Romance novels are one of the most popular check-outs at the library.
According to a survey conducted by the Romance Writers of America, the average romance writer is female (82 percent), and most readers are younger, with half of frequent and very frequent readers 34 and younger.
Of survey respondents, 92 percent are print readers; 64 percent are e-book readers; and 35 percent are audiobook users. Ethnicity: 73% White/Caucasian, 12 percent Black/African American, 7 percent Latino/Hispanic, and 4 percent Asian/Asian American.
Romance novels can have any tone or style, be set in any place or time, and have varying levels of sensuality —ranging from sweet to extremely sexual. These settings and distinctions of plot create specific subgenres within romance fiction, such as paranormal romance, or LGBTQI romance.
Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending.
The majority of romance readers get their books from their public library, while others get them in brick-and-mortar stores, online, or from friends and relatives.
All branches of the Jefferson Parish Library have thousands of romances, including many by local authors. Come in and check them out.
LOCAL ROMANCE: The South Louisiana chapter of Romance Writers of America has had a long connection with the Jefferson Parish Library, and has held its meetings at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, for almost two decades. The chapter is in the process of redefining itself. For more information, check out the organization’s website at https://solawriters.org/
LOCAL FANTASY: Alys Arden, the local writer who’s sometimes referred to as the Anne Rice of the text message generation has a new book out. It’s titled “The Gates of Guinée,” and is the fourth installment of The Casquette Girls series.
It picks up where the third book left off with Macalister held hostage by the Ghost Drinkers’ coven and Adele willing to risk it all to save her father, even if it means opening a portal to the Voodoo Afterworld to hunt down the spirit of one of the greatest witches who ever lived. We have this paranormal romance in our collection. Come in and check it out.
ROMANCE FROM A POLITICIAN: Stacy Abrams, the politician, voting rights activist and lawyer is also a romance novelist. She writes under the pen name Selena Montgomery and has authored eight novels.
Her romantic suspense novels include the love stories of a lawyer and sheriff, two undercover agents, and an ethnobotanist. “Telling a well-crafted story is hard. Full stop,” she told the Washington Post in a 2018 interview. “Regardless of genre, good writing is good writing. Romance is one of the oldest forms of storytelling, and I’m honored to be in the company of extraordinary writers.”
Abrams/Montgomery’s books are available at the Jefferson Parish Library, though mostly in eBook form. Go to the search bar at the top of the library’s website and type in “Selena Montgomery.”
Computer Classes – Crafting Your Resume will occur at 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie. The resume is often the first impression one makes with a prospective employer. In this class, participants will discuss the various types and formats for a resume. Seating is limited, and online registration is required. Visit the Computer Classes page at www.jplibrary.net/training/ComputerClasses.htm and click “East Bank Regional Schedule.”
Orwellian – Earlier this year, the use of the adjective “Orwellian” was bandied about by politicians who may not have had a good grasp of the word’s meaning. It’s a reference that describes “a situation, idea, or societal condition that George Orwell identified as being destructive to the welfare of a free and open society.” Orwell (his real name was Eric Arthur Blair) was the author of 1984 and Animal Farm, two of the most profound books of the twentieth century. He also coined the terms “doublespeak,” “Big Brother,” “proles,” “unperson,” “memory hole,” “thought police,” “Room 101,” “thoughtcrime,” and “newspeak.” We have all of Orwell’s books in our libraries. Come in and check them out.
Local Author – Empowered to Uproot, The Seed of Abuse, is a new nonfiction book by local author Karen D. Doughty. She describes how sexual abuse plants destructive seeds in its victims, loss of innocence, fear, distrust, depression and disassociation. Using her own experiences, she says she writes to provide hope and strength for victims of incest, rape and other forms of sexual abuse. We have this book in our collection. Come in and check it out.
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