by Madison
Romance readers do devour books. Iām one of them. I would read on my lunch hour, on the subway and bus coming home from work, even at my doctorās office waiting for an appointment. But, usually engrossed in my book, somebody would glance over and inevitably ask me that familiar question, while breaking their neck trying to look at the cover. I usually with some embarrassment would mumble a lie, or even sometime pretend that I didnāt hear them. Most of the time I had the cover folded over so prying eyes couldnāt see. The few times I did answer honestly or actually let them look at the cover, I would see the veil of judgment slide down their face. I quite frankly just didnāt want the hassle of trying to explain. I could hear the question, why this articulate well educated person was reading those trashy books? I even was ashamed to let my boyfriend know what I was reading. Granted this was when I was in my early twenties, and I donāt know if women are still doing the same thing, but I could have sure used e-books back then.
What has been your experience? Are romance books a guilty pleasure for your eyes only? If they are, have e-books helped you become a guilt free reader? Comment and enter to win an advance copy of ALONG CAME A DUKE by Elizabeth Boyle or A BLOOD SEDUCTION by Pamela Palmer.Ā
Im a romance novel nut. However, I much prefer books rather than e-books. I like the way they look on my bookshelf, and especially the fact that you dont need to recharge them either. I know it’s old fashioned, but I like the feel of the pages under my fingers and that they can be passed on to hospitals/charity shops/fetes etc. With e-books if you get fed up with it, then its a quick delete.
I love romance books. I love the way my emotions follow those of the main characters. From the spark of attraction to the happy ending, I am enthralled. I end up taking a book when I have an appointment at the doctors. Mind you, with the amount of time I wait there, Ive usually finished it.
I love romance books!!! I carry my Kindle with me everywhere! My husband just shakes his head at me when he is driving and I pull it out to read.
I love romance books especially the Historical ones I love reading about their time.
I say it’s books for me I also like to see them on my bookcases! There’s nothing better visiting friends and seeing their bookcases as you walk into their home and finding out what was their favorite!!
I am looking forward to reading Alone came a Duke by Elizabeth Boyle.
Happy reading!
Penney
I have been reading romance books for years and I don’t care who knows it or see’s me. I do have an e-reader, but not so I can hide my book. It is just easier all around. If I want a book, it is at the touch of my fingers. Easier to carry around on trips too.
There are some really lovely covers coming out nowadays which is funny since it is at a time when ebooks are becoming so popular. There have been some covers that I have not wanted anyone to see over the years because they were just so cheesy and I felt they didn’t give anyone a good idea of the story.
I hide nothing! I don’t care what people think about what I read and I do read romances. Lots of them. I have a Kindle but I haven’t read anything on it yet. lol! I love holding books. And with my overflowing bookshelves I have plenty to read.
I am out of the covers with my arms spread wide ready to welcome both of these books into my flock! *g* I’m especially excited about Elizabeth Boyle’s. That woman can write! Although….I’ve never read anything by Pamela Palmer and I do love those vamps!!
I have always loved Romance Novels but yes I think they are a guilty pleasure. When other people see you read them you see that look that they give you as if you are an airhead, or someone of lesser intelligence. Since I heard about e-readers I have been a fan. I downloaded the kindle app for my iphone 3 years ago and have been so happy since. I do not miss physical books. I had so many books stored in boxes in my garage that it was difficult to find this book or that. Now I have over 2000 books at my disposal at all times. Since I now read mainly on my Ipad I can also make the letters really big and I don’t have to worry about tiring my eyes out so much. Of course there is the added bonus that no one needs to know what I am reading. So to answer your question yes I do think that e-readers let you read Romance Novels guilt free.
I am a paperback reader. I LOVE to cuddle up on the couch and read. I just can’t see myself doing that with an e-reader. I LOVE historical romance the most but also read all other romance books as well. I also read history books, fiction, inspirational, war stories, biographies, Sci-fi, christian, Amish, erotic, LOL… You get the picture. I am an AVID reader and I hide NOTHING! I am proud of the F/C of my books!! .even the sexy ones. I ALWAYS carry at least one book with me when I go anywhere. My son laughed at me last week-end… he and I went to a vacation resort last week-end for family time with my daughter and granddaughter. When I unpacked I had 6 historical romance and about 6 magazines in case I had time to read.
