tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post1960501422356833834..comments2024-03-28T08:22:41.115-07:00Comments on Grow Wings -- the Journal of Laini Taylor: Complicated relationship to "romance"Laini Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14064837312936707024noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-68863649015686478122012-06-20T15:32:33.502-07:002012-06-20T15:32:33.502-07:00I had wondered if you had ever blogged about A Com...I had wondered if you had ever blogged about A Company of Swans. How fun to find this old post with its great comments and recommendations. I LOVE LOVE LOVE The Sugar Queen!Connie Onniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10755735823343995810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-84229486815971491642009-03-06T21:53:00.000-08:002009-03-06T21:53:00.000-08:00I read my full allotment of romance novels in my ...I read my full allotment of romance novels in my teen years - gasp, sigh. Now I know a little romance goes a long way. <BR/><BR/>The Outlander books are just plain fun. I've read all of them, some several times. And yes, there's a bit of ripping apart, but it's always followed by some really good coming back together. And history and politics and adventure.Deirdrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01111665177473414894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-49771239803009614022009-03-06T10:46:00.000-08:002009-03-06T10:46:00.000-08:00Those covers are awesome!;) Congratulations if th...Those covers are awesome!;) Congratulations if there is indeed a small human swimming in side of you!:)Chantele Sedgwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07920913211842919013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-77549354466661385802009-03-05T20:37:00.000-08:002009-03-05T20:37:00.000-08:00I absolutely rolled on the floor, laughing at thos...I absolutely rolled on the floor, laughing at those covers!violetismycolorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14483842097989012804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-83378379741658804922009-03-05T17:02:00.000-08:002009-03-05T17:02:00.000-08:00Something that really annoys me about romances, es...Something that really annoys me about romances, especially when it comes to YA is the "insta-love" factor.<BR/><BR/>New boy moves to town, girl speaks to him twice, suddenly they cannot live without one another. Bleck!<BR/><BR/>I get the whole YA, everything's magnified ten-fold bit (I'm still about 14 years old when it comes to sappy love), but it is just so over the top sometimes!<BR/><BR/>As for Time Traveler's Wife, The Sugar Queen and A Certain Slant of Light-- those are three of my favs. I think if forced to choose a singular all-time favorite book, it might end of being The Time Traveler's Wife.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and can books please just show up wherever I go at exactly the point when I need them?Emily J. Griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05065829576152766163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-85091341104645937752009-03-05T15:30:00.001-08:002009-03-05T15:30:00.001-08:00Really need to read Time Traveler's Wife and Outla...Really need to read Time Traveler's Wife and Outlander. And I agree about Forever Amber...love that book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-12481739787300645882009-03-05T15:30:00.000-08:002009-03-05T15:30:00.000-08:00Really need to read Time Traveler's Wife and Outla...Really need to read Time Traveler's Wife and Outlander. And I agree about Forever Amber...love that book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-19592724499339473762009-03-05T15:18:00.000-08:002009-03-05T15:18:00.000-08:00Made me giggle. heheheI went through is period in ...Made me giggle. hehehe<BR/><BR/>I went through is period in college, when I was reading ONLY silly romance. Don't know why. Just needed to not think much,maybe. But I learned to have a little love for them. But i haven't read a really "guilty" one in a long time! Maybe I should. lol<BR/><BR/>For guilty pleasure, I love Philipa Gregory books, "The Other Boleyn Girl"...But I'm not sure thats really "romance".<BR/><BR/>Best historical romance, "Forever Amber". Read it today. Although, SHE is sort of an asshat, I gotta tell you. LOL<BR/><BR/>:)Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04680903854519503303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-22266567903013721912009-03-05T12:39:00.000-08:002009-03-05T12:39:00.000-08:00I had the same response to Outlander.The romance s...I had the same response to <I>Outlander</I>.