Essays
How Romance Novels Influence Perspectives
Discover book influencer Kimmy’s journey of rekindling her love for reading and how she uncovered how romance novels can transform our worldview and enhance our empathy.
Daniel Ebomwonyi
Kimberly “Kimmy” Nwokorie is a popular BookTok creator known for her vibrant book reviews and engaging content that brings literature to life for her followers. She has built a strong community by sharing thoughtful recommendations, diverse book discussions, and her passion for storytelling. Kimmy’s videos often focus on amplifying underrepresented voices in the literary world and encouraging others to explore new genres and authors. With her authentic and relatable approach, she has become a trusted influencer in the book-loving community. You can connect with her on Instagram and Booktok, @kimmybookss.
Reading romance books made me a better person, let me tell you why. It all started when I was a sophomore in college in 2020, during the pandemic. My degree was very demanding, but I finally had free time for the first time in a while, and I wanted to do something useful with it. I always wanted to get back into reading. I loved to do so as a kid, but I fell off the wagon during high school, so I figured this was the best time. But where do I start? Being the chronically online 19-year-old girl I was, I started hearing about Percy Jackson and the Olympians again, the first series I really fell in love with as a kid. That’s when I decided it was in my best interest to continue my reading journey where it all began.
From there, it blossomed, and romance became my favorite genre. While reading the Percy Jackson series, I was always captivated by Percy and Annabeth’s relationship. So, it felt like a natural fit for me, and that’s when I discovered the world of BookTok. At the time, this corner of the internet primarily focused on fantasy books, making it somewhat challenging to find romance recommendations. Then suddenly, romance novels were everywhere, and I found myself at the forefront of the trend. There was so much to learn within genres and tropes, that I didn’t know the difference between NA (New Adult) and YA (Young Adult). I had no idea there was an entire genre of romance dedicated to confused young women entering their twenties and navigating their relationships. It was exhilarating. As I started to pick up as many books as I could and escape into different worlds, I found there was so much to discover.
So why does reading romance make me a better person? Reading romance novels gave me the opportunity to experience and understand perspectives that I otherwise would never have been able to grasp. It has helped me see relationships, both platonic and romantic, firsthand and understand how those relationships can impact people. Not only are the people in the relationships affected, but also the people around them. Reading about lived experiences that are not your own provides a unique perspective, and I feel a lot of people should do it. It builds empathy, understanding, and overall respect. It’s also very educational; I have learned so much about mental health, physical health, the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC experiences, and stories from other Black women like me. It’s important to understand and have compassion for the people around you, as this helps you navigate situations and be the best ally you can be in those spaces.
It’s also important to have something personal to bring you joy. A favorite book, or a favorite character, to turn to whenever you’re feeling down or for whatever reason. Reading fiction is simply just enjoyable. These stories have the power to inspire, entertain, and evoke a wide range of emotions. There’s a large sense of community around books. I have found some of my lifelong friends through the book community, and it’s very fulfilling. Reading romance has not only given me stories to escape into, but it has also shaped the way I see the world and the people around me, reminding me that sometimes the best way to understand life is through the love, struggles, and triumphs of others.
