Romance novels, while wildly popular, are often “loathed by literary critics” and denounced as formulaic “hackwork” (Crusie). However, popular romance novels cannot be ignored; these books make up the largest market share of genre fiction, earning a total of $1.44 billion in 2022 (Curcic). In spite of this popularity, most university libraries have few romance novels or related nonfiction scholarly and non-scholarly sources about romance novels on their shelves.
At UD, lecturer Amy Krug and her English composition students set out to change that. In the fall of 2023, they collaborated with University Libraries Director of Collections Strategies & Services Tina Beis to curate a list of novels and nonfiction resources about the genre and build a circulating collection. Browse them here and use the links provided to view them in the library catalog.
This project was supported by a grant from the Experiential Learning Innovation Fund. Logo design by Shahd Salem.
Sources:
Crusie, Jenny. “Defeating the Critics: What We Can Do About the Anti-Romance Bias.” JennyCrusie.com. Accessed May 15, 2023.
Curcic, Dimitrije. “Romance Novel Sales Statistics.” Wordsrated.com. October 9, 2022. Accessed May 10, 2023.
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Twilight
Stephenie Meyer
Love it or hate it, any romance collection has to have Twilight. It ushered in a new era of YA paranormal/fantasy romance so loved that its fanfiction even spawned the erotic series 50 Shades of Grey.
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Variant (book one)
T. C. Edge
Paige Adler is going through a lot ever since her father went missing. She has found ways to keep herself busy ever since by working in the shadows of the city. Paige meets a mysterious, handsome variant that draws her in. While with this mysterious guy, Paige discovers a big secret about the enemy that could lead her to answers about her missing father. “And Paige, her powers, and her past might just be the key to the future” (Amazon Review). This book is interesting for some readers because it has an engaging plot. The book also has great ratings from people, mostly female young adults.
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Wed to the Lich
Layla Fae
Virgil is a Lich who is looking for a wife to help save his kind from extinction. May is a human girl who was raised in a foster home where she experienced mental abuse that led to an eating disorder. Virgil and May go to the temple to find someone to marry. Little do they know that they will save each other. We chose this book because it was such a short read that we believe people will like it. Specifically, college students will like it because it is a quick read, and the fact that it is science fiction could attract people to read it.
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What I Would Do for You
Willow Winters
This novel follows the love triangle between a lawyer, serial killer, and an FBI agent. This dark romance is a story of betrayal and twisted love. We chose this book because it represents a subgenre that may appeal to readers of thrillers, mystery, or horror or to those who just want a twist. This book is not for the faint of heart; proceed with caution!
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Where You See Yourself
Claire Forrest
Where You See Yourself explores the life of a girl in a wheelchair who is transitioning from high school to college life. It is relevant to students attending university and is an eye-opener for any reader who has never faced the challenges that people with disabilities face. This book offers readers with disabilities a place to reflect and relate.
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Written in the Stars
Alexandra Bellefleur
Written in the Stars is a contemporary romance novel that offers a refreshing take on love and relationships. The story follows Darcy and Elle, whose paths unexpectedly cross when Darcy's brother sets them up on a blind date. As their relationship unfolds, Darcy and Elle navigate misunderstandings, family dynamics, and their own insecurities. The book explores themes of self-discovery, vulnerability, and the power of communication in building meaningful connections. This book is perfect for readers looking for a contemporary romance with well-developed characters and a healthy dose of humor.
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Written on the Body
Jeanette Winterson
The author does a careful job to conceal the gender of the main character, which leaves the reader to interpret how we perceive gender and love in our lives. She indicates that they have had both male and female lovers before coming across “the most beautiful creature male or female that I have ever seen.” The story follows their transcendent love story through ups and downs that challenge the reader to view love as magical and complex.
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You
Caroline Kepnes
This is a psychological thriller that takes readers into the psyche of Joe Goldberg, a charming yet deeply troubled and desperate man. Through themes of obsession, identity, and the darker aspects of human nature, the novel presents a captivating and thought-provoking narrative. It encourages readers to reassess their moral compass while also serving as a cautionary narrative on the dangers of social media and obsession. The reason it should find a spot in the book collection is because You provides an intriguing examination of human behavior's intricacies. Additionally, this novel is very successful with the Netflix adaptation.
Note: This book belongs to the "Is it a romance?" section. It's up to the reader to decide!
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You Had Me at Hola
Alexis Daria
This book was chosen because of its interesting plot and characters. Two simultaneous love stories provide a nice mix to the romance genre along with its characters, who express their emotions in a realistic and adult way. While it does have its romantic moments, it is relatively tame and a good place to start for beginner romance readers.
This book provides value to the collection not only because it is a good book, but also because it provides diversity in the romance genre through its Puerto Rican characters. There are certain areas of the book that are in Spanish, but knowing Spanish is not required because the author provides translation. It also has a strong female character who provides depth and comedy to the story.
