Did I get your attention? Sorry, no sex talk today—I’ll leave that up to those Berkley Babes who write dynamite erotica 
. But about those happily ever after endings—have you ever thought about how important they are to your reading experience? And how often you’re inclined to re-read a HEA book? I just finished reading My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. It was an amazing book, one that blew me away. She is an incredible, brilliant writer. I will probably read some of her other books, even though 99.9% of the time, I read romances. To be honest, I’m not sure reading only romance is a good thing, for either a writer or a reader. I think we need to step out of our comfort zones, outside the box, from time to time, and mentally stretch. I know I need to do that. But while My Sister’s Keeper was brilliant, and heart-rending, and impossible to put down, it did not have a comfortable ending. I’ve been thinking about the story and the characters since I finished the book a week ago, and I feel a profound sadness that not everything worked out. I really wanted things to work out for those people (and yes, they were, and are, very real to me). But there was no warm and fuzzy ending with this one. I’m glad I read the book, but . . . I probably won’t re-read it.
I find that’s the case with a lot of mainstream books that deal with uncomfortable topics and insist on keeping the spotlight on some of the very real and sad/horrifying/difficult issues in today’s society. I also find I don’t generally enjoy stories that are “the depressing, ugly side of humanity” kinds of stories. The same with movies. When I put down a book or walk out of the movie theater, I want to be smiling. I want to feel good! That’s one reason I don’t watch the news. Why should I dump all that negative crap (especially since I can’t do a darned thing about the vast majority of it) into my psyche?
That’s the beauty of the romance genre. It’s positive, upbeat, has hope, love, and empowerment. Sure, a lot of stories tackle some very difficult and gritty issues, but the focus is on the positive possibilities. Obstacles can be overcome, emotional issues can be faced, and love can provide the strength and courage to keep living. Wow. What a powerful message. Why should we focus on the negativity in this world, or wallow in the darkness, when we can instead look for the positive aspects and reach for the light? Hey, where’s that light switch? I’m going for it every time. Give me a good romance with an HEA—not a perfect ending, just a positive one.
Those are the books I will definitely re-read—time and again, if they’re my favorites. When I was younger, I re-read The Flame and the Flower and The Wolf and the Dove, by Kathleen Woodiwiss, until they were dog eared. I’ve re-read most of Linda Howard’s books, ditto for Susan Elizabeth Phillips. The same with Christine Feehan, J.R. Ward, and Elizabeth Vaughn, and *many* others. I want that “feel-good” fix, to fall in love with (and lust after) the hero, the chemistry between the hero and heroine, the conflict that appears insurmountable, the emotion, and the final resolution.
The one that says all is right with the world. Because in the madness and uncertainty of our world today, there’s still hope.
So what are some of your favorite books, the ones you turn to again and again when you want that “comfort read”?
Here’s wishing all of you a mountainous TBR pile of HEA books to give you that warm glow inside and make you smile.
~ Catherine
Cathy, I totally agree! I love HEA books. One of my favorites is Remembrance by Jude Deveraux - it has real sadness in it because the hero/heroine can’t be together in one life, but they get their HEA in the next. I love the hope in it, the idea that a HEA is possible no matter what.
Comment by Nalini Singh — August 29, 2006 @ 11:58 pm
Great post!
I must have a HEA. In fact, some of my favorite romances are those that had me wondering if that HEA would ever come. Virginia Henley’s TEMPTED is a perfect example where she pulls out a happy ending at the last second. THE CONQUEROR by Brenda Joyce is another.
Comment by Julia Templeton — August 30, 2006 @ 1:03 am
Hey ladies! I do think the HEA is why so many people read romance, even if they’re not consciously aware of it. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with putting our focus on positive stories rather than so-called “real life”. Actually, the real world has a lot of good in it, and that’s what I’d rather focus upon. ~ Catherine
Comment by Catherine Spangler — August 30, 2006 @ 10:11 am
Ah, can you believe I was named after Heather in Flame and the Flower and never read the book? (duck and run)
Julie Garwood is a comfort read for me. I re-read her every couple of years - the medievals. One non-romance I’ve also re-read several times is Wally Lamb’s She’s Come Undone. Excellent book. Ok, and the Harry Potter series, which I’ve never actually re-read, but have listened to on audio over and over and over and over….
Other than that, I really don’t re-read. My TBR pile won’t allow it
Comment by Heather — August 30, 2006 @ 10:17 am
Really interesting points! One of the books in my mystery series has an ending that’s quite shocking. The murderer is caught but not without tragic consequences. Some readers were angry with me for writing such a shocking ending,
…but now that there are four titles published in the series (I’m presently writing the fifth), I’m glad I wrote the shocking ending for that one particular book. You see, if the reader is shaken up by that ending, he/she can now move on right away to the next installment of the series, which is more upbeat…in other words, the reader can be reassured right away that life goes on for the characters. I like the idea of keeping the mystery readers guessing about how the story will ultimately end.
Luv,
Cleo Coyle
Latest release…Coffeehouse Mystery #4: Murder Most Frothy
Comment by Cleo — August 31, 2006 @ 7:06 pm
Heather, I can’t believe you haven’t read The Flame and the Flower! I can understand not re-reading books when your TBR pile is so huge, but there are just some books that make me go “Ahhh” every time.
~ Catherine
Cleo, please don’t think I look down on books that might have a shocking or uncomfortable ending. I don’t think “My Sister’s Keeper” would have had the same impact with an HEA ending. You’re writing mysteries, which have their own special formulas and nuances. If you can shake up the readers *and* bring them back for more, I say go for it
Comment by Catherine Spangler — August 31, 2006 @ 11:23 pm
I feel the same way–with books and movies, too. Life gives us enough to be sad about–I don’t have to pay to be depressed! And like you, I certainly wouldn’t read/see it again, as I would with a rousing adventure or stirring love story! Those are the ones I treasure, sigh.
Nicole
Comment by Nicole Byrd — September 5, 2006 @ 2:16 am