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What happens when a literary snob discovers the healing power of a spicy novel? Today, I’m joined by the iconic Shelbey Monae to discuss why English majors need to get over themselves, the importance of reading outside your own lived experience, and why "smut" is a vital safe space for Black and brown women.

In this episode of We Read Smut, Shelbey Monae ‪@shelbeyandthebookclub‬ shares her journey from analyzing the classics to rebuilding her life through Black indie romance after a major health crisis. We dive deep into the subjectivity of spice, the ethics of writing problematic characters, and why reading diversely isn't just a trend. It's a tool for true empathy and critical thinking.

Key Takeaways:
*Shelbey explains how she had to unlearn her English major training to realize that romance and urban fiction are just as valid as the classics.

*Why your spiciest read ever might just be a regular Tuesday to someone else, and why we need to be more honest about our reading levels.

*How romance novels provide a space for Black women to explore sexual fluidity and desire without the weight of real-world judgment.

*The importance of understanding style, technique, and genre over just reacting to a book based on feelings.

*Shelbey shares her cousins philosophy and how she manages her community while protecting her personal life.

Are you reading for the heart, the mind, or the coochie today? Subscribe for more deep dives into the bookish world and let us know in the comments: What was the first book that made you realize reading could actually be fun?

Relevant Links
YouTube:    • Spicy Reads🌶️: Must Read Erotica by Black ...  
BookClub:   / discord  
Instagram:   / shelbeymonae  
Podcast: https://beacons.ai/tloer


Tune in to the Podcast: https://wereadsmut.com
Follow Alesia on Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile...
Follow on Instagram:   / wereadsmut  
All podcast books/authors mentioned: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y...

Relevant Hashtags
#ShelbeyMonae #DiverseBooks #RomanceReader #BlackBookstagram #EnglishMajor #BookishDeepDive #SmutBooks #WeReadSmut #ReadingComprehension

Chapter Markers
00:00 Intro: Reading for the Mind, Heart, and Coochie
04:19 The English Major Struggle: Learning to read for fun again
10:11 Gateway Drugs: Natasha Bishop and Black Indie Romance
13:25 Hot Take: Problematic characters and redeemable arcs
21:28 Content Creator Burnout: Why we keep going
24:37 Genre Policing: Why your Spicy is my Boring
32:11 Healing through Smut: Safe spaces for Black women
40:14 Diversifying the Book Club: Harlem Renaissance & beyond
47:59 Celebrity Effect: Setting boundaries with the Cousins