This was written a couple of nights ago, in a fit of angst . . .
I’ve been really into historicals lately. However, tonight, I hit this wall.
Right in the middle of a historical I’ve been really enjoying (read: devouring obsessively) I had to put it down for an hour or two, for things like feeding the kid and doing chores around the house. Now that I finally have the opportunity to pick it back up, I just can’t do it.
Where, just hours ago I was consumed with the problems of the heroine, dying to know what would happen next, how she would deal with her horrible dilemma, I suddenly can’t face another bit of angst. I find myself yearning for a read that revels in the happy part of falling in love. The meeting, the getting to know one another. The joys of the first touch, the first kiss, the first love scene. Unfortunately, while this book is a really good read, it has none of that.
I know I’ll finish the book. That I’ll really really like it (at least I have so far.) I know that conflict, and yes, angst is necessary to make a book interesting. In fact, I actually like, heck, even prefer, angsty romances (if said drama is not just gratuitous.) But, I think I’m going to put this book away until tomorrow, and think happy thoughts for tonight.
ETA: After taking a break from it, the night I wrote this post, I did finish the book the next day. I enjoyed it very much.
Does this ever happen to you?
And, just for fun, a poll:
Filed under: Poll, Ramblings | Tagged: angst in romance
Oh Renee, I have SO been there. Many times.
In general–lately anyway–in order for me to really get into a book, I have to read it in one sitting. Seriously. Otherwise I loose interest quickly. I look at it like this, it’s kind of like watching a movie. You’e sitting there all in to it when suddenly someone rings the bell. You have to turn it of–entertain–clean up afterward…you’re not in the same relaxed, absorbed in the plotline mood you were before.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t read all books in one sitting. but everytime I stop, I have to get into them ALL OVER AGAIN.
Barbara: Oh, I wish I could read in one sitting. It sounds so luxurious! Mostly, it’s in bits and snatches throughout the day, though. You are so right about the difficulty of reconnecting.
Often, I read a couple of books at a time, which help me pick up a book according to my mood. But, lately, I’ve been sticking to 1 book, the whole way thru. Yesterday, I picked up a 2nd book, so maybe that will help!
I do feel your pain, Renee! I love, love, love angst in my romance. But I also get that it can be completely exhausting. I do try to sprinkle in some lighter romance in my heavier reading.
But for me angst generally elevates the sweetness of the connection between the H/h. But it really must make sense within the construct of the story. I resent “manufactured” angst. It’s on the author to make the case of the angst. You know?
Kati: I was just giving some more thought about my lighter romance reading, and realized that most of my “reading” it is by audiobook. Time for some print books, I think.
Yes! It is through the angst that they are often brought together. If the author can’t do it believably, then I feel emotionally manipulated. And that makes me a very cranky girl.
Balance within the story is important, too, I think. There has to be some emotional highs (and not just a love scene) to balance the drama. Otherwise, it’s like, “Enough, already!”
Happens to me a lot. It’s why I mix in the romantic comedies with the historicals and RS. Jen & I laugh cause she is all about the heavy.
Lori: Yes, I think it’s time for some SEP or Crusie! I usually mix the contemporary romance, historical, uf, and pnr. But you are right: time to mix it up even more with the lighter stuff, in a more deliberate way!
it totally depends on my mood. for the past -oh say- six months, I have been 100% immersed in Rom Com.
But Historicals are my bread and buttah.
December: Historicals are my comfort reads, and lately, I’ve been needing more comfort, I guess!
good subject! I agree, I don’t like being put through the ringer overmuch. I think it comes down to this, that I’ll go through a lot of angst if I’m looking forward to something in an intense way. But I think I need my anticipation effectively built if I’ll tolerate a lot of angst. If my anticipation isn’t there, it’s all angst, and then, why bother?
Now I’m speculating on which historical it is. Is it possible it’s a certain one where the heroine is holding a rose at her thigh?
CC/CJ: Hmmm…so plot tension must be proportionate to the amount of angst? It’s funny, cause I was dying to know what would happen in the book, but it was almost a case of sensory overload.
You smarty pants! lol
The book is at the top of my Read in 2009 page.
Speaking of switching genres, I’m now reading DaCosta’s In Too Deep. Though that one must have a book to switch off with, since I feel like I can’t read it in public or when the kid is sitting on my lap while he plays his DS. Lordy! lol
Ah, Renee! I went through this recently, too many historical romances with lots of angst — I have an Angst that Wouldn’t Die sticky somewhere — and I had to just stop!
Right now, I’m mixing my reads. I’ve been reading fun, light books between the angsty ones (which I love) — it makes all of them more enjoyable somehow.
Hilcia: I’ll have to that check that out! Yes, I think that some lighter romance is in my very near future.
Great topic and yes, I’ve been there
Sometimes all that angst just becomes too much and something with a lighter flavour is required. Bet Me by Jennifer Cruise is a favourite!
And Kati said it very well: …it really must make sense within the construct of the story.
Angst just for angst’s sake… *shakes head* And sometimes it isn’t done well. Sometimes you can’t connect with the characters, and that makes the book even harder to read
orannia: I’ve read a couple of Crusie’s and really liked them. Bet Me is next on my list to track down!
Hey Renee! I’m the same Rachel Caine has been doing this to me for year. One right after another of her books is filled with nothing but despair and no hope for the heroine. A person can only take so many bad things happening before they are ready to read about happiness. But nothing yet has happened that is happy.
I do have to admit I love those stories where the H/H meet for the first time and there really isn’t any major problems its just a sweet, light, fluffy romance.
Can I ask what book you just read?
I suspected as much!
Sarai: You know, I stopped reading the Weather Wardens, too. It wasn’t even a conscious thing, but when I got Firestorm (book 5?) from the library, I just couldn’t read it, cause of the same thing! I just wanted Joanne and what’s his name to catch a break! However, I love her YA Morganville Vampires series, even with the annoying cliff hangers!
::whispers:: A Hint of Wicked. It was actually very good!
I have that problem frequently with angsty books (McNaught, Sherry Thomas, Laura Kinsale, etc.). I get to a certain point in the book where I just don’t want to keep reading because I know something horrible is about to happen to keep the H/H apart…..then I read through it and everything is okay.
But I have to take periodic breaks from that sort of book.
April: lol. Yes, reminding myself that it’s a romance, and I’m guaranteed a happy ending, helps when I feel like that.
Putting this book down, and reading it later when I felt ready for the drama, helped a lot.