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Beyond Heaving Bosoms
Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches' Guide to Romance Novels | Sarah Wendell, Candy Tan
27 posts | 25 read | 21 to read
The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name... We do it in the dark. Under the sheets. With a penlight. We wear sunglasses and a baseball hat at the bookstore. We have a "special place" where we store them. Let's face it: Not many folks are willing to publicly admit they love romance novels. Meanwhile, romance continues to be the bestselling fiction genre. Ever. So what's with all the shame? Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan -- the creators of the wildly popular blog Smart Bitches, Trashy Books -- have no shame! They look at the good, the bad, and the ugly in the world of romance novels and tackle the hard issues and questions: -- The heroine's irresistible Magic Hoo Hoo and the hero's untamable Wang of Mighty Lovin' -- Sexual trends. Simultaneous orgasms. Hymens. And is anal really the new oral? -- Romance novel cover requirements: man titty, camel toe, flowers, long hair, animals, and the O-face -- Are romance novels really candy-coated porn or vehicles by which we understand our sexual and gender politics? With insider advice for writing romances, fun games to discover your inner Viking warrior, and interviews with famous romance authors, Beyond Heaving Bosoms shows that while some romance novels are silly -- maybe even tawdry -- they can also be intelligent, savvy, feminist, and fabulous, just like their readers!
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Lauredhel
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I just finished the #SBTBingo challenge! They ran it over their summer, but it was the cold and rainy season here. This week Djilba has VERY much sprung - it's T-shirt weather, and the koolbardi are swooping - so it was time to finish this challenge.

#readingchallenge #romance #romantsy

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Nerdfins
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Tonight is chamomile honey vanilla tea with a side of learning different fun names for genitalia. #tea

sarahbellum I recently came across a new one to me in The Duke I Tempted: quim. Not a romance reader myself (read it for book club), so it‘s very possible this is more commonly used than I thought 3y
Nerdfins @sarahbellum Loki uses the phrase “mewling quim” as an insult at Natasha in The Avengers, which means weeping vagina. 3y
sarahbellum @Nerdfins 😂😂😂 3y
15 likes3 comments
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Nerdfins
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So I ordered this book on the 3rd (yay Barnes and Noble coupons!) with 3-5 business day shipping, and an eta of the 21st. 🤨 It arrived yesterday 07/17.🙄 #tea

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Lauredhel
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Having a play with the 1st #fourfoursin21 prompt set - just in one genre. 2020's been all about love stories for me. Ideas:

Revolution: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly, because why not? Or A Rogue of One's Own.
Memorial: Donna Kauffman died 2020, so read Sugar Rush or Bad Boys in Kilts. Alternatively, Naked in Death, which has a funeral meet-cute.
Constellation: Written in the Stars is the obvious choice!
Calligraphy: Love Lettering.

llwheeler Love Lettering is my pick for constellation! 4y
Lauredhel @llwheeler bonus points for double dippers! 4y
llwheeler Oops haha I shouldn't comment pre-caffeine, I did mean calligraphy. Guess I have stars on the mind 4y
Lauredhel @llwheeler It has a whole lot of stars on the cover too :) 4y
llwheeler Ah so it does! 🙂 4y
43 likes5 comments
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CoffeeK8
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night_shift I got enemy to lovers. That IS my fave trope lol 5y
CoffeeK8 @UnidragonFrag that is my favorite trope too! But Friends to lovers is pretty close 5y
41 likes3 comments
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CoffeeK8
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For those interested in #romantsy or the state of diversity in the reading world, the Ripped Bodice has their annual Diversity Survey our for 2018... it‘s not pretty https://bookriot.com/2019/03/05/the-2018-state-of-racial-diversity-in-romance-pu...

BlameJennyJane 😲😲😲 6y
jpmcwisemorgan No, it‘s not. Knowing this makes it even harder to take people getting upset when authors call for more diversity in the books being published. 6y
Chelleo Sadly, not surprising. 6y
53 likes3 comments
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Lauren_reading
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Pickpick

I know it‘s 10 years old, but it‘s soooo funny and awesome! Every romance fan should read this. I wish they‘d write an updated version. It explains everything I love about romance, while acknowledging the cringeworthy parts with humor. #romance #romantsy #nonfiction

81 likes1 stack add
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Lauren_reading
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I‘m on page 2 and I‘m already crying I‘m laughing so hard! This book gets me and my romance loving heart 😂

RebelGrrrl It's sooooooooo so so so so so GOOD. I love this book a LOT. Also, fun party idea: scan a bunch of different romance covers and do the romance cover treasure hunt (you'll encounter the rules for play later on in the book)..... you'll all laugh so hard it will be the game everyone remembers for a really long time lol. 6y
Lauren_reading @RebelGrrrl Just got to the cover game and I‘m dying 😂😂 I have some old skool romance that‘ll earn some points 6y
54 likes1 stack add2 comments
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RebelGrrrl
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Pickpick

This book is delightful and funny and is a smart take on the genre of romance and has given me a hell of a lot of respect for the genre. It's also given me a game for my book group this evening as we discuss Julie Garwood's the Bride and romance in general!

