We all have books we love and turn to when we need a comfort read. I suspect most AAR readers could name five to ten books they’ve read many times and we’ve talked about those here at the [email protected] before. But what about authors? And does that change over time? […]
I so enjoyed Caroline’s thoughtful and in-depth post about how she grades books here at AAR. Like many readers, I came to AAR because of our Power Search system and its unparalleled ability to sort, in many ways, the proverbial wheat from the chaff.
When I began seeking out good romance novels, I relied on AAR’s grades. […]
I can barely believe I’m asking this because my interest in cooking/cleaning/sewing–things I think of as household tasks–is minimal. And yet….
During the past year as we have been constrained and limited to, mostly, spending time in our home, we’ve become very focused on the small stuff that make our world run and look better. […]
Beloved historical romance author Joanna Bourne announced her retirement this month.
I’ve reread everyone of Bourne’s books; some many times. I respect her decision but, damn, I’ll miss her brilliance.
AAR’s reviewed, I think, all her work. Five of the books in her The Spymaster series have garnered DIKs–the only one that didn’t, my favorite My Lord and Spymaster, got a B+. […]
Last week I asked what works for you at AAR and your answers were lovely and useful. Thank you. This week, I’m curious what we could improve.
I can’t promise we will fix the things you wish we would be we’d like to know what they are. And if you don’t want to comment publicly, feel free to email me at [email protected]
I look forward to your insights!
What’s your favorite thing about AAR? I ask not because, as my mom would say, I’m fishing for compliments but because as we figure out how to survive and move forward, I’m wondering what are the things here you can’t live without. Is it the reviews? The blogs? The Steals and Deals? The community? We want to know.
Thanks!
There’s been a slew of novels set in the pandemic on Netgalley recently and I for one am not here for them. I am so tired of lockdown and COVID and social isolation–the last thing I want to read for fun is something that highlights these things. Give me escapism baby! […]
Even before COVID-19, I worked at home. I’d get the kids ready and to school, wave my husband off to work, walk the dog and then settle down with my laptop. Many days, around ten, I’d realize the silence was bumming me out, and I’d turn on tunes. For me, music is a basic mental health need. Every day, I listen to at least an hour, from all genres and eras. I sing in the shower, the kitchen, and while exercising. For me, musicians are akin to benevolent gods.
And yet, I haven’t read that many romances I love that feature them as leads. […]
This week an author we’ve reviewed frequently declined to discuss her latest work of women’s fiction with us. Her reason?
….AAR is not the place to discuss this book, simply because of it being called All About Romance. This book, we feel, is really mainstream….
I don’t think she’s alone in thinking the name is too freighted for where the industry would like to go. […]
In 2010, when I’d fallen deep deep deep into the wonderful world of romance novels (as an adult), my husband got curious. “What do you love about them?” he asked. “To begin with, everything,” I answered. As I read more, he commented on how happy I was when I finished a book I’d especially enjoyed. He claimed–and was right–that reading romance had improved our, ah, private time. He’d stare at me, in some annoyance, as I laughed aloud while we were quietly reading. Finally he said, “I’d like to read one.” […]