The County Library discussion

Because people seem to fall into one of two camps when it comes to Valentine’s Day, there are two options for this month’s challenge: you can read a romance, or an anti-romance. (An anti-romance can be horror, action-adventure, whatever spells “not a romance” to you.)

Well now, who gets a woman's heart beating better than Bond. James Bond. I'll be reading (or should I say "finishing") Quantum of Solace. Oooooooh, Jimmy!

Thanks to Maggie's review, I am going to read "My Most Excellent Life". Sounds funny, and in February in Utah, you NEED funny :0D

I may even read "Attachments" again, as that has become my favorite romance book....Do I get extra credit for reading two? ;)

I'm still trying to finish what is turning out to be an anti-romance: Anna Karenina. I started it forever ago. It is not my favorite Tolstoy.

Excellent choice, Micah! It is a tough read, but worth it to finish once. Good luck!

Help I don't usually read romance novels, so could someone suggest a good romance author to me??? I am in the mood to read one but like I said I don't know any good authors!!

Maybe try Nicholas Sparks if you are into Hallmark happily-ever-afters, or if you like fantasy fiction I really like Juliet Marillier's Sevenwaters series. Want a classic? Read Jane Eyre or Pride and Predjudice.

I suggest Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell; nontraditional high school romance takes place in 1986. One of my favorites. I think I will read Austenland by Shannon Hale. Looks cute and I want to see the movie.

Of course, I love that one too, Becky. <3<3<3

Thank you ladies for your suggestions. I think I will go for the Sevenwaters series, or Eleanor & Park! I am also going to try Nicholas Sparks.

Another fun romance author is Sarah M. Eden. She does light historical romances that are quick to read and just leave you feeling happy when you’re finished.

I chose a romance - highland blessings by Jennifer Hudson. It is a Christian Historical romance.

If you like gothic romances, one of my favorite authors is Mary Stewart. I particularly liked This Rough Magic. And there is always Rebecca by DuMaurier.

I have finished Quantum of Solace by Ian Flemming as an anti-romance. Who is more romantic but unattached as Bond, James Bond.

Ann wrote: "Another fun romance author is Sarah M. Eden. She does light historical romances that are quick to read and just leave you feeling happy when you’re finished."

I love her stuff! I'm happy to hear she has another fan.

I also did not know what to read. Thanks for the suggestions.

I just finished Persuasion (my favorite Jane Austen) for the umpteenth time. I read it every year. It's my favorite "romance".

I just finished Shine Shine Shine... not a romance per se, but a love story.
I feel very ambivalent about it.

And I feel very ambivalent about the book I picked. Finished "My Most Excellent Year", and it was ok. Reminded me of why I am glad to have the teenage years behind me. :0S I definitely need to read "Attachments" again.

Angie wrote: "I just finished Persuasion (my favorite Jane Austen) for the umpteenth time. I read it every year. It's my favorite "romance"."

Anything Jane Austen is always awesome in my book. Anybody else have a favorite romance author they’d like to recommend— even if you are reading something else for this month’s challenge?

Jane Austen fans may like "Austenland" by Shannon Hale. Cute, clean romance.

I finished Highland Blessings and enjoyed it for what it is. An easy charming romance.

I read Evelina's Garden. What a sweet romance! Recommend!!!!!

I hope to finish the unabridged Les Miserables by the end of the month. I'm just over 50% now.

I just finished "The Shining" Talk about anti-romance!

Carolyn wrote: "I just finished "The Shining" Talk about anti-romance!"

LOL- Well, it is about a man working really hard to spend some time with his wife, just not in a good way.

I'm re-reading Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb. Love in a nutshell--romance, sex, & murder. ;)

Read "Austenland" which was okay, but seems like I should have gone along with Carolyn and read "The Shining", which better fits my cooped up mood lately. :)

Nora wrote: "I'm re-reading Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb. Love in a nutshell--romance, sex, & murder. ;)"

Ooh, this is a good one with Mavis and Eve's friendship on the line too!

