals (“Rutshire Chronicles” #2) by Jilly Cooper: Two of my friends convinced me to read this one, promising me prime ’80s trash, and boy, did it deliver! Now, when I call this trash, I’m talking about the best kind of trash: glamorous, high-powered aristocrats and cut-throat television professionals, sprawling drama, and terrible, horrible people doing terrible, horrible things to eachother and being highly entertaining while doing so. I may have hated most of the characters, but I loved Cooper’s writing and watching them all get their just desserts. This is a new favorite, and my friends are even now recommending more delightful “trash” for me to devour! You were right, friends. You were right, and I honor your for your questionable taste.

The Perfect Kiss (“Merridew Sisters” #4) by Anne Gracie: Another Anne Gracie series complete! Like the third book in the “Merridew” series, this one was a bit of a letdown for me. Maybe I was just in a mood and unwilling to let things pass, but I kept looking at the hero, who, admittedly, has his moments of charm, and asking, “Really? This guy?” Because, honestly, what a dirt bag. But most of all, I was disappointed by our heroine, Grace. She was one of my favorite Merridews in the previous books, but her sparkle dims a bit here, and honestly, she’s a terrible friend. And I missed being among the family!

Ruined (“Barnes Brothers” #4) by Shiloh Walker: This one had such potential for romance and angst, and I was ready for it, only to be disappointed again. It was fine, I suppose, and I didn’t hated it, but I really wanted to spend more time on the actual relationship between the leads. Instead, the majority of the book was taken up by the contrived “who’s the baby daddy?” secret, and the ending felt rushed and unearned. Still, it was fun spending time in the glamorous Hollywood setting and meeting all the fun side characters.

Avidly Reads Guilty Pleasures by Arielle Zibrak: In this delightful short book (really an extended essay), Zibrak breaks down and reclaims the idea of the “guilty pleasure,” paying particular attention to its link to the femme identity and experience (Zibrak is wonderfully inclusive in her writing about gender). I think anyone who’s grown up feeling shamed (even quietly) for liking romcoms or romance novels or anything society labels “girly,” will instantly relate to how Zibrak examines shame and pleasure, as well as the way those feelings are inextricably linked to femininity in our society. I’d call this a must-read for anyone living in a patriarchal society, especially if you’ve ever wondered why your friend likes (or why you yourself life) torrid bodice-rippers and other “trashy” entertainment. Zibrak’s prose tends toward an academic tone, so it may take more effort to parse if you’re not used to reading literary criticism, but it’s a short read, and I promise it’s worth it. My thanks to NetGalley and NYU Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Even if I didn’t love every book I read this week, there is still something very comforting about the “guilty pleasure” stories (whether you actually feel guilty about them or not, I think we can all agree we know the type of books that get that label). I knew what to expect, and, even if I rolled my eyes at some of the escapism aspects, I still enjoyed the escapism. Because… there’s nothing wrong with wanting to spend a few hours in another world, even if you wouldn’t want to actually live there! Sometimes, the brain just needs a break from real life, and in that respect, these books certainly served their purpose for me, and for that, I am grateful.

–b