water faerie
New Member
I like to read romances simply because they're light reading that takes my mind off things.
-
Welcome
to BookAndReader! We LOVE books and hope you'll join us in sharing your favorites and experiences along with your love of reading with our community. Registering for our site is free and easy, just CLICK HERE!
Already a member and forgot your password? Click here.
Why you would never read trashy romance novels
- Thread starter nick452
- Start date
lorrekarloff
New Member
When I was 13-16 years old I read romances, but I always read the back of the book first to see if it involved some foreign location or world travelling.
I read a lot of Barbara Cartlands, a few "trashy" novels and some of Victoria Holt, which I liked best because they were more about adventure and romance than just lots of rutting. One of the trashy books was actually so good I still have it-probably the only romance in my collection-'The Black Swan' by Day Taylor.
My grandmother, who's 101, has been reading the Harlequin books for decades, but she doesn't like anything too explicit, so we have to be careful now with what we get for her.
But her mind is still active and working well at 101, so I guess any reading is good reading. I tried a Harlequin once, couldn't get through it.
I read a lot of Barbara Cartlands, a few "trashy" novels and some of Victoria Holt, which I liked best because they were more about adventure and romance than just lots of rutting. One of the trashy books was actually so good I still have it-probably the only romance in my collection-'The Black Swan' by Day Taylor.
My grandmother, who's 101, has been reading the Harlequin books for decades, but she doesn't like anything too explicit, so we have to be careful now with what we get for her.
But her mind is still active and working well at 101, so I guess any reading is good reading. I tried a Harlequin once, couldn't get through it.I used to read a lot of romance novels years ago. Not Harlequin or Mills and Boons though. I liked Nora Roberts, and a friend of mine got me reading Judith MacNaught. We used to read these books while lounging by the pool in the summers. I think they're perfect beach/poolside readings. It is hard to read them when you haven't read them in a while cos you have to get into a certain mindset to keep yourself from laughing. But once you get used to it, it's really fun...or not, since I really haven't enjoyed a romance novel in a long time. I've moved on to chick lit but even those I can't finish.
VTChEwbecca
kickbox
I tried to read a few romance novels, I think Harlequin, a few years ago when a lady I worked with brought them to work to share. Except for one, the writing was so poor that I could barely stand to read them....I only managed to finish one.
Nick, my husband also thinks romance novels are female-porn. At least, those with sex (obviously). I'm inclined to agree with him, but I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that women like a little bit of romance to go with their sex, while men are just eager to jump on in the act.
Nick, my husband also thinks romance novels are female-porn. At least, those with sex (obviously). I'm inclined to agree with him, but I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that women like a little bit of romance to go with their sex, while men are just eager to jump on in the act.
You guys apparently haven't read a romance in a really long time! We don't get Boons & Mills here in America, but long gone are the days of "bodice rippers" and trash in Harlequin. Today's readers are demanding solid multiple plot arcs in both category and single title releases. The suspense/thriller, science fiction, and paranormal romances are good solid stories and the romance is only one tiny thing going on in the character's lives.
You have no idea how hard it is to write a multiple arc book and have it make sense and be a good read for any reader. I was very leery of the whole genre when we sold our first book, which we intended to be a urban fantasy. When it sold to a new romance imprint of a traditional Sci-fi publisher, we decided to start to read the competition. There are some damn good books out there, hiding in the guise of "romance". You're really missing out if you don't check some of them out. For people who like sci-fi/fantasy, check out Sherrilyn Kenyon, Laurell Hamilton, Susan Grant or Christine Feehan. They are still considered "romance", but aren't on the romance shelves. They're usually up on the NYT Bestsellers shelves!
I'll admit that many of the romances have drifted to R-rated scenes. But it's what many readers are asking for, so the publishers are giving it to them. But there are equally as many books that are G-rated, which you could hand to any 10 year old without fear.
Don't lose out on some terrific books just because of where they're shelved. You'll really regret it!
Cathy
You have no idea how hard it is to write a multiple arc book and have it make sense and be a good read for any reader. I was very leery of the whole genre when we sold our first book, which we intended to be a urban fantasy. When it sold to a new romance imprint of a traditional Sci-fi publisher, we decided to start to read the competition. There are some damn good books out there, hiding in the guise of "romance". You're really missing out if you don't check some of them out. For people who like sci-fi/fantasy, check out Sherrilyn Kenyon, Laurell Hamilton, Susan Grant or Christine Feehan. They are still considered "romance", but aren't on the romance shelves. They're usually up on the NYT Bestsellers shelves!
I'll admit that many of the romances have drifted to R-rated scenes. But it's what many readers are asking for, so the publishers are giving it to them. But there are equally as many books that are G-rated, which you could hand to any 10 year old without fear.
Don't lose out on some terrific books just because of where they're shelved. You'll really regret it!
Cathy
I really like romance in other stories, but I think it does need a plot in between. I will read historical romances, though. I agree romance is light reading! I will deliberately read a book with romance in it, even if the majority isn't about the romance. And I'll read historical romances and I have a weakness for well-constructed fairy tales...
I'm only interested in mild romances. My dad leant me a book where the guy was sleeping with two identical twins he couldn't tell apart -it was rather gross, and I read only about a page and a half. Apparently the plot was interesting if you could get past all the sex scenes. I also had to read to read a book for school last year that I wasn't... very impressed with. So I've avoided most things with a reputation for romance because of that, apart from their reputation for being trashy...
