Should romance novels be taboo in book club?

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  but with less dystopia. I will come out guns blazing to my reading 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 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's Day type of novel 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 and possibly for these reasons:

• Romance novels are considered fluff reading to some 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, American Civil War and Victorian era. These plot lines included hardships of all sorts such as war, disease, death, and chaos but within every plot there was that ray of sunshine called LOVE. By my group 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 heart 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 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...

Past book club reads with love inside

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!