I thought it would be fun to roll out a few admissions as they pertain to the romance world. First on the list:
I’ve never read a Nora Roberts book.
Not that I have anything against her. I don’t dislike her or have a personal vow never to read her. It’s just that I’ve picked up countless books to read the back blurbs, and I’ve never once been tempted to make the purchase.
Two days ago, I picked up a book by her off my shelf out of sheer desperation. I’ve read every single book in my pile at least three times, and I didn’t have anything else. My friend, Amy, gave me six or seven of her novels the last time we met. So I started one. Got about two chapters into it, and I’m bored, frustrated and impatient. So down it went. I may return to it, just to say I’ve read at least one of Nora’s books, but for now, it isn’t happening. I guess I don’t see the attraction.
I’ve never read a book by Jennifer Crusie.
Again, nothing against her. I’ve just never been pulled in by any of the blurbs. I really don’t have any desire to correct the situation either.
I’ve tried Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunters series, and I just can’t read them. LOVE her Kinley MacGregor historicals. Don’t love her contemporaries.
I haven’t read anything published by Avon Romance (WITH the notable exception of Kinley MacGregor) in I don’t know when. No plans to remedy that either.
Similar to the above notation, I only read two Stephanie Laurens books in her mammoth Cynster series. Couldn’t go on. (I know people who can quote the entire Cynster family tree)
So there you have it, my shocking confessions. What are yours? Got any surprises?
No related posts.
Mine mirror yours!
I’ve read Nora but I prefer her JD Robb series. I’ve read JC but they all sound alike to me – and I think she is a wonderful person, but I have a problem telling the difference between her books.
I’ve read one Susan Elizabeth Phillips book. It was good, but haven’t picked up another.
I love Sherrilyn Kenyon but have never picked up her Kinley MacGregor books.
Never read a Jayne Ann Krentz book. I think I read one by Amanda Quick.
Gosh, I feel like I’m going to end up a pariah LOL
I’ve never read a Nora, but I have read JD Robb. I think they are different enough to still be able to say I ahven’t read Nora.
I’ve never read a JAK. My first Amanda Quick was finished last night.
Never read Linda Howard.
Or Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
I do plan to someday try to read books by these people.
Authors I haven’t read would just go on too long.
MJD, JAK (Although I read one Quick), JHK, Linda Howard, Nora Roberts (JD Robb), Sherrilyn Kenyon, Stephanie Laurens, Jennifer Crusie, good grief–it’s all too depressing to go on.
Truth is, there are so MANY romance authors that I’m sure that a list of Those I Haven’t Read is sure to always be longer than Those I’ve Read.
Wow… finally someone else says it!
I have read one NR — some 80s category romance about a witch who falls in love with her single father neighbor, when I was backpacking through Australia. God bless the hostel book exchanges! I also read one of her “Once Upon a…” novellas. I have the “Born In” series sitting on my shelves for several years. There’s always something I want to read more…
I’ve read one JC and have never been tempted to read another.
I’ve read tons of Amanda Quick, though. Amanda Quick and Johanna Lindsay were my highschool sweethearts.
I don’t read SK. I read Feehan instead.
I’ve never read Jennifer Weiner or The Devil Wears Prada or Prep. All the books they compare my book to, I haven’t read. Is that bad?
I’ve also never read The Catcher in the Rye or The Outsiders.
You’re my girl!
Read one Nora. Found it blah and bland.
Can I have a last cigarette?
I’ve never read most of Jane Austen, and I’ve never read Georgette Heyer at all.
I’ve never read Stephanie Laurens, Amanda Quick, or Johanna Lindsay.
Sharon, I can’t read books in the subgenre I write. It has nothing to do with the quality of the books or with my worrying that I’ll accidentally copy a plot. I just can’t get into the stories. Which is really odd, because I love writing them.
I’ve never read Linda Howard. Met her, and she cracks me up, but never read one of her books. Same deal with Jenny C.
Never read a Kinsale book. Or Whitney My Love.
I’ll join you in the never read a Jenny Cruise book club. I haven’t read War and Peace either, but I’ve taken it out the library about three times. I have also never read Gone with the Wind, and don’t intend to, either.
I’ve never read the following:
JAK – I read a Judith Krantz once and I’ve been confusing JAK for her until just recently. Seriously.
