Spice brings flavor, but can be enjoyed in moderation. Unless it’s boring. And bland.

Spice. It’s beloved in romance, fantasy, science-fiction, and more. I, for one, do enjoy reading it from time to time in between the plot and comic relief, but in moderation. And of course, in books targeted for more mature audiences. But like everything in life, there is always a discourse. If you follow along on booktok or on bookstagram or wherever else you receive your bookish/writing news, there are those who want more spice.

Which is, fine, if they’re talking about dark romances or more…spicy books you’d keep a secret from your friends and family. But it’s gotten to the point where if there is no spice in ANY book, then it’s not worth reading let alone receive any form of attention. That is not to say it is the opinion of all, just of a select focus of people.

Everyone has their own opinion on this matter, but it does beg the question: If you only want spice in a book, and it’s the only reason you’d pick up the book in question, then how can it be enjoyed without it staining the plot?

Preference and Opinion

It’s a matter of preference and opinion when you get down to the heart of the whole thing. People do miss more substance in books, myself included, where a book was just following the plot with fade-to-black scenes, and prime character development. Things change. Books change. People change.

Many people would say that they need an escape from the world, and I agree with them on that. Any and every genre provides that comfort for fellow readers and writers. Spice is no different. Although, it would appear that some spice enthusiasts take their opinions and turn them into facts to assume that other genres are not worth reading.

It’s exhausting to watch when these said persons divulge their ‘facts’ or disturbing attachments that stretch to harassing real life people, including a minor. Yes, a minor.

The drama continues but eventually fades out with the click of a button to block, disappear, or migrate to the newest altercation. But, the issue still stands. Too many books by both traditional and indie authors are lost under the rubble of overly spiced novels that many are borderline assault and straight up…well, I don’t think I need to divulge more on that.

Nearly every book (by authors with humanity) have had their fair share of work done through blood, sweat, and tears. And in light of recent events in the booktok and bookstagram community on the subject of spice and other related events (that will receive their own special spotlight in a future post), respect goes a long way. And also holding some authors accountable and allowing criticism to come into play over one scene or another.

I’m not here to bash spice or say that it doesn’t have its place, because it exists for a reason, as many subject matters do in a book. It is the obsession of certain readers that poses as the real problem. There have been books with spicy content that are well-thought out and written like a majestic poem. Or overly emotional to the point where by the time you finish reading, you are reveled with the fact that yes: this book did exactly as was promised. But with those books, it’s still not enough. There needs to be the grotesque and sometimes downright uncomfortable details that these troubling readers want.

As in conversations I’ve had with close friends and families, these readers want porn, not a story.

And you can have a story and spice and everything else in between without it being pornography.

It’s becoming increasingly more popular as a subject matter across all genres, but parts of it push the plot to the background or the forgotten zone.

Again, everyone has their own opinion on this matter, and you do not have to agree with my sentiments on how I view spice in literature. Every writer and reader has free-will, and it’s up to them to decide on how to orchestrate this free-will without it being destructive or harmful to any persons it may affect.

After all, spice brings flavor, but can be enjoyed in moderation. Unless it’s boring. And bland.

Variation

Spice varies from one book to another, and hopefully only in a book with its targeted audience being 18 and older. And whether or not one person agrees that there’s a flood of it in numerous books nowadays, there are other books that have it in moderation and that can add to the plot, especially if the genre is strictly romance.

To each their own, and let’s hope that for the future, that we are all able to enjoy the books we like. And accept further criticism if one book is treading dangerously on a dangerous path.

Free Palestine.