While Covid-19’s impact still echoes around the globe, the dreaded lockdown regulations gave flight to one Farrarmere woman’s fantasy – ultimately leading to her living her dream.

As a mother of three, entrepreneur René Naudé dreamt about owning an ‘intimate’ bookshop.

The smell of fresh ink encapsulated in the woody aroma of the pages conjured up images of a tucked-away shop where a bell over the door would welcome bibliophiles.

In 2020, while many tried their hand at baking banana bread or brewing pineapple beer, René dove nose-first into novels until she finally went down the rabbit hole of provocative literature.

“Although taboo in many circles, I found the works intriguing,” said the graphic designer.

“Some of the story lines and spicy scenes seemed a little far-fetched, but the deeper I delved into the genre I felt a stirring within me.”

The owner of the newly launched The Blushing Bookshelf, a mobile bookstore, explained that with each page turn of these steamy novels, she felt her confidence growing and sensuality blooming.

“As a woman entering her mature years, I felt like I was losing my identity, trapped in an eternal spiral of just being a mom and wife,” she said with a cheeky grin.

“But when I crack open my ‘hush-read’, filled with romance, conflict, happy endings and, of course, a dash of fornication, the spark within me glows radiantly.”

René explained that as women journeying through the various chapters of life, the attention seemed to shift further from herself.

“We adapt to each era – wife, mom, perimenopause, menopause, the list is endless – and at some point we look in the mirror asking ‘who am I when I strip away the labels?’,” she said.

“As a result, marriages and intimate relationships suffer. Some even become resentful of their lives, yearning to be more. These women are my target market.”

Travelling across Ekurhuleni in her tastefully branded truck, René hopes to become a familiar sight at local shopping centres and markets, introducing women to more zesty fiction, creating a conversation about sexuality and adding spice to their relationships.

“Women don’t talk about sex or vocalise their desires in the bedroom,” said René.

“Indulging in these ‘guilty-pleasure’ literary works can unlock the freedom to discuss fantasies with your partner, while giving you an approving nod to embrace the magnificence of womanhood.”

Packed with 220 local and international novels, in English and Afrikaans, new and second-hand, René hopes to not only cater for the mature adult reading market, but to also encourage conversations about sensuality, sexuality and finding yourself.

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