Howdy, I'm a Romance Reader (and Proud of It)
Howdy all,
I’m proud to say that I am a romance reader! I wish I could give you some solid recommendations right now, but honestly? I’ll need to dig through my messy book lists and scribbled notes—which I will do soon, promise.
So, why romance?
For me, romance digs into the intensity of love—not just in a romantic sense, but in the relationships we have with parents, siblings, friends, and even ourselves. It’s a genre that doesn't shy away from big emotions. In fact, I think romance is the most emotionally resonant and passionate genre out there. It invites us to feel—really feel—in ways that many other genres just don’t.
Another thing I love? Romance is incredibly diverse. As a mood reader, I appreciate that it can take so many forms: historical fiction, paranormal, time travel, alienverse… it’s endless. Whatever headspace I’m in, there’s a romance for that.
🤖 A Quick Note on AI Book Recs
While I’d love to do a deep dive into romance as a genre, here’s something practical for now: if you're hunting for a recommendation and don’t know where to start, ChatGPT can be a pretty great tool.
BUT—how you ask matters. There’s something called prompt engineering, which is basically the art of asking better questions to get better answers. I only know the basics (somewhere in my notes… again 😅), but here’s a fun prompt to try:
✨ Prompt idea:
You are a romance reader, a member of [insert fav bookish community], or even the CEO of Barnes & Noble (just for fun). Tell me the 3 romance books you were most excited to read this year. Based on what you know about me, what would you recommend I read next?
You can adjust the tone, role, or mood depending on what kind of answer you’re looking for. Think of it like building your own virtual book BFF.
📌 Coming Soon: Romance Recs + Prompt Engineering 101
That’s all for now. I’ll be back soon with actual book recs and a follow-up on how to craft your own book-finding prompts like a pro. If you’re a romance reader (or even just curious), you’re in the right place.
💌 Until then,
Lesley Lema
