Why do you love reading?
As a married Mom of three, reading is what I do for me. As women and especially as mothers, you give, give, give, so much of yourself to your family that it is very easy to not take care of, and do things for yourself. Seeing what I have managed to read at the end of each year, is a nice reminder that throughout all the chaos, I made time for myself.
What book or series got you into reading?
Besides The Goosebumps by R.L. Stein, the book that I think really shifted my reading was Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. I read it in 8th grade at my Catholic School, and I still remember my English Teacher, Mrs. Turner, who adored this book. I remember being obsessed with wondering if we would ever meet Rebecca? Would she show up as a ghost? She was the main character, but not the main character. The actual main character was nameless and made to feel very irrelevant in comparison. It was weird and genius and it’s the only book that I own multiple copies of and one of the few books I reread. Every time, still hoping to meet Mrs. De Winter.
When did you start reading?
I have had my nose in a book for as long as I can remember.
Where do you read?
I read wherever I can. I listen to a lot of audiobooks, so in the car going to and from wherever I need to go. I listen while doing dishes, folding laundry, and making dinner! I have a reading chair if I want to get cozy and read, but my favorite is in one of our local coffee shops with a delicious latte and the really chill coffee shop music playing in the background.
What kind of books do you like to read?
I am a total girl’s girl. I love romance, women’s fiction, and memoirs by women. Give me a heroine who gets her happily ever after, or a story that gives me Eat Pray Love vibes, and I am content.
For you, why is it important to read books by or about women?
I recently read a review of Carolyn Heilburn’s, Writing a Woman’s Life, and one of Carolyn’s concerns was that “women have been deprived of the narratives, or the texts, plots, or examples, by which they might assume power over-take control of-their own lives.” This book was published back in 1997, and Carolyn admits that as a girl she would make herself into a boy to “enter the world of daring and achievement.” I call crap on that one. It sounded to me like Mrs. Heilburn wasn’t looking hard enough. Whether I’m reading a Dani Shapiro memoir or a Beverly Jenkins historical romance, I find what women authors are doing very empowering. Romance authors specifically continue to amaze me with how they are able to bring awareness to contemporary issues while crafting a love story. I think we should always strive to continue learning and women writers have a lot to tell us!
What types of books are you looking forward to sharing on Reading Women?
I can’t wait to share some exciting romances and women’s fiction.
What most excites about joining the RW team?
I remember when the podcast first began and I kept thinking, no one else is focusing on women writers like Kendra and Autumn. With romance being a genre for women by women I am super excited to contribute however I can. I am so excited to be part of such a badass team of ladies!
About Bree Hill
Bree Hill is a retired Air Force Veteran, freelance writer with a love of recommending romance novels, and self-proclaimed Women’s History lover. She can typically be found at one of her local coffee shops reading or blogging and if not doing that, she’s probably rewatching episodes of I Love Lucy or a romantic comedy she’s seen hundreds of times. She was born in a small town in Missouri before moving to Memphis, Tennessee in high school. The military moved her to South Korea, the state of Georgia, Saudi Arabia and South Texas where she currently resides and calls home—for now!