gay romance | Delilah Devlin

Genevive Chamblee: Why Some Authors Read Reviews

Friday, August 15th, 2025

I will begin this post with a plea and disclaimer: Please don’t shoot the messenger. I understand that the topic may be polarizing for some. I write from a place of nonjudgment and, to the best of my ability, objectivity.

It has long been said that authors should not read reviews because reviews are for readers and not authors. Should an author violate this golden rule, they are warned to never interact with any poster or make comments on the thread. I won’t say that I disagree with this…for the most part. I agree reviews are for readers and not authors. I also believe any author reading reviews should only do so if they have a thick skin. Negative reviews (whether valid or not) are all part of the writing gig, and every reader has a right to have and voice his/her opinion. Also, authors should avoid commenting regardless of how egregious he/she believes the comment is. In short, book review sites should be viewed as readers’ safe spaces.

However… There is a reason authors may reader reviews, and it may not be for reasons many people think. Here’s the real tea. Some authors read reviews not to stroke their egos (although I’m sure some do) but to hear the voices of their readers. That’s right. Many authors want to know their readers’ opinions whether it’s good, bad, or indifferent. And they may not hear what readers are saying unless they go to review pages, and here’s why.

If a book is getting slammed or trashed (or the opposite—praised and all kinds of accolades), the author may want to know what about the book is working or not working; what to fix the next time around, and what to keep doing. I know; I know. I hear you. That’s what beta readers are for. Yeah, but…

I heard someone make a very eloquent argument regarding this very point. He/she argued that if authors want to know what’s wrong with their books, they should get more beta readers. However, he/she omitted something extremely important. Actually, I’m willing to bet it wasn’t an intentional omission. Rather, I don’t think the person making the argument knew what I’m about to say. See, many authors who are traditionally published do not get to select their beta readers or how many. That is done by the publisher, and this occurs after the manuscript is completed by the author and has entered the publishing house editing phase. It is edited by professional editors and then given to betas.

Second, some publishers do not allow authors to share their work with betas other than the ones selected by the publisher. And it makes sense. It makes no sense to have betas read it before it’s edited. The version the betas read may differ from the final version the publisher approves. For example, entire scenes or characters may be deleted. Betas need to read the draft as it nears its final form.

So, when the reviews of a book are different than the feedback given by betas, the only way the author understands what is happening is by going to the source. The source is book review sites. That is where authors bridge the gap between readers and betas.

Oh, did someone ask about ARC readers? Okay, here’s the skinny on that. For traditionally published writers, ARC readers are receiving the final version. This means the book is in production, and changes cannot be made at that point. So, using ARC reader feedback for future reference is perfect. But again, as with beta readers, for traditionally published authors, most ARC readers are selected by the publisher. The number of ARC books the author is allowed to give is limited.

Now, let’s put this into a scenario. Jane is a traditionally published author. Her publisher selects 20 betas. All the betas give excellent feedback (excellent in that they point out mistakes, issues, inconsistencies, and give valid/poignant feedback. Jane listens to this feedback and tweaks the issues. The book is then sent to 10 ARC readers who give Jane mostly positive feedback. Then, the book is released, and it is dragged in the reviews. Jane is baffled as to why. To find the answer, she reads the reviews. If she doesn’t read the reviews, there is a risk she will never know what went wrong. Low and behold, what she reads in the reviews is nothing that has ever been mentioned by editors, betas, or ARC readers. The author is in the dark. The only way for her to step into the light is to read the reviews.

By far, the biggest issues occur when the author interacts, and there’s a disagreement in opinions. All I can say is that authors are people, too, and sometimes emotions get the best of them. But I did hear one person express that authors have “all of the power” and it’s a “punch down” if they respond negatively to a reader. This is really only the case if an author is well-established and has a large following. When negative reviews are left for less established or new authors, the impact and affect is more devastating.