Crusie – never read her either, I’ve had Bet Me on the TBR list for over a year, and I can’t bring myself to read it. Too much hype surrounding it.
Kenyon – Her blurbs just don’t appeal
LKH – The rabidness of her fans put me off
Jude Devwhatsherface – I’m due to try at least one of her books
MJD – oh actually I have read one of hers, I believe it was an Elloras Cave book, the less said about that the better. She promised to send me a freebie copy months ago, I’m still waiting.
There’s actually a huge list, but I have to get back to earning a living!
Read and really enjoyed Nora’s “Born In” trilogy. Not sure why I haven’t read more of her….
Never read Sherrilyn Kenyon. Her fans scare the hell out of me.
Never read SEP, Julie Garwood, Judith McNaught, Diana Gabaldon, Elizabeth Lowell, Jennifer Crusie….
Read one Linda Howard and thought it was “OK” (Mr. Perfect). Tried to read Dying To Please and thought, “didn’t I just read about this guy??” Not for me.
Avon – don’t get me started.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon bored me to tears. I. Hated. It. I don’t understand why it’s held up as the epitome of The Romance Novel.
*yawn*
I love Holly Lisle’s contemporary novels but not her fantasies. She’s a great writer but I just can’t get into her other work.
Thank you for writing this essay
I thought I was the only one who did this.
No Nora, No Sherrilyn, One Cruisie, Two Kinsale’s, No Linda Howard, have no intentions of reading Woodiwess or Rogers…and my list goes on as well.
But for every one person who doesn’t read those “classic” romance authors, there are probably ten who do.
I discovered Quick first and it literally took me years to work up to reading a Krentz title. Well, first I had to figure out they were the same person then get past the contemporary thing, which is strange since I started out reading contemporary series romances. Krentz isn’t my all time favorite but I do like her writing.
How I managed to miss Krentz, though, I have no idea because I did read a couple of Roberts over the years. Not that I ever became a fan of Roberts. Nor of Robb. Read the first three In Death books and was perfectly happy to move on.
The one I really don’t get is Howard, though. I have several of her books and for the life of me can’t read them straight through. Alpha heroes don’t bother me so that it’s it. I just don’t like her writing.
The two I really keep mum about usually, though, is Mary Balogh and Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Can not stand to read either. Period. So there.
LOL
Oh yes!
I’ve never read Feehan or Kenyon. I read Cruise once and didn’t like it. I’ve never read Meg Cabot. I’ve never read Quick, Laurens, or Phillips.
All those big names out there…not so much. Because what good is the name if it doesn’t represent a good story?
I, quite honestly, would be more likely to pick up a book by someone whose blog I read.
I’m partial to Nora. But I would say that the more she writes, the more formulaic they are. I like the JD Robb books better, though. And I would say Maggie Shayne, but I’m only batting about .500 there.
And I seriously hate for there to be SO MUCH HYPE for a book when I don’t even like the blurb. Highly disappointing.
And I’m with Brenda, to a degree. I find myself going out of my way NOT to read something similar to what I write. Because I won’t read…I’ll study.
The book that can make me forget? Priceless.
Grins*
I’ve read 2 Noras. They were okay, but I don’t remember anything about either of them. There is something very readable and accessible about her style, but I just don’t get excited about her books. Then again, I never got into the Sopranos either (I’m more of a Southpark, Family Guy kind of girl). I’ve never read an Amanda Quick and only one Stephanie Laurens. And though I was an English Literature major, i’ve never read a Jane Austen book. I do LOVE Linda Howard (her last 2 not so much though), and SEP is my all time idol. I also love Rachel Gibson, Susan Donovan, and Shannon McKenna.
And Diana – my sis in law lent me her copy of Prep, but after Sittenfeld’s scathing review of Melissa Bank’s book in which she equates referring to a book as chick lit to calling a woman a slut, I’m not inclined to spend my precious reading time on her.
I’m a literary whore. I’ll read anything by anyone at least once.
Okay, I lied. Sometimes I try and have to put the book down.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon bored me to tears. I. Hated. It.
You are my soul sister. It was forced upon my by friends and I just couldn’t . . . get . . . through . . . it. I finally gave myself permission to just quit trying.
