What Have You Learned from Romance Novels?
We're having a discussion on one of my lists about reading romance novels. Several romance writers admit to not reading many romance novels anymore. I'm floored. I LOVE romance novels (as you see if you come here often). One of the reasons is that I've learned so much from reading them.
Not just historicals, though I've learned about Queen Matilda of England from Anita Mills, The Black Prince from Marsha Canham, Culloden from Diana Gabaldon. I've been in the Napoleonic War, the French Revolution, Colonial India.
I've learned from contemporaries, too. I'd never heard of pesto till I read a Jayne Ann Krentz. I never knew about the statue of Vulcan in Birmingham till I read Anne George (technically not romance, I know.) I feel like I've been to Key West, Seattle, Chicago. I have a passing knowledge with Wiccan beliefs and practices.
Romance novels fill my thirst for wanting more. My biggest fear is that someday I may not be able to see well enough to read anymore, but even then I'll find a way. Maybe I've just been really lucky in my choices, maybe I look more to the good.
What have romance novels given you?
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- MJFredrick
- I'm a mom, a wife, a teacher and a writer. I have five cats and a dog to keep me company. I love bookstores and libraries and Netflix - movies are my greatest weakness.
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5 comments:
I love romance novels too and my answer would echo yours on the things I've learned :)
I read only romance with only an occassional venture into mystery (the Stephanie Plum books are automatic buys for me). I know I should probably read more outside my genre but I love romance. I don't read as much as I used to (though I will be working on that) but to me, I read what I love.
I love all books but romances are and always will be my favorites. As a young girl they provided me with escape, dreams and so much fun. Today they help me remember my love of the fairy tale and they provide escape after a difficult day and honestly, I'll never be able to kick A** like some of the heroines do, but every time I read Eve Dallas, I feel like I've gone to battle with the monsters out there and won. I can't imagine not reading romance.
I just finished Deborah Smith's The Crossroads Cafe. It was amazing.
Admittedly I dont read as many as I used to, but I gained a love of history from romance novels!
Michele, exactly what I was telling my dh - I probably should read other things, but in my limited reading time I want to read things I love!
Mary Beth, LOL on feeling like Eve Dallas! I know just what you mean. I must read more Deborah Smith. I've read a couple of hers, have a few more in my stack.
Amie, I don't read as much as I used to, either, which pains me, but I still love my love stories!
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