Remember grades back in school? If a student has 4 tests and makes 100, 100, 100, 40, his/her average is 85. If another student makes 98, 98, 98, 95, 95, 95, 95, 95, 95, 95, 40, 40, his/her average 86.5 or 87, which is slightly higher. When there are only a few scores, each one matters a lot. With lots of scores, a bad one gets lost in the crowd. In short, if you’re baking with just 4 ingredients, one bad spice ruins the whole dish. But if you’re cooking with a dozen ingredients, that one odd spice barely changes the flavor.

So, when it comes to less established or new authors, the power dynamic usually isn’t in their favor. It truly is in the hands of readers who can very easily destroy their writing careers before it starts, especially if what is expressed is incorrect, malicious, or done by bully. And while this is not a justification for authors to interact/respond on review threads, it is to dispel the ideology that authors have an “upper” hand in the balance between the reader-author relationship.

For authors, writing is their job. They put their creative effort (a.k.a., their babies) out there for the world for readers to consume. Many times, it opens a vulnerability, and it’s difficult to watch (especially to do so quietly) one’s hard work being ripped to shreds, especially if unduly so. It’s difficult not feel the need to defend. Yet, this is the position authors must take. It is an accepted liability when an author publishes a work that it becomes fair game. They are expected to handle criticism (and should) professionally. So, this isn’t to ask for forgiveness for those authors who have violated this or acted poorly, but it is to ask that maybe they be shown a tad bit of grace for being human with a full range of emotions who may have in the moment gotten into their feelings. Authors love their readers (all of them). Without readers, authors are… Fill in the blank.

Much love and respect to all readers.

And that’s all I’ve got for today. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. Let me know your thoughts below in the comment section. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. And if you like this post, consider clicking the like button and sharing.

Demon Rodeo

If Brokeback Mountain, 8 Seconds, Poltergeist, and Supernatural had an orgy, Demon Rodeo would be the lovechild.

Demon Rodeo is available now on Amazon. For video book trailers, visit my TikTok page. The full blurb is on my Instagram and Amazon.

Demon Rodeo is the first book in the Chasing the Buckle series but can be read as a standalone. It’s a friends-to-lovers romance set in the rodeo world. These are not your typical cowboys. It’s a widely diverse cast of characters and a mashup of genres that aren’t always seen together. If you’re looking for a palate cleanser, this may be a book for you.

Order
⇨ Amazon: https://readerlinks.com/l/4174852
⇨ All Stores: https://books2read.com/u/bP8RG7

*Note: All of my books can be purchased from brick-and-mortar bookstores (e.g., Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million, etc.) as well if requested at the checkout counter.)

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.

If you’re not following my blog, Creole Bayou, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click here and sign up today.

Want to chat about writing, mental health, Cajun cuisine, Creole culture, or just spill some tea? If yes, let’s get connected. Follow me on one of my social links. There’s plenty to choose from.

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Locker Room Love
Locker Room Love Series

Are you searching for a sexy book boyfriend? You’ve come to the right place.

Out of the Penalty Box (book #1) One minute in the box or a lifetime out.
Defending the Net (book #2) Crossing the line could cost the game.
Ice Gladiators (book #3) When the gloves come off, the games begin.
Penalty Kill (book #4) Let the pucker begin.
Future Goals (book #5) The future lies between a puck and a net.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Genevive, and I am a contemporary sports romance author. My home is in South Louisiana. If you like snark and giggles with a touch of steamy Cajun and Creole on the side, I may have your poison in my stash of books. Drop by the bayou and have a look around. The pirogues are always waiting for new visitors.

Tagged: contemporary romance, gay romance, Guest Blogger, paranormal romance, sports romance
Posted in General | Say Something | Link

Gabbi Grey: My Gay Cinderella (Contest)

Thursday, August 14th, 2025

Hello, Delilah! Thank you for inviting me here today to discuss my new short story in a great anthology!

You’re thinking…gay Cinderella? And the short story is entitled, Finding Mr. Rogers?

I’ll explain.

When The New Romance Café put together their list of 2025 anthologies, I did what I do best — I signed up for ALL of them. Which meant Plot Whisperer and I had to get busy. Some were easier than others. For instance, for paranormal Jane Austen she did a retelling of Pride and Prejudice involving supernatural creatures. Only she had the entire thing planned out in great detail. I was like, you know this is 15k words…right?

