Reading has felt unpredictable lately, but I’ve found myself drawn to speculative fiction and layered, multi-perspective storytelling. From time travel to ensemble narratives, these genres are reigniting my curiosity in ways others haven’t
For Women’s History Month, I’m spotlighting women authors who dominate my bookshelves and my heart. After combing through 700 Goodreads titles, these are the voices I return to again and again—romance writers, Black women, and storytellers who’ve shaped my reading journey.
The label “women’s fiction” was meant to highlight, but often it confines. In this post, I wanted to explore what “women’s fiction” really means, how it functions as both a marketing tool and a cultural label and whether it helps or hinders readers and writers. What does its existence says about the way we value stories by and about women?
Romance is and will always be my comfort genre, easy to pick up, always engaging, and endlessly satisfying. In this post I delve into what it is about these stories that stand out and what they tell you , about life, struggle, and connection.
As our month of love continues I explore the legitimacy of romance in the literary world. Long dismissed as frivolous, romance reflects our social values, emotional complexities, and deepest human desires. As a women‑led genre, often undermined by biases rather than merit, its joy, depth, and cultural impact prove that pleasure‑focused storytelling is not only valid, it’s vital.
One year, one hundred posts, and countless lessons later, In Novel company is a permanent fixture in my life. What started as a whim became a commitment, a challenge, and a creative home. This blog has shaped how I read, write, and think — and I’m so excited to share with you how this year of blogging has gone.
Reflections and Resolutions looks back on a year shaped by books, growth, and intentional reading. From surpassing ambitious goals to reading more widely and deeply, this post reflects on how reading evolved, what it taught me, and the resolutions guiding my reading life into 2026.
Taylor Jenkins Reid is my Author of the Year! Discovering her in 2025 has led to five reads, several five-star ratings, and a few instant favourites. Whether it’s her best-known novels or her quieter titles, her work is filled with vivid characters and vibrant storytelling and never fails to stay with me.
Historical fiction became an unexpected love this year. These stories let me learn through the lives of others, stepping into different eras while still feeling deeply connected to the present. They lingered long after I finished, reminding me how much the past shapes us — and how powerful storytelling can be.
Do book ratings really shape what we choose to read? From bestseller hype to FOMO and algorithms pushing the popular picks, it’s hard not to be influenced. But numbers don’t always tell the whole story. Sometimes, the best books are the ones we discover for ourselves — beyond the star count.
