First and foremost, I’ve been reading romance since I was thirteen. If you’ve ever spoken to me (or read my bio), you know I come from two grandmothers who were librarians. Not counting all the “aunts” I had who worked there as well. I spent a large amount of time cultivating my love for reading.
I’ve read countless genres along with a wide range of authors and topics. I have never experienced the level of judgement that I get when I talk about my love for reading romance. (We won’t even talk about the things that get said to me when I say I write in this genre). But my true love has always been romance.
I can remember spending a week each summer at my other grandma (who was not a librarian) and her shelves were lined with Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, and the Fabio looking covers. I would be bored, because she didn’t have cable, and I would spend my days with fictional characters. Even at a young age, I would cry when the characters suffered a tragedy, laugh when they did something funny, and hide under the covers until 2 a.m. just to see what was going to happen next. Being from a broken home, I remember one novel in particular from Danielle Steel that touched on divorce. It was the first time I saw things from my mother’s perspective, and I cried for what she must’ve felt. There was something so beautiful in that story that touched me and I’ve never forgotten it.
Basically it comes down to …
I love reading romance.
I love the message it provides and the way it makes me feel about life. Hope, my friends. It gives me hope.
In the last few days, there’s been increased chatter from a few authors and readers about the shame they feel when they tell people they read romance. It baffles me. The stigma around romance books is ridiculous. Who doesn’t like to feel hope? I sure as hell do. I want someone to love me enough to heal the broken inside. Tell me we’re all not a little broken … because I know I am. And if one person finds comfort in a novel, where is the problem?
The typical response I get from non-romance readers is: “It’s just sex and no realism.”
Ummm, I beg to differ. Romance covers a multitude of different sub-genres as well. I’ve read some extremely realistic romance books. Secondly, if they are far fetched, who cares? I’m pretty sure there’s a lot of fiction in your fiction book from another genre. Not many people want to read about laundry, bills, disrespectful teenagers, and work. So, authors spice it up and add a little drama sometimes. It’s why it’s called fiction.
To your second part, do you not like sex? If you don’t like sex, maybe a few romance books will help you there … just saying. However, romance books aren’t about the sex. They’re about relationships and the sex moves the characters to the next level (most times). They cover a multitude of issues and life experiences, and guess what? Sex is a part of any healthy romantic relationship. A lot of times, a romance book even provides healing, hope, love, and reflection. I don’t know where the bad part in any of that is.
While we’re on the topic … if I like a good BDSM book, where is the harm in that? Really, where? Because let’s just say you like reading suspense, does that mean you like murdering people? No? Well, okay then.
I digress, reading is a journey, it’s meant to provide something for the soul. Whether it’s laughter, faith in the human race, an escape from reality, or just fun entertainment, read whatever you love. Don’t let others make you feel bad about enjoying a novel. I’m sorry if you feel like you have to hide it, it shouldn’t be like that. Know there is a very large community of book lovers (probably even the people judging you) who love romance. We welcome you with open arms and zero judgment.
Carrie Bottrell says
Spot on!
I LOVE getting carried away in romance stories. I don’t give a flying fart in space how “realistic” they are. I’m not reading romance books for anything other than an escape. Often the journey touches on situations or themes that resonate with me and then I feel a connection, which makes the reading experience even more amazing.
Keep writing those love stories…..we love them!
Róisín says
Well said Corinne!
Tracy says
I struggled with reading and was in a very low percentile. I am aging myself but at 13 a friend loaned me The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiweiss. I was hooked and in one summer my reading level jumped 3 grades. My mom encouraged to me keep reading. Would even buy my romance books. Romance taught me the love of reading. Thanks for the article Corrine and I agree thousand times over!
