11 Reasons I’m Grateful for Romance Novels
Reading isn’t a solitary act.
Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate—and happy Thursday to everyone else! Here’s a note of thanks for some of the things I gain from being a romance reader all year long.
Something for every taste
How many romance titles are available for my reading pleasure? Exactly fifty gazillion, with more coming out every day. I can pluck a new title off the internet and discover a new author any day. Whether you want dark romance with villainous love interests who get it on in inappropriate places or small-town sweethearts who never mention the idea of having sex, there are enough romance novels to satisfy even the most voracious reader.
Cultural representation
I’m not here to say that romance has solved all its diversity issues, but among the gazillions of books out there is a growing number of books by writers of color, writers with different abilities, and writers of diverse gender and sexual preferences. I love the window into different experiences and forms of sexual expression I get from the books I read. I’ve learned what ACE and ARO mean, spent time inside the head of neuroatypical characters, and gotten a window into the worlds of people whose lived experience is vastly different from mine. The tension of a romantic relationship is a fantastic way to illuminate those differences.
Exploring new and old worlds
Beyond different human experiences, romance and romantasy take us to alien planets—and explore alien sex. The romance community has created shared universes like the Omegaverse (don’t ask me to explain—I’m just figuring it out myself), tropes like reverse harem (one she, several hes) and love stories involving vampires, witches, fairies, and more.
Historical romance brings bits of real or fictional history to life while reimagining women’s roles and exploring the agency women could have during a time when Western culture limited our autonomy. I’m here for that.
Smut with heart
Okay, it’s not all about the sex. Except it kind of is all about the sex. Because, in addition to being sexy, intimate scenes pull at my heartstrings the hardest.
Ebooks and audiobooks
I live in a small condo without a lot of room for bookshelves. I love taking a stack of books to read on vacation in my phone and always having a book with me wherever I go.
Delicious movie adaptations
There’s nothing like seeing a favorite book brought to life or discovering a book by seeing the movie first. The Hating Game, Red, White & Royal Blue, and The Bridgertons come to mind. Plus every adaptation of a Jane Austen novel (especially the BBC Pride and Prejudice—10/10, no notes). I’m sure there are many more and more to come.
Reader communities
I need an extra 20 hours in a day (and steady income from the sky so I don’t have to work) to read all the wonderful book suggestions from Instagram, r/romancebooks, Facebook reader groups, and other wonderful reader communities. Keep those suggestions coming!
Book hangovers
Yes, I’m tired after staying up till 3 a.m. because I had to find out how the MCs get back together, but I get to spend the day in the haze of an HEA, not an alcohol headache.
Book boyfriends and girlfriends
I love my wife. I would say she’s the love of my life. But that doesn’t mean I’m not crushed out on a cute and salty heroine or a fiercely loyal hero. Yum.
The library
I have a serious romance reading habit that would bankrupt me (and overflow the aforementioned tiny condo) if I had to purchase all the books I read. I love that my library includes lots of romance titles, including many from indie authors. It’s a great way to discover new authors. And don’t feel bad: by reading books from the library, you’re also supporting authors (libraries pay more for books than we do) and supporting a critical cultural institution that’s been increasingly under attack.
HEA
The happily ever after—a guarantee for every romance novel and what defines the genre—is everything. I love a happy ending and I believe in them. We don’t always get them in life, but I can always turn to a romance for a hard-fought and well-deserved HEA.
NaNoWriMo Is Dead—Long Live NaNoWriMo
I’ve been sporadic this month because a) work has been busy, b) I appear to be training for some kind of swim tournament (really just swimming more to lower my blood sugar—and it’s working), and c) NaNoWriMo. The nonprofit that ran the annual November novel writing challenge is defunct, for good reasons, but the communities of writers who love the challenge is alive and well.
For the last three years, I’ve written 50,000 words or more during the month of November. This year, I’ve managed to write every day, but without a single project to complete during the month and with a busy schedule, I’ve struggled with word count. I have almost 9,000 words to go. But I’m competitive AF, so I’m going to get there, dammit.
See you in December!
