I read some romance novels, specifically those by Jo Beverley, Mary Jo Putney, Georgette Heyer, and occasionally Mary Balogh. (I must admit that the reams of circular introspection in some of Mary Balogh's books is a turn-off for me.) I still like the mystery/romance novels by Mary Stewart, but could never get into the Arthurian books she wrote. Not a year goes by that I don't reread Pride and Prejudice. I have also occasionally read a Silhoutte/Harlequin, but like Wendy, they are "throw away books" for me. They just don't have enough character development or depth of plot for my taste to reread them. I can't help but think that most of them could have been improved by adding something.
That said, I also love humorous essay-type books like those of Dave Barry.
And for what it's worth, I was a literature major in college and graduate school.
Schoolmarm
