Princess Weekes

we are putting a microscope into women's bookshelves.

But women are still people and it can also reinforce patriarchy.

I think you take it seriously.

And I think that there's no reason not to.

I think that romance is like,

I think seeing yourself be loved is one of the most radical things that can happen to people.

And I think that when it's been done by authors of color, queer authors, we see that in action and also just the possibilities of what it means.

And I think that it's a great mirror to yearning and desire and communication.

And I think taking it seriously is what matters and to fight the urge to want to throw an entire blanket

over the readership, and instead be very clear about the text and the archetypes that it represents that are the issue, not necessarily that some people might have an affection for it.

And if you are going to call out that affection, say why.

If you're going to call out why that's a problem, be specific.

One duology that I really loved was The Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross.

It was in the Romanticist section.

I don't know if that's really what they would describe it as, but it is sort of like this World War equivalent where these two rival journalists begin to fall in love through exchanging these letters on their enchanted typewriters.

But they both go through these amazing character journeys in the middle of a war scene where they both have to challenge, you know, their own expectations for themselves, but also their families.

It's also YA.

And the way I was kicking my feet when I was reading this book, I was just like, I love this.

I love them.

I love what they're doing.