SBD -- other stuff
Nov. 13th, 2006 09:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jmc_bksOkay, I updated my spreadsheet of books read and noticed a bunch of gaps and trends. The one that surprised me most -- that I read more straight romance than any other sub-genre this year. Because I feel like I spent a lot of time trying out paranormal, fantasy-lite, Luna-ish books, and a significant amount of time reading non-fiction (mostly in the history/politics section). Except, wait, when I sort by that column, the publication date for most of those straight romance books mostly predate 2000.
Not to knock the paranormally, Luna-ish books, but really, it occured to me this morning that I'm tired of adventure and suspense in my romance. Serial killers, threats to the alternate reality, etc....a little goes a long way. Suspense and action have their place, but must they be dragged into a romance novel at all costs? How many times have I picked up a book only to be disappointed by the contortions that author goes through to get to a suspense plot? I haven't actually counted, but I do think it is an increasing number. Is it safe to assume that editors aren't interested in straight romance without suspense? 'Cause it seems like a dying breed to me...although I may be looking for these books in the worng place.
Just my opinion and I could be wrong. I am often enough about other things.
Not to knock the paranormally, Luna-ish books, but really, it occured to me this morning that I'm tired of adventure and suspense in my romance. Serial killers, threats to the alternate reality, etc....a little goes a long way. Suspense and action have their place, but must they be dragged into a romance novel at all costs? How many times have I picked up a book only to be disappointed by the contortions that author goes through to get to a suspense plot? I haven't actually counted, but I do think it is an increasing number. Is it safe to assume that editors aren't interested in straight romance without suspense? 'Cause it seems like a dying breed to me...although I may be looking for these books in the worng place.
Just my opinion and I could be wrong. I am often enough about other things.
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Date: 2006-11-14 01:58 pm (UTC)