August is Read-a-Romance Month which was started by freelance writer and book critic Bobbi Dumas in 2013 as a way to celebrate and appreciate romance books. So why did she choose August of all months for Read a Romance Month? According to her website Bobbi said, “I discovered that according to some studies, more people felt romantic during the summer months, when they can take vacations and relax, than they did in February around Valentine’s Day.” To find out more or to follow along with Bobbi on her daily romance reading challenges visit readaromancemonth.com.
What better place to find the perfect romantic book match for you than at the public library? I personally am an avid romance reader and enjoy reading all different genres of romance. I think that may be one of my favorite qualities about romance book is that there are so many different types and genre crossovers that I could never possibly be bored!
One of my favorite genre crossovers is romantic thrillers. They tend to be the perfect mix of mystery, suspense, love, and sometimes a bit of steaminess added in! Some romantic thrillers I would suggest are Dark Hearts, Dangerous Games, Vanished, and Reaper’s Legacy. Another great genre of romances for those who are looking for “cleaner” romances is the Young Adult (YA) section. Young Adult books are in the teen section of your local branch because the main characters are typically in high school. I have found some of my favorite romances in the YA section including the Blue Bloods series, Eleanor & Park, Fault in Our Stars, Blood Red Snow White, and the Cinder series.
Summertime has led to more free time, but also more time spent in the car traveling. I love listening to audiobooks and recently just finished Everything, Everything. It is a Young Adult (YA) romantic drama about 18-year old Maddy who suffers from an immune-deficiency disease that forces her to be imprisoned in her hermetically-sealed house. Her only physical interactions are with her mom and nurse. Her world changes when charismatic Olly moves in next door and young love takes over.
Are you always on the go in your car? Use the HOOPLA library app to listen to hundreds of romance audiobooks streamed straight to your phone. CloudLibrary app also has eAudibook and eBook options for romance books. Do not worry if you are not tech-savvy. Visit or call your local branch to receive one-on-one help with using the library on your smart devices.
Lafourche Parish Public Library (LPPL) has all genres of romances for even the pickiest reader. We have the classics like Pride and Prejudice or North and South, paranormal romances like Twilight and First Grave on the Right, fantasy love stories like The Inheritance Trilogy, new adult/college romances like Egomaniac and Ugly Love, and historical fiction romances like Lord of Lies and The Duchess.
Still looking for a few more romance suggestions? Take a look at this list by NPR: Happy Ever After: 100 Swoon-Worthy Romances http://www.npr.org/2015/07/29/426731847/happy-ever-after-100-swoon-worthy-romances
- Elizabeth, Branch Librarian