Jessica P. Pryde on Running a Pop-Up Bookshop, Intentional Reading, and Systemically Excluded Romance

Connecting with long-time romance readers brings such a deep understanding of genre conventions to the podcast. This week, I am sitting down with Jessica P. Pryde to discuss her transition from public librarian and Book Riot editor to founder of the Why Choose Pop-Up Romance Bookstore. We talk about the importance of curating shelves filled with systemically excluded voices, how to combat the algorithm by reading intentionally, and why romance tropes are conventions rather than copies of other books. Plus, we share a massive stack of character-forward recommendations, including urban romance doorstoppers and nerdy meta-fiction.  Jessica Pryde is a professional book person and Blerd currently living in Southern Arizona. A librarian for over 15 years, she has been pushing progressive romance onto unsuspecting readers for half of her life. She is a Contributing Editor at Book Riot, where she writes mostly about romance and libraries, and hosted the When In Romance podcast for nearly eight years (RIP). She is the editor of the essay anthology BLACK LOVE MATTERS: REAL TALK ON ROMANCE, BEING SEEN, AND HAPPILY EVER AFTERS and has written for Audible, Kobo, the Harlequin Ever After blog, and other places. She is the owner and Founder of Why Choose, a pop-up romance bookstore centering the work of historically and systemically excluded and marginalized creators. Read more at jessicapryde.com  In this episode, we're discussing: Transitioning from 15 years in public libraries to running an independent pop-up romance bookshop. Why romance readers rely on specific story conventions and why hitting trope beats is the entire point of the genre. How to intentionally diversify your reading habits when the algorithm keeps feeding you the exact same mainstream books. The mission behind Why Choose Bookstore and hand-selling diverse romance to new audiences in Tucson. A curated reading list featuring enemies-to-lovers urban romance, meta werewolf fiction, and campus mental health representation. CONNECT WITH JESSICA P PRYDE: Website Bookstore Instagram Personal Instagram Personal Website BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED: Demon's Dream by Elle Kayson (Amazon | Bookshop) Fan Service by Rosie Danan (Amazon | Bookshop) Score by Kennedy Ryan (Amazon | Bookshop) Big Trouble In a Little Mafia by Tanvier Peart  (Amazon | Bookshop) Please Don't Go by E. Salvador (Amazon | Bookshop) Legend by Jude Deveraux (Amazon | Bookshop) Beverly Jenkins (Amazon | Bookshop) Cat Sebastian (Amazon | Bookshop) Katee Robert (Amazon | Bookshop) Chencia C. Higgins (Amazon | Bookshop) J.L. Seegars (Amazon | Bookshop) Join the We Read Smut Lounge. Want early access to next week's episode, entry into our private Discord server, two monthly virtual silent book clubs, and a free monthly e-book? Head over to our Substack and join the paid community to access goodies and get early access to episodes.  Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in these show notes are affiliate links. If you make a purchase or borrow a book through these links, I may earn a small commission at zero extra cost to you. Connect with Alesia: Storygraph Instagram Running list of books mentioned (Doc) This podcast was produced by Galati Media. Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.