The Journal
Blog
Thoughts on books, reading, culture, and the literary life.
the ask@AAR: Where have all the true rakes gone?
July 2, 2021In an interesting conversation in the comments for Harper St. George’s recent release The Devil and the Heiress. Marian posted a link to an article that said: The rakes in…
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What are you reading?
June 28, 2021I’ve really been on a mystery kick lately. After inhaling all the Will Trent books, I’ve moved on to the Rockton books. Both were recommendations from AAR readers. YOU GUYS…
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the ask@AAR: What’s the best vacation you’ve ever taken?
June 25, 2021I am on a mediocre vacation. It’s a large family trip to a very boring beach with accommodations that unfortunately resembles a cave. The weather has been on the chilly…
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The Next AAR Good Time Book Club is… Fool Me Twice by Meredith Duran
June 22, 2021Y’all have picked Fool Me Twice by a large swath of votes! It’s by the storied Meredith Duran–we’re SO blue she’s currently not writing–and Blythe gave it a fairly happy…
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the ask@AAR: How are you feeling about historical romance?
June 18, 2021In October of 2019, we asked you whether you thought historical romance had a quality problem. That column is still the most commented upon Ask column and it made many…
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Pick the next AAR Good Time Book Club read!
June 14, 2021It’s time to pick the next AAR Good Time Book Club read! In this first round, pick as many as you’re interested in! Here are the choices. You must use…
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the ask@AAR: What was the first romance novel you read?
June 11, 2021While the first romance that ever really registered with me is Sweet, Savage Love (and I attribute that to it being the first book in which the sex was varied…
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Desperately Seeking Non-Fiction Written by Women
June 7, 2021Confession: I don’t read non-fiction. BUT. Everyone in my family are fanatical nonfiction readers and, as I look at the books they’re reading, I realize almost all the authors are…
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the ask@AAR: Can romance include abortion?
June 4, 2021Almost 50% of pregnancies in the United States are unintended and, in 40% of those, women chose to end their pregnancies. Whether you’re pro-life or pro-choice, the fact is many…
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What are you watching?
June 1, 2021I’ve been in a TV slump lately. The only thing I’ve watched in weeks has been My Octopus Teacher which, while very good, required so little attention I was able…
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the ask@AAR: What’s your favorite queer romance?
May 28, 2021This week, the New York Times has a lovely column by Olivia Waite in which she recommends six romances with queer protagonists. Waite writes: Time was I could have covered…
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What would you take to a Desert Island. NO CHEATING!
May 26, 2021OK, the ship you were on sank and you and the island partner of your dreams managed to make it safely to a remote island with no hope of immediate…
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