I was poking around on the Romantic Times website today and saw a feature I previously missed. It a section called Top 20 Books Rated By Readers. While looking at the list I had one reaction: what the hell are these books? Sure, I recognized some of the titles but others are not even a little familiar. And some of the ones chosen…uh, are these really reader favorites? I’d love to know who many people have voted so far just to get an idea of how much of a consensus these books have.
I’ve read exactly one from the Top Ten:
-THE THIRD VICTIM by Lisa Gardner – I’m a Lisa Gardner fan. I’d expect her to be more on a thriller “best of” list than this one, but she’s certainly deserving.
I read a few more from #11 – #20:
-RANSOM by Julie Garwood – I love Garwood and liked this book, but I would not pick this as one of her best. I’d go for THE BRIDE or THE PRIZE or THE SECRET…I could go on and on.
-HARVEST by Tess Gerritsen – Read it. Liked it. Preferred GRAVITY, but I get why this one is on the list. Like with Gardner, I was a bit surprised to see her here. This is not a knock against either author. I think they are both extraordinary and extremely talented. In fact, I’d love to sit down with Gerritsen and talk to her about the business because I think she’s pretty insightful. It’s just that I thought romance readers as a whole would pick someone a bit more romance than suspense. Guess not.
And that’s it. I read romance all the time and I’ve read three. Guess that means I should vote. Has anyone else voted?
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Hunh – I went to that page, and didn’t recognize a single one. =[ I’m not quite sure how I feel about that. Interesting…
by JSL January 25th, 2008 at 2:23 pmYou’ve read three more than I have and I’m a romance-reading fiend.
by Jill Sorenson January 25th, 2008 at 2:43 pmI only recognized (cause I love it!) Ransom myself.
Then again, I know I tend to stick with much fewer authors than many inveterate romance readers, so I didn’t expect the result to represent me very well.
Still, only one I’ve heard of?
by azteclady January 25th, 2008 at 2:43 pmI’m a huge Garwood fan, too!
by Jill Monroe January 25th, 2008 at 2:51 pmI loved “Ransom” but “Red Roses Mean Love” was great too. Jacquie is one of my favorite authors.
by Jane January 25th, 2008 at 3:43 pmI looked at the list and didn’t recognize any of the ones there.
by Cryna January 25th, 2008 at 4:28 pmDitto. The Garwood I’ve seen and not read. It’s likely another of those “nominate myself and get my friends to vote” things–don’t you think?
by Ciar Cullen January 25th, 2008 at 4:51 pmI’ve been looking for the Ransom book but haven’t got it yet. I agree with you about her other books. I have some of Lisa Jackson’s other books but not that one. So I really have to say I haven’t read any of the either.
by catslady January 25th, 2008 at 7:34 pmI did not know about this…
by Nathalie January 25th, 2008 at 9:08 pmI’m not surprised at this point when I haven’t read any of the books in a poll, but I do a double-take when I’ve never even heard of any of them.
by Kerry Allen January 26th, 2008 at 12:45 pmI’ve only read The Saving Graces. It was great, but I wouldn’t put it on the list.
by Susan January 26th, 2008 at 2:11 pmI can’t wait for Right Here, Right Now to come out. I loved Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy. I need the next one.
by Lisa January 29th, 2008 at 2:36 pm