Lol. I felt that way and still do. Every now again I would answer yes I love romance novels and I don’t care. Sorry that’s my weakness. I love my kindle, and people will still ask whatcha reading and yes I still blush when I tell them. I know that it’s silly I don’t want my husband to know, but he does. He even read over my shoulder when I was at a steamy part and asked what in the world are you reading (by the way it was on my kindle too). Yes that was most embarrassing feeling. However, can’t give them up.
Love romance and I don’t care who knows it! haha I like having my kindle, but really enjoy holding an actual book more.
I have been reading so many romance books… uncount…. everywhere and every time there’s a book beside me and my tablet pc for reading my romance ebooks^^
I love historical romances set in London during the 1800’s, but I will also read anything I can get my hands on! My dream job is reading books! I think romances are my guilty pleasure. Before I had a Kindle, I would hide the cover while out. If I was asked what I was reading I would say a book, and then keep reading! I did not want the looks people would give, or start talking about it! Just let me read please! Now since I bought my Kindle, no one has asked me what I am reading! It is great! Now I can really read anything anywhere and not worry about the cover! Plus, I don’t have to lug around a couple of books at a time anymore! When I finish one I can just go straight into another! The Kindle was the best invention ever!!!
I’m a huge romance reader. I’d say that 50-75% of what I read is Romance. I personally don’t care what others think about my reading habits. I read on the Kindle or a paperback. Just depends on which is more cost effective for me. Sometimes the paperback is the same, or less, than the Kindle version. I do like to give my paperbacks to my mom or my grandmother.
Guilty pleasure? lol. I never feel guilty for reading a great romance! š
I can’t wait for Elizabeth Boyle’s new book!
I don’t usually have time to read during the day, so the covers haven’t been a problem. The few times I’ve taken a book to get my car repaired, the covers have been okay.
I too read whenever a have a few spare moments and I’ve never cared what others have thought. I enjoy reading everything and anything. Usually those who look their noses down on you have never read a romance or wish they had š
i read all the time, every where i go, on the train, walking to class, during class(hide it behind my bookbag or inside a text), hours b4 an exam (like right now). i often hide when am on the train but i still read anyway. i’ve always loved reading so often times i dont give a damn what people think or their curious stares when am in my imaginary utopia that books transport me to when i read them… sigh :p
I’m a huge Historical Fan aficionado, and also crazy about what I read. I’m quite proud of all the beautiful paperback books with all their beautiful covers. I don’t hide anything from anyone. š If they don’t like it, then they can “lump it”. I don’t think people quite realize how much reading romance novels has changed my life – for the better – I might add. I’d love to win Elizabeth’s new book “Along Came A Duke”. š
I am not a cover person. One of my pet peeves is covers that show main characters differently than as the author has described. I read lots of romance books, in paper and on my Kindle. I sometimes am embarassed by book covers–that’s the exception, not the rule. Regardless, I don’t hide my books.
Reading is great. I never feel guilty, no matter what kind of book I’m reading. I have a hunch that folks who judge what others read aren’t readers themselves. I remember when my young son only wanted to read Goosebumps books. Other folks thought they were trash. I thought, “at least my kid is reading of his own choice!”
Before getting my Nook, I made a book cover to hide the cover of my books. I’m still asked what I’m reading, but now there is no cover to hide.
I don’t try to hide my romance books and i always have a book on me wherever i go, my friends call them my smutty books lol, I guess ebooks give more privacy but to me it doesn’t really matter, but i do like to have a real book in my hands š
I read everywhere and don’t care who sees the book or the cover.
I’m a romance holic! All my family knows I love to read romance novels! Love is the best thing you can read, right?
I don’t care if is a e-book or paperback as long as it has some love scenes in it!