She paused.

I asked is she’d like the story for herself.

Twenty-four hours later, she said she would.

I pushed, nudged, and shoved her until she wrote that book. Fingers crossed, she eventually publishes it because it’s freaking brilliant.

But I needed a story. She helped me with a paranormal retelling of another Austen book (coming in October, stay tuned).

I said Fairy Tale.

She said…what’s it now?

We went back and forth. I’d done a gay retelling of Beauty and the Beast, so that was out. She said, “How about Rapunzel?” Since I was in the middle of my “hell, yes” year, I said, “Sure.”

Probably should’ve read the story first. Anyway, Plot Whisperer whispered me a plot I couldn’t figure out. I was tired, stressed, working on a full-length novel, so I pulled out of the anthology.

Yeah…that lasted a couple of months. Then, I was talking to Plot Whisperer. I asked what scenario, in modern times, could you be caught with someone and not see their face? Interestingly, I was the one who came up with an elevator.

BOOM. I had my story.

But what could “Cinderella” leave behind? When they’re rescued, why does “Prince Charming” not see him? To find out, you’ll have to read Finding Mr. Rogers which is contained in Love’s Forever Tale. No magic…just real-life fairy tale situations.

Thank you for letting me share the genesis of my short story.

Contest: As a gift to one of your readers, I would love to give away a copy of my gay retelling of Beauty and the Beast, titled The Beauty of the Beast. It’s a grumpy/sunshine story with an Aussie, a Canadian, a dog named Chip, and a diffident cat named Maurice. Just comment – what was your favorite fairy tale growing up? Or, which fairy tale would you like to see as a story? Random will select a winner. Good luck!

Love’s Forever Tale: A Contemporary Fairytale Retellings Collection

Classic fairytales reimagined for the modern world—where happily ever after is just a kiss away.

In Love’s Forever Tale, beloved fairytales are transformed into contemporary romance stories that blend timeless lore with today’s love stories. From swoon worthy kisses to fierce heroines finding their own way, each tale delivers a fresh twist on the fairytales you know and love.

From skyscraper castles to bustling small towns, these stories weave love and laughter into tales of passion and redemption.

Perfect for fans of fairytales, romance, and second chances, Love’s Forever Tale is a collection that will make you believe in happily ever after all over again.

Authors:
Marley Reese
Gabbi Grey
S.M. Potter
Faye Byrd
Lisabel Chretien
Jewelz Baxter
Michelle Moncrieff
MacKade
C.J. Laurence

The anthology will only be available for a limited time.

Links:
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/tnrc2025lovesforevertale
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DMMN15GV
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221428451-love-s-forever-tale

Finding Mr. Rogers by Gabbi Grey

Jameson

This is the day from hell. My reviewer Robin rejected the paperwork I spent days finishing. And now the power’s cut off, trapping me in an elevator with a stranger. I hate confined spaces. I hate being helpless. My vision tunnels in, I’m shivering, and damn, I’m about to hit the floor in a panic attack. Only the soothing voice of the man I’m stuck with keeps me from falling off the emotional cliff. But then the doors open, and he’s gone, leaving me clutching the sweater he wrapped around me. I have no clue who he is. All I know is, he was kind and strong and compassionate in my toughest moment, and I want to thank him. If I can just find him again…

Finding Mr. Rogers is a 13K gay romance retelling of Cinderella about searching for the elusive stranger after that one perfect moment.

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.

Personal links:
Website: https://gabbigrey.com/
Newsletter sign-up: https://sendfox.com/gabbigrey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgabbigrey/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gabbi-grey
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15456297.Gabbi_Grey
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/Gabbi-Grey/e/B07SJVFX1M
Audible Profile: https://www.audible.com/author/Gabbi-Grey/B07SJVFX1M
Facebook (page): https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGabbiGrey

Tagged: contemporary romance, gay romance, Guest Blogger
Posted in Contests!, General | 4 People Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: Pansy Petal - Debra - Colleen C. - BN -

Gabbi Grey: When Visiting Someone Else’s Town (Contest)

Monday, August 4th, 2025

Hello, Delliah! Thank you for inviting me to visit today and to share my newest release! Finding Noah is part of Foggy Basin Season 2. Foggy Basin is a fictional town in Northern California. Small town, mostly friendly folk, plenty of queer people to go around.