<BR/><BR/>The romance story line that gets me absolutely irate--not that i enjoy your pet peeve much, either--is when the woman is unhappily married and finds perfect happiness with the sensitive and intuitive man she has an affair with and then gets the courage to leave her husband and continues to have perfect relationship with man from the affair. Complete Garbage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-12961712651119402592009-03-05T00:54:00.000-08:002009-03-05T00:54:00.000-08:00ohhh so so excited to hear about the Small Human a...ohhh so so excited to hear about the Small Human and all the burbeling about happening...the first time it is so magical and makes me gush....it is my favorite part of being pregnant, feeling the baby. <BR/><BR/>thirding Diana G....smart, and while totally agreeing with you on the STUPID ripped apart bs....it only happens a bit in her books and the sex is just right not too harlequin or throbbing with members etc. just REAL. lovely moments and my most favorites.<BR/><BR/>Also time travelers wife is my other favorite book EVER and I seriously avoided the ending twice b/c I was so upset. It is so well done. <BR/><BR/>Love this list of great reading ideas, and just so thrilled for you and Jim.Earthmamagoddesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15829300999309087356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-84584674027385346002009-03-04T22:30:00.000-08:002009-03-04T22:30:00.000-08:00Yeah, Colleen, I have a completely different attit...Yeah, Colleen, I have a completely different attitude regarding judging actual people by their names and characters! When an author does it, it just says so much about the kind of book, but with an actual person, not so much. I've heard/read some snippets this year about courts intervening in the cases of really unforgivable naming of babies, like some White Supremacists who named their children Adolf Hitler and Aryan Nation!!!Laini Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14064837312936707024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-5237336067630225212009-03-04T21:46:00.000-08:002009-03-04T21:46:00.000-08:00My son's primary nurse when we were in Children's ...My son's primary nurse when we were in Children's Hosp three years ago was named Precious. When she first introduced herself I thought I misheard but she was pretty used to that kind of response and repeated her name and pointed to her name tag and yep - she was Precious!<BR/><BR/>I do have to say she was outstanding - amazing in every possible way. So I learned not to judge people by their names although really, you have to wonder why on Earth her parents did that to her!Colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18380722344521975869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-67863176817985490952009-03-04T18:32:00.000-08:002009-03-04T18:32:00.000-08:00I'm trying to think back to when I read Eva Ibbots...I'm trying to think back to when I read Eva Ibbotsen's books. I really didn't like one of them, and I'm thinking it was SONG OF SUMMER. It just seemed a bit off.<BR/><BR/>And those covers are hilarious! :)Emhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00041695477739391198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-83319189010077375192009-03-04T17:29:00.000-08:002009-03-04T17:29:00.000-08:00Oh, I love romance in a novel, too, but NOT "roman...Oh, I love romance in a novel, too, but NOT "romance novels" - not those bodice rippers that make me want to stick a finger down my throat and get it over with. I loved The Time Traveler's Wife, too (one of my favorite reads) but also enjoyed Melissa Marr's The Wicked Lovely, Kirby Larson's, Hattie Big Sky, Catherine Murdock's The Dairy Queen (what a great character D.J. was) and the Elizabeth Bunce's A Curse Dark As Gold (what a delicious romance). I've never written romance before so this was an especially interesting post for me because a romance scene is waiting for me down the pike and I'm shaking in my slippers.<BR/><BR/>Great post! Thanks so much!<BR/><BR/>StellaStellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15321805301687762360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-40718651610204393242009-03-04T13:15:00.000-08:002009-03-04T13:15:00.000-08:00I, too, am an English major. I don't deny I like ...I, too, am an English major. I don't deny I like fantasy, and books with some romance in them (I've never been a big fan of <I>all</I> romance), but I am always scared to do such things around other English majors. Or, heaven forbid, English Professors. ;)<BR/><BR/>Also, those romance book covers are just wonderful. :)Debbie Barrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03119207763941673358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-39051759451214953912009-03-04T12:58:00.000-08:002009-03-04T12:58:00.000-08:00Amber, I know. They're pure escapism, I guess. I r...Amber, I know. They're pure escapism, I guess. I remember seeing a woman on a talk show once who read ONE A DAY!!! And it's not that I didn't enjoy the great lit I read as an English major, it's just so *exclusive* and the whole experience kind of trains you to snub popular fiction. I was such a snob. Thank God that's past!