The winner of today’s copy of Dirty Little Lies is:
Lynn Raye Harris.
Congratulations! Please email me your address. And everyone else, leave your comments here to be entered into tomorrow’s giveaway.
In other news, I think I wrote more in August than I have in any given month since I graduated from college. (My last month in college, I wrote 120 pages. 120 pages of academic paper. I know. It took me a year to recover and I haven’t been able to pull an all-nighter since. My body has lost the ability, as I proved last night.)
There’s this meme going around, apparently based on what the good people at AAR think are the “top one hundred romances.” I’m linking to Milady Insanity’s list, but I’m not repeating it here, because, well, my results are pathetic. Either my tastes are not at all in line with AAR (they do seem to have a lot of historicals on there, don’t they?) or I somehow skipped the classics when it comes to romance reading. I barely even have any of them on the TBR.
Ones I’ve read:
16. Ravished, by Amanda Quick. Probably one of the first romances I ever read, back in high school. Don’t remember much about it except for how the heroine drugged the hero on the wedding night then mixed up red dye to pour on the bed so he’d think they’d consummated the marriage. But she has no idea how much to use, so when he wakes up and sees the enormous stain, he thinks he’s hurt her. Wait, maybe I haven’t read this one. Maybe I read Seduction. The “Earl of Ravenwood” sounds really familiar. Can someone figure this out for me? I’ve only read two Quicks and I know one was with a purple cover (could be either of these) and the other (which is neither of these) was with a pink cover, and involved a hero named Harry who was secretly a spy and had a daughter, and a heroine named Augusta who was always getting into scrapes.
(I guess it was Seduction after all)
22. Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. Natch.
Half of 72. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (By the way, if you copy this list, please note that Niffenegger’s name is spelled wrong there.) I really enjoyed what I read, but then I put it down last year in order to meet my deadline and never picked it up again.
I haven’t read 87. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, but I’ve seen the movie, read the other Bronte, and read Wide Sargasso Sea. Does that count?
So there we have it, folks. Two One and a half, out of a hundred.
I do, however, have the following on my TBR:
2. Flowers from the Storm, by Laura Kinsale (or otherwise Gina — and Justine — might kill me)
3. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie (although how many times do I have to pick it up and put it back down before I figure out that it’s not my kind of thing?)
26. Born in Fire by Nora Roberts (and I really should make a point of reading this, since i made such a point of tracking it down and buying it)
43. See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson
Plus the Eyre and Niffenegger. So that’s it. Eight Seven romances I have even a chance of ever being acquainted with from this list of supposed top one hundred. And yet, I read so many romances. Johanna Lindsay isn’t even on that list, and I devoured her growing up. I’m going to have to make my own list. How did they choose this one? I looked on AAR, but I coudln’t find any mention of it. I think there are definite favorites going on here. So many historicals, and so many names repeated over and over. Is there a paranormal on there at all?
What about you? What’s your score?
(Updated: Finally found where this is coming from. It’s a 2004 survey. They have prior ones in 200 and 1998. It’s interesting to see how the lists have changed over time. Woodiwiss appears to have dropped off, Chase’s star keeps rising, and Crusie wasn’t even on there the first two times.)
September 1st, 2006 at 7:52 am
Mine is about 20 give or take. Basically I’ve ready every Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, Julie Garwood and Nora Roberts book except some of the recent ones. So that’s why my number is so high. Other than that I’ve only read a few other random books on the list. Many of the authors I’ve never read at all. Sad, but true. There’s just not enough time in the day to read.
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September 1st, 2006 at 8:15 am
Congratulations, Lynn
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September 1st, 2006 at 8:21 am
Gragrats Lynn!
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September 1st, 2006 at 8:25 am
I’ve read 5, with two more on my TBR pile. It’s interesting how many authors have multiple books on the list- makes me wonder who the top 100 writers would be.
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September 1st, 2006 at 8:28 am
I’ve read 13 of the books on that list {:0
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September 1st, 2006 at 8:51 am
I’m not a fan of lists that have books that are so old dominating it. I can’t remember all the books I’ve read, but I’m counting 7.
McKenzie’s Mountain by Howard
Pride & Prejudice by Austen
Naked in Death by Robb
Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Phillips
Knight in Shining Armor by Devereaux
Unsung Hero by Brockmann
That’s six. I also read Sleeping Beauty by Ivory, but decided only a few chapters in that her style didn’t work for me. I don’t think I finished it…but honestly, I don’t remember.
