OM DENNE EPISODE
Enemies to lovers, fake dating, grumpy and sunshine, forced proximity… we all have our favourites. But when does a beloved trope become a tired formula?
In Episode 7 of Shelf Indulgence, we're getting into why readers love familiar storylines, whether predictability is really a bad thing, and what separates a well-executed trope from a book that feels like it's following a checklist. I'm also sharing my own weakness for fake dating and exploring how tropes shape the way we discover, choose and talk about books.
In The Shelf, I'm looking at five tropes and five books that do something interesting with them, from The Hating Game by Sally Thorne to The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune.
Plus, in The Literacy Corner, we're exploring why predictable story patterns can actually help us understand and enjoy what we read — and how recognising a convention makes it possible to appreciate when an author breaks it.
There's also your weekly Bookish News, with publishing updates, Australian fiction and the latest developments in the literary world.
Because tropes aren't inherently lazy, and knowing what you love as a reader is nothing to be ashamed of. The trick is finding books that deliver on the promise — and give you something more.
For the episode discussion board, visit: https://discord.com/channels/1530558337177882766/1564802159717916702
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