Thanks for the chance!
I, frankly, do not have a preference over ebook or paper book and I don’t “hide” what I am reading from others. I have just as much right to read 50 Shades of Grey (although I would not be caught dead reading this as it holds no appeal for me) as I do to read Dr Seuss and no one has the right to criticize my choices based on cover or lack thereof. I am a firm believer of “I’m sorry, was I bothering you? You are welcome to go away!” LOL!
Love romance books, my kindle has become my best friend. Although I do still enjoy paper books and I don’t hide what I am reading.
I read both e-books and paperbacks.
I use a book cover (I made it myself) for my paperbacks not to hide the covers, which I think are lovely — but because I need to protect my books. I just toss them in my bag and I don’t have to worry about them getting creased or torn.
I’m not embarrassed because I read romance. I don’t have a Kindle because I don’t want people to know what I read. I have a Kindle because I have 1,300 books/novellas and I could never fit them all on a bookshelf. I don’t care who knows I love romance.
Madison, I too, when I first started reading romance,was embarassed by the covers(and some of the covers should have been embarrassed).I have since learned to not worry about others opinions of romance, and enjoy every word! Like many of the others, I love a print book. I love holding, smelling, turning pages, dog-earring, bookmarks… I just plain love a physical book. That being said, I got a Kindle last year and am pleased with it also. I like that I live in an age where I have an embarrassment of choices in my book buying š
I love romances. It used to embarrass me to have other people see the covers, but it doesn’t bother me anymore.
PS: I prefer the written book I can hold in my hands, but I also have books that aren’t in print on my computer through Amazon Kindle.
I am with you, sometimes you just don’t want to have the hassle of someone wanting to see what you are reading…and the inevitable judgement that goes along with it. For that reason e-readers are awesome! You can read whatever you feel like in places (like work) where the covers of some romance books/erotic books would be out of place. That said, I will always prefer a “real” book over an ebook anyday. And for the days I have my paperback along I pull it out of my purse and read with out a care of who sees or what they think, I am not really paying attention to them anyway =)
There’s nothing to hide.
I’ve never hidden my books from anyone and I read at lunch and while waiting for kid events to start. I’ve never been embarrassed by them, but my teen daughter has been. š
I’ve never hidden my romance books, I’m not ashamed of any books I read, no matter where I am. I still read my print books the most, but do have a Kindle that doesn’t get used much. I read more e-books on my iPhone than I do on the Kindle.
Those covers we hide are the reason I didn’t read romance until I was about fifty. I finally found a series that had lovely broaches on the covers (by Julie Garwood) and found out just what I had been missing. Lets face it, bodice ripper covers don’t exactly scream I am a well written book worth reading. I still prefer to have the covers of my books be private, no matter what I am reading. I worked at a library and of the six employees, I was the only one who read romances. “We don’t read that stuff, we read good books.” was the usual opinion. Most of them were reading romantic suspense and didn’t realize it was romance.
And yes, e-readers will make it easier for people to read what they want to without worrying about criticism or or snarky comments.
Since I either read romances or children’s/YA books, I just ignore any looks I receive. Of course, I have given a short speech about the cover models (mostly Paul Marron), complete with pulling out more books (this was in a bookstore) with the specific models on the cover; yes, my art appreciation enabled me to openly read romances. š
Okay, I also have declared that I only read genre fiction and that I gave up reading literary fiction after graduating college.
I’ve never tried to hide what I read. My tastes are rather eclectic, so I could pull just about anything out of my bag.
I don’t hide the covers, but that’s because I tend to read in English and original editions. I’m sad to say that there are quite a bit of horrid covers among Italian romance publications. I do not own an e-reader, but I am planning on buying one, just so I can get some of the books I wish to read faster.
Will there be a book with Catherine finding her “Man”. Maybe Lucas? Just finished An Heir of Deception…loved it…thanks
Absolutely! Catherine and Lucas are definitely getting their book–the first in the next series. š Thanks!
