The Weekend Reader on The Reading Comprehension Crisis

Is there actually a reading comprehension problem in the bookish community, or is it an expectation problem? This week on We Read Smut, Alesia welcomes back Lynell (aka The Weekend Reader) to dive deep into her viral Substack article on literacy, the evolution of content creation, and why reading diversely is the ultimate tool for expanding your perspective. Whether you're a creator struggling with the algorithm or a reader looking to get more out of your favorite tropes, this conversation is a must-listen.

Weekend Reader is a book blogger and bookstagrammer who enjoys sharing recommendations with busy readers. Weekend Reader reads and reviews contemporary fiction, specifically romance, but enjoys reading widely. Additionally, Weekend Reader is committed to supporting indie authors with an emphasis on authors of color in her recommendations. When the Weekend Reader isn't reading or reviewing, she's baking and snacking. 

In this episode, we're discussing:

• Comprehension vs. Expectation: Lynell argues that while literacy issues exist, the real "crisis" in the book space is the clash between long-form analysis and short-form algorithms that reward shock value over critique.
• The Value of Intentional Reading: Reading isn't just about self-insertion or relating to a character; it's about curiosity and understanding the "what if" behind an author's choices.
• Diversity as a "Window": Following the philosophy of authors like Kennedy Ryan, Alesia and Lynell discuss how diverse books act as windows into adjacent cultures (like Chilean or Mexican traditions) that broaden empathy and reading skills.
• The "Mojo" of Content Creation: Many creators feel burnt out trying to "stay the same." Lynell and Alesia emphasize that it is okay to evolve, change your favorite tropes, or shift toward more analytical content.
• Romance as a Resilience Tool: Romance often pushes back against the idea that certain people aren't capable of being loved, providing a vital counter-narrative to formulaic storytelling.

"Reading diversely can actually improve our reading comprehension, but we can also read for fun—and that’s okay too." This week, we challenge you to find a window book—something outside your lived experience—and see the world through a new lens.

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