Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge discussion
2019 Read Harder Challenge
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Task #16: An historical romance by an AOC
Traci wrote: "So, as a person who does enjoy a nice romance novel from time to time, I have to ask: There are a lot of people here who have made comments about hating romance. I'm genuinely curious - what is it ..."Because they're all the same? I mean 99% of romances basically have the same description: Jane, the beautiful-but-doesn't-know-it baker/artist/teacher/secretary manages to catch the eye of Chestmuscles McMoneybags who is arrogant but has a heart of gold.
It's boring and formulaic.
Megan wrote: "Because they're all the same? I mean 99% of romances basically have the same description: Jane, the beautiful-but-doesn't-know-it baker/artist/teacher/secretary manages to catch the eye of Chestmuscles McMoneybags who is arrogant but has a heart of gold.It's boring and formulaic. "
Wooooooooowwwwwwww
Well I guess that is literally why this challenge exists -- to break us out of our biases and preconceived notions about different genres.
I need to just stop reading these threads, because I am so damn tired of people pissing all over my favorite genre.
Megan wrote: "Traci wrote: "So, as a person who does enjoy a nice romance novel from time to time, I have to ask: There are a lot of people here who have made comments about hating romance. I'm genuinely curious..."How many romances have you read, exactly? Because I'm not a huge romance reader either (and particularly dislike smutty romance), but have read many romance novels that don't fit into this stereotype. Not even most cutesy contemporaries do, which seems to be what you're thinking of - and it's most of what I read when I choose romance.
Stephanie wrote: "Did anyone give you suggestions about improving your gut level reaction to this genre? "Stephanie - I'm a devoted reader of romance, but it is a deeply problematic genre, especially older titles. One of those problems is the non-consensual aspect of such works, & as such Teresa is absolutely right to be wary. I'm thrilled that newer authors are taking care to make their romances consensual.
Teresa - I am also very sensitive to whether or not interactions are consensual. One author who is safe about this is Courtney Milan (there's one title . She addresses issues of classism & sexism, & even her historical romances include (usually minor) characters of color.
However, because she gets into these issues, difficult topics arise. For example, The Heiress Effect contains references to medical assault, & Trial by Desire mentions domestic violence, & has a creepy scene. If you want to message me, I can give you specific content warnings for any titles by her that I've read.
Oh wow, this is my first time poking my head into the thread for this task and I guess this is something of a fraught topic? I definitely understand the fears of non-consensual content because I've also come across this in way too many ostensibly "romantic" stories over the years. I'm a little perplexed by the claims that all romance is the same, though. A bit of background info: I enjoy historical fiction and I enjoy romance in general (het or queer.) On my own time I often seek out historical fiction/historical romance that isn't set in Tudor or Regency England. It's pretty rare to find historical fiction/or historical romance in non-European countries. And it's vanishingly rare to find historical fiction or historical romance by AOC. As a result I've already read a couple novels listed as possibilities in this thread (and am currently reading another.) What I've found is that historical romance by AOCs are not more of the same. Yes, some of the standard tropes are there. Yes, it all ends up leading to a happily ever after. But it's so obvious when an AOC has done the research, is fascinated by the time period, and has something new to convey. Take The Lotus Palace yes, it involves a man and a woman who are from different social classes who are baffled by each other. It's also totally immersive in the world of Tang dynasty China (an era I know little about.) It has a lot to say about trauma, social hierarchies, complicated sibling relationships, etc. Or take An Extraordinary Union (which I am halfway through for this challenge.) Yes, it's literally a forbidden romance because it's the civil war era and the main characters are a white man and a black woman. But, again, it has a lot to say about trauma. It's very immersive in the world of spies in the civil war. The main female character is a free black woman with a photographic memory. It gets into paternal racism of northerners and the brutal world of plantations in the south. As I read I can sense the author's passion for the romance between the two characters, yes, but also her passion for making a statement via this romance.
I love this specific challenge because it highlights some authors who do some amazing work but don't get nearly enough of the spotlight.
I saw the suggestion earlier in this thread, after wading through so much discussion, but I think I'll be going with The Infamous Miss Rodriguez. And an aside, I think what may be troubling so many is how limited this prompt is compared to others, i.e. historical romance by an AOC rather than a romance by an AOC or maybe *insert genre here* romance by an AOC. There seems to be a wealth of options for many of the other prompts, but this one is quite limited. It's been rather frustrating to track something down myself.
Additionally, I understand pushing folks out of their comfort zone with different prompts. It's why I've stuck with doing the Book Riot challenge for 3 years now. However, I can empathize with those who may have different life experiences and want to find safer reads for themselves or something that won't just be a throwaway read for the challenge.
I've been exposed to many books that I never would have been if not for this challenge, and I hope others don't give up on it just because of this one prompt.
