Below are some aspects to consider: How the novel has changed or impacted: – Perceptions of the romance genre as ‘women’s reading’ or ‘chick lit’- Perceptions of the romance genre as worthless, or not ‘serious literature’- The role of the romance in popular media, considering adaptations for TV and movies- The history of the romance, including novels that we valorize which were the romances of their time- Reading habits of romance readers- The role of psychology in the genre, both in the stories that are told and the driving force behind the reader’s interest (or obsession)- Where, when, and how romance readers read their novels- How we study (or don’t) romance novels in colleges and universities