My list would be very, very different. It would include more than one category book. (Okay, more than two.)
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September 1st, 2006 at 9:00 am
I think I had about 12 or 13, mainly because of Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood and Susan Elizabeth Phillips, because I’m a huge fan of all of them. And yeah, there needs to be a more current list. There are lots of awesome books missing. Category keepers, paranormals and the like.
Congrats, Lynn!
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September 1st, 2006 at 9:02 am
I’m not a romance novel fan, so I’m completely unfamiliar with just about all the titles on that list. However, I am in the home stretch of reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. (Just 2 chapters to go). Totally sucked me in and I’m loving it, which is good since it’s 850 pages long… If you enjoy historical romance, I’d recommend it.
Oh, and congrats, Lynn!!!
(Um…. *scratches head* It’s too early to confuse me like this, but where did the confounded word verification go?)
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September 1st, 2006 at 9:15 am
I can’t believe I’ve read so many of them either.
But on the balance, I probably wouldn’t pick them up today.
Congrats Lynn!
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September 1st, 2006 at 9:22 am
I’m trying to think what my list would have on it. HEARTS AFLAME, by Johanna Lindsay, TWO TO TANGLE by Leslie Kelly, NOTORIOUS, by Vicki Lewis Thompson, A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST, by Gene Stratton Porter, ANNE OF THE ISLAND, By L.M. Montgomery, DOUBLE THE PLEASURE, by JEL, THE MAD EARL’S BRIDE, by Loretta Chase, THE COMPANION, by Susan Squires… I’ll have to give this some serious thought… after I sleep.
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September 1st, 2006 at 9:27 am
I’ve read about a dozen, but it’s mostly cuz I’ve read a lot of Linda Howard, Judith McNaught, Jenny Crusie, etc.
This list is odd. It seems heavily weighted towards a few favorite authors.
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September 1st, 2006 at 9:34 am
Add me to the list of people killing you if you don’t read Flowers from the Storm.
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September 1st, 2006 at 9:49 am
Diana! You have to read JANE EYRE. And no, seeing the movie doesn’t count.
I’ve read an even dozen:
3. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
5. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
10. Sea Swept by Nora Roberts
11. It Had to be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
22. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
26. Born in Fire by Nora Roberts
30. Saving Grace by Julie Garwood
34. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
43. See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson
80. Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts
87. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
91. Born in Ice by Nora Roberts
But what happened to authors like Mary Stewart, Phyllis A. Whitney, Dorothy Eden, Victoria Holt and Barbara Cartland? I was surprised not to see even one of their books on the list — particularly since many of them (the books I grew up loving) are still being reprinted today.
Also, many of today’s bestselling authors that I love — like Julie Leto (Hey Julie!) and Virgina Henley — aren’t on the list either. It’s like any other list, IMO. Gotta’ take it with a grain of salt.
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September 1st, 2006 at 9:51 am
I’m at 20 – would be a lot higher if I’d read any SEP. Can’t believe I haven’t read her – my sister just gave me a carton full that I need to get working on. Thank goodness for vacation next week! (wait, I’m supposed to spend my time writing, not reading… Diana, I don’t know how you survived a book diet. I’d die!)
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September 1st, 2006 at 9:51 am
Okay…I was about to turn in my RWA membership over only having read six (6) of the books on that list, but then I see I’m in the very good company of JEL!
I have great issues with that list. It’s too skewed to about four authors and every book they’ve ever written. Where are more of the Diana Gabaldon books? There’s not ONE Kathleen Woodiwiss book on there. Nor a Sandra Brown or a Barbara Delinsky. Way too many good books that weren’t included. And hello…GONE WITH THE WIND should be on there, as should be WUTHERING HEIGHTS and yes, I’ll say it, BRIDGET JONES. I think it’s too sweeping and meaningless of a list for my taste.
Man, am I opinionated, or what? LOL!!
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September 1st, 2006 at 9:59 am
Finally. Someone else who doesn’t get the Crusie thing. I adored her category books, but can’t read her single titles because all I hear is HER talking – not her characters!