The multi-author series is in its second year, and I was asked to join. I didn’t hesitate. I love shared worlds and, of course, I write gay romance. Most specifically, I tend to write small-town gay romance. I’ve been part of several other series (Gaynor Beach, Deerbourne Inn, The Haunting of Pinedale High, to name a few), so the concept isn’t new to me. Still, every time I embark upon one of these projects, I worry.

Once I get over that stress and actually settle down to write my book, I do investigations. I read previous books (if there are any), and I ask questions. I try to find ways to connect my book to previous or future ones. I did that with Finding Noah. In particular, there’s a character who will be in a later book this season. I coordinated with that author, wrote my couple of scenes, and then had them read over what I’d written. They were thrilled. I did something similar with two other characters, although they were more passing references than in-depth dives.

In the end, I believe I’ve told a story that is both true to the town and the series, as well as the characters I borrowed from. I have, I hope, made connections that will intrigue readers and make them want to pick up other books. Most of all, I had fun. That’s what it’s all about, right?

I will continue to sign up for these projects because I want to expose my readers to books beyond just my own. I’m grateful they’re willing to give me a shot, and I’m even more pleased when they branch out.

That’s it! Pretty simple. I’m in two more shared worlds coming up — back to Rocktoberfest for my third kick at the can – and I’ve co-written the final Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue book with a friend. Details of both of those projects are coming soon!

Thank you, Delilah, for hosting me. I would love to hear from your fans.

Contest: Do you enjoy shared worlds? How important is it for authors to make connections between the books? Let me know! Leave a comment. Random will pick one winner who will receive a copy of Yorkie to My Heart – my latest contribution to the Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue series. Good luck!

Finding Noah

Noah

I need a fresh start, and Foggy Basin, California, is the perfect place to begin my new life. The accepting small town is such a contrast to the large town I came from. Making a success of my dog-training business—Tricks, Tips, and Backflips—is important to me, and I totally lucked out when my straight best friend, Christian, decided to move with me. He makes my life easier. I just hope he’ll be as happy here as I am.

Christian

Following my best friend to Foggy Basin was a no-brainer. I’ve been in love with him since we were five years old. Problem is, I’ve never had the guts to say so, and while he’s out and proud, I’m still in the closet. Somehow, I need to find the courage to make a move before he finds someone else in this gay-friendly town, but Noah thinks I’m straight, and I’m not sure what he’ll do when I tell him that’s not exactly true.

Finding Noah is a 44k small-town, friends-to-lovers, interracial, gay romance with fresh starts, well-meaning but nosy neighbors, and some special critters who are along for the ride.

Welcome to Foggy Basin, Season Two. Just passing through? No problem. Here to stay? Well, better find your place. Sit back, relax, and get to know the townsfolk. They love hard and play even harder. Each book is a standalone, but why not stay and get to know us and read them all?

Links:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Noah-Foggy-Basin-Season-ebook/dp/B0DZRZ3XHV
Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/FindingNoah
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/229030712-finding-noah

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.

Personal links:
Website: https://gabbigrey.com/
Newsletter sign-up: https://sendfox.com/gabbigrey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgabbigrey/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gabbi-grey
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15456297.Gabbi_Grey
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/Gabbi-Grey/e/B07SJVFX1M
Audible Profile: https://www.audible.com/author/Gabbi-Grey/B07SJVFX1M
Facebook (page): https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGabbiGrey

Tagged: contemporary romance, gay romance, Guest Blogger
Posted in Contests!, General | 3 People Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: BN - Sara - Debra -

Gabbi Grey: Rucking Yet Again?!?! (Contest)

Monday, July 21st, 2025

UPDATE: The winner is…Jennifer Beyer!
*~*~*

Hello, Delilah! Thank you for welcoming me here to share my new release! Big Rucking Disaster is the eighth and final book in the Rucked by You series, and I’m hoping readers will love it! My first contribution to the series, Hot Rucking Canadian, was published seven weeks ago. For the past few weeks, I’ve sat back with nervousness and watched readers’ reactions to that book, as well as the advanced readers’ comments about this new book.

