Curated by: Jacque Composanto

Romance, sex, and sexuality have always been censored or scandalized. This staff picks seeks to explore what is "allowable" through the lens of romantasy and romance more broadly. From historical titles that were considered scandalous at publication to modern banned books for sexual themes, this display celebrates the defiance of the romance in literature.

  • Ebook
    Cover of "Eighteenth-Century British Erotica, Part II" shows a teal background with a dark green floral graphic. Text includes title, years 1700-1735, and editor's name.
    Cover of "Eighteenth-Century British Erotica, Part II" shows a teal background with a dark green floral graphic. Text includes title, years 1700-1735, and editor's name.

    Eighteenth-century British erotica: Pleasures, comforts, and plagues

    by Chris Mounsey, Rictor Norton Explores erotic literature in eighteenth-century Britain and its connections to culture, politics, morality, and social change.
  • Ebook
    Elegant woman in vintage pink dress sits on antique chair in a poised, contemplative pose. Text on the image reads “Pin Up! The Subculture” by Kathleen M. Ryan, exploring themes of agency and sexuality.

    Pin Up! The Subculture

    by Kathleen M Ryan
    Examines pin-up culture as a site of self-expression, empowerment, sexuality, and debate over representation and gender.

    Elegant woman in vintage pink dress sits on antique chair in a poised, contemplative pose. Text on the image reads “Pin Up! The Subculture” by Kathleen M. Ryan, exploring themes of agency and sexuality.

    Pin Up! The Subculture

    by Kathleen M Ryan Examines pin-up culture as a site of self-expression, empowerment, sexuality, and debate over representation and gender.
  • Ebook
    Cover of "Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women" with bold red and pink text over a blue floral background. A gold oval highlights authors' names.
    Cover of "Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women" with bold red and pink text over a blue floral background. A gold oval highlights authors' names.

    Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the

    by Jayne Ann Krentz A collection of essays exploring why romance fiction captivates readers and how the genre reflects fantasy, desire, and gender.
  • Ebook
    Book cover of "Don DeLillo, American Original" by Michael Naas. Features distressed American flag background with bold yellow and white text.
    Book cover of "Don DeLillo, American Original" by Michael Naas. Features distressed American flag background with bold yellow and white text.

    Don DeLillo, American Original: Drugs, Weapons, Erotica, and Other Literary

    by Michael Naas Explores banned books, censorship, and controversial literature that challenged American cultural and political boundaries.
  • Ebook
    Alt text: Cover of "Jennie Gerhardt" by Theodore Dreiser, showing a black and white image of an old house. The design conveys a classic and historical tone.

    Jennie Gerhardt

    by Theodore Dreiser, Lloyd James
    A realist novel about class, love, and sacrifice as a young woman struggles against poverty and social judgment.

    Alt text: Cover of "Jennie Gerhardt" by Theodore Dreiser, showing a black and white image of an old house. The design conveys a classic and historical tone.

    Jennie Gerhardt

    by Theodore Dreiser, Lloyd James A realist novel about class, love, and sacrifice as a young woman struggles against poverty and social judgment.
  • Ebook
    Colorful book cover for "Call Me Zebra" with abstract circles featuring eyes and a zebra. Awards mentioned: Pen America Longlist, Pen/Faulkner Winner.

    Call Me Zebra

    by Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi
    A literary odyssey following an eccentric young woman shaped by exile, grief, and an obsessive love of books.

    Colorful book cover for "Call Me Zebra" with abstract circles featuring eyes and a zebra. Awards mentioned: Pen America Longlist, Pen/Faulkner Winner.

    Call Me Zebra

    by Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi A literary odyssey following an eccentric young woman shaped by exile, grief, and an obsessive love of books.
  • Ebook
    Book cover titled "Wanting: Women Writing About Desire," edited by Margot Kahn and Kelly McMasters. Features red and pink abstract shapes.

    Wanting: Women Writing About Desire

    by Margot Kahn, Kelly McMasters
    An essay collection exploring women’s experiences of desire, intimacy, identity, longing, and emotional complexity.

    Book cover titled "Wanting: Women Writing About Desire," edited by Margot Kahn and Kelly McMasters. Features red and pink abstract shapes.

    Wanting: Women Writing About Desire

    by Margot Kahn, Kelly McMasters An essay collection exploring women’s experiences of desire, intimacy, identity, longing, and emotional complexity.
  • Ebook
    Cover of "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green. Blue background with black and white cloud shapes displaying title and author. Emotional and striking.

    The Fault in Our Stars

    by John Green
    A heartfelt young adult novel about love, illness, and finding meaning while facing mortality.

    Cover of "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green. Blue background with black and white cloud shapes displaying title and author. Emotional and striking.

    The Fault in Our Stars

    by John Green A heartfelt young adult novel about love, illness, and finding meaning while facing mortality.
  • Ebook
    Book cover for "Exit West" by Mohsin Hamid. Bold, brush-stroke letters in blue and pink on a dark, starry background. A circular sticker denotes it as a Man Booker Prize finalist. The tone is mysterious and evocative.

    Exit West: A Novel R

    by Mohsin Hamid
    A lyrical novel about love and migration, where magical doors transport refugees across a rapidly changing world.

    Book cover for "Exit West" by Mohsin Hamid. Bold, brush-stroke letters in blue and pink on a dark, starry background. A circular sticker denotes it as a Man Booker Prize finalist. The tone is mysterious and evocative.

    Exit West: A Novel R

    by Mohsin Hamid A lyrical novel about love and migration, where magical doors transport refugees across a rapidly changing world.
  • Ebook
    Cover of "How Long 'til Black Future Month?" by N.K. Jemisin. Features a profile of a woman with elaborate hair ornaments and a striking expression.

    How Long 'til Black Future Month?

    by N. K. Jemisin
    An award-winning Afrofuturist collection of speculative stories exploring race, power, identity, and imagined futures.

    Cover of "How Long 'til Black Future Month?" by N.K. Jemisin. Features a profile of a woman with elaborate hair ornaments and a striking expression.

    How Long 'til Black Future Month?

    by N. K. Jemisin An award-winning Afrofuturist collection of speculative stories exploring race, power, identity, and imagined futures.
  • Ebook
    Profile of a woman with intricate golden serpentine hair on a deep blue background. Text reads "The Witch's Heart" by Genevieve Gornichec. Mood is mystical.

    The Witch's Heart

    by Genevieve Gornichec
    A mythic fantasy retelling of Norse legends centered on a witch’s love, motherhood, and fate before Ragnarök.

    Profile of a woman with intricate golden serpentine hair on a deep blue background. Text reads "The Witch's Heart" by Genevieve Gornichec. Mood is mystical.

    The Witch's Heart

    by Genevieve Gornichec A mythic fantasy retelling of Norse legends centered on a witch’s love, motherhood, and fate before Ragnarök.
  • Ebook
    Green book cover with the title "The Country Girls" in gold, vertical text. "Edna O'Brien" appears horizontally in silver. Two dark brown semi-circles add a vintage feel.

    The Country Girls

    by Edna O'Brien
    A groundbreaking Irish novel about friendship, desire, and young women seeking freedom in a restrictive society.

    Green book cover with the title "The Country Girls" in gold, vertical text. "Edna O'Brien" appears horizontally in silver. Two dark brown semi-circles add a vintage feel.

    The Country Girls

    by Edna O'Brien A groundbreaking Irish novel about friendship, desire, and young women seeking freedom in a restrictive society.

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