Lately I’ve been finding it harder and harder to find good black romance books.
It used to be that I would go to Barnes and Nobles or Borders on a Saturday and browse the “Urban Section.” I’d go book cover hunting. Once the cover caught my eye, I’d read the back, yay or nay it and hop my butt back on the city bus to go home and read. There was so much excitement in the search for the next good book.
Speed 14 years to the present and I don’t feel that excitement when I’m book hunting. Book hunting these days, consists of trolling Amazon for 4-5 star reviews and hoping I can trust them. As of recent, I haven’t been able to. I started a book a couple of weeks ago that had a 5 star review and 50 something reviewers… I couldn’t get past chapter 2.
So it made me wonder what I look for in a book. What makes it satisfying for me?
One thing that I’ve struggled with as I came of age reading all of these black love stories is how realistic they are. No the freak they didn’t meet on Saturday and get married and have a whole life together by Monday morning. It.Did.Not.Happen. Stop lying to me. They don’t live in Vegas. That mess does not happen in a rural little town between Chattanooga and Memphis. I read black romance novels at this point, I think for a little hope and inspiration.
When was a teenager, I just wanted to read about sex, sex and more sex.
I attribute that to being extremely shy and wanting to experience it without actually experiencing it. Now I find myself much more in-tune with the character interactions. This stems from growing up and realizing that the best part of falling in love is the falling part. Please don’t get me wrong, I still love a good ole’ fashion sweaty, breathless, earth shattering sex scene. However, the date leading up to that cataclysmic love making session appeals much more to me. Was she giddy when he rang her doorbell? Did he make her giggle over dinner? At what point did ‘Let’s get it on’ start playing in her head? Little stuff like that.
Another really big piece that totally aggravated me before is the depth of the details. I need details now. Was his heart beating like some church drums or the drums at a heavy metal concert? When he focused on her lips to kiss, were her lips brown like she smokes too many cigarettes or pink like she’s well oxygenated? I need to know these things! So that’s what satisfies me.
What works for you? Do you need details and conversation like I do? Or do you need to cut the talking and get to F… Ya’ll get it. Do you need a perfect male specimen, or will just aright do? Does the heroine have to be strong and independent or can she be in need of some saving? What satisfies you?
3 comments
Now I’ll admit I am a die heart romantic but sometimes Girl, I want it variety! From the bazillionaire with his unrealistic megabucks to the regular Joe with his coffee shop ( I <3 Roman). To the best friend who has been secretly in love with her for years. The ex-convict who just got out & is looking to make a new start, and the no good thug & his too many women, who just wants to screw his way through to THE END. But yeah, I totally agree with you on the "falling" being very important. The anticipation of love happening and the details that pull me in and entice my imagination ARE what make an unforgettably beautiful love story. I do, when I read, want to FEEL & SEE & SMELL & hell almost TOUCH the love growing in the story. Although I like variety, no matter the theme or scenario, I still want it to end in love.
Regardless of how the couple ends up together, I love it when I find myself rooting for the couple to make it work. Sometimes when I read a book, at the end all I can say is “aww that was sweet” and I’ll forget about the characters. I didn’t learn much about them as individuals so it’s hard for me for me to “believe” in them. However, when an author takes the time to set the platform and introduce both characters as individuals first and shows the reader why the couple needs to be together second I LOVE it. That satisfies me as a reader.
I need details…more so..I need to FEEL what the author is writing. If these are just words played back to me…I cant deal with that ish. So many try to write but its an art..it is paiting a pic with words! Characters are a mix for me..as long as they are relatable and real then Im all in! I have to be able to also remember them from the thousands I have read. The plot..it need conflict..and resolution..or path to it if a series…. that is what plots are all about..it must have a driving force… must be plausible too. Don’t sell me no damn dream and try to pass it off as real… better do ya research!
I agree..the book buying is a hunt these days because so many fools and they mama think they can write a book….ugh