Romance novels taboo in book club?

2/12/2016

Valentine's Day book suggestions on The Book Club Blogger

Romance novels versus book club

I am a celebratory type of person. In my previous blog post I wrote about book club types and personalities. I think I know mine. The Celebrator, sort of like The Terminator. I will come out guns blazing at my group with much enthusiasm, "How can we make this the most awesome book club ever!?" Yes, a bit annoying perhaps but that's The Celebrator for you and my group has reassured me many times that it's okay, they love me anyway.

So when it came time to choose our next read for February I suggested a Valentine novel with romance of course to celebrate the day of love. To my amusement there were some collective gasps, laughs and silence. My suggestion went over like a lead heart shaped balloon.

Maybe in some book clubs that's a welcomed idea but for other reading groups romance novels can be a taboo word for these reasons:

Romance novels are considered fluff reading in some circles and therefore may not make good book discussions
Denial - no one wants to admit they indulge in it
Intimate content - need I say more?
Intimate content - need I say more with a wink

Our past reads, mainly of the historical fiction type, have been set in WWII, The Civil War even Early American. These plot lines included disease, death, and chaos but within every plot there was some love and angst in-between the pages. By my group club standards these stories are not considered 'romance novels' but just historical fiction with a heaping side dish of amore.

We appear to be book smart and literature savvy but I bet my Valentine chocolate on it we are indulging in the real sweet stuff behind closed doors. Even so, bodice ripper romances may be out of the question for some reading groups but it's good to find that happy middle especially for Valentine's Day.

In the meantime, as I embrace my book type, The Celebrator, the hopeless romantic in me is truly hoping this month's book pick, The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah a story on WWII and survival will resemble something more like V-Day but so far it's reading more like D-Day. So far...

Book club past reads with love

A whisper of romance
Historical fiction: The Perfume Collector

More than a whisper
Modern/Contemporary: The Language of Flowers
1940's thriller suspense: Rebecca

A whisper to a scream
Historical fiction WWII: The House at Tyneford
Historical fiction: My Name is Resolute

Happy Valentine's Day Book Friends!

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A Rainbow of Book Club Personalities

2/2/2016

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Book club personalities on Book Club Blogger

Different strokes for book club folks

Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new after all
Abraham Lincoln

There are many types of book club friends. Different bookish type personas that make a reading group so entertaining and thought provoking. Every book friend brings an interesting spin when it comes to discussion time or in choosing a book. Some personalities are down right funny and others take a wee bit of time to adjust to.

Even with the rainbow of reading personalities let this be your pledge,"We will always be good listeners, non-interrupters, respectful of comments, and finally, embrace our book natures". If you follow that oath you will find at the end of the rainbow a colorful book club pot of gold.

The cult of bookish types

The Classic Austen - Prefers to read only novels from the 1800's

The Flower Child - Wants to change the world in their reading and chooses books that will, well, change the world

The Debbie Downer - Likes novels with no HEA (happily ever after)

The Fighter - Fights to the end to get their book choice picked

The One Hit Wonder - Only loves one or two authors and be damned all others

The YA'er - Can't seem to grow out of the young adult section (moderation is the key)

The Modern Reader - Any book that is not a new release is not worth reading

The One Up Ya - I already read that book, and that book, wash rinse, repeat

Ms. Goldilocks - The book you all chose is too short, too long or too old

Twenty Question'er - Is it depressing? When was it written? Is it an easy read or hard read? Who picked this book again?

All book club personalities should be taken with a humorous grain of salt and celebrated! If you understand that book friends come in all shapes and sizes than your book club will last for years to come

Paperback, e-reader or both?

E-reader verses paperback on The Book Club Blogger

In our group we have 'the purist', 'the e-reader enthusiast' and whichever is the less expensive copy, 'the economist'. 'The purist' only purchases paperback or hardcover editions. They come to book club with their novel filled with sticky notes and pages marked and underlined. 'The e-reader enthusiast' arrive with their e-books and all comments highlighted on their Kindle Paperwhite E-reader.

Last, 'The economist' will purchase paperback, hardcover or even an e-book all depending on the best price. Those of us that own e-readers agree that being able to add margin notes that can be edited, highlighting important passages and using the built in dictionary (Jane Eyre anyone?) is worth breaking away from a paperback book now and then.

Tip for the Kindle-paperback combo reader-
Waiting on a book to come in the mail? Get started on your book club read by downloading the free sample so you won't get too far behind!

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Romance novels taboo in book club?

Romance novels versus book club

Book club past reads with love

Happy Valentine's Day Book Friends!

A Rainbow of Book Club Personalities

Different strokes for book club folks

The cult of bookish types

Paperback, e-reader or both?

Book Club Blogger

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