Pamela Foster says
There is no real living without romance is there? I have struggled with depression and anxiety all of my life. Reading romance novels with characters who have real feelings and real emotions, real flaws and impressions of themselves that other people do not see, has helped me realize that other people do not see me the way I see me. I have learned from them that I can achieve my goals if I am willing to work for it. Corinne, you and your fellow authors have helped me become the woman that I truly am by showing me, through your beautiful people with all of their hang-ups and imperfections, that life is worth the struggles. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Please keep writing. I am reading and growing as fast as I can. I love you all.
Lexi says
I love this blog! I always say I don’t need a book to remind me that the world can be a terrible place. I can turn on the news for that. But sometimes, we do need to be reminded of just how beautiful the world can be. That’s what romance writers are for!
Darlene says
Right on!!! Couldn’t have said it better.
Jennifer Akin says
I never read a romance novel until my son was born. My aunt left a few books house so I picked one up while feeding my son and fell in love. I’ve read everything from historical romance to BDSM. I love getting lost in the story. Gelling what the characters are feeling. It has brought a new dimension into my marriage. I am never embarrassed when someone asks what are you reading. If they are shocked then that’s on them. Please continue to write your amazing books that make me smile, laugh, cry, and maybe want to strangle you.
Luisa says
Brilliantly said!
Tonya Coleman says
Very well said! I love Romance books and my love started with Danielle Steel as well. I still love her books and now read so may romance authors including loving yours.
Sandie Morayla says
So funny I just did an entire presentation to my college class about the modern myth of Romance Novels. I’m pretty sure I upset my professor with the things I said but ya know what I hate when people bash romance novels. They are not trashy. If we want to take it a step further I told my class “Let us not forget the first trashy romance novels…Jane Eyre, Romeo and Juliet and Wuthering Heights.” Just because it was written long ago doesn’t mean we don’t use and see the same tropes today. My professor was a bit upset with the comparison but hey I made him think and we went into a huge discussion, he saw my point!
Sandra Yvonne says
So very well stated. I for one have been reading romance books since I was 16 and stole (maybe borrowed is a better word) my mother’s romance books. I have never been ashamed of what I read and love and I refuse to let people try to shame me. For one thing I’m too old for that BS and for another, I could care less about what others think. What a world we would have if there was no reason for love and hope and that’s was romance books give me. You keep writing Corinne and I will keep reading.
Melissa says
This! So much this! I have been a reader my whole life. And I have to say that reading romance books has always given me an escape from my broken home as a child, my broken heart as a teen, and everything in between ever since. I used to hide and be embarrassed about the books I read. It really wasn’t until the last year or so and finding this indie romance book world that I decided I don’t care what anyone thinks! I’m not creating a separate Facebook page so that my “real” life is hidden from all the author groups I’m a part of. I’m proudly displaying my signed books in my living room book shelf. I am grateful to you and every author like you who provides us readers with countless hours of laughter, love, entertainment and joy.
Amy Vox Libris says
Reading romance novels saved my life, and I say that with no hyperbole. They helped me escape, and they gave – and continue to give – me hope for happily ever afters.
Maria says
I so agree with all of this! Too often real life doesn’t have a happy ending – romance novels have been delivering that perfectly (without fail) to me for almost fifteen years. I laugh with characters, I cry with characters, and my favorite characters of all have traveled with me (in paperback, too!) all around Europe while I backpacked my way across the continent. I understand that romance might not be for *everyone,* but just as I don’t judge George R.R. Martin for killing off all his characters, I expect other people to not judge me when I make my characters fall in love. Fantastically put, Corinne!
Paige says
I honestly can’t even believe that there is sometimes ‘judgement’ with people who enjoy reading Romance. The Genre is so broad and covers lots of social and relationship issues which is a great thing! I for one will never try to justify my love of reading romances to anyone- instead I’ll try to refer them to some of my favorites and they should soon change their tune! 🙂
Shirley Spaid says
I love romance novels. My first book was when I was 14ish (I am no 50 somethingish) and it was “Sweet Savage Love” by Rosemary Rogers. So started the cycle of just reading the old “western” type books then I went to the Historical Romance and then to Contemporary…love all things romantic with HEA!!!