Writing rugby was out of my wheelhouse. In fact, in more than fifty published stories, I’ve only done one “sports” romance. I use the term sports loosely, as Ace’s Place (free in all retailers) has a couple of hockey scenes, but the bulk of the story is a one-night stand that becomes more.

Still, when a rugby series was proposed by the wonderful folks at The New Romance Café, I was all-in. I watched a series on Prime. I learned all that I could about the sport. I wrote the first story with incredible enthusiasm. As I waited for that book to be released, though, I realized I had another story in me. Hot Rucking Canadian is the story of Travis, a rebar worker who goes up office towers under construction for his job, and Isaiah, a rugby player. Great. Cute story about a one-night stand that becomes more (I’m sensing a theme here…).

As I was writing Travis and Isaiah’s story, I created Isaiah’s rugby team. From Roger, the blind side flanker and dad to 4 (soon to be 5) kids, to Jason, the scrum half who is about to get engaged. I also created Johnnie, the hooker and captain of the team. He was always trying to set Isaiah up, without understanding why it never worked (see previous book for that salacious detail). I wrote one throwaway line about Johnnie having gotten a woman pregnant and that he was ready to marry her. She lost the baby, and Johnnie claimed to be relieved when the engagement was broken.

Okay, simple little detail. Not much to see here. Moving on to Isaiah and Travis’s story.

Except I knew, in my heart, that Johnnie hadn’t been relieved — he’d been heartbroken. He wanted to be a dad more than anything. He might not have been desperately in love with his girlfriend, but he would’ve happily married her, and they could’ve made a life.

Still, I had another book to write, and I shelved that knowledge.

After Isaiah’s story was finished and waiting to be published, I kept coming back to Johnnie over and over. I had other books I was supposed to be writing, but he was an annoying bastard who insisted his story needed to be told. NOW!

Writers will likely know what I’m talking about. This has happened to me before and likely will again.

So I dropped everything and wrote Johnnie’s story. I shared his heartbreak and how he entered into a rebound relationship that was proving disastrous. How he meets Yardley and suddenly he’s intrigued by a man. That his bisexuality side comes to the fore. Now. He’s sort of in a relationship that’s crashing badly, so he’s not really available to start something new. I’ll leave it up to readers to say if I have the right balance, but I think I do.

The book reunites the entire Vancouver Orcas team with the members introduced in the first book as well as some new ones appearing on page for the first time. I also tied in my Rocktoberfest 2024 book, Grindstone’s Edge as one of the MCs from that book, Hugo, is good friends with Yardley. They teach at the same school and are both queer, so that slotted nicely. And of course I connected books — it’s what I do. Previous reading is in no way required, but Hugo and his love, rockstar Axel, had a special role to play in this new rugby book.

Okay, so I had another rugby novella. The nice folks at The New Romance Café let me add my book to the end of the series and Johnnie had his story. I’d say he and Yardley make a great couple. For now, my rugby writing days are behind me. That said, I have a great lesbian story lurking in the back of my mind, so if another season comes up, I’m all-in.

Thank you, Delilah, for hosting me today.

Contest: As a thanks, I would love to give away a copy of Hot Rucking Canadian to one lucky commentor. Just let me know – do you read sports romances? Is there a sport you’re tired of, one you’ll always grab, or one you’d love to read? Let me know! Random will pick a winner. Good luck!

