WELCOME, I'm Maraya!
A self-proclaimed book dragon.
Like a lot of readers that have joined the #Booktok and #Bookstagram community in the last few years, I began reading as a child and then stopped for a some time while other things took precedent. It wasn't until a major life event in my early twenties that I rediscovered my love for reading. Books are such wonderful therapy - and no, I'm not talking self-help books. While I did begin my new reading journey with some great self-help reads on finding yourself after grief and dealing with life's twists and turns, it was romance and fantasy books that changed my life for the better. Leaping into intricate worlds filled with witty, passionate people with sharp tongues and huge... wingspans helped me to feel connected to people in ways I couldn't be in real life. Not only did the characters feel like my friends and my found family, the authors and readers that created and loved those books as much as I did made me feel part of something huge and deeply meaningful. At a time when everything around me felt difficult and overwhelming, this community and the books full of strong and complex characters helped keep me grounded and empowered me.
I've always been a performer, it's in my bones. I started dance classes as soon as I learned to walk, then began performing arts and theatre, eventually going on to perform in Disneyland Paris, The Royal Albert Hall, and Sadlers Well's, as well as being in the English Youth Ballet and Royal Ballet. However, dancing was not meant to be. As an introvert and extremely shy person, the competition was too much for me as a teenager, but it didn't take long for me to find myself in acting. After finishing my acting degree, my life took a major turn when I lost my brother very suddenly. His loss was and still is a deep wound, but it was at this point that reading became my vice. It is the one constant that I can rely on to feel better and to draw out raw emotions guilt-free. Books are there for me to lean on and they ask for nothing in return. (Although my bank account would disagree!)
More recently, I started producing and narrating audiobooks, I have written a series of short stories, and I am in the process of editing the first draft of my debut romance novel. Writing is another cathartic way of expressing emotion without the fear of judgement or rejection. (Until it's released to the world of course!)
All that to say, I understand how important it is to be a part of a community and the book community continues to be the kindest and most supportive group I have ever been in. Giving a special mention to the romance and romantasy genres that have helped me and a lot of other women to outgrow dated views on women's sexuality and pleasure and help us to find ourselves and discover what we like. Saying goodbye to purity culture has been liberating and I owe it all to romance books and the people who freely talk about and support loving yourself both internally and externally.
As an introvert, who sometimes struggles with anxiety, I want to create a safe space for others to talk about books, romance, reading, writing, and other cosy hobbies. So, whether you are a bookworm or a book dragon, there is a space for you in my book club and on the reading retreats. Where you can get cosy, read, write, chat to new book lovers, and join in activities in your comfiest outfits.
The Society of Book Dragons is waiting for you!
The Society of Book Dragons
This society is for all the people who have read an amazing scene or discovered the biggest plot twist only to look up from your book, bursting at the seems with stuff to say, and realised there is no one who will get the relevance or sheer magnitude of what is happening!
Do you ever discover a new book that is the ultimate 5* read but none of your friends are readers, or the algorithm won't show your post to anyone so you can't scream from the rooftops about it? The Society IS your rooftop! It's your place to share your new favourite books, underrated authors, independent authors, awesome audiobooks, and authors from every community.
My aim is for this space to be full of healthy discussions about what we're reading, what we're looking forward to, characters we liked and didn't like, who you'd pick to F, marry or k:ll out of Rhysand, Cassian or Azriel. (You know... all the important stuff!) I want it to be supportive of new writers, debut authors, slow readers, fast readers, audiobook listeners, ebook users, dark romance fiends, closed door readers, thrill seekers, and beyond.
Bring all your weird, wonderful, and epic book recommendations and your awesome personality. Whether you're an introvert, ambivert, or extrovert it doesn't matter, as long as you're a booktrovert, this club is for you!