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elizabethlk
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Pickpick

This is such a fun and informative read all at once. Really enjoyed this. This is from the library bit I may have to get my own. I hope I can find something with similar info a bit more current in the future though (this is 9 years old now). Definitely recommended for anyone looking for a fun and informal lesson on romance novels or anyone who enjoys the Smart Bitches Trashy Books blog.

wen4blu I like the SBTB podcast! 6y
47 likes1 stack add1 comment
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CoffeeK8
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Free romance books, I haven‘t read most of these, and can‘t verify how log they‘ll be free but if you got to http://omgreads.com/escape-into-books/ they have a list of literally 100 free #romantsy ebooks. Happy reading! #litsyafterdark

39 likes1 stack add
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MarriedtoMrT
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Here are the prompts for #RomBkLove if you want to play along. I first saw it on Instagram from the Smart Bitches but it is VERY active on Twitter. I usually stay away from Twitter but quickly fell down a rabbit hole when searching the #.

shrewandsnail It's so, so good! 7y
CoffeeK8 This is a great set of prompts (edited) 7y
MarriedtoMrT @CoffeeK8 Yes! And for some I‘ve got nothing so I‘ll be taking notes. 7y
35 likes3 comments
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BookThingo
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Join us for a month-long celebration of our favourite romance books! #RomBkLove is the brainchild of @Anacoqui and this year she invited a bunch of bloggers to host a theme. Stay for a day, flit in and out, or participate for the entire month — it‘s up to you. Just use the hashtag #RomBkLove. I love the line-up and can‘t wait to see your recommendations! #romantsy

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Loreen
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#violet is my favorite color! But I don‘t seem to have very many books that shade in my collection. Luckily I have these two: Take The Cannoli by Sarah Vowell and Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendell & Candy Tan. Both books have made me 😂with laughter. And learning about the #magicalwang in Beyond Heaving Bosoms is a gift that keeps on giving.
#readingresolutions #marchphotochallenge #romantsy #nonfic #funny #litsychallnge @Jess7

37 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Bookish.Heart
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Pickpick

Hey guys! I disappeared for a month there as this whole working two jobs thing has been a bit stressful. And I haven't had nearly enough time for reading! I did finish this hilarious book, however. I laughed and c&p especially strange passages to my sweetheart. He enjoyed it as well!

JazzFeathers Don't tell me this is seriously the cover 😂 7y
Bookish.Heart @JazzFeathers No! But I found this on google image search for the book. And it was too fabulously horrible to pass by! 😝 7y
JazzFeathers @Bookish.Heart 😂😂😂 lt's fantastic!!!!! 7y
26 likes3 comments
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Bookish.Heart
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I had to show you guys the frankly adorable picture of "the romance reader." ❤️

Sace I loved this book! You know about the Smart Bitches Trashy Books website, right? 8y
Bookish.Heart @Sace Yes! Love the site! Never knew they had a book. I can't stop laughing 8y
26 likes2 comments
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Bookish.Heart
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It's kind of sad that romance readers get painted this way. It's silly. I've known men that read them!

JoRead I LOVE romance and I HATE cats! Not to mention appliqués 😂😂 8y
Bookish.Heart @JoRead And puffy paint sweatshirts are horrific lol 8y
JoRead @Bookish.Heart Absolutely! 8y
16 likes3 comments
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BookThingo
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My ideal (and affordable) notebook + pen combo. The softcover Leuchtturm1917 is light but durable. The pen was a freebie from #ARRC2017. I'm pairing this with Beyond Heaving Bosoms -- the romance book primer for the modern bitch. 👸🏽 #romantsy

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Tunde
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I thought I lost thid book when moving but found it in a cupboard and it is especially fun to read it on #IWD

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Nicole-Reads
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Pickpick

I loved this book. So much fun!
#romance

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Abby-J
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Alright, #romansty, I need your help. In honor of the holiday I've decided to read my very first "proper" romance novel. I've read lots of YA romance, some Urban Fantasy a naughty scene or two, and countless love stories imbedded into other genres, but I've never read an actual real life romance novel. I'd like to change that. Give me some advice, ladies (or dudes, I'm not one to discriminate).