Big Rucking Disaster

Johnnie

I’m the hooker (no, not that kind) for the Vancouver Orcas rugby squad, and my teammates are like family. They’re nosy like family too, worrying about me, even though I pretend I’m doing fine. But off the pitch, I’m stuck in a bad relationship, struggling to get along with Carly. I hope that volunteering for a local high school might make me feel I’m doing some good in the world. And the kids are great, but it’s Coach Yardley Morrison who feels like someone who might change my life. One look into his dark-brown eyes, and suddenly I’m wondering if I can make different, better choices.

Yardley

I’m convinced Johnnie Leclerc will just swoop in, sign autographs, get the kids excited, and then abandon them. Like my bastard ex-husband. So I play it smart and keep my distance from the sexy, but straight—remember he’s straight, Yardley—rugby star. But as weeks go by, the more he keeps his promises to the kids, staying patient and kind with them, the more attractive I find him. I know better than to hit on a guy like that, of course. Except every now and then, our gazes meet, and I don’t think I’m imagining the heat I see.

Big Rucking Disaster is a 29k word opposites attract, age-gap, bi-awakening, interracial gay sports novella with a by-the-book coach and the hell-raising hooker who wants to change his ways.

Links:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Rucking-Disaster-Rucked-You-ebook/dp/B0FB7FVF4J
Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/RuckingDisaster
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235371270-big-rucking-disaster

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell.

Personal links:
Website: https://gabbigrey.com/
Newsletter sign-up: https://sendfox.com/gabbigrey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgabbigrey/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gabbi-grey
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15456297.Gabbi_Grey
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/Gabbi-Grey/e/B07SJVFX1M
Audible Profile: https://www.audible.com/author/Gabbi-Grey/B07SJVFX1M
Facebook (page): https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGabbiGrey

Tagged: contemporary romance, gay romance, Guest Blogger, sports romance
Posted in Contests!, General | 7 People Said | Link
Last 5 people who had something to say: BN - Sara - cindy - flchen - Jennifer Beyer -

Genevive Chamblee: Symbolism in Literature

Friday, July 18th, 2025

Back in my day—cos, yeah, I’m old as dirt now it seems—literature was a required course in high school. By literature, I mean the classics: To Kill a Mocking Bird, Of Mice and Men, The Old Man and the Sea, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, The Great Gatsby, The Crucible, The Scarlett Letter, Animal Farm, Where the Red Fern Grows, The Catcher in the Rye, The Canterbury Tales, The Iliad, The Odyssey, Beowulf, Lord of the Flies, Flowers in the Attic, Waiting for Godot, and anything by William Shakespear. My high school prided itself on using the Stanford University reading list as a guide for our literature classes. The teachers stressed that reading these books would help us become well-rounded and develop critical thinking. I’ll be honest. Back then, I didn’t know what that meant or where I would use any of this information; therefore, I took their word for it. But it was no hardship because I liked reading. I like literature, even the Old English that was like plodding through mud at times. I remember being one of the only students in my literature class to get the jokes of The Canterbury Tales without the teacher explaining them.

Later in life, when I became a parent, the belief that learning literature was beneficial stuck with me. Soon after learning to read—and even before if I’m honest, cos audiobooks are a thing—I began loading my child’s Kindle with the classics. When we went to the library—which was every two weeks, but sometimes weekly—I insisted that she get at least one classic. And our library was really excellent at having many of the classics (e.g., Where the Red Fern Grows, Moby Dick, and The Outsiders) in watered-down versions easily digestible for youths and younger children. I was proud of myself for being a responsible and studious parent. That is, until I bumped into the son of the daycare owner.

Things happen for a reason. Decent daycare was hard to find, and affordable daycare was nearly impossible. So, when a situation occurred, and I had to switch daycares, I was more than stressed. But as luck would have it, a new daycare was opening. In fact, my child was the first to enroll there. And it wasn’t any daycare. The owner had a vision to treat it like a school, but not like a preschool. In the summer, daycare was full-time, but during the fall, only after-school care was provided. Thus, all attendees were school age. Furthermore, the attendees were divided into three groups (by age), and every two weeks, there were themes. For example, two weeks would focus on the American Frontier. All field trips, books read, movies watched, and activities would be based on this theme. Each room of the daycare was designed like a specialized classroom. For example, one room was designated for science and one for math. In the math room, the kids might engage in activities to calculate the number of days it would take a family traveling in a prairie schooner to travel from Boston to Salt Lake City, or (after a panning for “gold” activity) how to weigh gold and calculate how much it was worth. The idea was to get the kids to learn without them knowing they were learning. I loved it, and so did my kiddo actually. However, there was one rule that made this information pertinent to this post.

