aTORO Thought: 3amBookEater

I have always felt more comfortable reading a book. Books were full of characters that were magic, they rode dragons and unicorns or went on quests, they cast spells or ripped through time and space. Sometimes they ran a business, or owned a horse or knew a vampire or were a student who also knew impressive defense training. Books were dystopian, real-world, fantasy, friendship, and love. They were the women I wished I was brave enough to be and the friends I wished I’d had when I was younger.

I had something revolutionary happen for my inner child a few months ago. I was reel scrolling on Instagram and over and over again I kept seeing these book reviews. And not just book reviews, but YA and Romance reviews…with people MY AGE (30’s). These women were talking about current books in these genres that I’ve been obsessed with since adolescence and that I make jokes constantly about my Kindle being full of.

Not only were these people talking about these books and giving recommendations, but it was THE WAY they were gushing, fanning and whisper screaming about the characters, the plot, the love triangles, the twists and the preferred ships that never occur. These people were openly doing something I have been forcing on loved one’s MY ENTIRE LIFE.

As soon as I realized what was happening, I followed about ten bookstagramers and the absolute peace my inner child has felt makes me want to weep. I may be a weirdo who cries over my books or throws them when I’m angry for what the author has done to my shipped couple or stay up until 3am because I HAVE TO KNOW what happens next…but I am also not the only one who does this. I have been a member of this community I didn’t even know existed and it’s one less thing I feel isolated by now as I continue on my adulthood journey of understanding my personality and loving all parts of myself. ?

So if there are other 30-somethings out there who have been forcing their partners to hear them read aloud or have had a door knocked on because they could “hear you crying from across the house”…stay invested in your books, love them, and find some people to follow or start your own. We have a space, you are weird and awesome, and both things can be true. My inner kiddo just high-fived yours and I can’t wait for the next review. Happy reading!

Book series that filled my bookshelf

·?????A Series of Unfortunate Events, Lemony Snicket

·?????Deltora Quest, Jennifer Rowe

·?????Fallen series, Lauren Kate

·?????Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin

·?????Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling

·?????Heartland, Lauren Brooke

·?????His Dark Materials series, Philip Pullman

·?????House of Night series, P.C Cast + Kristin Cast

·?????Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

·?????Protector of the Small series / The Immortals series / Circle of Magic series, Tamora Pierce

·?????Redwall series, Brian Jacques

·?????The Black Stallion Series / The Island Stallion Series, Walter Farley

·?????The Inheritance Cycle, Christopher Paolini

·?????The Morganville Vampire series, Rachel Caine

·?????The Sevenwaters Trilogy, Juliet Marillier

·?????Twilight series, Stephanie Meyers

·?????Unicorns of Balinore, Mary Stanton

·?????Vampire Academy series / Bloodlines series, Richelle Mead

Historical Romance Authors

·?????Kathleen Woodiwiss

·?????Lisa Kleypass

·?????Anna Harrington

·?????Julia Quinn

·?????Tessa Dare

·?????Nicole Jordan

Romance Authors

·?????A.L. Jackson

·?????Liz Tomforde

·?????Meghan Quinn

·?????Amy Daws

·?????Anne-Marie Meyer