drokka What kind of romance are you looking to start with? Something light and modern or long and historical? How do you feel about love triangles? What's your talk-dirty-to-me threshold? 8y
Abby-J @drokka As far as length and genre, I'm up for anything. I am a fan of love triangles. I read the living crap out of YA love triangles especially if there's a roguish bad boy involved. I can deal with the dirty talk, but I will giggle really hard if the words "flower" or "member" are used. 8y
Abby-J Also nothing with questionable consent. I've heard this isn't really a thing anymore, but just to be on the safe side, it's not going to be my jam. (edited) 8y
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GypsyKat Julia London has some fun books, and I know that I've read and enjoyed Jo Beverly, Amanda Quick, and Christina Dodd. It's been a while since I read them though, so I can't promise there won't be words that make you giggle. Romance novels are just... well, they are what the are lol 8y
drokka Okay, then so recommend Play. It's modern, no one uses 'member' or 'flower' in a sexualized way (unless tongue firmly in cheek). It's the first book in a series, so not a big loss if you end up not liking it. It's not too long, it's not a bodice ripper, and it has a good arc. 8y
drokka I'm also with @GypsyKat on those tried and true authors. 8y
Abby-J @GypsyKat I'm totally okay with giggling at the love scenes. 8y
GypsyKat @Abby-J Julia London has a cute trilogy that I remember about three sisters called "The Desperate Debutants" As I recall, they could have all stood alone, but each sister had a love story. It's been a few years since I read them, but I remember that I liked them. And to be honest, all I used to read were romance novels, so for any to stand out in a good way is saying something. (edited) 8y
Abby-J @drokka @GypsyKat All of these sound great. I'm going to scan Overdrive and see what's available. 8y
quietjenn I'm surprised no one has mentioned Courteney Milan or Sarah McLean. I also like Kate Noble. Fit contemporary, maybe Sarah Morgan? And definitely browse the blog Smart Bitches Trashy Books. 8y
Christy2318 If you want a historical with a Litsy connection, @sarahmaclean Nine Rules to Break when Seducing a Rake, @EloisaJames Desperate Duchesses, @JuliaQuinn The Duke and I. 8y
moranadatter Agree with @quietjenn. Courtney Milan is amazing! 8y
Chachic What genres are you looking for, contemporary or fantasy or historical? They're so many good romance titles to choose from.🙌 8y
drokka I made a mistake Lick is the first book in the Stage Dive series. Play is the third book (and my favourite). Sorry about that 8y
23 likes14 comments
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Abby-J
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Lol. "Man titty." First page, and I love this book already. #romansty

josie281 Yassssss! 8y
LindsayReads That is amazing. 8y
Abby-J @LindsayReads OMG. You should absolutely read this. If I ever figure out how to loan books via Kindle, I'll send it to you. 8y
LindsayReads Cool! Not all books can be loaned on Kindle! I was so bummed when I found that out. If you go to the Manage Content page and click on the "Actions" button next to a book, it'll say "Loan this title" if the option is available. 8y
22 likes6 stack adds4 comments
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Abby-J
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My #JanuaryTBR is mostly comics. I super need to work through my ComiXology backlog. It's getting out of hand. I keep buying things on sale and letting them pile up. I'm becoming a digital hoarder, and while it is tidier than the alternative, I need to actually read some of these damn books. #readjanuary

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silentrequiem
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charl08 Thanks for the reminder about the SBTB book. I love their website - so funny. 8y
13 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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thec0zy
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Pickpick

I've been reading the romance novel since I was in high school, and many of my friends teased me for it. Reading this Guide was like letting go of all those memories and loving romance for how good it is!

Lauren_reading Yay! I've learned to accept that some people will always judge, but I love romances and the strong women portrayed in them. The romance community - readers and authors- is awesome too! I'll have to grab this book. 8y
thec0zy Exactly! It's really great, and I love their blog. Their reviews of romance novels are critical and fun! 8y
Demanda Her podcast is amazing! 8y
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thec0zy @Demanda ooh that's awesome. I didn't know she had a podcast! I literally just subscribed❤️ 8y
Demanda I want to be friends with all the smart bitches :) 8y
29 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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thec0zy
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After years of being considered the weirdo in my family, I am vindicated. Someone finally agrees with the extremity of my feelings on nuts in baked goods.

bookishkai Nuts in baked goods are evil, unless it's pecans, and even then only in pecan pie! 8y
DragonSadhana I don't understand why people commit these crimes. You're only hurting yourself! 8y
thec0zy @bookishkris exactly. that is the only known exception decided by the baked goods committee eons ago. 8y
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thec0zy @DragonSadhana clearly they just need to be tenderly and delicately shown the ways of sweet, baked good love. 8y
readinginthedark I like nuts in baked goods that are centered around the nuts, but I don't get why people just add them because they can, like brownies with walnuts. 8y
thec0zy @readinginthedark oh walnuts in brownies upset me on a deep level. I eat brownies purely for the chocolate experience, which makes walnuts interlopers. 8y
23 likes1 stack add7 comments
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triskeleseeker
Pickpick

Sarah Wendell and her Bitchery crew are gold.