A reflection on my evolution as a reader.
If at any point in my life, you were to ask me what my favourite hobby was, I would have said reading. I was always nose-deep in a book. As a child, it was my primary source of entertainment, and I can count the number of buses I missed because I wasn’t paying attention. I have come a long way since then, having gone through all the reading stages, and I have somehow landed back where I first started, being a lover of all genres. My Reading taste has evolved with age, experience, and exposure. This post is all about going through that evolution in chronological order and exploring how I got here today.
My Childhood Reading Taste
As a child, I read books across a wide range of genres, from the whimsical classics of Roald Dahl to the heartfelt tales of Michael Morpurgo. I was naturally curious and open to everything, from fantasy to action and beyond. However, when I think about the author who truly defined my childhood, one name stands out: Jacqueline Wilson.
To be honest, her work laid the foundation for the kinds of books I gravitated toward in my teenage years, and even the romance novels I enjoy today. Jacqueline Wilson wrote about real life and tough experiences, topics like drug addiction, mental health, adoption, divorce, and domestic violence, to name just a few.
She had a unique gift for presenting heavy, complex themes in a way that was accessible to young minds, without watering down their impact. Her stories didn’t just entertain, they taught us about the world we lived in and the realities many families face.
Looking back, I realise her books weren’t so different from the romance novels I now enjoy. Both explore relationships, emotional struggles, and the human condition, just through different lenses.
Teenage Years
During my teenage years, I was still reading physical books and discovering authors like John Green and Meg Cabot, who introduced me to romance and leaned heavily into young adult themes. It was around this time that I came across Malorie Blackman, the first black author I loved, but also the author whose work exposed me to sex and intimacy in literature. I also discovered the controversial yet compelling Kevin Brooks, an author I still highly recommend. Even as an adult, his books like Candy and The Bunker Diary continue to linger in my mind.
That said, my teen reading life was ultimately defined by Wattpad – and Wattpad only. I’ve talked about Wattpad on this blog before and how deeply it shaped not just the kinds of books I enjoy today, but also the way I read. Wattpad immersed me in romance, especially the kind where trauma plays a central role, something many contemporary romance authors still rely on heavily.
It was also where my obsession with supernatural and paranormal romance truly began. That said, those particular genres never really translated into adulthood for me. Every time I try to read a supernatural romance now, it feels too much like a Wattpad novel. I know that might sound like a criticism, but it’s really just a reflection of the quality of writing tailored to the demographic at the time. It served its purpose then and served it well. I can still enjoy those kinds of books today, but they occupy a very specific part of my brain that simply cannot be shifted.
Early Adulthood
Wattpad eventually led me straight to Kindle Unlimited, where I consumed more than my fair share of… let’s call them “plot-heavy” books. I’ve read all kinds of stories, ones I hesitate to label as rubbish, because they definitely appeal to a specific audience and mindset (God, that still sounds so judgmental!). Honestly, I read those kinds of books with my brain switched off, just enjoying the chaos and drama for what it was, pure entertainment.
But growing up on Wattpad also taught me how to critically dissect stories. It’s where I first started paying attention to writing style, narrative structure, and character development. That ability to analyse and appreciate the craft of storytelling only deepened in my late teens and early adulthood (which I’m still in, by the way). Over time, I found myself drawn to stories with more emotional depth and meaningful themes where stories focused just as much on societal issues as well as plot ( notice what I said at the beginning about Jacqueline Wilson?) eventially, the writing itself felt was just as rewarding as the plot and it’s as though I came full circle.
My Current Reading Taste
For the longest time, I was exclusively a romance reader (we know this!). It was where I felt most comfortable, and, frankly, the most easily entertained. But this blog has pushed me to branch out and explore more, just like I used to when I was younger.
With age and maturity, I’ve found myself seeking something different from the books I read, stories that reflect real-life experiences, challenge my perspective, or help me better understand the world and the people in it. In a way, it’s a return to the curiosity that first made me fall in love with reading. Honestly, I’m so grateful to live in a world where that kind of literary exploration is just a few clicks away.
Final Thoughts
I think these changes say a lot about my personal growth as a reader, but also highlight that the things I look for in the books I read haven’t changed all that much. That’s not to say I’m judging anyone who sticks to the same genre or finds comfort in familiar stories – reading is a personal thing. Always do what works for you and what brings you joy. Your growth is yours to define.
I hope this post gives you a little more insight into who I am. I truly love this blog and everything it’s given me, and I hope you’ll stick around and continue on this journey with me!
Signed,
