Did I mention that AAR came out with their new Top 100 Romance List a few months ago? I’ve been working off a very old list — I think from 2005 — and carefully working my way down, reading as many of the books as I can to get a true sense of what’s popular in the romance world. I’ve almost covered the top 13 books on that old list, plus a smattering of about 15 books lower on the list from authors I fell in love with.
I must say, the list is outstanding. And following it is great fun. I’ve never been disappointed or stunned by any of the books in the top tiers. Since the list is compiled by masses of readers, I guess public opinion really shines through, and I find that all the recommendations are terrific. Since I only started reading romances about 7 years ago, I needed some direction (there are so many to choose from!), and that list really became an excellent road map for me, introducing me to several fun writers.
When the 2007 list came out, I rather ignored it, because I wanted to keep working down my old list in my methodical way, but now I think I’ll switch to the 2010 list. Many of the same books are on there, but also it includes many recent books that I’ve read or have wanted to read. (Nalini Singh, for instance, is on this newer list, and I’ve been wanting to read her for some time.)
So, without further ado, here’s the 2010 list. (For the original list, with pictures of the covers and links, please visit here.) I’m starting to mark in red the books I’ve read. How many of these have you read? Wow, Lisa Kleypas really has a good showing on here, doesn’t she?
1. Lord of Scoundrels Loretta Chase Eur Hist 1995
2. Dreaming of You Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 1994
3. Devil In Winter Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2006
4. Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen Classic 1813
5. Outlander Diana Gabaldon Time-Travel 1991
6. Flowers From The Storm Laura Kinsale Eur Hist 1992
7. Slightly Dangerous Mary Balogh Eur Hist 2004
8. The Viscount Who Loved Me Julia Quinn Eur Hist 2000
9. The Raven Prince Elizabeth Hoyt Eur Hist 2006
10. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie Jennifer Ashley Eur Hist 2009
11. Mr. Impossible Loretta Chase Eur Hist 2005
12. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton Julia Quinn Eur Hist 2002
13. Paradise Judith McNaught Contemporary 1991
14. Lord Perfect Loretta Chase Eur Hist 2006
15. It Had To Be You Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 1994
16. Bet Me Jennifer Crusie Contemporary 2004
17. The Duke and I Julia Quinn Eur Hist 2000
18. Not Quite A Husband Sherry Thomas Hist Rom 2009
19. The Bride Julie Garwood Medieval 1989
20. The Spymaster’s Lady Joanna Bourne Eur Hist 2008
21. A Kingdom of Dreams Judith McNaught Medieval 1989
22. Heaven, Texas Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 1995
23. Mr. Perfect Linda Howard Contemporary 2000
24. Naked In Death J.D. Robb Futuristic 1995
25. Blue-Eyed Devil Lisa Kleypas Contemporary 2005
26. It Happened One Autumn Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2008
27. Lover Awakened J.R. Ward Paranormal 2006
28. Nobody’s Baby But Mine Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 1997
29. Almost Heaven Judith McNaught Eur Hist 1990
30. Suddenly You Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2001
31. MacKenzie’s Mountain Linda Howard Series/Category 1989
32. A Summer To Remember Mary Balogh Eur Hist 2002
33. When He Was Wicked Julia Quinn Eur Hist 2004
34. Smooth Talking Stranger Lisa Kleypas Contemporary 2009
35. Persuasion Jane Austen Classic 1818
36. Welcome to Temptation Jennifer Crusie Contemporary 2000
37. Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte Classic 1847
38. Whitney, My Love Judith McNaught Eur Hist 1985
39. Honors Splendour Julie Garwood Medieval 1987
40. This Heart of Mine Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 2001
41. The Secret Pearl Mary Balogh Eur Hist 1991
42. Match Me If You Can Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 2005
43. Kiss An Angel Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 1996
44. The Serpent Prince Elizabeth Hoyt Eur Hist 2007
45. Perfect Judith McNaught Contemporary 1993
46. Ravished Amanda Quick Eur Hist 1992
47. Dream Man Linda Howard Romantic Suspense 1995
48. As You Desire Connie Brockway Historical 1997
49. Private Arrangements Sherry Thomas Eur Historical 2008
50. See Jane Score Rachel Gibson Contemporary 2003
51. Slave To Sensation Nalini Singh Paranormal 2006
52. Sugar Daddy Lisa Kleypas Women’s Fiction 2007
53. Dream A Little Dream Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 1998
54. Then Came You Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 1993
55. After The Night Linda Howard Contemporary 1995
56. Lady Sophia’s Lover Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2002
57. Lover Eternal J. R. Ward Paranormal 2006
58. Devil’s Bride Stephanie Laurens Eur Hist 1998
59. Morning Glory Lavryle Spencer Amer Hist 1990
60. To Have and To Hold Patricia Gaffney Eur Hist 1995
61. The Secret Julie Garwood Medieval 1992
62. Something Wonderful Judith McNaught Eur Hist 1988
63. The Proposition Judith Ivory Eur Hist 1999
64. Ransom Julie Garwood Medieval 1999
65. Passion Lisa Valdez Eur Hist 2005
66. The Last Hellion Loretta Chase Eur Hist 1998
67. Love in the Afternoon Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2010
68. To Beguile A Beast Elizabeth Hoyt Eur Hist 2009
69. Where Dreams Begin Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2000
70. Devil’s Cub Georgette Heyer Classic 1932
71. A Knight in Shining Armor Jude Deveraux Time-Travel 1989
72. Once and Always Judith McNaught Eur Hist 1987
73. Natural Born Charmer Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 2007
74. Sea Swept Nora Roberts Contemporary 1998
75. Seduce Me At Sunrise Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2008
76. Dark Lover J.R. Ward Paranormal 2005
77. A Hunger Like No Other Kresley Cole Paranormal 2006
78. More Than A Mistress Mary Balogh Eur Hist 2000
79. What Happens in London Julia Quinn Eur Hist 2009
80. Cry No More Linda Howard Rom Suspense 2003
81. Over the Edge Suzanne Brockmann Romantic Suspense 2001
82. Open Season Linda Howard Contemporary 2001
83. The Shadow and The Star Laura Kinsale Historical 1991
84. Saving Grace Julie Garwood Historical 1992
85. Worth Any Price Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2003
86. My Dearest Enemy Connie Brockway Eur Hist 1998
87. Ain’t She Sweet Susan Elizabeth Phillips Contemporary 2004
88. Thunder and Roses Mary Jo Putney Eur Hist 1993
89. To Die For Linda Howard Contemporary 2005
90. All Through The Night Connie Brockway Eur Hist 1997
91. The Rake Mary Jo Putney Eur Hist 1998
92. The Leopard Prince Elizabeth Hoyt Eur Hist 2007
93. Voyager Diana Gabaldon Time-Travel 1994
94. The Duke Of Shadows Meredith Duran Eur Hist 2008
95. Untie My Heart Judith Ivory Eur Hist 2002
96. Bound by Your Touch Meredith Duran Eur Hist 2008
97. Angels’ Blood Nalini Singh Paranormal 2009
98. Married by Morning Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2010
99. And Then He Kissed Her Laura Lee Guhrke Eur Hist 2007
100. Scandal in Spring Lisa Kleypas Eur Hist 2006
I’ve probably read about 80 of them 🙂 I should go back and read the rest
Kristi´s last blog post ..My Interview with MSNBC – Dashing Dolphins Making a Splash
I figured you’ve probably read a lot, Kristi! Do the ones you haven’t read tend to be all from the same authors?
Valuable information. Lucky me I found your website by accident, and I am shocked why this accident didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.