poverty
Why (and How) to Avoid Spicy Books
By Ashley Eneriz at The Gospel Coalition
· July 4, 2026
· 5 min read
The cover was innocent enough: a horse-drawn carriage gliding across the snow. I can’t remember the title or the author, only that my conservative, Christian grandfather gave me this book after buying it at Costco. He had no idea he was handing a 15-year-old girl smut, and despite knowing better, I
Key takeaway He had no idea he was handing a 15-year-old girl smut, and despite knowing better, I had no intention of putting it down once my curious teenage flesh realized its contents.
Why this matters
The issue of explicit content in romance books, often referred to as "spicy books," raises concerns about the potential impact on individuals, particularly Christian women, who may be seeking escapism through reading. As the demand for these books grows, fueled by social media platforms like BookTok, it is crucial to consider the long-term effects of consuming such content. Research has shown that habitual exposure to explicit material can lead to negative consequences, including altered sexual appetites and decreased gray matter in key reward centers of the brain. Furthermore, the immersive nature of written pornography, which often employs first-person narrative, can burrow deeper into the imagination, potentially reshaping minds and hearts. This phenomenon is particularly troubling in the context of Christian values, which emphasize the importance of honoring marriage and maintaining a healthy, biblical perspective on intimacy.
About this story
Original reporting by The Gospel Coalition . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: poverty ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: The Gospel Coalition ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The cover was innocent enough: a horse-drawn carriage gliding across the snow. I can’t remember the title or the author, only that my conservative, Christian grandfather gave me this book after buying it at Costco. He had no idea he was handing a 15-year-old girl smut, and despite knowing better, I
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by The Gospel Coalition and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ashley Eneriz at The Gospel Coalition. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more poverty coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .