Ahaha! You thought I was going to talk about something else. I have lured you into my trap.
My first time...delving into the world of romance novels.
Before the age of 22, I had never read a romance novel. I thought (and still think, actually) they're cheesy, horribly written, and quite frankly not something upon which I want to spend my time and my money. My blog partner, Bri, as a way to corrupt me introduce me to the genre, gave me two romance novels for Christmas. I called her and remember laughing hysterically. Thinking it was a joke and demanding to know whether or not my real present was on its way. Nope. Those two novels were my real present. In a triumphant voice, Bri commenced to explain the premise of the novels to me and in which order I should read them. I will admit that the setting of the novels (like 13th century Scotland with lairds and stuff...very Brave Heart, if you will) wasn't exactly my cup of tea which is the reason why I thankfully didn't finish reading the books. Sorry, Bri! Not. Ahaha!
The few chapters of each book that I did read, I noticed something that rubbed me the wrong way (that's what she said): the character's personalities. There seemed to be no strong female characters, only male characters. The male characters were all strong with monstrous biceps and radioactive levels of testosterone flowing through their veins. I was overwhelmed and annoyed by how weak the women were portrayed emotionally and physically. The women were somewhat intellectually strong, but in the end the men always won with their physical abilities. I mean I understand that these are romance novels and the stories are primarily focused on the carnal desires that culminate between a man and a woman when they are falling for each other. However, these stories are also wrought with instances of the males dominating the females and taking advantage of their vulnerability. I'm not a hardcore feminist or anything (I shave my legs and my armpits regularly, thank you very much), but the female characters in these books were pissing me off with their pansy-ass mentalities! Damsels in distress! Aren't we supposed to be moving away form that time of characterization of women?
I know, I know. I get it. These romance novels are supposed to transport the reader into a romantic fantasy. A romantic fantasy that, deep down within the fiery chasms, all women want to experience. I have had many discussions with Bri regarding sexually domineering males in most romantic plot lines (such as Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones. I know, NERD ALERT) and how neither of us would necessarily mind a man taking the lead. All hypothetical because after all I am a spinster. The romance novels just tend to lean more toward portraying women as just so helpless. It really upsets me (ok, it doesn't upset me that much but for the sake of my argument...it's very disconcerting). The message that I am worried that most romance novels present is that love in a sense comes and rescues you from life. In order for your life to truly begin, you need love. "All you need is love" which is the famous Beatles song...I was totally singing that in the car on the way to work this morning. Ehh. Anyway, the books that Bri gave me were not read in full and currently live happily ever after on my bookshelf. I decided that I would never read a romance novel again because they simply weren't for me. I didn't see any romance novel containing a plot that would resonate with me or that would entertain me in any way, shape, or form.
Oh, how things changed.
One day while I was browsing through the Huffington Post, I came across a few articles about some new best sellers called The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. You guys. I couldn't help myself. I succumbed to basic marketing ploys. Bri and I decided to read the trilogy together and discuss all the hoopla surrounding these scandalous books. About one week and $45 later, I resurfaced from the abyss that is those three novels. OH MY GOSH. I have never blushed so much in my life! Every time I put the book down to take a break, I felt like the biggest pervert! Yet, I couldn't stop reading those dang books! The books are about 98% porn and 2% plot. The plot isn't even that great. As most of you may know, the books started off as fan fiction modeled after the Twilight book series. The main character in the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, Christian Grey, was modeled after Edward Cullen. Christian is wealthy, mysterious, talks like he was born two centuries too late, mind-bogglingly attractive, and domineering. The female character, Anastasia Steele, was modeled after Bella Swan. Anastasia is a moron. That's all I will say about her. A complete and utter moron. Two pages into the first book, I knew I disliked her. Once again, in these books, I kept noticing how vulnerable and weak and insecure Anastasia was. She's supposed to be this well-educated, sensible girl that is totally naive and vulnerable. It just doesn't make any sense to me. I don't understand why these books are so popular, other than the fact that I'm sure there are a bunch of people out there who are getting a kick out of reading the incredibly explicit sex scenes that are basically leaking out of the books.
I personally feel no pull to romance novels. I believe that it's not a good idea for individuals who are vulnerable and have never experienced real romantic feelings to read romance novels and allow themselves to get sucked into a fantasy that puts so much emphasis on love being the end all be all of life. Like Bri mentioned in a prior post, these novels make identifying the distinction between reality and fantasy difficult. Not significantly so, but in a way that tends to muddy the mind and prevent natural reactions and feelings to certain scenarios. For example, in Fifty Shades of Grey, Anastasia who is an insecure, self-conscious, confused girl is swept off her feet by a handsome, extravagantly wealthy, sexy man. And her physical reactions to his love are always driven by her hunger to have sex with him (seriously guys, they have sex probably over a thousand times). I don't know about you, but when I'm around a guy that I really like I tend to get sweaty, slightly nauseous, and my mouth gets really dry.
