“You can’t lose if you give them handsome highwaymen, duels, 3-foot fountains and whacking great horses and dogs all over the place” ~Barbara Cartland
In my post yesterday I said that I’ve been reading quite a few romance novels lately and Nancy mentioned that it almost sounded like I was a bit embarrassed to admit that. Reading back on my post it does sound a bit like that. It’s so funny because I’m one of the first people to say, “read whatever you like, as long as you read!”
I don’t “hide” my book covers from others if I’m reading YA, Fantasy or some other genre but I guess romance novels just get such a bad rap it’s sometimes hard to say, sure, I can enjoy a good historical love story. I went through a phase in my early twenties when I read quite a few romance novels but all of a sudden I just kind of got over them. I checked out a few here and there over the years but never really went back to the genre.
So again, for some reason when I got sick all I wanted were stories to entertain me and I found some good love stories that did just that. I read Wait Until Midnight and The River Knows both by Amanda Quick and The Bargain by Mary Jo Putney. I think I read each book practically in one sitting. Sure they were predictable but they were just so enjoyable and that’s a good thing.
Will I be checking out more romance novels this year? I don’t know. Maybe, why not? I realize that reading these books it was another way to get a nice break from some of my usual reads. I enjoy changing up my genres although I tend to stick with the same books but every once in a while it sure is nice to venture to another area of the bookstore/library isn’t it?
And, what with Valentine’s Day upon us I say it was perfect timing to be reading these books don’t you think? I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and love and friendship to everyone!
I regularly read romance, and yes, there are some that are pretty average, but that is true of lots of genre fiction, and even some non-genre fiction!
I read what I read because it makes me happy!
For me – it depends on the type of romance novel we are talking about. The Harlequin level of romance is just not my cup of tea (although remember our trip to Fort Worth many years ago for the Romance Novel Convention?!!). Chick Lit and Historical Romance novels are definitely genres I go to when I need a break from more serious fiction and literature and are reads I can breeze through but thoroughly enjoy.
I guess the great thing about reading is you can pick and choose from all the wonderful genres out there and read what you enjoy. 🙂
There’s been a phase whereby I read nothing but romance novels, but over the past years I find myself reading lesser and lesser of them not because they are no longer interesting to me but more because I’ve venture into other genres like YA and thrillers. I still read romance, but nowadays I just have to wait for the mood to strike. 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day Iliana! I don’t read much in the Romance genre these days but it might be something fun to try this year.
I don’t hide what I am reading necessarily, but sometimes I am embarrassed by the covers to the books. They can be really bad…
I love a good steamy romance! And I never care what anyone thinks about what I’m reading as well 🙂 Genre fiction in general tends to inspire criticism at times…but I look at it the same way that you do. The fact that I am reading (and enjoying what I’m reading at that) is what is important!
BTW- Those are both authors that I want to try at some point so I’m adding those books to my TBR list 🙂
Marg – I’m with you, we all must read what makes us happy 🙂
Christine – Oh girl, how could I have forgotten about that! So much fun. I need to dig up some pictures. haha.
Melody – That sort of happens to me too. I’ll discover a new genre to like and I start exploring that and not reading some of my usual reads. It’s so wonderful that there are so many genres to keep us entertained right?
Kathleen – Hope you had a lovely day! I’ve had a couple of more recommendations come my way on romance novels so I may just have to check them out!
Kailana – Oh yes, those covers can be cringe-worthy right? 🙂
Samantha – Amanda Quick was the first romance author I tried and I think that helped to not put me off the genre. Her characters are a bit quirky and somehow seem more “real” than some of the typical romance characters. If you like love stories these two authors I would definitely recommend. 🙂
Wonderful post, Iliana! I totally agree with you. We should read what makes us happy. I don’t read as many romances as I used to, but they can be very well-written and extremely entertaining, just like novels in any other genre. I’m not sure I understand why people frown on them.