I’ve never read (it’s like playing I NEVER, but w/o the booze):
La Nora (in any incarnation)
SEP
Barbara Cartland
Linda Howard
MJD (except for one novella I got for free and that pretty much put me off her for life).
Debbie Macomber (sp?)
Danielle Steele
Sherrilyn Kenyon (read a Kinley MacGregor novella once, I think; something Scottish with lots of costume errors and no plot)
JAK (have read the early AQs, though).
Feehan
Meg Cabot
OMG! This list makes it look like I don’t read romance, but I assure you I DO.
Tonda, how did I know that was you before I even saw your name???:mrgreen:
I have never read Outlander or anything by Stephanie Laurens. I have read several by Nora Roberts, but none written under J.D. Robb. I also haven’t read (but intend to try) Jennifer Crusie, Sandra Hill, and Loretta Chase. I do like Avon books though mostly because the print is very easy on my eyes which makes them a quick read. Even though my eye doctor assures me I do not need new glasses, I cannot just pick up anything with teeny tiny print anymore.
All your responses have been very interesting! Add me to the “never read Diana Gabaldon” before.
But then I hate story lines that drag on for bloody ever.
Never read Cabot either, or Jayne Ann, SEP, Crusie, no real inkling to read BET ME either.
I’ve read Nora (only about 10) but not JD Robb and the more I think about it the more I realize I haven’t exactly read the Who’s Who of romance.
For Pete’s sake, who DO you all read?
Personally, I prefer J.D. Robb over N.R. I I loved the Outlander series–not afraid of long books though. We all have personal preferences, but I don’t have anyone I’d refuse to read at least once. Hype or weirdness of an author’s fans don’t play into my deicisons about what to read. Yes, I have books I don’t finish, but I’d prefer not to say who they are.
I will mention my current fave and it’s Annie Solomon (Warner Forever), and her BLACKOUT is the best yet.
OMG, I have found a home.
Never read NR, JK or AQ, Danielle Steele, Meg Cabot, Debbie Macomber, I made it to page 10 on Outlander and have tried many times since then but unless I can read with a red pen it ain’t happenin. Let’s see, MJD- (although I really want to). I admit, I am a Howard fan because she made me cry and it wasn’t PMS. I also liked 1 SEP. I read Barbara Cartland’s when I was about 11, until I called my cat a bastard, then argued that I was technically right and they got taken away. And I’m sentimental about Julie Garwood because she got me through my back operation and therapy.
I agree with Marie. I wouldn’t let trappings like hype or fans put me off a book I thought might be interesting. Wouldn’t even let a horrid cover put me off! Picky gal that I am, I find enough books and authors to avoid by actually reading them *heh*. An author’s online behavior *might* put me off if I witness it myself, but that’s IMO slightly different than hype/fans/covers. And that also assumes I don’t already like said author’s work or want to read said author’s work.
But what haven’t I tried yet – hm, the early bodice rippers don’t interest me. I’m not a fan of historical saga type books. Haven’t tried Beatrice Small or Thea Devine or Danielle Steele. Can’t think of many more, though I am sure there are others. I read pretty widely.
Ellie M.
I’ve never read Crusie (who I thought it was Cruise for the longest time), nor interested in reading her new book with that guy. Though may one day try one of her other books.
Never read any Nora Roberts or Danielle Steele (her TV movies turned me off). Read one SEP, loved it, tried another and couldn’t get into it. But will probably give it another shot someday.
Most of the other authors people listed I’ve never even heard of.
I’ve never read Outlander, Nora (unless you count JD Robb’s first book), Sandra Brown, Mary Balogh, E. Lowell, Julie Garwood, Meg Cabot, Barbara Cartland, Deb Macomber, J. Crusie, JAK, AQ, or Linda Howard. (Although I do have a couple of Nora’s, J. Crusie’s, and Linda Howard’s books in my TBR mountain.):oops:
Picky gal that I am, I find enough books and authors to avoid by actually reading them *heh*.
ROTFL! I love this one. It would make a good motto or something. Thanks for the laugh of the day.
I don’t like Angela Knight. I often feel cold and alone
I read the end of the book first if the ending is in doubt or the suspense of how things will turn out is too much for me to bear. If I don’t like the ending, I won’t read the book. If Lost (the tv show) was a book, I would have read the ending long ago.
