Ever since Sarah and I started this site, I’ve been reading more romance novels than I have in a long, long time. In fact, it’s been about five months now since I’ve read a single non-romance title. I’m thinking it’s time for a break. I have a couple of romances to review, but once I’m done with those, I’m going to give myself at least a whole month away from mainstream romance. I have loads of science fiction, literary fiction and non-fiction I’m dying to pick up. If nothing else, I really, really want to finish reading Musashi, which I abandoned back in January when I picked up Sharon Shinn’s Angel-Seeker.
This won’t affect most of the updates for this site; I have loads of articles and fun things planned for it, and of course regular features like Covers Gone Wild and the personal ads game won’t be impacted. The only thing that’ll change is the lack of romance novel reviews from me. My question is: would y’all like me to review the non-romance books I read? If yes, would you like me to review only the genre fiction (SF, fantasy, thrillers, etc.) and therefore still keep to the letter of “Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Novels” or would you be interested in me busting out with the snark on literary fiction as well? I’ll go with whatever the prevailing opinion is.
I’d be interested in any reviews you have to offer.
Would love to hear about any genre/literary novels. Count me as a ‘yes’ vote, too.
Snark at will! :coolsmile:
I vote for reviewing everything. I’m always on the lookout for good non-romance books. I mean, people would be pretty boring if they only read one genre.
I say, all-snark-all-the-time regardless of genre (except my book). Have at it.
Oh yeah. Snark away. I think some of us read non-romance novels every now and then. We are doing The Time Traveler’s Wife in The Cage next weekend.
Snark away Smart Bitch Candy. Maybe all us trashy romance readers will get smart by osmosis or something, just from reading reviews of literary works. We’re not worthy.
Yeah, I’m all about wanting to hear your opinions of books, romance or not. But I think I’d kinda want those reviews to have their own section. Like a a “Non-Romance Reviews” category, on the right. Not to outcast them or nuttin, just so’s I can find em more easily when I’m looking for non-romance recs.
Wait, wait wait. First, could you do me a favor and give us your personal definition of romance? Because this is an issue that concerns me. Are you sticking to the narrow RWA type definition (HEA + don’t explore the relationship beyond that point) or do you have a wider, more inclusive definition (she said hopefully).
Because if you’re using a wider definition, you wouldn’t have to raise this question at all. A novel with primary focus on a new relationship (okay, and a HEA) could be romance. Right? Right?
All this talk about the RWA makes this question more relevant, I think.
At least that’s my definition, and I’m sticking to it.
My personal definition of a romance novel is: A story focused primarily on the romantic relationship between people, with an HEA at the end. This means that in my opinion, Emma Holly is romance, and so is Sharon Shinn.
I am currently feeling a craving for a story with lots of rivetty bits, to steal a phrase from Debra Doyle.
Review any and all books!
I hope you two continue to review, regardless of genre. I read across genres so this would be great. Also, I’ve grown to depend on a few sites and blogs for heads-ups on new books or older ones of interest. I work a 50-60 hour week, have three small children (one of them autistic) and a spouse to contend with on a daily basis. My time to browse and keep up with new books is slim to none with this chaotic household. I depend on SmartBitches and places like Anna Genoese’s blog to keep me “in the know”. Plus, SB always gives me a daily laugh. Anyhoo, that’s just my long-winded .02 and my vote of a YES for review continuation.
Candy – I’m still waiting for a review of the book with the multi-penis guy. You can’t do anything else until you get to that one. Of course, that might not be a romance anyway….
Ooooh, post reviews for everything you read. I don’t think that genre should be a standard. I love lots of types of books, and I couldn’t imagine limiting any reader that way—or any reviewer that way!
Candy – I’m still waiting for a review of the book with the multi-penis guy.
You know, fascinating as that sounds, I don’t believe I have books featuring dudes with multiple penises. I do have some episodes of La Blue Girl burned onto CD, and a few of these contain scenes featuring a multi-tentacled creature violating some hapless maiden or the other. Not sure if y’all want me to start reviewing hentai, though. That’s just asking for trouble.
What a disappointment. Send me the CD. I’ll take it from there.
