Break It Down

Hello KBers! Welcome back. Next week is Spring Break for us which means both the teenager and I get a week off. No worries, you’ll still be hearing from me next week. but I will have a whole week off from the day job to rest, relax, and most importantly, recharge. 

I’ve been taking Spring Break off with my son for the last three or four years. One reason was that I couldn’t afford the additional cost for the week-long camp that his after school program did, since the monthly alone was taxing. Another is that by the time it rolls around, I legitimately need a break. I’m not one to take random days off because they don’t do a whole lot in the long run for my mental health. However, Spring Break ends up being the perfect length of time since it’s usually always nine days off with my weekend. 

Last, but of course not least, is it is an opportunity to spend time and make memories with my kiddo. He’s not always appreciative of this, especially as we’re now a teenager. A few years ago when we went to a local zoo to spend some family time together. I swear every time we asked for a picture, it was like pulling teeth. Between all the eye rolling from my niece, nephew, and him, I’m surprised they stayed in their heads. My sister-in-law was kind in her cajoling for pictures but I’ll admit I’m more demanding in my requests. While he doesn’t appreciate it now, I know in the years to come these pictures will be a source of happy memories for him. 

Even if it is a battle for now. 

On Book Riot and Around the Web

Trisha and Jess had a new episode of When in Romance this week. They discuss inclusion and diversity in romance and also touched on the Ripped Bodice’s Diversity report, among other things. Give it a listen if you haven’t already.  

Do you like fantasy with your romance? Then this quiz is perfect for you!

If you’re a sports aficionado, you may want to pick up some of these recommendations from Joanna Shupe.

Of Royals and Romance Tropes

The big news over the weekend was the Oprah interview with Meghan and Harry. It brought to light a lot of unpleasant, if not unexpected or surprising, negative things about Meghan’s experience with the royal family. I’ll state upfront that I didn’t watch it, nor do I intend to. I feel I got enough of the knowledge I needed from the various stories that broke out after it was done.

Now, not watching isn’t because I was worried it would shatter some make-believe image I had. I was not the little girl who dreamed of becoming a princess, although I don’t begrudge anyone that fantasy. And I already knew about the double standard expectation that the media had for Meghan. No matter how they tried to dress it up, it always came back to Meghan’s biracial heritage that had them treating her like she wasn’t worthy of being part of the royal family. And it hurts to not that the family of the man you love will never accept you. Clearly, it came be overcome and they’re working on distancing themselves from that. But it still hurts. 

It’s because I feel that people in power have the ability to be more terrible than your average person because the money and status allows them to get away with almost anything. This is true for political and billionaire stories (which let’s be honest are modern day versions of the princess trope) which is why I tend to avoid those. The fact that they got away with some much and Meghan felt the way she did only reemphasizes it.

Please don’t think this is a call to cancel those types of romances, whether it’s royalty or just nobility. That’s not the case here. There seemed to be concern that this would be part of the fall out of the interview, even though I saw no one flat out state that. However, it brought to light how it’s important to recognize the problematic roots in these institutions and the tropes they inspire. It’s important to recognize that if you don’t fit the archetype of what makes a royal, they’re not going to give two figs about you. This is something that was clear to me even at the young age I was at the time of Diana’s death all those years ago. Hearing about all of Meghan and Harry’s experience just emphasizes it.

Look, we all love romance and we’re here. However, there is a reason we give a content warning for old school romances. Because there are problematic roots. Another harsh truth is that the royalty tropes has very racist undertones, whether intentional or not. This is something that I’ve discussed before in another newsletter of why Brandy’s Cinderella is still so important. And it’s one of the many reasons that Alyssa Cole’s Reluctant Royals and Runaway Royals series are so beloved, because it’s obvious from them that sometimes being a royal sucks. Lest we forget, she also wrote this amazing article back when Meghan and Harry first left.

That being said, my recommendation for the week is the Reluctant Royals series by Alyssa Cole. Personally they’re all amazing but in terms of the highlighting how draining being a royal can be, I would recommend A Princess in Theory and a Prince on Paper. 

I just want to leave you with this: it’s never too late to learn, relearn, or unlearn something. Is it hard? For sure, especially depending on how old one is. But, as long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late. It’s also not a bad thing to realize and announce that the things that you enjoy can have problematic tendencies.

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As always feel free to follow me over on Twitter under @PScribe801 for all my bookish ponderings. I also put sales as I see them there so if that’s your jam you may be able to see and snag them quicker there. Until next time.