'Love Unites: New Sisterhood Blossoms in Winters'| Focus on Winters

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Nicole Costello wasn't always passionate about reading. During her childhood and teens, according to her, getting her to read was "like extracting teeth."

“I did it for school, and that was it,” Costello explained. “Never for enjoyment.”

When Costello was 23, she was going through a very dark period in her life — she struggled with depression, anxiety and at one point, she even considered taking her own life. It was during those days where she couldn’t get out of bed that Costello discovered The Hunger Games books written by Suzanne Collins after her mother bought her the first book.

“I stayed in bed and I read everything I could get my hands on every day, all day, for around three straight months,” Costello recalled. “I feel like reading pulled me out of that hole, and I just never stopped after that.”

Costello has graduated from the young adult dystopian series and is now an avid romance fan. When she found out the Winters Public Library had an adults-only romance book club, Costello figured it was a great opportunity to meet other people in her community who have a shared interest in the swoon-worthy stories she consumes.

The All You Need Is Love Book Club gathers each month on the second Saturday at Hooby’s Brewing in downtown Winters — an unusual spot for this unconventional group of book lovers who are all drawn to tales that transport them away.

The books the club chooses to read come from all different subgenres within the romance umbrella. From enemies to lovers fantasy-inspired stories riddled with dragons and rom-coms with character, to tropes of “fated mates” involving seven-foot-tall blue aliens — there is something for everyone at All You Need is Love.

The club is provided via the Winters Public Library, where each session is conducted by Winters Librarian Ashleigh Torres, who identifies herself as a devoted fan of romantic literature.

During my childhood, I used to dive into various types of literature, and often found myself thinking, 'When will these characters confess their everlasting affection?'" Torres explained. "This theme captures both the longing and joy associated with romance, yet delves deeper into numerous subjects compared to most genres, as far as I'm concerned.

According to Google Trend statistics, romance novels are the most-read genre across the United States, leading in 22 different states. Both general fiction and poetry share the second spot, with each topping the charts in nine states apiece. The fantasy category leads in six states, whereas family-focused writings dominate in three of them.

The Winter’s book club commenced in January 2022 with the aim of uniting people passionate about romance literature, be they seasoned fans or newcomers. Among the initial group of members was Carla Tibble, who before attending their inaugural gathering, hadn’t delved into a single romance novel.

After reading "The Kiss Quotient" by Helen Hoan, Tibble mentioned that she became thoroughly engaged.

It serves as an escape, yet one that fills you with immense optimism. If there’s anything essential, it’s having that," she stated. "When you’re in this environment, everything else fades away from your mind.

Tibble mentioned that the club is brimming with women who helped her feel at ease when delving into a genre she was unfamiliar with. Additionally, Torres ensures that both newcomers and long-standing members are made to feel welcomed.

Tibble mentioned, "Ashleigh consistently emphasizes that it's okay not to complete your book if you find it unenjoyable." He added, "Many members are quite occupied with their schedules and might only attend a handful of meetings, yet everyone remains delighted to welcome them back. In my view, this inclusiveness is one of the best aspects of our book club."

Carolyn DeBuse is a fellow reader and member of the All You Need Is Love Book Club. She said for her, joining a book club is similar to how others join a recreation sports league.

“Reading is a personal sport,” she explained. “To speak to other people who are sharing the same experience, it’s like you’re on a team. We’re on the reading team.”

Maya Wildgoose is an original member of the All You Need Is Love Book Club, and she said something she has enjoyed about the book club is the diversity of its members.

“We have young people, people retired, we have this huge gamut that’s people with different experiences and reading, including some people who have never really read that much,” Wildgoose explained. “There’s just such a discourse about the reading world in general here which you just don’t necessarily find in.”

Stephanie Elliot resides in Winters and is part of the local book club. She mentioned that during her childhood, she read various genres unlike those chosen by her contemporaries—ranging from memoirs to stories about vampires and werewolves. Stephanie noted that one reason she enjoys romance novels is due to their inherent suspense, which keeps readers eagerly anticipating each turn of events; however, they can be assured that all conflicts will typically conclude within the same volume.

Elliott clarified, "You understand they'll ultimately turn out fine and stay together, yet you're eager to learn how it unfolds." He continued, "Even though you might guess the ending, you still wonder about all that happens in between. It's reassuring to believe that everything will work out for the best."

The club is open to any adult romance aficionados, but all of the club’s recurring members have been women, minus Torres’ husband, who came for the Fourth Wing meeting.

According to a study done by Romance Writers of America, women make up 82% of the romance book market. The average age of a romance reader is estimated to be between 35 and 39; however, there has been a rise in the genre’s popularity among Gen Z readers, thanks to the “BookTok” community and the romanticization of reading on platforms like TikTok.

Wildgoose said one of the main appeals of reading romance is how it depicts the male love interests, and she thinks some men could benefit from exploring the predominantly female genre.

If men were to read more romances, perhaps they could gain significant insights," she stated. "Generally speaking, the male characters in these stories exhibit strong feminist values and demonstrate great empathy. Many men believe they cannot embrace feminism, yet most of these fictional males do so and present it in a manner that might seem more accessible.

For DeBuse, romance isn’t merely a lighthearted category or an avenue for escaping life’s challenges. To her, it’s about revisiting and experiencing the profound feelings associated with one of life’s greatest joys: falling in love.

Falling in love occurs for someone, when they're fortunate, maybe just once throughout their lifetime, and it’s enchanting," DeBuse stated. "That sensation, that electric spark—when you witness it depicted between two characters in a story—it often brings back some of the magical moments we experienced one or two times in our lives when we were lucky enough to fall in love.

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