<BR/><BR/>And Rachael, Captain Corelli! WHY??? The book was so good, but all I remember clearly now is the hideous thing he did at the end. Time Traveler's Wife=wonderful. I gave it to Jim too, and it totally BROKE him and he was so mad at me (he kept hoping for a miraculous happy ending), but in the end, he loved it. YOUR book has a great romance in it too, in a completely not-embarrassing or guilty way :-)Laini Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14064837312936707024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-74100884531833848842009-03-04T11:51:00.000-08:002009-03-04T11:51:00.000-08:00As I started reading this post I immediately thoug...As I started reading this post I immediately thought of Captain Corelli... and yes, they Hollywoodized the ending. But I love that book so much I forgave it everything.<BR/><BR/>And I'm with you on The Time Traveller's Wife. I gave it to my boyfriend to read and I swear it brought us closer together. (Now married!)Rachael Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07690377694600952816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-15436571619672478742009-03-04T11:38:00.000-08:002009-03-04T11:38:00.000-08:00I wasn't going to comment this time b/c I seem to ...I wasn't going to comment this time b/c I seem to always comment and people probably think I'm some sort of crazy woman, BUT I snorted while reading this post and HAD to comment. Tee hee! I love the Blind and Buttonless Horseman. Do these covers really work on women? Does it really make them buy the books?? I just don't get it. If, for whatever reason, I was going to read a book like that, I'd wrap it up in a paper bag.<BR/><BR/>Who are these people that read these books? I would like them to explain it to me, so that I can understand them. I just hate being so judgmental. <BR/><BR/>Romance is lovely, when it's done right. Thank you (the posters, too) for giving out some great suggestions so I don't waste my time reading mindless, boring rippage.<BR/><BR/>BTW, I was a Russian major, so the books we read weren't what I'd call "fun," either, although I do love me some Dostoyevsky.Amber Loughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12374291005610549082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-87904531865489151172009-03-04T10:55:00.000-08:002009-03-04T10:55:00.000-08:00I have to line up with Stephanie about Diana G- re...I have to line up with Stephanie about Diana G- read them all and though you do get all the quicksand stage stops, she is superb . . . Sex is not essential for me as opposed to 'romance' or can we just call it 'chemistry'. I've put otherwise good books down that, once in the realm of physical contact, had the characters we thought we knew and loved (or at least cared about) doing things that were just down right . . . EW! Don't get me wrong, I'm no prude I like voyeurism via sizzling prose as much as the next girl but isn't it just better when the writing takes into account our brains?<BR/> <BR/>Laini, I just love your description and like xegbp, I would love to join a group with you--SuzAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-59841899754989155422009-03-04T09:26:00.000-08:002009-03-04T09:26:00.000-08:00Ooh, so many good recommendations! I'm making a li...Ooh, so many good recommendations! I'm making a list! Maybe I should make a master link list and post it? But not until AFTER I get some work done today!!!Laini Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14064837312936707024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-63525424075406169372009-03-04T09:11:00.000-08:002009-03-04T09:11:00.000-08:00PRESHY?!!!You have harrowed my soul.Also, I have t...PRESHY?!!!<BR/><BR/>You have harrowed my soul.<BR/><BR/>Also, I have to heartily second the recommendations for Mary Stewart. Love her. Love love love love love. Try THIS ROUGH MAGIC or MADAM, WILL YOU TALK or TOUCH NOT THE CAT... now <I>that</I> is how smart, suspenseful romance is done. And it doesn't depend on any of the parties leaping to wrong conclusions and running off in tears because they happened to spot the object of their affections being kissed by someone else, or any of those other cliches that I find so annoying.R.J. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04503519800068573393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-88551424125776672009-03-04T08:46:00.000-08:002009-03-04T08:46:00.000-08:00Oh, were those sex scenes?! ;-) But, you know what...Oh, were those sex scenes?! ;-) But, you know what I mean, right? It was tasteful and romantic instead of SILLY like most of them.<BR/><BR/>Oh, I meant to add: Yay for Small Human! Wait until s/he starts pushing the little foot between your ribs.andalucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17362287992425261006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-21962069035196446992009-03-04T08:05:00.000-08:002009-03-04T08:05:00.000-08:00And I'm still barfing about Preshy.And I'm still barfing about Preshy.Stephanie Perkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01327218987542530574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-62557946634696212842009-03-04T08:01:00.000-08:002009-03-04T08:01:00.000-08:00OHMY#$%&. I Married A Sissy Boy. Yes, that's...OHMY#$%&. <I>I Married A Sissy Boy</I>. Yes, that's totally the best one.<BR/><BR/>Okay. Granted, I'm a huge Diana Gabaldon fan, and her books DO break your long-icky-separation rule (which I hate too, I SWEAR, I really really do), but . . . give her another chance! Yes, there is rippage, but she is a smart smart SMART writer. And the series just explodes with awesomeness. The third one, <I>Voyager</I>, is my favorite, but I enjoyed losing myself in all of them.<BR/><BR/>Mary Stewart is one of my all-time favs. She writes wonderful thrillers set in exotic locations with a dash of romance. <I>Moonspinners</I> is great (set in Greece), and I also highly recommend <I>Nine Coaches Waiting</I> (set in France).<BR/><BR/>My favorite YA romance writers: Maureen Johnson, Rachel Cohn (I sooo wish I had written her <I>Gingerbread</I> series), Sarah Dessen, and (the queen) Meg Cabot. And I don't know if I've ever heard anyone say it, but I think John Green writes romances too ;)<BR/><BR/>Sharon Shinn writes great romantic fantasy. Her YA series that starts with <I>The Safe-Keeper's Secret</I> is wonderful (and I always feel bad that they got lame covers, because the writing is lovely). I also liked her adult book, <I>Summers at Castle Auburn</I>, and I've heard great things about the rest of her books too (I just haven't gotten to them yet).<BR/><BR/>Banana Yoshimoto writes achingly beautiful short love stories. I'd start with <I>Kitchen</I>, it's my favorite.<BR/><BR/>I loooove Katie Fforde. She's as close to real romance novels as I get (technically, I've heard them referred to both as Women's Fiction and Chick Lit), but they're these cozy English novels with kooky girls building gardens or starting baking business or fixing up old cottages or whatnot and handsome, slightly grouchy men and lots of tea and wine drinking. I. LOVE. THEM. Candy candy candy! (If anyone is interested, try <I>Restoring Grace</I>, <I>Highland Fling</I>, or <I>Stately Pursuits</I>.)<BR/><BR/>And for anyone reading this who likes chick lit, Marian Keyes is brilliant. Her series with the Walsh sisters is fantastic. You don't have to read them in order, so I'd start with <I>Anybody Out There?</I> or <I>Rachel's Holiday</I>. Her books aren't swoopy romances, but they <I>are</I> romantic and very SMART.<BR/><BR/>And yes, of course, Jane!<BR/><BR/>And a million more. Sigh! Romance.<BR/><BR/>(Yeah, you totally knew I had a lot to say on this one, didn't you? I'll stop now, but I could go all day.)Stephanie Perkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01327218987542530574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21997604.post-80389572572761998442009-03-04T07:21:00.000-08:002009-03-04T07:21:00.000-08:00Oh, I Married a Sissy Boy is going to have to go t...Oh, <I>I Married a Sissy Boy</I> is going to have to go to the top of my to-be-read list. Sorry, Blackbringer. You'll be very next, I promise.<BR/><BR/>I used to think I wouldn't be able to write romance in my books (notice that's romance in my books, not romance books) because it would feel too voyeuristic to imagine those feelings for other people.<BR/><BR/>Turns out I <I>only</I> like writing books with romance in them. A little bit (or a lot) makes everything more interesting. But you're right--it has to be grounded in reality (even if it's in fantasy, or paranormal, or whatever) in order for it to have that spark.<BR/><BR/>That, or it has to have a sissy boy.Kiersten Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05780265683043033609noreply@blogger.com