Top Ten Books That Would Be On Your Syllabus If You Taught Romance Novels 101

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they post a new Top Ten list and everyone is welcome to join. This week’s theme is”Top Ten Books That Would Be On Your Syllabus If You Taught Romance Novels 101″

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The most classic romance novel of all time and the one of the genre founders.
These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer

To my everlasting shame, I’ve never read Georgette Heyer but this book of hers was recommended and her contributions to the genre are extremely important.
Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small (Bodice Ripper)

I thought about going with The Flame and the Flower but I never actually got through that book. Skye O’Malley, I did read, and can serve as both a representative for old school bodice ripper romances and as a contrast to the evolution of romance novels over the last 20 years.
Dangerous Books for Girls: The Bad Reputation of Romance Novels Explained by Maya Rodale

This book is excellent for the history of romance novels and the negative reputation they have.
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase (Historical Romance)

Often viewed as the best romance novel, this book is a must!
It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (Contemporary Romance)

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is the best of the best when it comes to contemporary romance!
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh (Paranormal Romance)

Nalini Singh shows the beauty of paranormal romance.
Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (Historical Romance)

One of the best historical romances, and one with an older heroine, that I have ever read!
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews (Urban Fantasy)

Nothing can beat the world-building in the Kate Daniels series!
The Professional by Kresley Cole (Erotic Romance)

I wanted to included a well-written erotic romance to show that not every erotica is Fifty Shades of Grey.

Responses

By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff

August 25, 2015

Great list! I love all these authors. 😊 I think the only one I’d add is “The Flame and the Flower” by Kathleen Woodiwiss (1972). In the words of Wikipedia it was the first historical romance to feature physical intimacy and revolutionized the genre.

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1. msafchinsky
  
  August 25, 2015
  
  I was going to add it but I actually haven’t read it! I’ve read Woodiwiss’s The Wolf and the Dove but I couldn’t get through The Flame and The Flower. I did include a Bertrice Small book, especially since she passed away recently, as an example of bodice rippers.
  
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Carrie

August 25, 2015

you’re speaking my language! I would enroll in this class just for an excuse to read the homework 🙂 My TTT

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1. msafchinsky
  
  August 25, 2015
  
  Lol I definitely wouldn’t have put off writing papers in college if I could have written them about romance novels!
  
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  1. Carrie
    
    August 25, 2015
    
    Seriously!!
    
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annabowling

August 25, 2015

Excellent list. I’d take this class, too. I was delighted to see Skye O’Malley, important to the genre for many reasons. I have not yet read Dangerous Books for Girls, but definitely need to.

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1. msafchinsky
  
  August 25, 2015
  
  When I first started reading romances, about ten years ago, Bertrice Small was one of my favorites! Skye O’Malley is a classic!
  
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Elaine Willis

August 29, 2015

You should really read These Old Shades. It’s one of my favorite Georgette Heyer books. If you want one of her lighter ones, I recommend The Grand Sophy.

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otoolebridget

August 29, 2015

I love It Had to Be You. SEP rocks! Definitely going to check out those I haven’t read. (:

My TTT: http://bit.ly/1KLNWqg

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1. SomewhereLostInBooks
  
  August 31, 2015
  
  It Had to Be You is one of my favorite SEP books! It’s a tie between that and Kiss an Angel!
  
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  1. otoolebridget
    
    August 31, 2015
    
    You know, I haven’t read Kiss an Angel (how is this possible??! lol), but I just looked it up and am definitely adding it to my TBR list!
    
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JulieAnn

September 9, 2015

I just love the story of a Pride and Prejudice. One of my all time favourites. Mr Darcy, he may be a pompous windbag but boy oh boy does he set my imagination on fire 😉

Love Kresley Cole. And got to love this sexy Russian men 😉

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1. SomewhereLostInBooks
  
  September 9, 2015
  
  Pride and Prejudice is the best! It’s one of those books that I can read over and over again and still smile and sigh. Kresley Cole is one of my favorites! I was hesitant to start her contemporary series, since I knew her as a paranormal writer, but I’m so glad I did. Her erotic books… wow. *fans self*
  
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  1. JulieAnn – My Romance Addiction Blog
    
    September 10, 2015
    
    Have you seen the movie Pride and Prejudice that stars Keira Knightley? Love that movie. Kresley Cole – her Immortals After Dark series is fabulous. Where would we be, what would we do without great romance books and movies to entertain us? 😉
    
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  2. SomewhereLostInBooks
    
    September 10, 2015
    
    I love that Pride and Prejudice version! It’s probably my favorite Pride and Prejudice adaptation! My second favorite is The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Have you seen it?
    
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