tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post7506411297868349061..comments2024-03-18T18:25:39.546-04:00Comments on We Live and Breathe Books: Discussion: #AmReadingRomanceKiersten Kozbialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00538943081866009856noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-67954965014541522822020-03-18T18:36:31.139-04:002020-03-18T18:36:31.139-04:00Romances never fail to make me happy. An HEA and a...Romances never fail to make me happy. An HEA and a great unicorn man will always put me in a good moodSamantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-48090660336970633472020-03-18T18:35:48.370-04:002020-03-18T18:35:48.370-04:00I don't expect it in MG books, but I like a li...I don't expect it in MG books, but I like a little romance in all my YA/NA/adult books. Even if it's only a small part of the story, I like it. I feel like something is missing, when there is zero romance, at least for the type of books I read. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-59431038390068323992020-03-18T10:08:02.220-04:002020-03-18T10:08:02.220-04:00Like Nicle @FYFA, I don't read as much pure ro...Like Nicle @FYFA, I don't read as much pure romance as other genres, but I love a dose of romance in my books. When I do read a romance, it's because I want to read something with happy feels. I read romance to see a happy ending. I agree that most romances feature fantastic heroes!Crystal @ Lost in Storylandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16345599133841390127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-88011405991769858162020-02-19T21:41:57.716-05:002020-02-19T21:41:57.716-05:00I love romance in my books, even though I don'...I love romance in my books, even though I don't read as much pure romance as I do other genres. I often tend to connect to the romantic plot the most in any book I read! And I totally agree that people need to get over their hangups about romance and stop complaining---every genre has good and bad books; this is not specific to romance!<br /><br />Nicole @ <a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com" rel="nofollow">Feed Your Fiction Addiction</a>Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addictionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637114079800138680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-70903718597936426592020-02-18T05:28:41.684-05:002020-02-18T05:28:41.684-05:00I feel like books, which blend romance and current...I feel like books, which blend romance and current issues exist across the age groups. You just have to find them. It is so interesting to hear you gravitate towards NA, because that age group has always been a sore spot in romance. I guess it's good to hear they are getting better. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-67202136253431981152020-02-18T04:30:25.213-05:002020-02-18T04:30:25.213-05:00I am mostly a new adult romance reader and that is...I am mostly a new adult romance reader and that is because... well, I like reading happy books with guaranteed happy endings when I am going through something in my life that should be stressful like exams. And then I also like seeing the nonromantic elements. I feel like NA does a good job of tackling important modern topics, or characters struggling with their identity or finding out something new about themselves. The latter I especially love. I love the insight into characters with the happy endings, I guess.Olivia's Catastrophehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12706765857201768908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-73341141009926219012020-02-17T08:59:40.963-05:002020-02-17T08:59:40.963-05:00I like that you recognized how your unintentional ...I like that you recognized how your unintentional actions may have appeared. I am not a huge fan of many things, but everyone has the right to like what they like. I know I don't feel guilty about liking what I like. This is making me think of my discussion that is scheduled for Friday. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-86557596323740950782020-02-17T08:56:29.096-05:002020-02-17T08:56:29.096-05:00There's a reason why so many books across all ...There's a reason why so many books across all genres have romantic subplots - lots of people enjoy them. Oddly enough, I have never found my epic love, nor have I ever married, but as a spinster I am still in love with love. I find a lot of joy in seeing other people get their happy even if mine is forever out of reach. I mean, they sold the 202 million dollar powerball ticket a few miles from my house, and I was ecstatic for the winner. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-82746370348205982662020-02-17T08:54:08.408-05:002020-02-17T08:54:08.408-05:00There is nothing like a guaranteed happy ending to...There is nothing like a guaranteed happy ending to get me out of my funk. So important for me. I think any and all books can be good or bad, depending on who is writing the story. There are great romances, just as there are terrible fantasies. I never felt like genre determined quality. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-25662064299819320322020-02-17T08:41:43.859-05:002020-02-17T08:41:43.859-05:00I LOOOOVE romance even though I don't much of ...I LOOOOVE romance even though I don't much of it because I always end up picking a SFF or dystopian. BUT, because so many people do tease about it, I used to tease myself on my posts about reading romance. I used to write "confession" posts about the romances I read etc, etc. Until I realized I was just feeding into this trend that's why I "kinda" stopped. I say "kinda" because it's still part of my nature to being sarcastic about my owns tastes but I gotta remember I'm talking about other people's taste too! AWESOME post Sam! Daniela Ark @ BOOKIVERSE (www.danielaark.com)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15777377723072645220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-21875533639867074792020-02-16T22:20:07.844-05:002020-02-16T22:20:07.844-05:00I am not a huge romance reader, but I do enjoy whe...I am not a huge romance reader, but I do enjoy when a book I am reading has a good romance! I guess I don't read a ton of them in general because I am bitter and sad, not because I think anything less of romance books! I think they're probably great, I am just trying to not wallow in self-loathing for too long 😂Shannon @ It Starts at Midnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10043593641190645773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-85383123098594184352020-02-16T19:19:35.963-05:002020-02-16T19:19:35.963-05:00I'm ashamed to admit it, but when I was younge...I'm ashamed to admit it, but when I was younger I used to think romance books were all bad. It's taken me some time, but I've gotten over that opinion. Admittedly, I'm still not the biggest consumer of the genre, but there are some romance books that I absolutely love! I totally agree with your five reasons for loving them. Number 2 in particular keeps me coming back to them.<br />Great post!!