Romance novels taboo in book club?

Romance novels verses book club

I am 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 a blazing at book club shouting  with much enthusiasm, "How we can make this this 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 choosing our next read for February I suggested a Valentine novel with romance of course. 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 turmoil but within every plot there was some love and budding romance in-between the pages. By my book club standards these stories are not considered 'romance novels' but just historical fiction with a heaping side dish of love.  

​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 with it's story of  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!