Battle of the Bookstores

by Ali Brady

Although it doesn’t get more personal than sharing the books you love.

I hate that I’m now questioning myself, wondering if I was rude. It’s a constant tightrope act, running a business as a woman, wanting to be respected for my abilities but knowing that no one will take me seriously unless I’m nice.

Each book was a doorway to another world, transporting us away from the chaos at home. Reading wasn’t just an escape; it was a lifeline.

Chatting with RJ feels almost like reading a good book, the kind you can’t wait to get back to—but even better because we’re writing it together as we go. There’s no pressure, no awkward pauses; I can take my time with my replies and savor every word of his. We’re characters in a story of our own making, with no real-world complications to muddy the waters. It’s comfortable and exciting all at once—and unlike anything I’ve felt in my life.

“Because it’s about the journey, not the destination,” Ryan says. “You’re willing to follow these characters to the darkest depths because you know everything will be all right in the end.”

Elaine, the woman who started the store, she used to say that the fantasy is less about the woman getting seven orgasms and more about the man wanting to give them to her. Caring about her experience. Apparently, this is so rare that women had to invent an entire genre to get that.”

“So why do you like literary fiction? To me, it’s always seemed like homework or something.” “You’re right, it’s not easy to read,” I say, and consider how to explain it. “It’s like…like mining for diamonds, and sometimes you’re stuck in the dark, chiseling through rock—but when you uncover those jewels…” I sigh happily. “It’s so worth it, more so than if they were right out in the open.”

“This is ridiculous. Why can’t these authors just imply that sex happened and skip to the next scene?” “Because it’s not just ‘insert tab A into slot B.’ Sex reveals things about a person that can’t be shown in any other way. It’s not just about the mechanics. And if you believe sex can be implied, as if it’s always the same and the details have no impact on the relationship…that might say something about how you think about sex.”

“You won’t be mad if we read tonight for a while?” I ask. “Mad?” He laughs again. “I cannot think of anything better than hanging out in bed with you and reading.”

“Because you know what happens to the characters in a romance novel?” I sigh. “Yes, Mom. They fall in love—” “They change. They grow.” Her voice goes serious. “Even when they have painful pasts or have made mistakes. Those ‘silly books’ show me that anyone can be brave and try again. It’s not that love makes everything work out perfectly—but love can create the perfect environment to face our fears.”