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September 1st, 2006 at 10:01 am
I’ve read three: Pride & Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Bet Me. Lists are so subjective. I remember getting a list my senior year of high school, telling me all the books I should have read by then if I wanted to be prepared for college. That caused quite a stir. I think I crammed in about twenty before I gave up and went back to reading what I liked (which is when I read P&P and Jane Eyre, now that I think of it).
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September 1st, 2006 at 10:06 am
I’ve read atleast 28 of the books. There might be a few more but I can’t remember all the books I’ve read. It helped that there were a lot of Julie Garwood, Julia Quinn, Susan E, Philips since I have read all of theirs. I havs most the Brockman books in my TBR. I too have Cruise in my TBR that I haven’t got to yet.
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September 1st, 2006 at 10:15 am
Thank God I don’t have to kill you myself!
I may have to add The Windflower to the list of books you must read or Gina will kill you… This one is very out-of-print so Gina may have to get you a copy (she has her sources). It’s your education I’m concerned with here!
I’ve read 26 of those books. It helps that Mary Jo Putney’s historicals figure prominently and I’ve read all of them along with Julie Garwood…
Plus, I’ve got a full eleven of them on my TBR pile. Yes, it’s humongous and I’m adding them faster than I’m reading them which puts me in a very oh dear situation. (Or is it oh dire?…. Clearly if I don’t know the answer it’s because I haven’t had my tea yet…)
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September 1st, 2006 at 10:19 am
I’ve read A LOT of books on that list. Not going to count. I’ve also put down a fair number of books. I started rather young.
And Sorry, but you have NOT read Ravished. Which is worth reading, though definitely a light read and involves and archeologically inclined HEROINE named Harry (well, Harriet) and a scarred hero named Gideon with family issues doing his best to keep her from getting killed by smugglers.
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September 1st, 2006 at 10:28 am
Phyllis, I don’t think the Bronte style is my style. I think I like the Austen style better. I hated Wuthering Heights so much that I made a concerted effort not to read anything of Charlotte’s.
Eatrawfish, thanks for the heads up on the Quick.
Alison, I haven’t read the categories, either. tried a few times with… I think it was Bradley something? Anyway, it wasn’t for me. I did read whatever the one was where she was the daughter of an art forger and he was some other kind of con artist. It was okay, but not a keeper. I kind of gave up after that.
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September 1st, 2006 at 10:35 am
Ok, because I am stupidly competetive (and avoiding Things I Should Be Doing) I have determined I have read about 45 of those books and started another 10-15 and not finished.
I too can’t get into Crusie or Bronte, just not my taste.
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September 1st, 2006 at 10:36 am
I’m 6 and that’s only because Georgette Heyer made a few appearances on the list.
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September 1st, 2006 at 11:24 am
I have read 20. Most ly because I read pretty much all of the Judith Mcnaught, Julie Garwood and Nora Roberts. I also read some here and there from the other assorted authors.
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September 1st, 2006 at 11:42 am
It’s only Eyre and Niffenegger for my two reads in romance. However The Time Traveler’s Wife ranks as #2 on a personal all-time favorite book list, both the writing and story are incredible.
You need to return to it, Diana.
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September 1st, 2006 at 11:44 am
Hmmm. I have actually read 40 of these.
I would probably read most of these even now. Except maybe the Garwoods.
Now, Amanda Quick found a formula that works for her and she has really stuck with it!
I do confess that I still read her, even though her basic outline seems pretty much the same for all her novels….
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September 1st, 2006 at 11:47 am
I’m somewhat surprised by that list. There are so many books that I thought would have made it, that did not. I’ve read about 15 of the books on the list. Like Kelly R, many of the authors I have never read, period.
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September 1st, 2006 at 12:23 pm
I’m pathetic. I’ve actually read most of them–at least 70, maybe more (I’m horrible with titles). And Diana, get yourself to a bookstore and pick up anything by SEP (Nobody’s Baby but Mine is a good one to start with). She’s amazing.
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September 1st, 2006 at 12:37 pm
Congrats, Lynn!
I’ve only read seven of these. Pretty sad. I keep wondering how I’d do with a list of 100 Mysteries…
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September 1st, 2006 at 1:39 pm
Oh it ate my post!
I’ve read 6: 4 Garwoods, Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice. I have lots of these in my tbr pile and have many other books by these authors.
congrats lynn!
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September 1st, 2006 at 1:40 pm
I have read around 20. I have a couple in the TBR pile.
Congratulations Lynn.
