DECOR BOOK COVER HELPS BRITISH HIDE RAUNCHY READINGS | News
New research shows that almost one in four (23%) avoid reading their racy novels in public for fear of judgmental looks from strangers, while almost half (48%) admit they feel a stigma about it. Despite the country’s obsession with romance novels being more popular than ever, with the category dominating the inaugural #BookTok Bestseller list, 59% of Brits feel people can be dismissive of romance as ‘serious’ reading.
As a result, the nation’s favorite genre continues to be kept under wraps, with 27% of readers skipping or skimming a romantic scene, and 3 in 10 (29%) even admitting to abandoning a book for fear of judgement.
The new research also exposes the rise of ‘performative culture’, with more than half (51%) admitting they feel more confident holding a classic novel than a steamy romance on the train, while 1 in 5 (21%) admitting they have chosen a book to look more interesting or intelligent on a trip.
Despite the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”, Trainline’s findings show that this is indeed the case. A third (33%) admit to making assumptions based on what someone reads. To help Brits read judgement-free this summer, Trainline has launched a series of decoy book covers to disguise ‘guilty pleasure’ readings. The goal is to enable travelers to enjoy their favorite spicy stories without having to look sideways, helping travelers feel more in control and confident on every trip.
The free, limited edition covers will be available at selected WHSmith stores in stations across the UK and can also be downloaded from Trainline’s website. With titles like Hugo Vaine’s ‘Dense Classics For The Performative Reader’, Alotta Light-Brown’s ‘Beige: A History’ and Paige Turner-Smythe’s ‘Perfecting Paint Drying’, each ‘disguise’ is designed to keep fiery fairy tale business under wraps – transforming swoon-worthy reads into seemingly mundane cover reads.
Trainline has teamed up with internet librarian Jack Edwards to unveil the new collection of covers. Known for championing online books, he encourages the nation to embrace their train reading choices this summer without judgment.
Jack Edwards notes: “Reading can help you explore new worlds or learn more about our own. So whether you’re reading a historical drama, a thrilling memoir or a spicy romance, don’t let anything stand in your way. I’m working with Trainline on a mission to challenge preconceptions and help people read what they love, because that’s what reading is all about!”
Nat Marques, Head of Creative Innovation at Trainline, says: “From the daily commute to weekend adventures and holiday getaways, reading on the train is a ritual for many of us. Our research shows that a quarter of readers (24%) say that traveling by train is their preferred time for reading. In the summer months alone, we predict that travelers will spend almost 15,000 hours reading on the train – an average of 41 minutes per journey. At Trainline we want passengers to do more. giving them confidence and control over how they spend their time on board. That’s why we’re happy to launch our new covers with Jack, so everyone can enjoy their journey in their own way.”
Trainline’s new book covers are available for free from May 20 until stocks last at selected WHSmith stores nationwide, and can be downloaded here: https://www.thetrainline.com/information/press/cover-stories.
