On the Hunt

By Nicole Danielle

Earlier this fall, Meghan and I had the opportunity to go book hunting southeast of The Triangle in North Carolina.  We explored everything from a flea market in Smithfield to a hidden gem of a bookstore in Clayton.  We definitely uncovered some great romance books that will definitely give us things to talk about in future episodes. 

Our journey began with an attempt to visit a bustling flea market in Smithfield — Brightleaf — which we had to abandon due to overwhelming traffic. Instead, we found ourselves at an indoor flea market just down the road:  Harper’s Flea Market Mall. Despite the limited selection, we managed to find a couple of intriguing books that piqued our interest. The adventure continued to the Goodwill in Garner, where Meghan scored some holiday gems and I nabbed a copy of “Fifty Shades of Grey” (much to Meghan’s chagrin). This part of our trip highlighted our different approaches to selecting romance novels — Meghan gravitates towards kitschy titles and unique subject material, while I prefer classic authors and steamier reads.

Our final stop was Pauper’s Book and More in Clayton, an enchanting place with an impressive array of books. Even before stepping inside, we were captivated by the selection of books available for just 50 cents each. I loaded up my arms with a variety of finds, including some iconic romance novels by Janet Dailey. (I was enthralled by the fact that her Americana Collection has a book for each of the 50 United States.)

As we sifted through our book haul, our conversation naturally shifted to the importance of good editing. We discussed books with intriguing yet sometimes questionable storylines involving vampire Texas Rangers. Despite the bizarre plots, we emphasized the need for quality editing to make a story truly captivating. Our discussion also touched on our differing interpretations of “Rosemary’s Baby,” showcasing our unique perspectives and the depth of our literary analysis.

And even though the digital age is great, we still have a special place in both our hearts for tangible books also shone through in our conversations. Despite the convenience of downloadable reads, there’s something irreplaceable about holding a physical book, turning its pages and highlighting favorite passages. And we expressed our admiration for certain authors, even when some of their works didn’t resonate as strongly with us. We believe in balancing constructive criticism with appreciation for the effort that goes into writing. As former broadcast journalism majors, we have a critical eye for grammar and storytelling but we strive to keep our discussions positive and encouraging for fellow readers and writers.

Our journey through North Carolina’s literary scene was not just about finding books. It was also about reconnecting with beloved books and authors, and building connections with our audience through shared literary experiences. We look forward to future book recommendations from you, our podcast listeners and blog readers. So please feel free to use the contact form here on our website to make suggestions for our next romance novel reads. We’d really love to explore new genres as well revisit classics.  And we firmly believe whether you’re into kitschy romance novels, classic literature or anything in between; there’s a book out there waiting to be found.

As always, we invite you to dive into our fun-filled literary journey and let your love for reading bring you closer to us and our wonderful community of bookish biddies by listening to our podcast.  You can find Romance on the Rocks on your favorite streaming service or right here on our website.  Just head on over to the Podcast Episodes section.