Culture
Closed-Door Romance Books That Will Make You Swoon
As a lifelong fan of romantic comedies, my list of favorite “sweet” romances is extensive.
Not because I have a spice aversion — but because the rom-coms I love most, with that classic cinematic vibe, often come with fewer peppers on the spice scale.
Some people refer to these books as “closed door.” I prefer to think of them as “in the hall” romances (though that admittedly doesn’t roll off the tongue quite the same way). The reader is there for all the swoon, the burn and the banter — but when things head to the bedroom, the reader remains out in the hallway. With less focus on what happens inside the boudoir, all that juicy heightened tension and yearning really shine. Here are a few of my favorites.
Homer’s “Odyssey” has been translated into English countless times, with versions ranging from contemporary and accessible to highly poetic. A.O. Scott, critic at large for The New York Times Book Review, breaks down three translations and explains which one might be right for you.
Among the many complaints made about the modern American novelist, the loudest, if not the most intelligent, has been the charge that he is not speaking for his country. A few seasons back an editorial in Life magazine asked grandly, “Who speaks for America today?” and was not able to conclude that our novelists, or at least our most gifted ones, did.
This opening paragraph is from an essay titled “The Fiction Writer and His Country” by a writer whose work was influenced by Catholicism, the rural South and peacocks. Who was it?
Welcome to Lit Trivia, the Book Review’s regular quiz about books, authors and literary culture. This week’s challenge is all about an influential group of writers, editors and other creative types known as the Algonquin Round Table. In the five multiple-choice questions below, tap or click on the answer you think is correct. After the last question, you’ll find links to related books and other information about the era if you’d like to do further reading.
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