Thursday Thirteen: Don't Knock it till You've Tried it
by | Posted in Booklust, Thursday Thirteen 4 Comments »
Romance is the most maligned genre of literature, despite being the highest grossing. How do publishers afford multi-million dollar contracts for first time literary fiction authors? On the backs of romance. We, romance readers, are the most loyal fans. We are powering through the recession, earning even more profits for Harlequin despite the buying downturn through the rest of the economy. Unfortunately, most people who criticize the genre as “bodice-rippers” and “crotch novels” have never read one. I’ll leave the eloquent arguments to Smart Bitches who Love Trashy Books and Dear Author. Check out the stats on romance readers from the Romance Writers of America to see that we’re a highly diverse, highly educated bunch. Escapist fantasies? What book, besides a textbook, isn’t an escapist fantasy? That’s what reading is. That’s what TV and movies are. ENTERTAINMENT.
Romance novels are delicious. Nom…nom…nomnomnomnomnom.
What I want to share with you now is the time honored wisdom: Don’t Knock it till You’ve Tried it
Here are 13 recommended books (all of which I’ve read and loved) in each subgenre of your reading persuasion. Go ahead, try one. I double-dog dare ya.
- Contemporary: This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
- Paranormal: Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
- Historical: It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas
- Regency: The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne
- Science-Fiction: Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair
- Fantasy: The Moon Witch by Linda Winstead Jones
- Suspense: Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
- Young Adult: Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith (sigh, or Twilight…but who’s left who hasn’t read it?)
- Women’s Fiction: Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas
- Erotica: Go Fetch! by Shelly Laurenston
- Contemporary Category Romance: Marriage at the Millionaire’s Command by Anne Oliver
- Paranormal Category Romance: Raintree Inferno by Linda Howard
- Suspense Category Romance: Strangers in the Night by Kerry Connor
April 30th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Great list Ciara! And I agree…don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!
April 30th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Ooooh… muchos gracias, chica. I’ve read a couple of those and have a few others on my TBR pile, though I can honestly say that I’ve never read a contemp. Hmm. Great TT ~ look forward to meeting you on Saturday! ~Gwen
April 30th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Awesome post!
I’d have to suggest alternate titles though for paranormal — I didn’t care for Ione at all. In no particular order, Nalini Singh, Meljean Brook, Christine Warren, or JR Ward top my paranormal list.
April 30th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Thanks!
Gwen – see you saturday!!!
Nicola – There are soooo many great paranormals, it was hard to choose one. SLAVE TO SENSATION by Nalini Singh and DEMON ANGEL by Meljean Brook are also two of my favorite. Are you going to the romance extraveganza this weekend? It’s at the covington library.