One of the best things about Romance is the fact that readers are assured a happy ending. People who are not Romance readers often use this fact-- that the ending is a known quantity-- to disparage the genre. I on the other hand argue the opposite-- that actually because the reader knows what the ending will be, the authors have to work that much harder to make the book interesting and compelling to the reader.
Also, because of the HEA that a Romance must bring to every book, Romance is also one of the best comfort reads in times of high stress.
The most listened to romance novel podcast, Fated Mates is co-hosted by bestselling author Sarah MacLean and romance critic Jen Prokop. Weekly episodes include romance novel read-alongs and lively discussions of the work of the genre, highlighting the romance novel as a powerful tool in fighting the patriarchy…with absolutely no kink shaming.
Now in its sixth season, Fated Mates is continuing to collect the oral histories of romance trailblazers—the authors, editors and others who built the modern genre. Listen to those interviews at trailblazers.fatedmates.net.
Their most recent episode is entitled Comfort Reads and Finding Solace in Romance. Show description:
Like many people, we don't know what to say this week, and whatever we might have said probably wouldn't have been very eloquent, so we've decided to talk about something we know about: Comfort reading and the way romance provides us solace, peace and hope.
This week's books are our old reliables--books that we turn to again and again for a reminder that love triumphs, hope sings and romance is resolute. We're so happy you're here; we are, too, for as long as you'll have us.
I am recommending this episode to all library workers- whether you are a Romance fan or not. Click here for direct access to the episode on their website.
I also highly suggest all libraries use my conversation starter to display directions and do a "What are your go-to comfort reads?" interactive display. Start with staff and move on to asking your patrons. Again, directions are here.
Now some of you may think this is a tad bit too political for your library. It is not. Why? Because Thanksgiving is coming and comfort reads are always a great options as the stress of the holiday season, end of the year rush, and for some, the colder temperatures start to all merge. Comfort reads is a common holiday season display, especially for libraries who (rightfully) don't only highlight Christmas during this time of year.
Consider using this episode of Fated Mates as the stepping stone to having a larger conversation about what your staff and patrons turn to as their comfort reads. When you ask as many people as possible, your results will be wide ranging, and that makes your display better. It will have a variety of authors, genres, and titles. There will be new titles and backlist gems.
And when we ask any conversation starter questions, it gives is a better sense of what books really resonate with your patrons, not just what titles circulated the most, which makes your job cultivating a collection for them easier.
Finally, when you ask your patrons to participate in your service to them-- you show them that you are listening, you remind them that your service to them is a conversation. Or as I like to say in my presentations-- you are modeling the behavior you want to see.
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