My name is Jessica and I’ve been working for the Handley Regional Library System since August of 2021! I’ve been really enjoying my time as an employee, and it’s been a great experience overall so far. Part of my job is to be well-versed in different literary genres so I can give book recommendations, so in an effort to become a bit more well-rounded, I decided to tackle one that I’d never attempted to read in the past: romance novels. I’ve always heard mixed reviews about the genre, so I decided to give it a go myself.
The first one I read was modern, entitled Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon, which will soon be added to our catalog. It was a great book and I really enjoyed it. The main character was actually a huge fan of romance novels and talks about the mixed reception of most of them. I liked the book because I love enemies-to-lovers storylines, as well as how important diversity and inclusion were to the narrator. After reading, I wanted to see what the main character was talking about as far as romance novels as a genre, so I decided to dive in.
I started with some other modern reads before heading to one of the most classic romance novel authors: Nora Roberts. I read Unfinished Business and Vision in White. There were some elements I disliked in Unfinished Business, and with Vision in White, I could tell it was too different from my personal preferences in stories. I’m not a fan of rom-coms, but if you are, Vision in White is a prime example! Nora Roberts has a beautiful writing style, so I tried to appreciate the books that way. I have Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice, who sadly passed away recently, checked out on Libby, so she’s up next on my queue of romance novels to read, this time with a gothic twist. Wish me luck!
Overall, I’ve found that I’m not a fan of romance novels, but I’ve expanded my mental inventory enough that I can appreciate the genre. It’s not hard to lose yourself in a romance novel. You know that there will be a happy ending, that the two enemies will eventually become lovers, and that any misunderstandings the main couple has will be resolved. That being said, I understand why people love to read romance novels.
That’s what reading is about: learning and understanding, appreciating and broadening your horizons. I’m moving on to a list my co-worker gave me of some more diverse and inclusive romance novels, so I’m looking forward to exploring that after I finish Interview with the Vampire.
Moreover, it’s been an interesting journey, and it’s taught me to appreciate someone’s creative craft and livelihood.
Challenge yourself with reading a new genre! Check out our catalog or ask us for recommendations. Let’s all broaden our horizons and learn a little bit about not only something new, but maybe even a little bit about ourselves.