Ohh, I had a horrible experience with a multi-penised romance once. I believe you snarked on the cover last week. I started the book, completely unaware of the hero’s multi-pronged tool until he had the young miss against the wall. I shrieked and deleted the book.
I’m such a prude sometimes.
But yes, like all the others, I’d like to see reviews of anything you read.
I’m still unclear on this, but a few points:
1) first, this is your place. You do what you want, right? Some people will like a broader approach; some people won’t care one way or the other. A few might get pissy, but so what.
2) second, I’m curious about what you’re thinking of including. Is there any thematic cohesiveness to what you will review, or might any novel show up? If you’re thinking of the crit-literati, I will be curious to see if people who visit here are interested in authors like Don Delillo (in my personal case: not so much) A.S. Byatt (yes) Bret Easton Ellis (a definite NO) Doris Lessing (blah) —the list could go on and on.
Any review, any time, of any type… we’re easy 😉
Don’t you know that by now? Oh damn or is that just me? Whatever my vote is yes.
And I can point you in the direction of a multi-penis guy book to review to make helenkay happy.
first, this is your place. You do what you want, right?
Yes it is, but when I don’t care one way or another about an outcome, it’s so much easier to have someone else decide what I should do 😆 .
second, I’m curious about what you’re thinking of including. Is there any thematic cohesiveness to what you will review, or might any novel show up?
The only theme will be “What does Candy feel like reading today?” Right now I’m craving a big, meaty, crazy adventure story set in a foreign land, so Musashi should satisfy that; if that doesn’t take care of it, I have Dan Simmons’ Ilium too, and since the sequel is going to be released soon, this will be an excellent time to read it. I’m also jonesin’ for some good scientific non-fiction, which means finishing Fabric Of the Cosmos and probably a couple of other non-fiction titles I have hanging around. After that, anything goes. I have everything from Angels and Insects to Ivanhoe to The Mill on the Floss to White Noise TBR.
Gack, you had me until Mill on the Floss.
You guys review it, and I’ll read it!
Now I can’t wait for you to review MOTF. I studied it in an lit class in university and I was bored – even when incestuous love came up as a topic. Still don’t know where that showed up in the book.
CindyS
Damn! I was going to send you something, too! I just sold a very smutty novella and had finally mustered up the cajones to open myself up to some Smart Bitchery…
Drats. Foiled again. (Well, actually foiled for the first time, but still.)
When you want to review again, please let me know! I’m into pain, I suppose…
Amy – you were going to ask Candy and Sarah to review your book? Damn, woman, I was going to bribe them not to review mine. They can buy it – 60 or 70 copies each, actually – but not review it. You are braver than I am.
Hell I got down on bended knee and BEGGED them to review me. ‘Cause … I just have to know. HAVE to. Of course now they know I’m demented, but that could work in my favor … or not.
Taking bets!
Hey, Amy, feel free to shoot a copy to Sarah—as far as I know, she’s not taking a month-long break from romance novels. (Bitch doesn’t even have a TBR pile, far as I know, grumble grumble grumble.) And when I come back from no-romance land, I’ll take a look at it, for sure.
That is, if you’re up for ze evisceration. MWAHAHA.
Yeah, I don’t have a TBR because it’s packed up in a box somewhere!
I’m not taking a break from romance but I am reading pregnancy and baby books – and I promise NOT to review those here. Although some of the authors need to get a grip already. Either that or share their maid/nanny/full-time-live-in butler/cook.
gulp
Okay. Smut incoming. Hide the chilluns and RWA occifers. I’m very sorry to inform you that my heroine has a clit, my hero has a cock, and the two *gasp* fuck. Repeatedly, and to the satisfaction of all.
um… if only I could find an email addy to smuttify… wanna buzz me offlist?
Add my vote for reviewing whatever you want to read and write about!
I’ve been meaning to pick up the Brian Greene book but finally got around to it after seeing it every time I popped over here. 😀
I honestly can’t find Sarah’s email addy to send an ARC to. Someone send a jpeg of the secret handshake to AmeliaElias @ gmail.com, wouldja? I’m cruisin’ for a bruisin’ and don’t take frustration well…
Well, blow me down with a dandelion, it appears we never put up “Bitch back personally” links.
You can email me at sarah @ smartbitchestrashybooks.com
Thanks!