Adult Reading Round Table Genre Boot Camp  •  Gentle Reads

Gentle Reads DEFINITION: With charm and humor, these novels explore the everyday joys, frustrations, and sorrows of lives quietly led. They typically revolve around the activities of a small community of people, such as a small town, a church, or a gathering of friends. The realities of sex, violence, and other passions are downplayed and are never presented in a graphic manner. Although the genre was once largely dominated by British authors, American authors in the vein of Jan Karon are now extremely popular. See also: Cozy Mysteries under Mysteries.

Classic Authors:  D. E. Stevenson, Barbara Pym, Elizabeth Cadell, Miss Read, and Angela Thirkell

CHARACTERISTICS:  Gentle reads can be found across many genres, however, they are not likely to be in horror or thriller genres. Relationships and character development are the important factors and the pace is usually slower.   Whereas these stories are not devoid of problems to solve or difficult situations to face, the response is upbeat and positive.   Sex can be hinted at but not graphically described.  The murder in the mystery book usually happens off-stage.  Many of the popular authors of gentle reads write books in series.

APPEAL:  Gentle reads have a satisfying, if not happy, ending.  Series books allow the reader to become involved with the characters and, along with them, explore the joys and hardships of everyday life.  These books are suitable for a young adult audience as well as the more mature reader.

READERS:  Gentle fiction readers are looking for a good story with wholesome characters who have positive values.  People who are offended by the portrayal of sex and violence and the excessive use of strong language in today’s popular movies and television programming would be likely to seek a gentle read. 

SUBGENRES:  There are no subgenres listed in our Popular Fiction Tool under Gentle Reads.  However, you can find gentle reads in many categories including cozy mysteries, Christian fiction, historical, literary and women’s fiction, non-fiction and innocent or sweet romances.

TOP AUTHORS:
Cozy Mystery--Diane Mott Davidson
Christian Fiction--Jan Karon
General Fiction--Nicholas Sparks
Women’s Fiction--Debbie Macomber

TRENDS:  Publishers are not marketing gentle reads as such but they are marketing inspirational fiction titles.  Harlequin ( www.HQNBooks.com ) has a searchable category on its website called Tender Romance.

WEBSITES:
Hennepin County Library has a current list of gentle reads.          
www.hclib.org/pub/bookspace/FindAGoodBook.cfm?Genre=fiction  
FictionL mailing list subscribers compiled a list of. Gentle reads titled “Gentle” But Not Religious Fiction
www.webrary.org/rs/flbklists/gentlenotreligious.html
Scottsdale AZ Public Library maintains a gentle reads list in their recommended reading section.
www.Scottsdalelibrary.org/books/gentlereads.cfm
The Cozy Library is not just for mysteries but for all kinds of “feel good” reads.  There are links to author websites and reviews of general fiction, nonfiction and mysteries.
www.Cozylibrary.com

REFERENCE BOOKS:
Frolund, Tina. Genrefied Classics:A Guide to Reading Interests in Classic Literature. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited, 2007.
Contains a list of gentle reads in the subject index.

Mort, John. Christian Fiction: A Guide to the Genre. Greenwood Village, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited, 2002.
Although there is a distinction between Christian fiction and the gentle read, this is a good source for those patrons who are comfortable with an evangelical message.

PUBLISHERS:
Avalon Books, an imprint of Thomas Bouregy & Co., Inc. issues sixty books a year for the library market.
Harlequin publishes “Mills and Boon Tender Romance.”
Steeple Hill Books publishes two series: “love inspired suspense” and “love inspired romance.”

MAGAZINES:  Cozy Times Newsletter is a monthly online publication.  Subscribe at www.cozylibrary.com; Romantic Times Book Club has a regular review section for inspirational fiction.

AWARDS:
Agatha Awards--traditional mystery
Christy Awards--Christian fiction
Rita Awards--best inspirational romance category

Prepared by Mary Lynn Mysz
September 2007

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