I am one of those people who crack the spines when I read, lay the book down flat, open to the page I’m at, dogear pages if I absolutely cannot find something to use as a bookmark. I do not, however, write in my books.
I don’t care how many vampire stories are on the market. I want more. I am a self-professed vamp slut
Ah, confession is so good for the soul. I feel cleansed now. Fun column, Sharon!
Never said I “refused” to read something, merely that I haven’t been “moved” to read a certain author or a certain book etc. Big difference.
And Angie, I’m a book abuser as well, only I don’t really see it as abusing so much as lurving them
I love them so much that I handle them, bend them, and I read them over and over again. For my all time faves, I’ve had to invest in 2 and 3 copies as I’ve worn some of them completely out.
Well I just found my new favorite blog! Sharon Long – love your list.
I’ve read Nora Roberts (lots of them). Some are horrible, but many very compelling. As a general rule, her trilogies bore me – same characters, different settings.Can’t get into J.D.
I’ve never read Crusie or Weiner, but want to someday.
Read two Linda Howards and neither did much for me so I’m crossing her off my list.
Like new Sandra Brown stuff but dislike her old category stuff.
Old Jude Deveraux’s (Knight in Shining Armour!) made me melt.
Danielle Steele, not since I was 16.
Big confession (please don’t hate me) I don’t like vampire novels. Sorry. They do nothing for me! Give me real, live, awake-by-day-and-loves-garlic MEN!
On a more positive note – I’d love to hear everyone recommend the ONE romanctic novel they would be stranded on a dessert island with…. Anyone?
Interesting article. Thanks for your truth—one of the reasons I enjoy this blog.
I haven’t read Sherrilyn Kenyon’s.
Read one Jennifer Crusie, enjoyed it, and her talks at RWA, but never got back to her work. I have read Danielle Steel’s earlier stuff–but stopped reading her work because the plots started to depress me…lots of tragedy right out of the shoot—at least when I was still reading her.
I loved Laura Kinsale but my tastes changed.
Because Avon was the historical honcho in the 80’s, I read most of what they published.
Stephanie Laurens. Nope. I’ll check her out, though.
I have read Jane Austin’s books and, yes, Gone With the Wind. I’ve not read War and Peace but I’ve read Tolstoy—specifically, The Death of Ivan Ilych: a fascinating tale about the fragile human condition.
Finally, my biggest problem with reading highly recognizable authors is that I’m discouraged when going on vacation only seeing DS or JC books in the clutches of fellow travelers and sunbathers. Though it’s wonderful they have this success, the bookstore shelves are so limited to new authors by reprints.
Angie says she’s a vamp slut. I’m the opposite. Can’t stand vamp books, even those by authors whose other stuff I like. I’ve tried, honest. And I don’t like time travel books, so I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who couldn’t get into Outlander. I enjoy JD Robb greatly but only some NR contemporaries. Never read any Feehan or Kenyon. I’ve been reading romance for close to 20 years (longer, if you count the Heyer in high school) and fantasy/SF for twice as long, but don’t like most paranormals. Go figure.
Gosh, I guess I’m in the minority here because I’ve read books by most of the authors mentioned in this blog and some of them I really love.
NR, I love her Chesapeake Series, SK, LOVE her DH series, SEP, The Chicago Stars gets kudo’s from me as I loved me some Kevin Tucker, I’m not much of a JDRobb fan, couldn’t get into the series…and I’m in the middle of Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and I’m loving it.
To each their own, I guess…
It’s not just me!! Well, at least most of you KNOW who these authors are.
I’m a category girl through and through, so unless an author started there, odds are I haven’t read them. I did read Jennifer Wiener’s 1st two…but sick babies & cheating sisters are not my thing.
I read Debbie Macomber because it was a review freebie and I thought I ’should’. Um, I shouldn’t.
I’ve never read Nora, SEP, Barbara Cartland (who?), Linda Howard, Sherrilyn Kenyon (had to look her up when I learned she was coming to speak at my RWA chapter), JAK (in any incarnation), Feehan (who?), Meg Cabot (who?).
Who do I read? VLT, Carly Phillips, Julie Leto, Lucy Monroe and most anything from the Blaze/Presents/Modern lines.
I’ll bend and write in a used book, but if I buy it new I don’t even crack the spine.