Regency Novels. Obsessions. And when a friend listens.

Regency novelsGuys, something happened to me recently. It came out of nowhere. Completely unexpected.

I became obsessed with regency novels.

I’m not even joking!

It started out of simple curiosity about a book I’d heard tons of people talk about but didn’t get around to reading when it first released: Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson. (Soooo good!)

And it led into a full-blown book binge. True story: I read 11 books in 21 days. 

Now, I am an admitted bookworm BUT in the past couple years, I’ve been so busy with my day job and writing and family and traveling that I’ve been lucky to finish off a couple books a month. Eleven in 21 days is unheard of at this stage in my life.

And it is also awesome. Because, oh, the fun I’ve had reading them!

I should note, I’ve never been a huge regency reader. Sure, I have plenty of appreciation for Jane Austen. I think she’s delightfully witty. And I was super into the first few seasons of Downton Abbey. 

But I’ve never been one to go crazy over this particular time period. Until now… 

You may be wondering why I’m telling you about this obsession. (Unless you’ve been around here for some time, in which case you already know I don’t tend to be shy about my obsessions. Needtobreathe. Candy Corn. Flannel sheets. Classic movies.)

But there is actually a point to this. And it’s this:

I was telling a friend the other day about how I couldn’t stop reading regencies. I gushed about the books I’d read so far. Confessed I was already halfway through book twelve. 

And instead of laughing at me like I would’ve expected, my friend simply asked, “So why do you love them so much?”

The question stopped me cold. Not because I couldn’t answer it. But because my friend asked it.

I babble sometimes. I get silly and overly gushy. I obsess. Maybe we all do. At least, I hope we all do or else I really AM weird.

But those little moments when you realize a friend actually cares about your silly, gushy babbling, sees there’s more to your obsession than just a flight of fancy, sees you in a way that amazes you…

Well, they aren’t little moments at all.

*****

I work at a nonprofit that serves people struggling with homelessness and hunger. I’ll never forget this one Christmas. I was at our men’s emergency shelter and we’d set up the chapel to look like a store–donated toys sorted and stacked in piles. And the men staying in our shelter had the opportunity to “shop” and pick out toys for kids and grandkids they probably wouldn’t even see on Christmas Day.

I was stationed at a gift-wrapping table. (And yes, go ahead and laugh all you people who have ever received a present from me with wrapping paper that looks like it’s been mutilated by scissors and tape.) One man came up to my table holding a Barbie doll box. “I hope my daughter likes this.”

I pulled out a roll of wrapping paper and took the box and then asked what I’d thought was a completely innocuous question. “How old’s your daughter?”

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen someone’s face light up so quickly or so clearly. This man spending the days leading up to Christmas in a homeless shelter looked as if I’d just asked him how he’d feel about a million dollar cash donation. For the next ten minutes, I wrapped and he talked and talked and talked. And beamed. Mostly, probably, because he was a dad who loved his daughter.

But perhaps, too, because someone showed an interest. Asked. Listened.

*****

You know, I’m not sure I’m always the best listener. I love words, but I fear more often than not I’m too caught up in my own. 

But then a friend who listens asks me a simple question about a silly obsession.

And a memory slips in of wrapping Brian’s gift for his daughter while he tells me all about her.

And I realize sometimes the best thing to do with words…is hear them.

Melissa First Name Sig

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    Comments 25

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        Hey!! I have no idea why it’s taken me so long to jump on the regency bandwagon! I read a few back when they first made a mega resurgence but for whatever reason, I just didn’t come back to them forever. Now I’m full-on addicted.

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    4. How about sharing the titles of those 11 books or at least some of your favorites. I have read all of Sarah Eden, Julianne Donaldson and Sarah Ladd’s books and love them.

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        The bulk of the books I read were Sarah Eden and Julianne Donaldson! I read all the Jonquil ones that are currently out…can’t wait for more of those. 🙂 And then I read The Curiosity Keeper by Sarah Ladd and Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen.

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    5. I love regency novels they are my absolute favorite! I’m always looking for new ones so If any has any they would recommend please let me know!

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        Have you read any of Sarah M. Eden’s? As soon as I finished both of Julianne Donaldson’s, I moved straight to Sarah Eden. There’s on in particular, a play on Beauty and the Beast, called Seeking Persephone which I absolutely adored.

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      2. Thank goodness–I was really afraid Melissa didn’t know about Heyer! I also enjoyed Clare Darcy, though not as much as Heyer.

        Melissa, most of Heyer’s books start out kind of boring, but stick with it–they’re great!

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          1. I enjoy regency, as well, but have not read anything by Georgette Heyer. I didn’t realize it was such a shocking concept until someone pointed it out. Author Lee Tobin McClain noted that her favorite Heyer book is A Civil Contract. I figure that is a good place for me to start.

            Thanks for your gentle reminder to not just hear people, but also listen.

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    11. Some other good Regency authors are Catherine Palmer (English Ivy Series and Miss Pickworth Series), Julie Klassen (you already know), Kristi Ann Hunter, Josi S. Kilpack, Lori Wick (The English Garden Series), and Abby Gaines (The Parson’s Daughters Series; Love Inspired Historical).

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