<br />- Sabrina @ Wordy and WhimsicalSabrinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15762635239865326562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-76265429284193578542020-02-16T14:36:20.524-05:002020-02-16T14:36:20.524-05:00I agree. Genre doesn't define the skill of a w...I agree. Genre doesn't define the skill of a writer. Ooh, I agree with the idea of many being character studies. The most successful romances allow us to really understand the hero and heroine and how they tick. Then, we can really appreciate their journey to their HEA. <br /><br />I love that! If I read a mystery that didn't end with it being solved, I would go nuts, the same way I would if my hero and heroine didn't get their HEASamantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-89348419111408430742020-02-16T13:30:51.184-05:002020-02-16T13:30:51.184-05:00I love romances so much, and I feel like they can ...I love romances so much, and I feel like they can have just as much value as any other genre. The writing can be gorgeous, the characters masterfully written, and the plot can also be outstanding - although, yes, usually the plot will revolve around the relationship. I once saw an author, can't remember who, tweet that many romances are character studies. They can show all kinds of people and dive deep into their characters, because most romance novels are carried by the characters and their relationships - romantic or otherwise. I agree with that.<br /><br />Also, yes, I fully believe a romance novel should have a happy ending, similarly to how a mystery novel should solve the mystery. *shrug* Great post, Sam!Veronika @ Wordy and Whimsicalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06813427718618609226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-91756693699089248522020-02-16T10:26:43.756-05:002020-02-16T10:26:43.756-05:00Ha! My granny had stacks and stacks of bodice ripp...Ha! My granny had stacks and stacks of bodice rippers, that she would voraciously read. Must be a generational thing. I am glad we have a wide variety of romances to select from. I feel like there is something for everyone within the genre, and yes! I am so happy to see rom-coms making a comeback. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-52175164177744626052020-02-16T10:24:10.424-05:002020-02-16T10:24:10.424-05:00I consider Romeo & Juliet a tragedy. It's ...I consider Romeo & Juliet a tragedy. It's supposed to be all star-crossed lovers, but it comes across more as a cautionary tale, a tale of the destructive nature of bitter feuds. There was romance in there, but that wasn't my takeaway. But, maybe that was considered a romance back when it was written. I am more partial to the modern expectations for a romance. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-48907492478924923992020-02-16T09:14:14.909-05:002020-02-16T09:14:14.909-05:00I'll admit that I never used to reach much rom...I'll admit that I never used to reach much romance. It just wasn't my thing and I honestly think it was my own fault because I had this narrow view of romance as these bodice ripping stories that my grandmother used to get in the mail from Harlequin. I remember sneaking one of them out of her room when I was a young teen and being absolutely shocked that there was graphic sex on practically every other page. Once I started blogging and reading reviews for contemporary romance reads, from your blog especially, I realized there was a whole world of romance novels I had never experienced before, particularly the ones that read like rom-coms. Those I absolutely love. Suzanne @ The Bookish Librahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16116292880784513187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-59675034379662218872020-02-16T08:06:33.060-05:002020-02-16T08:06:33.060-05:00I wrote something about romance months ago and if ...I wrote something about romance months ago and if I agree on most of what you said I know that not having a HEA (even HFN) qualifies as romance in my book as long as there is a love story. Maybe I should consider it a tragedy but for le Romeon and Juliet is a romance and it certainly does not have a happy ending! But I guess I am not playing by the rules #iamarebel ;-)Beware Of The Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04146867538038694877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-33413260257223908072020-02-15T15:01:40.946-05:002020-02-15T15:01:40.946-05:00The ending is everything for me. It's the thin...The ending is everything for me. It's the things I need the most. Yes! Having a healthy escape is necessary, and I love that romances give me that and always leave me happier. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-39287161432294558982020-02-15T14:13:27.688-05:002020-02-15T14:13:27.688-05:00Romances are my absolute favorite! I like light a...Romances are my absolute favorite! I like light and feel good, as well as angsty and melodramatic, but one thing that unites them all is that happy ending! I agree, it's frustrated when people put down romance as trash. Life is hard enough, it's nice to escape for awhile, and smile and laugh :) Great discussion Sam.<br /><br />Lindy@ A Bookish EscapeLindy Gomezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08037195934272974300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-32919716548684571562020-02-15T12:10:51.306-05:002020-02-15T12:10:51.306-05:00My dark moods often need that lift, and it's g...My dark moods often need that lift, and it's great to know we can rely on a romance to give that to us. Same. I can deal with all the heartache and pain in a romance, because I KNOW it will all work out. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-35275251193648156592020-02-15T12:08:13.440-05:002020-02-15T12:08:13.440-05:00I agree with all your points for reading romance. ...I agree with all your points for reading romance. :) I love romances because of the promise of lifting my spirits with a happy ending. I want my entertainment to be uplifting by the end, even if there's a hard path to it. Fab discussion, Sam.Rachel @Waves of Fictionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14008473307411943476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-4966618457476709442020-02-15T12:05:54.909-05:002020-02-15T12:05:54.909-05:00It really is. Some authors have written some amazi...It really is. Some authors have written some amazing meet cutes, and just thinking about them make me smileSamantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-43710052655191146342020-02-15T11:35:25.898-05:002020-02-15T11:35:25.898-05:00I read romance for the romance. It's fun to se...I read romance for the romance. It's fun to see how they meet and how they fall in love. And, of course, the happy ending.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05744993634095849670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-86609091192606678532020-02-15T08:55:24.169-05:002020-02-15T08:55:24.169-05:00There are a long list of romance writers, who make...There are a long list of romance writers, who make us suffer and earn that ending (CoHo, Emma Scott, et al). Last year, I read a few books marketed as romances, and then the heroine ended up ALONE at the end. The books were clearly women's fiction, but I was frustrated at being misled, and yeah, I knock off stars for such shenanigans. Romances have HEAs and part of that is a happy couple at the end Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.com