Jennifer wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "I just finished "The Shining" Talk about anti-romance!"

LOL- Well, it is about a man working really hard to spend some time with his wife, just not in a good way."

Sitting here snickering at that one!

Becky wrote: "Read "Austenland" which was okay, but seems like I should have gone along with Carolyn and read "The Shining", which better fits my cooped up mood lately. :)"

I feel that!

Karen wrote: "Nora wrote: "I'm re-reading Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb. Love in a nutshell--romance, sex, & murder. ;)"

Ooh, this is a good one with Mavis and Eve's friendship on the line too!"

And they get married (Eve & Roarke I mean).

Ann wrote: "Angie wrote: "I just finished Persuasion (my favorite Jane Austen) for the umpteenth time. I read it every year. It's my favorite "romance"."

Anything Jane Austen is always awesome in my book. Any..."

I liked Edenbrooke by Donaldson.

I chose a Reader Choice Romance - Dancing with the Duke. I see now why I stay away from that genre (*blush).

Becky wrote: "I chose a Reader Choice Romance - Dancing with the Duke. I see now why I stay away from that genre (*blush)."

Now I'm thinking I need to read that one--LOL!

Jennifer wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "I just finished "The Shining" Talk about anti-romance!"

LOL- Well, it is about a man working really hard to spend some time with his wife, just not in a good way."

Sometimes, I wish Goodreads had a "like" button like Facebook does. Good comment Nora!

Becky wrote: "I chose a Reader Choice Romance - Dancing with the Duke. I see now why I stay away from that genre (*blush)."

If How to Dance with a Duke is a little spicier than you like, books by Sarah M. Eden or the book Edenbrooke, that Angie mentioned, may be more up your alley. You'll still get the romance, but they're sweet and gentle reads without the sex or innuendo.

I finished reading The Time Traveler's Wife.

I just posted March's Reading Challenge for those of you who want to get a drop on next month's challenge.

I read halfway to the grave by frost. I don't usually like romances, but this one was filled with action, vampires, and romance. A five star read in my opinion.

Whether you decided to read a romance, an anti-romance, or maybe both this month, make sure to post the title of what you read and that you finished it by the end of the month to be included in this month’s drawing.

Remember, February only has 28 days, so the end of the month is closer than it seems.

I finished Indulgence in Death by JD Robb (#31). I have come to love this series so much. The story is more of a mystery but the relationship between Eve and Roarke is wonderful. Building up over time, it gets better with each book.
Another great story with Eve, Roarke and all the NYPD characters who entertain me and make me laugh too. Enjoyed listening while watching the snow fall outside. :)

I read Horns by Joe Hill...which was both a romance AND an anti-romance. I loved it - gave it 5 stars :)

I read JF book Rules by Cynthia Lord and YF book Star girl by Jerry Spinelli. i like Rules and loved Star girl. I have to go buy it. Even though tome the theme of Star girl is daring to be who you are even if it is not popular, there is teen romance there also.

I read Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showater. This book ended up being a great read with a powerful yet surprisingly "clean" romance. I really recommend it.

I decided to just re-read the whole In-Death series. I haven't done that in a while. I've read the first 8 so far. :)

I read Evelina's Garden,Les Misérables, and A Study in Scarlet.

I enjoyed the first two immensely. The last I had a hard time with as I did not expect a Sherlock Holmes story to have such strong anti-Mormon themes with no basis in reality.

JoAnn, Much of what people believe about Mormons, even today, is based on falsehoods promulgated by others. My neice in Idaho asked me about polygamy because she is seriously dating a Mormon boy. I told her what she needed to know straight up that if he and she got married and that, after some time he decided to marry a second wife, he would get excommunicated from the LDS Church. She was startled. Most of the world believes we still practice polygamy because they see no difference between us and the other polygamous sects.

And we have horns ;)

Kira won this month's reading challenge drawing. She read Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost.