I’m currently an International Studies/Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations undergrad at the University of Chicago, where the motto is, “Where fun comes to die.” On any given day, you can find me curled up with a book, actively working on my state of denial. When I do manage to find my way back into the real world, I spend my time dancing, working with a sexual violence prevention program, translating Arabic love poetry, and eating samosas with friends between classes.

Absolute Favorites

Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand by Carla Kelly
Scout's Progress by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold

Favorite Classic

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

What I'm a sucker for in a book: Quiet, shy, competent heroes, physically unattractive heroes orheroines, witty repartee, a hero or heroine who realizes that he/she has wronged or misjudged the hero/heroine and now must make amends, unusual historical settings, depictions of extended families, heroes or heroines who feel unworthy of his/her beloved, heroes or heroines who are social outcasts, self-made men/women and class differences between heroes and heroines, friends turned lovers, attraction to a beloved’s intellect or strength of character, and heroes who fall in love with their best friend’s sisters.

What I don't particularly care for in a book: Madcap adventures NOT written by Georgette Heyer, jealous or possessive relationships, wallpaper historicals, arrogant, condescending heroes, stereotypical descriptions of the “other woman”, heroes who keep mistresses, self-absorbed heroes/heroines, immature behavior, love at first sight, manipulation of the beloved, cutesy climbing boys and sassy maids, too much sentimentalism, and flip-flopping and waffling over love.

What drives me absolutely nuts in a book: Rape mislabeled as love.

Contemporary:

Chesapeake Bay series by Nora Roberts
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

European Historical:

Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas

Traditional Regency:

Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand by Carla Kelly
The Wedding Journey by Carla Kelly

Alternate Reality:

Scout's Progress by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold

Favorite Hero

Miles Vorkosigan, Miles Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold
Sir Ross Cannon, Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas
Jesse Randall, The Wedding Journey by Carla Kelly

Favorite Heroine

Penelope Featherington, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Aelliana Caylon, Scout's Progress by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Susan Hampton, The Lady's Companion by Carla Kelly
Emma Costello, Reforming Lord Ragsdale by Carla Kelly

Most Tortured Hero

Reggie Davenport, The Rake by Mary Jo Putney

Strongest Heroine

Emma Costello, Reforming Lord Ragsdale by Carla Kelly
Ista Dy Baocia, Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold

Favorite Couple

Miles Vorkosigan and Ekaterin Vorsoisson, A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold
Daav yos Phelium and Aelliana Caylon, Scout's Progress by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Fletcher Rand, Lord Winn and Roxanna Drew, Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand by Carla Kelly

Suspense:

Naked in Death by J.D. Robb

Funny:

Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer

Sexy:

Beyond Seduction by Emma Holly

Least-Favorites

Most Disappointing Books

Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught
On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn

Worst Books

Secrets of the Heart by Mary Balogh

Authors Others Love That I Don't

Loretta Chase

Most Annoying Lead Character

Clayton and Whitney Westmoreland, Whitney, My Love, by Judith McNaught

Non-Romance Favorites

Favorite Author

Lois McMaster Bujold
David Weber
Tamora Pierce

Favorite Book

On Basilisk Station by David Weber

Favorite Classic Novel

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Favorite Mystery

Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries by Dorothy L. Sayers
Monk mysteries by Anne Perry

Favorite Fantasy

Liaden series by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Honor Harrington series by David Weber
Miles Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold

Favorite YA Book

Tortall series by Tamora Pierce
Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

Favorite Set of Connected Books

Miles Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold

Book Most Often Reread

A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold
Finding the Dream by Nora Roberts
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Favorite Nonfiction

The Italian Boy by Sarah Wise
History in Three Keys by Paul A. Cohen
The Best and the Brightest by David Halberstam