Not a rant, just a poll:
Has anyone anywhere since history began ever seen an attractive woman reading a Harlequin-style romance novel?
Twenty years in bookstores, coffee shops, libraries, parks, etc. I’ve never seen it. What are the sociological implications?
Yes.
Actually, I’m married to her.
Thanks for asking.
Well, you certainly posted this in the right forum. I don’t expect this to be pretty (no pun intended).
:rolleyes:
I used to read them.
I am attractive. (shutup!)
I do not, however, read them in public.
In public, I read theoretical physics textbooks. =D
(Polls go in IMHO, I believe.)
What Venoma said.
I read them occassionally, just for the hell of it. Sometimes, they’re so absurd they’re a laugh riot.
That said, in public I stick with my non-fiction history.
A polite question, politely asked! Christ.
I’m not too hard on the eyes, and I read them from time to time. So do my friends, sister, and sister-in-law.
I’ve read a few in my time (when I had absolutely nothing else to read).
I’m an ugly man if you want to properly categorize me in your data.
While I don’t understand why anybody would read them if it isn’t necessary, I have noticed no correlation between looks and those who do read them.
I checked your webpage so I can agree with that.
I used to read them when I was in high school.
Once the “real world” got to me, and I fully realized how absurd they are, I found better material.
And just as a side note, the damn things are worth shit on eBay or Amazon.com
Bossk, are you implying that ugly women aren’t getting any action, and they must resort to reading Harlequin romances to make up for the lack of man-lovin’ in their lives? That’s a pretty big leap, you know. Just for the record, I don’t believe many people’s reading choices are based on their appearance. Their intelligence, perhaps, (but that’s a whole 'nother debate). BTW, nobody’s ugly on a message board. Or haven’t you noticed the lack of bodies here?
Well, I’m a pretty woman, and I’m not getting any action. At all. Of any description. Since February. I may fling myself into trafic now…
Al.
Oh, and I read romances - there’s nothing wrong with brain candy now and again, and I read faster than I can get to the library or bookstore, so sometimes I need filler. And actually, I’ve read them in public I think.
and please make that traFFic.
[sub]CRAP! CRAP! CRAP![/sub]
Al.
Well, since it’s just a poll I may as well toss in my 2¢.
With the one exception of a crazy bearded homeless man (both the man and his beard were crazy, so no need for a comma I think) reading the bubble-gum pink “The Turbulent Storms of Passion” I can’t recall ever seeing anyone reading a pulpy romance in public, ever, mousey or model.
True.
That said, as an afficianado of used book stores, I’ve noticed an awful lot of shelf space is devoted to these Lavender-pink curley-script foil-embossed oiled-up-bicep slightly-parted-lips books. so somebody has to be to be reading them.
Also, I’ve noticed the ones intended for teenage girls, they substitute the oiled-up muscleman with a horse.
I have. I’m surprised you haven’t. I’ve never even heard of this as a stereotype.
And Venoma, you ARE attractive. Mrs. RickJay has you beat, tho. 
(She reads fantasy novels though and so doesn’t much contribute to the OP.)
I started reading them in 3rd grade. I stopped in 6th grade because I realized what god-awful, stupid, pieces of shit they were. It wasn’t till I was in high school when I realized that they were all based on the basic premise of Pride and Prejudice, and I really, really that piece of garbage.
My dear Grandmother still loves them though.
Well, I think you’re pretty.
All ya gotta do is ask.
How can you NOT find something in a book with such gems as “kernel of desire.”? LMAO…
They’re good for a laugh, and good when you’re horny, I suppose.
(Reasonably attractive female-NEVER gotten any :()
I think I’m pretty cute (see for yourself), and I occasionally read cheesy romance novels, usually Nora Roberts (never read an actual Harlequin - I guess that’s a publishing company that specializes in romance?). I read them maybe once every six months or so - not often.
If I happen to be reading one and I’m out in public, than I read it. It doesn’t really matter what people think. At least I’m reading something.
Thanks RickJay! A little ego-stroking never hurt anyone (although that wasn’t my intent.) Lucky her to have a husband who thinks so well of her.(Yes Asylum, thank you as well. I’m naturally blonde, however.)