Megan - considering the Book Riot challenge is meant to push us out of our comfort zones (I, for one, am unenthusiastic about the business book prompt), I think one ought to keep an open mind, as with any other prompt.I read the odd 'romance' book, which I put in quotes because people seem to want to define it as a separate genre from literary-books-that-happen-to-have-romance, and I am troubled by the immediate vitriol the genre seems to inspire in some people. As with any other literary genre, there are good books and bad books, talented authors and sub-par authors. And like any other literary genre, it comes with tropes that can be and are occasionally subverted. Romance is a popular enough genre that there is even literary criticism by both scholars and insiders - A Natural History of the Romance Novel and Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches' Guide to Romance Novels are two such examples.
Anyway, when all's said and done, the prompt needn't restrict you to genre books, if you really want to avoid the cliches you seem to dislike so much. I'm likely going to pick up a Sherry Thomas book myself because I've enjoyed her work in the past, but I also have Isabel Allende's The Japanese Lover on my TBR, which would still work for this prompt and surely no one would dismiss as smut.
I do the Book Riot Challenge because it encourages me to read outside of my typical for me choices.Romance novels are not a genre I tend to seek out. (Except for everything Diana Gabaldon has written, but yes, I am aware of the problems with her novels.)
I have read An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole for this, so far. While I liked (view spoiler) I didn't love the novel, but I may read more in the series.
(I also have Under a Painted Sky and The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo on my list for this challenge and may get around to them.)
I ended up reading The Perilous Life of Jade Yeo for this prompt, and I loved it. I finished it in an afternoon; such a short read. I am also... I have to say... loving this discussion about the romance genre.
Please, carry on. :)
The book I am reading for this challenge is The White Queen. I am always trying to get a understanding of how the The lines of secession come in the royal family . I did enjoy the series on STARZ but I believe I am going to get a deeper understanding by readings and annotating my book .
Yvonne wrote: "The book I am reading for this challenge is The White Queen. I am always trying to get a understanding of how the The lines of secession come in the royal family . I did enjoy the series on STARZ b..."I saw that series on STARZ and was considering watching it... I'm currently on the fence on whether I should cancel STARZ, since I am done with Outlander... should I watch this first?? Is it worth the $9/mo?
Yvonne wrote: "The book I am reading for this challenge is The White Queen. I am always trying to get a understanding of how the The lines of secession come in the royal family . I did enjoy the series on STARZ b..."Is Philippa Gregory an AOC?
Yvonne wrote: "The book I am reading for this challenge is The White Queen. I am always trying to get a understanding of how the The lines of secession come in the royal family . I did enjoy the series on STARZ b..."Just for accuracy, The White Queen, and nearly any of Philippa Gregory's books are not romance whatsover. There may be subplots, but it doesn't make her books romances. Additionally, as far as I'm aware, she is not an Author of Color.
Book riot fave Talia Hibbert just recommended this book on GR which would seem to fit this prompt perfectly: Heart and Hand by Rebel Carter. Also, it's one of my favorite romance tropes -- Two Boyfriends!!! (MMF)
So, here's the thing. Romance isn't my preferred genre (that would be horror - poles apart). BUT. In the space of five minutes I have suddenly become super motivated. I was wasting time on Twitter and in the last hour Courtney Milan has put up a series of tweets about some poor benighted soul who plagiarised The Duchess War and self-published it. (Milan also put up a blog post detailing just some of the instances of cut and paste: http://www.courtneymilan.com/rambling...).I really hate plagiarism. So suddenly I know what I'm reading for this task! I've never read Milan before - though I've heard nothing but good things - and it seems a good time to start. Apparently The Duchess War is book #2 in the series, so I'll be going for book #1, The Governess Affair. I confidently expect to enjoy it. Will report back next week when I'm done with it.
Well, I think I found a unicorn! The Doctor's Discretion by E.E. Ottoman is a historical lgbt book written by a man. I'm not sure if he is a POC but just had to share.
I read The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas for this prompt.
Octavia wrote: "So, here's the thing. Romance isn't my preferred genre (that would be horror - poles apart). BUT. In the space of five minutes I have suddenly become super motivated. I was wasting time on Twitter ..."Thanks for telling us about this - I hadn't heard.
Can anyone suggest some YA-type books that fit? I'm REALLY not into sex scenes of any kind right now.
Anamika wrote: "Can anyone suggest some YA-type books that fit? I'm REALLY not into sex scenes of any kind right now."I'm planning on reading Alex and Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz. It's a YA about the story that became the musical Hamilton.
Mod
Jenny wrote: "Do you think either James Baldwin’s If Beale Street Could Talk or Isabelle Allende’s Daughter of Fortune would work? They seem to both have some love story component to them but not sure if they wo..."Oh yeah! If Beale Street is a great idea! I'm not familiar with Daughter of Fortune, but I saw another Allende on a historical romance list, so probably.