The kids had an hour of downtime to do whatever they wanted during the schedule. Of course, handheld game systems (hello, Nintendo) were popular. Due to concerns that the video games might get lost, broken, traded, or stolen, they were prohibited. This meant the kids had to find other ways to entertain themselves during the downtime. I sent books. This is when the owner’s son, who was in college at the time, informed my child that reading the classics would not help her in school or make her smarter. He went on to say that reading them was a waste of time. Because of him, my child became disinterested in the classics. I was livid.

Now, do I have proof that what my teachers said to me all those years ago is true? Nope. At this point, did I even care if it was true? Not really. Did I double down and go full-barrel on this young buck, that he didn’t know what he was talking about? Absolutely!

So, what were my arguments for reading the classics?

Developing Critical Thinking: Classic literature often presents intricate characters, ethical conflicts, and multi-layered narratives. Exploring and analyzing these elements encourages readers to think more deeply and critically about human behavior, motives, and societal issues.
Expanding and Building Vocabulary: Many classic stories use rich, precise language and varied sentence structures and diction. These elements can broaden one’s vocabulary, enhance reading comprehension, and improve writing skills.
Emotional Intelligence and Empathy: By encountering a wide range of diverse characters from various cultures and historical periods, readers can develop empathy and a more nuanced understanding of the human experience
Lessons in History: Classic literature frequently reflects the values, struggles, and worldviews of the time in which they were written. They may give readers a perspective and understanding of different historical periods and social contexts.

It is my understanding that many current grammar and high school educational programs do not require or even teach literature as an elective, and I think that’s a real shame. It makes me wonder if something is lost in how modern readers read.

I look at the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Now, I know for many people she’s very polarizing. However, no one can deny that she has sold a lot…and I do mean a lot…of books. She has a very dedicated fan base. Just one internet search proves this. But what I’d like to focus on is how many videos discuss the meaning in the smallest of details. Are all of them intentional? In my opinion, no. That doesn’t take away meaning from or lessen the stories, though. On the contrary, it shows that readers are looking for a deeper meaning.

But in today’s contemporary romances, are those symbols and small details appreciated? Or are they overlooked? Do readers take the time to read between the lines, or do they require everything to be blatantly explained? Is symbolism in writing even noticed, or does it require too much thinking? If published today, would books like Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? or A Raisin in the Sun be successful and appreciated?

So, why is symbolism in writing important?

Adds Depth and Layers of Meaning: Symbolism allows writers to convey complex ideas in subtle, nuanced ways. A single object or image can represent multiple themes, enriching the text beyond its surface meaning.
Encourages Critical Thinking: Interpreting symbols requires readers to think analytically and read between the lines, fostering deeper engagement and interpretation skills.
Connects Themes and Ideas: Symbols may serve as unifying threads throughout a story to help tie together characters, themes, and plot points in meaningful ways.
Represents Universal and Timeless Concepts: Symbols often represent universally recognized ideas that are widely understood, making the story more meaningful and relatable across historical periods and diverse cultures.
Encourages Personal Interpretation: Symbolism allows readers to bring their own experiences and perspectives to the text, leading to varied and personalized interpretations.
Dang Good Storytelling: Symbols contribute to the overall mood of a story. For instance, a rising sun can symbolize hope, new beginnings, or enlightenment, or dark weather can symbolize doom or despair. These ideas can shape how the reader feels while reading. Additionally, instead of stating themes outright, authors use symbols to “show” meaning through images, actions, or settings. They can evoke emotions more powerfully than direct statements.

That’s a wrap on today’s topic. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section.