This week’s prompt: Have you ever read a Nicholas Sparks romance novel? If so, what is your opinion on his endings?
The tricky thing about this question is what if your answer to the question is no? Then what are you supposed to write about this week? So I’m adding my own follow-up question: If you haven’t read any, do you want to? Why or why not?
So, as you may have guessed from the last bit, I haven’t read any books by Nicholas Sparks. Is he the one whose work was the basis for that movie everyone has been talking about for years (if not decades)? The one with Ryan Gosling and that girl who was in Mean Girls? I haven’t watched that, either. I think it’s probably because I don’t know anyone who has read them or recommended them to me, and I wasn’t naturally drawn to them because I don’t read romance books very often. I do occasionally, but usually they also need to have something else about them that draws me – like they’re set in a bookstore or they’re focused on characters who are neurodivergent. Sometimes I’ve just heard so much about them that I decide to give them a try. But I’ve not really heard much about Nicholas Sparks from the bookish people I follow, so it’s never really come up. Does he do tidy, happy endings? If so I’d probably have trouble accepting them. I try to suspend my disbelief from time to time, but I find it difficult. So happy romance stories often alienate me, particularly if they’re based on perfect people or instant love. I tend to think that there’s another shoe, and it will eventually drop. And, frankly, I’d rather read about that bit and see if they can weather whatever storm is coming. That part would interest me.
Are you guys fans of Nicholas Sparks? Anyone else out there who’s somehow sidestepped this entire area of books and films? If you haven’t read his work, do you want to? Why or why not?
The Book Blogger Hop is a weekly blog link-up that gives participants a different book-related question to ponder each week, and allows them to share their thoughts, find new blogs to follow and connect with new readers. The Hop was originally created by Jennifer at Crazy for Books and is now hosted by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. To see a list of upcoming prompts go here.
One of my friends really likes Sparks and I’ve tried four of his books, but I just don’t quite get the hype.
I think it’s probably like anything – it’ll be a hit for some people and leave others scratching their heads! I assume lots of the books I love would confuse some other readers, so I guess this just isn’t my jam!
If you are thinking of The Notebook, then yes, I think that’s the one. I read the book years ago–and saw the movie. I haven’t tried any of his other work though. I don’t think I would describe his books as having happy endings exactly, but I can’t say for sure. And I know he has very adamantly stated in the past that he writes love stories, not romance novels–which has always amused me–because just about everyone else calls them romances.
His books are popular and I know many people who enjoy them. I haven’t felt the desire to read any more of his work though.
Ugh, it’s that whole men write serious things, women write fluff stereotype, huh? What is a romance if not a love story? I think his books would definitely fit in what I’d consider romance, just not the Harlequin style ones that used to be a dime a dozen when I was a kid. But still, same genre! I don’t find I have any interest in trying his work, no shade to those who love it, just nothing had jumped out at me about any blurbs I’ve read to make me pick one up!