WoW - New Reads
This is definitely my time for finding new reads. I think I mentioned over at MagicalMusings about several new UF authors that I’d discovered while browsing the local Barnes & Noble. Well, one of my sisters gave me a Christmas gift of two books that she thought I’d be interested in. It just so happens that she was at Waldenbooks a couple of weeks ago and there was an author signing going on. W.D. Gagliani, who is a local writer and who writes about werewolves in Wisconsin. Right up my alley. Can’t wait to jump into these two books.
One thing that I have to remember, though, is that these are not romances and there is the distinct chance that I’m not going to get a HEA. I’ve always admitted that one of the reasons that I read romances is because I’m guaranteed a happily ever after. With Gagliani’s books, that’s not a sure thing. Same thing with Alex Bledsloe’s book “Blood Groove”. I’m better than halfway through it and I have to admit that I’m taking a bit of a break from it. I’ve no doubt that I’ll go back to it because it’s an excellent book. However, it’s a lot darker, grittier, more in your face than I’m used to reading. I find I have to read a romance or two to get back into my own groove.
So, are there books that … I won’t say disappointed you … but made you step back, take a deep breath and give yourself a break from it?
December 21st, 2009 at 8:25 am
Yes, it happens to me. Remember the mysteries I bought at the Muskego library? Though I admired the writing of every author, I didn’t read any of them straight through.
December 21st, 2009 at 10:03 am
I just started reading P.J. Alderman’s Haunting Julia. I found that one through one of MM’s guest blogs a while back.
You talk of a H.E.A. reminded me of a discussion that took place on Twitter recently. I found it very interesting because I think it marks a shift in the mentality of emerging new writers/readers.
There was a discussion on Twitter among romance writers and readers about what constitues a romance to them. Up until I mention the H.E.A. not one of these budding writers mentioned the ending. They all felt that the developing relationship between a male and a female put it into the romance department. When I brought up the HEA the general consensus I got was that they didn’t feel there had to be one, for it to be a romance. In fact they felt the HEA was too predictable and old school. Nor did they expect their hero/heroine to end up in a committed relationship, or even withe eachother.
They seemed to feel that any developing relationship between a male and female lead put the book firmly in the romance category
December 21st, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I hear ya. I started a couple of those mysteries (even the one where the guy also wrote a science fiction) but put them aside. Too many books on my TBR pile by authors I KNEW I was going to enjoy. I’ll get back to them sooner or later, but I’m in no hurry.
December 21st, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Very interesting discussion, Theresa. I’ve always viewed a HEA as one of the requirements of romance. Granted, there are a lot urban fantasies that don’t necessarily end in a HEA, but you do know that sooner or later the heroine is going to end up with the hero. Might be more than one hero (a la Keri Arthur’s Reilly Jensen series), but you still know its a romance.
I’d be interested in hearing where that mind-set goes. Personally I’d never view a HEA as predictible or old school.
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:27 am
Last year, one my colleagues advised me to read “Galapagos” by Kurt Vonnegut. It was a strange read - disturbing. I like books that I read for pleasure to have happy endings, just like the movies I watch. Pure escapism.
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I hear ya about the “escapsim”, Dee. That’s the main reason I read romances. However, every once in awhile if I find a book or a movie that stays with me and makes me think long after it was done and over with … I consider that a book well written or a movie well done.