This quote vividly captures a moment of introspection and categorization through the protagonist's engagement with literature, specifically audio books. The phrase "fat womanly novels as she thought of them" hints at the character's perception and perhaps judgment or affectionate stereotype about these specific authors and their works, which are known for their rich, sometimes sprawling narratives that often explore relationships, personal growth, and intricate human emotions. Authors like Maeve Binchy, Gail Godwin, Marian Keyes, and Pat Conroy all have distinct voices but commonly delve into stories centered around family, friendship, and the complexities of women’s lives.

Listening to books on tapes suggests a passive yet immersive consumption of literature, which can often make stories more intimate and immediate, as voices and inflections add nuance to the written word. The protagonist's engagement with these particular novels reflects an attraction to storytelling that is deeply personal and possibly comforting or distracting. The gendered label "womanly" also signals how literature is sometimes pigeonholed by readers or society based on the author’s identity or narrative focus, which might influence how the protagonist processes or distances herself from these stories.

There’s also an element of ritual in the act of listening, indicating perhaps a search for connection or empathy through the shared experiences in the narratives. This moment encapsulates themes of identity, the role of literature in shaping understanding, and the emotional resonance that novels – especially those categorized by the protagonist as "womanly" – can hold in one’s personal space.