Romance Novels - a secret shame?

A couple of weeks ago I had a small fight with my YM about his copy of this year's Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. "In some of these pictures, they're not even wearing the swimsuits!" I complained. "They're naked sitting next to them!"

He was unmoved. "Women have their romance novels," he said calmly. "Men have this."

I didn't have a good comeback for that because - as difficult as it is for me to admit this - I do have a stash of romance paperbacks. Keep in mind: we're not talking Nora Roberts or Diana Gabaldon here. We're talking about the most generic Harlequin series books - the basest of the base. Stuff with titles like Memories of a Whisper and Redhawke's Lady.

And while the gratification I get from them isn't always as... ah, direct as the one he gets from Elle Macpherson, it would be impossible for me to deny that their appeal - solipsistic and empty-caloried as it is - is fundamentally pornographic.

And yet... I'm sure there's at least a little more to be said for them than that. I just don't feel capable of articulating it.

Do any of you read them? And if so, with what degree of embarrassment?

Well, I have been known to read a few romance novels in my time.....and I'm not embaressed at all....well, maybe a little by the silly illustrations on the covers!! But, you can't compare them to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue! For one....the men are like DROOLING over those naked women......we are reading a romance novel. We aren't looking at men and getting all hot are we??? No, I think not. Thats just a really stupid excuse for him to have his silly magazine, no offense. But most men will say anything to justify their lust for other women. Thats my opinion. Like, I would have no problem if my guy was into romance novels.......but the other I would have some serious doubts about him.

Anyone else have any thoughts???

I used to when I was younger, and a lot. I was not embarassed to say it, but these days I have so much to read that I am more selective of my reading.

When I am traveling, taking airplanes or spending hours in the beach (when it's not at the airport), then of course I prefer to read light stuff and I might buy one of these books to read. Lately I have been reading more things like Stephen King and similars during my trips.

When I was about 10, I read all of my mother's Harlequins in one month. I was a fast reader for my age and she didn't have a lot of them.

I concluded they were pretty boring. :)

Then I started in on her collection of Stephen Kings. I read all those in about a month as well.

I wasn't all that impressed with them either, although I thought they were marginally better than the Harlequins.

In your bf's favour, I can actually see some similarities between a Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and romance novels. Both are fantasy and both are pretty much "brain candy". There's been more than a few studies that indicate men are more visually stimulated than women, and women are more verbally stimulated than men.

In other words, men get their jollies by airbrushed images, and women get theirs by sensual happily-ever-after stories. But most intelligent adults are aware that neither has much bearing on reality. :rolleyes:

I had a friend who wanted to write those stories. She received a letter giving her a formula that she HAD to stick to if she wanted to write them. After so many pages, there had to physical contact [His hand brushed hers and sent a shudder of electricity through her body.] Then, after so many more pages, there had to be a kiss [She fought against him for a moment, protesting; then let herself sink his soft lips, his hard body.] After so many more pages, the "intimate encounter," [his throbbing member, her quivering pink desire.]

So, every time you read one, you are reading them all--they all follow the same flow chart.

[okay, okay, I admit it...every girl needs a little quivering ecstasy and a throbbing member in her life now and then. I have a bagful from Gramma...wanna swap, Daughter?]

My name is Keris and I'm a secret Romance Reader! :o

I'm not really addicted of course, it's just every now and then, for fun you know, I mean it's not like I need them or anything! In fact I could give up any time I like, I just don't want to!

Honest


Truth be told I do like the occasional one, but they have to be historical, there's just something about all that bodice ripping that gets me going (oh but please not ones written about Scottish History, to a piece they are drivel! And yes I do know the other ones are too, it's just I don't care so much :p).

I read a lot of books, I always have at least two on the go and often more (one in the bedroom, one in the car, one in the living room) fiction and non fiction, classics, crime, fantasy and yes, Romance. The thing is that I'm a librarian and I literally smuggle them out with an airy "These? Oh they're for my gran not me!" should I get caught.

I don't know why I get the urge; I suppose sometimes I just need mindless pulp - as often as not I chuck them down half read when the prose gets too purple for even my cravings - but I still go back for more because every now and then there's one that's a little gem that strikes just the right combination of romance, lust and fiesty fights and that's just so very satisfying :D

where's Molly? My fellow Romance Writer's of America member? And where's babes? She writes erotica.


I need to get my butt in gear and do rewrites :( If I ever get published, I'll let you know.

My favorite is historical romance. I've written one about the Lost Colony of Roanoke, and now tossing around ideas for a WWI era novel with a ow/ym slant!

I like my romance novels pretty hot and steamy, but I know some prefer them to be somewhat non-sexual. I like them bordering on erotica. I'm so bad. ;):eek:

Originally posted by larasteele
I had a friend who wanted to write those stories. She received a letter giving her a formula that she HAD to stick to if she wanted to write them. After so many pages, there had to physical contact [His hand brushed hers and sent a shudder of electricity through her body.] Then, after so many more pages, there had to be a kiss [She fought against him for a moment, protesting; then let herself sink his soft lips, his hard body.] After so many more pages, the "intimate encounter," [his throbbing member, her quivering pink desire.]

So, every time you read one, you are reading them all--they all follow the same flow chart.


I knew they were extremely formulaic, but this is ridiculous. :p