I'm only interested in mild romances. My dad leant me a book where the guy was sleeping with two identical twins he couldn't tell apart -it was rather gross, and I read only about a page and a half. Apparently the plot was interesting if you could get past all the sex scenes. I also had to read to read a book for school last year that I wasn't... very impressed with. So I've avoided most things with a reputation for romance because of that, apart from their reputation for being trashy...
direstraits
Well-Known Member
This is a strange thread. From what I've read, it's like nobody seems to be reading romance novels because of the sex scenes. Uhm... I'm a guy, so maybe I don't understand. But isn't it because of the sex that girls read romance?
ds
p.s. I've never read romance. I couldn't even spell it right until I read this thread.
ds
p.s. I've never read romance. I couldn't even spell it right until I read this thread.
The.Zahir
New Member
Hm, this is easy to answer: I don´t read trashy romance novels because I simply don´t read trashy novels AT ALL!
I stay with classical literature and some selected authors of the present time and of the last century. Plus I love South-American Literature.
If you would ask me if I like to watch trashy romance films, my answer will be completely different. Yes, I do love trashy romance films, especially the historic ones (beginning of the film - ´50ies) which tend to have a "happy end".
These are the contradictions of a human being
"Desire is not what you see, but what you imagine."
Paulo Coelho´s newsletter http://www.warriorofthelight.com
http://www.paulocoelho.com
I stay with classical literature and some selected authors of the present time and of the last century. Plus I love South-American Literature.
If you would ask me if I like to watch trashy romance films, my answer will be completely different. Yes, I do love trashy romance films, especially the historic ones (beginning of the film - ´50ies) which tend to have a "happy end".
These are the contradictions of a human being
"Desire is not what you see, but what you imagine."
Paulo Coelho´s newsletter http://www.warriorofthelight.com
http://www.paulocoelho.com
I'd be interested to hear what various people consider "trashy". I hear that comment a lot when applied to romance, but it's not something you hear in other genres. You never hear about "trashy" horror, even though there's often sex inside. Likewise, I've never heard of "trashy" fantasy, or "trashy" mysteries.
What is "trash?"
What is "trash?"
direstraits
Well-Known Member
So the girls like the mushy stuff then, that they can fantasize that some handsome chap will come along and serenade them to sleep and jet them around to the Carribbean for some mad passionate s... uhm... fun.
ds
ds
Isis
New Member
Cathy C said:You guys apparently haven't read a romance in a really long time! We don't get Boons & Mills here in America, but long gone are the days of "bodice rippers" and trash in Harlequin. Today's readers are demanding solid multiple plot arcs in both category and single title releases. The suspense/thriller, science fiction, and paranormal romances are good solid stories and the romance is only one tiny thing going on in the character's lives.
You have no idea how hard it is to write a multiple arc book and have it make sense and be a good read for any reader. I was very leery of the whole genre when we sold our first book, which we intended to be a urban fantasy. When it sold to a new romance imprint of a traditional Sci-fi publisher, we decided to start to read the competition. There are some damn good books out there, hiding in the guise of "romance". You're really missing out if you don't check some of them out. For people who like sci-fi/fantasy, check out Sherrilyn Kenyon, Laurell Hamilton, Susan Grant or Christine Feehan. They are still considered "romance", but aren't on the romance shelves. They're usually up on the NYT Bestsellers shelves!
I'll admit that many of the romances have drifted to R-rated scenes. But it's what many readers are asking for, so the publishers are giving it to them. But there are equally as many books that are G-rated, which you could hand to any 10 year old without fear.
Don't lose out on some terrific books just because of where they're shelved. You'll really regret it!
Cathy
I have to agree with Cathy. There are some great authors out there that get labelled 'romance' but in fact the books contain much more.
I've always thought that the 'romance' genre gets a rough deal, not many people will admit to reading it because of the negative connotations that go with it. Yet 'romance' is one of the biggest money making genres.
As for reasons women read 'romance', I think it's a little to do with sex and a little to do with the actual 'romance' involved.
cajunmama
Active Member
Trashy romances used to be all I read . I still read a few now and then, but they tend to depress me, real life is just not like that! I have noticed however that some of the mainstream mystery (with romance in the plotlines) writers did get their start in the Harlequins and Loveswept lines, and moved on to write the multiple arc novels like Cathy posted about.
. I still read a few now and then, but they tend to depress me, real life is just not like that! I have noticed however that some of the mainstream mystery (with romance in the plotlines) writers did get their start in the Harlequins and Loveswept lines, and moved on to write the multiple arc novels like Cathy posted about.direstraits said:So the girls like the mushy stuff then, that they can fantasize that some handsome chap will come along and serenade them to sleep and jet them around to the Carribbean for some mad passionate s... uhm... fun.
ds
don't get discouraged ds. it's the only reason i read them.
but i never read anything specifically labelled romance. like cathy said a lot of the books i've read with strong romantic themes have been shelved under regular fiction ie: the outlander series and of course my fav, the time travelers wife, which is a bit scifi -ish as well.
mehastings
Active Member
direstraits said:So the girls like the mushy stuff then, that they can fantasize that some handsome chap will come along and serenade them to sleep and jet them around to the Carribbean for some mad passionate s... uhm... fun.
Whoa. Mad passionate "fun" in the Caribbean? Sign me up. I need a nice vacation. I'll read a romance novel if that's what it takes!