Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge discussion

This thread is for dropping ideas, questions, resources, comments, and discussion about Task 13: A Romance.

A few ideas can be found at the Romance tag at Book Riot: http://bookriot.com/category/romance/

For this category, could a story like Pride and Prejudice be included? Or is it pretty much books you find in the Romance section at the bookstore?

I think Pride and Prejudice counts. Doesn't have to be "raunchy romance". I'm probably going to read The Shoemaker's Wife, which is a romance in the same sense as Pride and Prejudice.

I'm relieved. Couldn't imagine myself reading one of those romance novels you can find in grocery stores.

Kenny wrote: "I'm relieved. Couldn't imagine myself reading one of those romance novels you can find in grocery stores."

We're leaving this open to interpretation, so any book you find romantic works.

Well I would recommend any of Sarah MacLean's novels for people wanting to really delve into genre lit. She is an excellent writer.

I'm planning on The Lies of Locke Lamora, Heroes Are My Weakness, and/or The Rogue Not Taken.

I work in the industry, so I read plenty of romance. Shouldn't have trouble here. :)

Sarah MacLean is great, especially if you like a your romance heroines on the smart/feisty side.

Shannon Stacey is pretty good too, if you're looking for more modern stories (MacLean's stories are set in 19th century England).

For the guys out there worried about this one, I'd recommend The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. Lots of folks on GoodReads have this shelved as "romance" but in addition to the romance it has humor and great literary references.

Kelli wrote: "For the guys out there worried about this one, I'd recommend The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. Lots of folks on GoodReads have this shelved as "romance" but in addition to the romanc..."

Very true... but also a tearjerker.

I thought this was interesting. Need to discuss it when we are together. Love you,

Mom

I'm gonna give a Sarah MacLean book a try for this one. This is waaaay branching out for me!

Karin wrote: "I'm gonna give a Sarah MacLean book a try for this one. This is waaaay branching out for me!"

A Rogue By Any Other Name is a great one to start with!

Hm, I just noticed that Deathless has been shelved a number of times as "romance", and it is good times (for anyone who likes mythology and Russian history).

Gonna read Gone with the wind!

I plan to read Sea Swept which is already sitting on my shelf.

I have a couple in my TBR pile and selected The Do-Over

This is probably the task I have the least clue about, I just can't see myself reading a doctor/nurse love story which is how "romance" sounds to me :/ Does anyone have any suggestions ?

Ultra wrote: "This is probably the task I have the least clue about, I just can't see myself reading a doctor/nurse love story which is how "romance" sounds to me :/ Does anyone have any suggestions ?"

A classic like Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice or a moden humorous version like Bridget Jones or Shopaholic have some wit so they aren't just sappy.

I had the classics inflicted on me at school and really don't like chick lit, but thanks.

I had the classics inflicted on me at school and really don't like chick lit, but thanks.

This one is the most challenging bit of the challenge.

I am thinking about Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. Book and then film. Zombie romance comedy. That is about as close as I want to get to romance :)

I have had March by Geraldine Brooks on my TBR pile for a while. It is a "love story" per the publisher's blurb, so I will read that one.

Maybe this sci fi romance list is of use to others in this challenge?

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...

Karin wrote: "Maybe this sci fi romance list is of use to others in this challenge?

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8..."

Thank you!

Ooh Warm bodies is a great suggestion, I like Zombies much more than I like women who shop or drink wine ;)

Melissa wrote: "Karin wrote: "I'm gonna give a Sarah MacLean book a try for this one. This is waaaay branching out for me!"

A Rogue By Any Other Name is a great one to start with!"

Oh yes! Now this was one book that made me love the genre!

Ultra wrote: "This is probably the task I have the least clue about, I just can't see myself reading a doctor/nurse love story which is how "romance" sounds to me :/ Does anyone have any suggestions ?"

Try reading one of Julia Quinn's Bridgerton Series books. She writes historical romance but doesn't follow the cliche of a wimpy heroine. Also, the dialogues are beyond hilarious. I'm certain you'll be laughing your way through the book!

I will probably read something from this list (not that I really hate romance or anything): http://flavorwire.com/477073/50-roman...

Aurora wrote: "I will probably read something from this list (not that I really hate romance or anything): http://flavorwire.com/477073/50-roman..."

This list sounds lovely. I'm still going to read a traditional romance novel for the challenge but most of the books on this list sound incredibly exciting!

Would The Time Traveller's Wife count here?

Would The Time Traveller's Wife count here?

Laura wrote: "Would The Time Traveller's Wife count here?"

I would definitely count it.

Carrie wrote: "I'm going to try Attachments by Rainbow Rowell."

Such a great book!

Anything by JoJo Moyes would be good for this task.
I really enjoyed Me Before You andOne Plus One.

I'm planning to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall but I'm not sure if it really is a romance, could someone help me on this one ?

Clémence wrote: "I'm planning to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall but I'm not sure if it really is a romance, could someone help me on this one ?"
I think it counts. And I might use it for my 'published before 1850' task.

Going for The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger for this one!

I'm going to go with a Nicholas Sparks, if I can find one I haven't read! Would also count in my "guilty pleasure" category. :) http://blog.lauralindeman.com/in-whic...

I've got the last Smythe-Smith book, The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy, all lined up for this one :)

I'm going for Cecilia by Fanney Burney. Its been in my TBR pile for awhile.

I generally don't read romance novels, but did enjoy "Sea of Tranquility" even though I was not in the intended target audience. Well done debut novel.

Done

Tamara wrote: "I'm going for Cecilia by Fanney Burney. Its been in my TBR pile for awhile."

That's funny, I have Evelina by the same author on my pile! I'm using it for "published before 1850" though.

For romance, I'm reading Lady of Quality by Georgette Heyer. I'm a big fan of hers. I came to her books when Lois McMaster Bujold wrote about the influence of Heyer on her writing, specifically on A Civil Campaign (in her Vorkosigan Saga). These books are science-fiction, usually with heavy doses of mystery and romance. Her fantasy novels have more political/historical and romantic aspects. Anyway, I usually find Bujold's books to be hilarious in intended areas (the emotional parts ring true for me as well) and I find Heyer's books to be just as funny.

I'm going to go with First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen by Charlie Lovett.

I think it will have just the right dose of romance for me!

Michelle wrote: "I am thinking about Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. Book and then film. Zombie romance comedy. That is about as close as I want to get to romance :)"

I'm glad you said this! I tend to stay away from romance novels, but this one is on my to-read list already! Yep, probably going to go with this one! :)

I'm reading First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen by Charlie Lovett

I started this book this morning and it looks like it's going to be the perfect choice for me! Jane Austen is a character and the book is told in alternating chapters. The other lead character is Sophie and she has just finished getting her degree at Oxford in the present day. In her opening chapter, she meets an interesting young man, hence it has potential romance already. They are both Jane Austen readers, and this will tie the two plots together.

White HorsesI just finished Alice Hoffman's White Horses. The blurb on the back indicated more traditional romance than occurred, but the was a couple love relationships and they were the center of the story.