Bitchin' Books
Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels
- by Sarah Wendell & Candy Tan
- April 2009, Touchstone/Fireside
A guide to the most popular and maligned fiction genre, this hilariously sarcastic but always affectionate study of romance novels is perfect for hardcore fans and dabblers alike. Smart and irreverent, the women who founded the popular blog “Smart Bitches, Trashy Books” both mock and pay homage to this highly successful genre. Sure, the authors visit the wild love scenes where the hero/heroine Must Have Sex NOW, but they also speak with famous romance authors and explore how the billion-dollar genre has influenced gender and sexual roles in our society. From insider advice on writing romance novels to discovering your inner Viking warrior, Beyond Heaving Bosoms shows that while some romance novels can be silly, maybe even tawdry, they're also intelligent, savvy, feminist, and fabulous — just like the Smart Bitches.
A Note from Sarah and Candy:
We never expected to write a book about the genre, but when we had the opportunity and realized we had so much we wanted to say that didn't fit the website, it turned into an epic fun project for us. We wanted to write a guide to romance novels for anyone who has ever taken any crap for their love of the genre. Much to our surprise and joy, our book has traveled the world and been placed on the syllabus in courses at Yale, Princeton, and DePaul Universities, and has been cited in Master's and PhD level dissertations. We never would have predicted its audience, and we are so gleeful that people have enjoyed it!