When you think of "real" literature, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe a Jane Austen novel, woven with social satire and subtle romance, or a hefty world-renowned book on Marx's political philosophy. Perhaps its the poetics of Shakespeare or the classic prose of Tolstoy. These are the works that, for centuries, have been upheld as the pillars of culture and intellect, symbols of refined taste and sophistication. A sort of aura of respectability that is often tied with the concept of reading itself.
But as we hold these classics up as the paragons of "real" literature, what happens to the other stories—the ones found in trending BookTok lists, or in genre fiction like romance or even erotica? Are these works any less "real" simply because they're contemporary, accessible, or daringly different from tradition?
This isn't my first time talking about books through the internet. Back in eighth grade, I started a blog called BooksABlog (so creative, I know). Through it, I'd read and review young adult books, and that little blog lasted for six years. During that time, people who knew me saw me as "the reader"—someone whose intellect, they assumed, surpassed others simply because I always had a book in hand. But here's the twist: they didn't know I was devouring stories about demons, people with magic tattoos, and alien romances. To them, it didn't matter; the fact that I read something was enough to create a picture of intelligence.
But now, as adults, something shifts. We read beyond the naivety of young adult books, exploring more mature topics and sometimes delving into scenes more explicit than anything we'd find in the books of our youth. Yet even as the stories grow with us, becoming deeper, darker, more complex—we often find ourselves drawn to the same elements we grew up with: fantastical plots, mythical creatures, paranormal romance. The themes mature, the stakes heighten, and the characters face challenges that resonate with adult experiences, but something about these elements still feels familiar, still feels comforting.
However, there's a subtle change in perception. Suddenly, these stories seem to carry a different connotation. When we were young, stories of angels, demons, and other worlds were seen as imaginative, wondrous, even bold. But as adults, we're often expected to move on to "serious" literature, narratives grounded in reality, histories, or social issues. In this light, choosing to immerse ourselves in magical worlds or supernatural relationships can be seen as escapist, or even immature, a reluctance to engage with the real world.
This blog seeks to challenge that boundary, to explore what it means to label something as "real" literature, and to look at the connections, the origins, and the overlooked depth within popular and modern stories. Because perhaps all stories, whether cloaked in classic prose or celebrated on social media, carry their own kind of cultural weight. They, too, reflect human experience., spark emotions, and inspire thoughts and conversations. So maybe, just maybe, they deserve a spot in the grand mosaic of literature.
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