Hello, reading friends. I cannot tell you how many posts I have written in my head this year so far, and I have a real one in progress from last week. I know. Talk is cheap and once the world begins to really 'right' itself can I use life as we know it now as an excuse for my inertia? Spring is coming (yes, those geese are flying north again). The Women's Longlist of titles has been revealed. I have a healthy and quite attractive (and in some cases very engrossing) pile of current reads. I have some really good ones, and some I wish were better.
Today, just something short. I am, as the title of my post implies, in the mood for a little romance. Alas, the only real kind I am banking on actually finding is the fictional kind. Even if I did not have social distancing and COVID to use as an excuse, I would not be optimistic of finding any other kind these days anyway. But that's okay. It is just a matter of finding a satisfying romantic story.
I have been looking at books (and trying a few) that are actually in the romance genre, but none seems to be exactly the right tone or style or intensity (or maybe lack thereof) that I want right now. So, I put my question to you, my bookish friends. I have thought I could just turn to an old favorite, and I have a fair few number of books I find comforting and satisfying (in a contented sigh upon finishing) in my mental list. But I am always in favor of looking for something new.
So, let me mention a few of my top 'romantic' reads and see if you can suggest something similar?
Perhaps top of the list are a few books in particular by Clare Chambers (many times have I reread them), and yes, I am actually reading now her Women's Prize longlisted most recent novel (though a bit different from her previous titles I have in mind).
Coming Home by Rosamund Pilcher might sway me, though it is quite a chunkster.
Almost anything by Mary Stewart!
Jennifer Robson's novels tend to have the right tone.
Yes, please, Katharine McMahon (I wish she had something new coming out).
I have a list or two of comfort reads that will give you a very good idea.
Life has, as we all well know, been so challenging lately and I feel like I am not holding up so well and so escapism is the key for me right now.
So, if you have read something with a romantic slant that left you with a nice, warm feeling of contentment, please do share.
And I promise to finish my semi-written post and also to let you know what I have been reading (and watching lately). (And I Greatly appreciate all the lovely comments you have left and the emails I have received and I will respond, I promise).
I hope your reading is taking you to just the right place you need to go, too!