If Beale St. Could Talk is not a romance, its a tragedy which includes a sweet relationship. It is a favorite book of mine, and I think everyone should read everything Baldwin wrote because he is a genius, but not for this prompt. Daughter of Fortune is a romance, not really genre romance, but a romance for sure.
I did end up reading The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan for this and I liked it - well enough to keep reading the series, I reckon. Milan's prose is just glides down, it's so lovely and smooth. So, points for Read Harder. The romance tasks tend to be outside my wheelhouse, but this continues the trend of Read Harder romances that I enjoyed, so I'm going to make an effort to spend more time in the stacks of the genre.
S.J., have you tried "That Could Be Enough" (f/f) by Alyssa Cole and "The Pursuit Of..." (m/m) by Courtney Milan? They are published together with a third story in Hamilton's Battalion: A Trio of Romances.
Tempest by Beverly Jenkins is on sale today, so that simplifies my decision. :-)
Would The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdiehwork for this category? I know it is a fantasy/romance, but technically it is historical too? It on my to-read shelf and am hoping to read it sometime this year.
Kristen wrote: "Would The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdiehwork for this category? I know it is a fantasy/romance, but technically it is historical too? It on my to-read shelf and am hoping to re..."
Personally, I don't think it counts. To me, historical fiction means real world history, not history told in a fantasy setting. Second, I'm not sure this book fits in the romance genre. I haven't read it, but the description and reviews don't sound like it has the HEA/HFN ending needed to be called romance. I wouldn't count it for my challenge, but YMMV.
I’m reading Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. It’s about a woman who owns a house on the Underground Railroad and the “Black Daniel”, a person who has rescued several people from slavery. I like it so far!
Melissa wrote: "I’m reading Indigo by Beverly Jenkins. It’s about a woman who owns a house on the Underground Railroad and the “Black Daniel”, a person who has rescued several people from slavery. I like it so far!"That's my planned read as well, just got a copy. Glad to hear you're enjoying it. Romance is definitely not my usual fare.
Does anyone know of a pride and prejudice retelling that would fit this prompt?
Amber wrote: "Does anyone know of a pride and prejudice retelling that would fit this prompt?"Pride, by Ibi Zoboi
Also, you might be interested in an upcoming atV movie that sets the story in Atlanta and has an all-Black cast: https://tvline.com/2018/11/05/pride-a...
It may not fit, but thanks for the suggestion. I am adding it to my TBR list. Sounds interesting.
Please don't hate me, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to finish An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole, which was lauded as a "slam dunk pick" for this prompt. No offense to anyone, including the author, but I find the writing amateurish (there are even blatant grammatical errors) and the characters do not behave in historically appropriate ways. Rather, they seem like modern characters plunked down in Civil War times. To each their own, but I might not make it through this one. Anyone have any suggestions that remedy the issues I have mentioned? TIA!
Emerging wrote: "Please don't hate me, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to finish An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole, which was lauded as a "slam dunk pick" for this prompt...."I enjoyed Beverly Jenkins Old West series. The third one Tempest was my favorite.
Emerging wrote: "Please don't hate me, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to finish An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole, which was lauded as a "slam dunk pick" for this prompt...."It was favorably reviewed in the New York Times, and a more recent book from Cole, A Princess in Theory, was on the NYT Notable books list, An Extraordinary Union was a top 10 book for 2017 for Entertainment Weekly, Booklist, and Vulture. I don't think you will find a book with more credibility than that.
Emerging wrote: "Please don't hate me, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to finish An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole, which was lauded as a "slam dunk pick" for this prompt...."I read this last year and I didn't like it either.
Sarena wrote: "I enjoyed Beverly Jenkins Old West series."Thank you, Sarena! I will look into those.
Bonnie wrote: "It was favorably reviewed in the New York Times, and a more recent book from Cole, A Princess in Theory, was on the NYT Notable books list, An Extraordinary Union was a top 10 book for 2017 for Entertainment Weekly, Booklist, and Vulture. I don't think you will find a book with more credibility than that."All valid points, but credibility doesn't necessarily equate to a book that will work for a given individual reader.
Teresa wrote: "I read this last year and I didn't like it either.Good to know that I'm not completely alone here! :)
I agree entirely. I have read many great books that were not great for me.
An Extraordinary Union was okay for me, but I wasn't expecting much. I rarely enjoy historical Romance as a genre, but to add in race, during the Civil War, that seems to me to be overcomplicating things. I read the book and ticked off the box, I tried.
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A Song for the Stars (other topics)A Song for the Stars (other topics)
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Alyssa Cole (other topics)Alyssa Cole (other topics)
Alyssa Cole (other topics)
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If any novel that has a loving couple in it counts as romance, then it's a romance. Most of Stephen King would qualify as well, then.