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September 1st, 2006 at 1:55 pm
Congrats Lynn!!! I have read 14 out of the 100.
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September 1st, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Congrats Lynn!
I’ve read a whopping 3 out of the hundred. Other then some Nora’s I’ve been meaning to pick up, I don’t see a lot there that I’d pick up.
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September 1st, 2006 at 2:52 pm
To make you feel better, I thought I’d post my score — 4 1/2.
Loved Nora’s Born In trilogy, both Crusie’s (though Faking It, which wasn’t listed, is much better than Welcome to Temptation, to which it was loosely connected) and I’m about 400 pages into Outlander, which is good but so easy to put down for me.
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September 1st, 2006 at 4:09 pm
Congrats Lynn!
I had read about 22 of them…I think…I know a lot of them are in my TBR mountains to be read someday.
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September 1st, 2006 at 4:46 pm
I’ve read 20, and to appall the lot of you–never read Austen or Bronte. None of them.
Alison Kent, I like Crusie, but I know what you mean about only hearing HER. I think that’s a common occurrence among authors who attend a lot of conferences and workshops and such, especially with authors who have very strong, extroverted personalities. For a while I was seeing Suz Brockmann everwhere I went (writing-wise) and the next two books of hers, all I could hear was her.
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September 1st, 2006 at 5:15 pm
Diana! Nooooooo! Charlotte and Emily’s styles couldn’t be more different (though are they both categorized as Gothic?). The hero in Jane Eyre isn’t any more ‘conventional’ than Heatcliff is, but Charlotte’s style would appeal to someone who likes Jane Austen for its depiction of social mores of that time, from a female perspective. Wuthering Heights was more mystic and haunting… closer to paranormal, right?
From what I remember (because as much as I LOVED Jane Eyre, I read it eons ago… time for a reread), it’s like a cross btw Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. And I never got Wuthering Heights. I tried to get it, I really did, but I didn’t. Again, maybe it’s time for another crack at it.
And if you liked Anne of the Island, you need to pick up The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery
Happy weekend!
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September 1st, 2006 at 5:20 pm
I’ve read a pathetic 4, but enjoyed all 4 of them. LOVED The Time Traveler’s Wife.
Welcome to Temptation’s not my favourite Jennifer Crusie book… although I know many people love it most. I liked “Faking It” better… Love the characters in that book.
Also with SEP, I liked “Ain’t She Sweet” best.
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3. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
22. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
59. Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
72. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
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I’ve have had several on that list recommended to me. Just haven’t gotten to them yet… And I think at least one on that list I tried to read and couldn’t get through… Just wasn’t my thing.
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September 1st, 2006 at 5:26 pm
Oh, and Diana, I agree with whoever said you should return to Time Travellers Wife. The ending will slay you.
Start it again from the beginning…
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September 1st, 2006 at 6:07 pm
Congratulations Lynn Raye! What a lucky girl!
I’ve read 56 of the books on the top 100 list. I devoured every one of Judith McNaught’s books when I first started reading romance. I’d put them all in the top 100. Many of the books by Julie Garwood, Linda Howard and Suzanne Brockmann would be on my list, too.
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September 1st, 2006 at 7:12 pm
Congrats Lynn!!!
I have read about 20 of the books…give or take a few
I am shocked, though, how many of them I have read so far.
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September 1st, 2006 at 8:40 pm
Diana, like Nadine said, don’t judge JANE EYRE by WUTHERING HEIGHTS. These books are not at all similar in style, voice, tone, character . . . anything! I liked WUTHERING HEIGHTS, in a brooding sort of way, but loved Jane Eyre. Again, as Nadine pointed out, it’s like a cross between Austen and Dickens. Gosh, I’m going to have to go buy a copy of it now — I haven’t read it since I was about 14. First read it at around age 11 — Hmmm. Time to pass this one along to my daughter, I think.
Try it, Diana, but beware of thinking it relies too heavily on romance cliches — So many of those, IMO, began with Jane Eyer.
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September 5th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
Yikes, I’m late getting here to comment! I spent the weekend away from the computer, so what a nice surprise to find out I won.
Thanks for the congrats, everyone!
I’ve read 22 1/2 of those books. I highly, highly recommend Connie Brockway’s As You Desire.
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September 6th, 2006 at 8:44 pm
I’m not really a romance reader but I am an English major, so I managed Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre off the list. Whoo-hoo! 2 for me!
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