| By Maureen McGowan | August 14, 2009 |
Since I became a writer, I’ve been thinking more about why people read and, more to the point, why some people are so snobbish and judgmental about books.
Yes, in every area of entertainment there’s a notion of “high brow” vs. “low brow”: fine art vs. graphic art, sculpture vs. craft, serious films vs. Hollywood blockbusters, The Wire vs Two and a Half Men. (Okay, maybe that last one wasn’t as balanced.)
No, the publishing world isn’t unique in suffering from elitism, but I think more people are willing to admit they go see fun movies, or watch some silly TV, or confess they enjoy a craft fair more than a modern art gallery, than are willing to admit they read genre fiction — especially romance.
Why on earth should we let others judge what we do for entertainment?
I’m a relatively well rounded person, if I do say so myself. 
Anyone who reads my personal blog, or Drunk Writer Talk. knows I enjoy a good, meaty literary novel, knows I have a passion for independent, foreign and quirky films, and especially knows I never miss some less-watched TV series like Mad Men and BSG and Friday Night Lights (as well as watching a lot of reality TV).
But when it comes to investing several hours in a book, particularly at times in my life when I’ve been reading a lot for work, stressed, or otherwise intellectually taxed, I’ve found literary fiction, in general, less appealing than popular fiction. On those days, I’d choose Clueless over a bleak, arty, subtitled film, too.
What I really want, some days, is to escape for a while, to dive into someone else’s life and adventures and problems, without having to re-read passages for hidden symbolism, obtuse motivations, or ambiguous actions, or to be pushed into pondering the meaning of life. Sometimes those things are great, but at other times I just like to dive into a great story and read for pure pleasure.
Why, in many circles, does reading have to be hard work to be considered “worthy”?
So, with that said, I’d like to call this support group meeting to order. Ahem…
Hello, my name is Maureen and I read romance for pleasure (and, yes, sometimes for the sex).
What do you read?
Why do you read?
Have you ever had anyone judge you based on your choice of reading material?
August 14th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Hi Maureen,
I can’t recall if I’ve ever had someone judge me for my reading material, so the answer is probably no…or I’m a dimwit with no memory. I read literary and popular fiction. There was a time I only read literary. Now, I don’t read literary anywhere near as often as I used to. For one thing, my mind is too tired at the end of a long day of writing to focus on literary sometimes. It depends on the story. For example, I’ve been reading Tom Jones for a year, LOL. I dunno, I think it has a bit of a pacing problem…but that’s just me.
I read more popular fiction now both because I find it more relaxing but also because I read it to keep abreast of the market. This is particularly in the area of romance. Were I not writing romance, I would likely read more literary fiction, because I’ve been reading it all my life, well, at least since I was 13, and to me a good story is a good story (Tom’s pacing issues aside). If I get swept away, it doesn’t matter to me if it’s literary or otherwise.
You bring up a good point, though. I remember my dh getting mocked for re-reading his collection of Tarzan novels during his lunch hours as a forester. Meanwhile, the guy doing the mocking wasn’t reading ANYTHING. I couldn’t believe someone who didn’t read a lick would mock someone else’s choice of reading material.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
@Cindy
Yes people who mock… and yet don’t read ANYTHING. Those are the most annoying.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I read mystery novels, romance, sometimes adventure novels, alot of young adult novels, chick-lit. I read whatever I’m in the mood for.
However, I know what it’s like to be judged for the reading material. Grew up in a Pentecostal household and even my sister is still a heavy conservative. Guess she won’t be reading some of my upcoming releases LOL
August 14th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
A twelve step program for romance readers? LOL
I’m currently working through some research, so my desk is littered with books in progress. But for pleasure, I read romance. Historical is my first choice, always, because they take me away—far away—from reality. What happens there can’t happen today, not in a de ja vu sort of way, at any rate.
I also read science fiction, some fantasy, dabble in paranormal (usually those with psychic gifts), and the occasional contemporary. While I have read suspense and mysteries, they are often too real, too possible, for a true escape. (Besides, I’ll be looking behind the bushes everytime I approach the front door!)
Life is too short, pleasures too fleeting. For the price of a good romance, you can escape, relax, recharge and, when through, go forth and conquer.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I decided a long time ago that other people’s opinions mean nothing if I’m not entertained. I like a good book as much as anyone, but I don’t believe books hold more value just because they’re referred to as “classics.” That said, you’re just as likely to find me thumbing through the complete Edgar Allen Poe (a mighty heavy volume) as you are the lastest Karen Robards or Stephen King. I read everything from erotic sci-fi (and unusual and fun category), to children’s fantasy or mystery/suspense or somewhat conservative romance novels. It’s a matter of what I’m in the moood for.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Great post, Mareen~
I read a lot of literary fiction for a long time, then I had my youngest daughter who was born with a rare autosomal recessive gene disorder. For the next three years I did three hours of physical therapy with her a day and struggled to keep her alive while taking care of my other two children. I realized that every Oprah book I’d read was depressing and I wanted to read something that would make me laugh, take me away from the realities of my life and entertain me without taxing the few brain cells I had left. I wanted to read something that would lighten my load a little. I discovered Jennifer Cruise and romance and never looked back. I still read the occasional literary novel, but mostly I read romance or go back to my Jane Austen’s for comfort.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
I’m with Cindy: “A good story is a good story.”
But, yes, most of my friends don’t read romance, so I think I used to feel more defensive about it. (The beauty of getting older is that I am no longer as sensitive to other people’s opinions!)
These days, I read to unwind, so I tend to grab romance novels more than “heavy” literary fiction or a depressing “Oprah” book. I love the way romance novels always leave me feeling uplifted and hopeful. Historicals take me the furthest away from my daily travails, so I probably read them the most.
August 14th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Hi Maureen, my name is Beth, and I’m a bookaholic also. Thanks for calling the support group to order.
I read for escapism, a real variety, but rarely, if ever, literary books. Except for Pride and Prejudice which I read to death. I lean toward the light side, except for an occasional suspense like James Patterson’s women’s murder club.
My favorite reads being romantic comedy, amateur sleuth, women’s fiction and chick lit–not the NY cliched type, but more the Brit Lit type. I read alot outside of the romance genre cuz unfortunately it’s tough to find comedy in romance, unlike other genres.
Don’t think I’ve ever had someone judge me based on what I’m reading. At least not to my face.
Happy reading!
Beth
August 14th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
@Sandra I like to read lots of different things, too. Although, like Cindy, since I started writing, I probably read way more romance than I used to, to keep an eye on the market.
@ Gwlnlyn
“Life is too short, pleasures too fleeting. For the price of a good romance, you can escape, relax, recharge and, when through, go forth and conquer.”
LOVE that.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
@Robin
Your post really made me think again about someone in my life who judges what I read (and write). She’s got a son with special needs, too… and when she asks me for movie recommendations, she almost always says, “something light, I have enough bleakness in my life”. And yet… she scoffs at the idea of reading something that might make her smile? I don’t get it.
August 14th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Hello, Ms McGowan!
My name is azteclady and I read for entertainment, relaxation, education, knowledge and more. I read many different things (including the cereal boxes if nothing else is at hand at breakfast *cough*) but my most frequent reading material are genre romances.
And there is nothing wrong with that.
Long ago I cared what people in my life thought about my reading choices–then I got over it. Their loss, really.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
My name is Theresa and I read for escapism and fun. I like to laugh and cry. I like light and fluffy mostly, but anything that takes me away for a few hours will do. There is no such thing as an implausible hook for me…time travel, vampires, marriage of convenience…it all works for me. Just entertain me. And if anyone has judged me, I really don’t care, and I wouldn’t know because I don’t care. Judge away! I do love that there is something for everyone out there.
Obviously there are millions of people just like us who love to read a good romance. We have the sales to prove it!
Thanks for the fun post, Maureen.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Great post, Maureen! Sorry to be late to the “meeting.”
I’ve read a wide range of fiction–and my choices of reading (and writing) material have definitely been judged by others. While I can appreciate the beautiful phrases of some literary fiction works and their thought-provoking qualities, I’ve had enough of books that are depressing without any humor to balance them. Life is not entirely one without the other, and what I want to read above all is well-crafted, entertaining *truth*.
IMO, it’s easy to obfuscate and get credit for being “deep.” I think it’s a lot harder–and much more honest–to write clearly and simply.
August 15th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Hi, my name is Laurie and I’m a romance addict. I read purely for entertainment. I love character-driven stories, which is probably why I’m not drawn to most romantic suspense aside from those written by authors like Susan Brockmann and Linda Howard who include more characterization and romance than most. I’m very reality based, so I don’t enjoy most paranormals.
I LOVE good old-fashioned, hunky alpha-boy meets feisty-girl romances. I especially prefer ones in which the boy pisses off the girl and then seduces her with his wit and mind-blowing sex, convincing her he has enough redeeming traits to make him a potential mate for life.
I’m an addict, and I have no intention of trying to kick my habit!
August 15th, 2009 at 11:32 am
High-five Maureen! I’m Shelley and I read because books nurture my soul and stimulate my mind. I love emotionally complex tales by the likes of Elizabeth Berg and Kristin Hannah. And for the past five or six years I’ve also been cracking open quite a few children’s books. I started reading MG/YA to keep an eye on what my kiddos were reading and ended up discovering some masterful storytelling. Now I unabashedly head to the kid lit section of my local bookstore in search of treasures for me.
Peace!
August 15th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Hi Maureen!
I’m a read-a-holic too! I read lots of research books, romance–for the emotional journey *and* the sex
, mystery, YA with my kids.
I know that there are non-readers existing in the universe, but I find the concept incomprehensible!
August 17th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I don’t judge what people read – only if they read. I read a variety of stuff – from the back of cereal boxes to romance to self-help to mystery to young adult to technical manuals. LOL!