Even though I read on my readers I love holding a book in my hand. I’ve never hidden what I read either, you don’t like it, I don’t care!
I love romance books and I’m proud of it. I have no problem reading them in public. I have received comments. I encourage them to try some of my favorite authors. I prefer print books to e-books.
I’d love to win Elizabeth Boyle’s book!
johns lake at usa dot com
I’ve been reading romance novels for years, especially historical romances. Over the years the covers have changed a great deal. I think the set-back cover was developed to avoid the embarrassment people would feel if the hidden clinch scene was on the outside cover. But, it never bothered me. People would ask was I’m reading all the while straining their necks to see the cover. I would show them the pretty (hot) picture and say I’m reading (insert author’s name here) latest and then turn back to my reading…effectively discouraging further discussion. I have an e-reader now but I’ll never give up my beloved paperbacks!
Can’t wait for Elizabeth Boyle’s latest book to land in my hands!
Ever since reading my mama’s old romance novels from the age of 9, I’ve been avid reader (devourer) of them. I like all sorts of fiction but romance novels will always be my first love. There is still that judgment, though, from people, but I just don’t care.
I never liked it when the book showcased a real trashy cover, or even something obviously provocative. Not only is it embarrassing to be seen with it but more often then not, the more risque the cover the worse the book (The publishers have to get people to want to buy it somehow, ha) The reason I think the covers can be misleading is because like some of the other comments have stated when people see a cover like that they automatically assume that you’re reading some sort of porno in words. I find it tiring to constantly explain that “Romance Novels” are not books where the hero and heroine are constantly doing it. Truth be told its more of a character study of two people, and if there are “sex scenes” they are few and far between. If the covers were a little more subdued I don’t think people would associate the genre with the typical and even wrong assumptions.
When I was a teenager, I had to hide them from my mom, because she completely disapproved of reading that “trash” and thought it would corrupt me with sin. She still refuses to read any book with sex in it, but she doesn’t judge me as much now that I’m an adult (or her opinion of what I read is less of a deterrent to me, I suppose). Other than that, I’ve never really hidden it. I have romances visible on a bookshelf in my living room for anyone to see, and I will read them anywhere. If anyone asks, I’m happy to explain what I’m reading and why. I’ve never really been ashamed of what I read, and I enjoy explaining to people why romance novels are awesome. I’ve had some great discussions that way. š
Depending on how steamy the cover is I can get a little embarrassed about people seeing me read it. My boyfriend and my family know I love reading romances though and I’m not embarrassed with it around them.
I don’t hide what I read, except maybe from the kids. If you’re nosy enough to look at the cover of the book I’m reading, then you deserve to see whatever that cover looks like.
I’m a romance junkie who hides what I read in public if the cover art is too steamy. But it’s no secret to my family and friends that I’m a huge romance novel fan and an aspiring writer.
I was pretty much guilt free when it comes to my reading long before e-readers. I feel if someone doesn’t like what I’m reading that’s there issue — they’re not the one reading it afterall š rather to each there own as there’s plenty of other types of books out there that I have no interest in myself š
As a very nerdy teenager I got a lot of those looks when people found out I read romance novels (and most of the covers were not high school friendly). Then again I got similar looks for reading fantasy and sci-fi and poetry and westerns.
My better half just knows I read a lot. He never looks at the covers. Well, that I know of anyway. He knows and understands I love to read as much as play poker. They are my guilty pleasures. I’m not ashamed to be a book reader of any kind of book I’m reading at home or in public. I really don’t care what other people think about my reading habits. People like to judge people about anything and everything anyways nowadays.
I love historical romance and that’s all I read! But I don’t usually mention it because people judge you. If I am going to the doctors office or some public place, I will actually choose a book with a “tame” cover so I won’t be embarrassed!
I’m an avid reader of my Romance books. I’m no longer worry about people’s comments on the books I read and don’t feel it necessary to explain my choices anymore. I love print books and don’t have an e-reader.
Carol L
Lucvky4750 (at) aol (dot) com