I think that for now I am definitely done reading romance novels. I've suffered through enough literary...corruption. However, if you've never read a romance novel before, I recommend you read at least one. They'll take you places you thought you'd never go...
My first time...delving into the world of romance novels.
Before the age of 22, I had never read a romance novel. I thought (and still think, actually) they're cheesy, horribly written, and quite frankly not something upon which I want to spend my time and my money. My blog partner, Bri, as a way to
The few chapters of each book that I did read, I noticed something that rubbed me the wrong way (that's what she said): the character's personalities. There seemed to be no strong female characters, only male characters. The male characters were all strong with monstrous biceps and radioactive levels of testosterone flowing through their veins. I was overwhelmed and annoyed by how weak the women were portrayed emotionally and physically. The women were somewhat intellectually strong, but in the end the men always won with their physical abilities. I mean I understand that these are romance novels and the stories are primarily focused on the carnal desires that culminate between a man and a woman when they are falling for each other. However, these stories are also wrought with instances of the males dominating the females and taking advantage of their vulnerability. I'm not a hardcore feminist or anything (I shave my legs and my armpits regularly, thank you very much), but the female characters in these books were pissing me off with their pansy-ass mentalities! Damsels in distress! Aren't we supposed to be moving away form that time of characterization of women?
I know, I know. I get it. These romance novels are supposed to transport the reader into a romantic fantasy. A romantic fantasy that, deep down within the fiery chasms, all women want to experience. I have had many discussions with Bri regarding sexually domineering males in most romantic plot lines (such as Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones. I know, NERD ALERT) and how neither of us would necessarily mind a man taking the lead. All hypothetical because after all I am a spinster. The romance novels just tend to lean more toward portraying women as just so helpless. It really upsets me (ok, it doesn't upset me that much but for the sake of my argument...it's very disconcerting). The message that I am worried that most romance novels present is that love in a sense comes and rescues you from life. In order for your life to truly begin, you need love. "All you need is love" which is the famous Beatles song...I was totally singing that in the car on the way to work this morning. Ehh. Anyway, the books that Bri gave me were not read in full and currently live happily ever after on my bookshelf. I decided that I would never read a romance novel again because they simply weren't for me. I didn't see any romance novel containing a plot that would resonate with me or that would entertain me in any way, shape, or form.
Oh, how things changed.
One day while I was browsing through the Huffington Post, I came across a few articles about some new best sellers called The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. You guys. I couldn't help myself. I succumbed to basic marketing ploys. Bri and I decided to read the trilogy together and discuss all the hoopla surrounding these scandalous books. About one week and $45 later, I resurfaced from the abyss that is those three novels. OH MY GOSH. I have never blushed so much in my life! Every time I put the book down to take a break, I felt like the biggest pervert! Yet, I couldn't stop reading those dang books! The books are about 98% porn and 2% plot. The plot isn't even that great. As most of you may know, the books started off as fan fiction modeled after the Twilight book series. The main character in the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, Christian Grey, was modeled after Edward Cullen. Christian is wealthy, mysterious, talks like he was born two centuries too late, mind-bogglingly attractive, and domineering. The female character, Anastasia Steele, was modeled after Bella Swan. Anastasia is a moron. That's all I will say about her. A complete and utter moron. Two pages into the first book, I knew I disliked her. Once again, in these books, I kept noticing how vulnerable and weak and insecure Anastasia was. She's supposed to be this well-educated, sensible girl that is totally naive and vulnerable. It just doesn't make any sense to me. I don't understand why these books are so popular, other than the fact that I'm sure there are a bunch of people out there who are getting a kick out of reading the incredibly explicit sex scenes that are basically leaking out of the books.
I personally feel no pull to romance novels. I believe that it's not a good idea for individuals who are vulnerable and have never experienced real romantic feelings to read romance novels and allow themselves to get sucked into a fantasy that puts so much emphasis on love being the end all be all of life. Like Bri mentioned in a prior post, these novels make identifying the distinction between reality and fantasy difficult. Not significantly so, but in a way that tends to muddy the mind and prevent natural reactions and feelings to certain scenarios. For example, in Fifty Shades of Grey, Anastasia who is an insecure, self-conscious, confused girl is swept off her feet by a handsome, extravagantly wealthy, sexy man. And her physical reactions to his love are always driven by her hunger to have sex with him (seriously guys, they have sex probably over a thousand times). I don't know about you, but when I'm around a guy that I really like I tend to get sweaty, slightly nauseous, and my mouth gets really dry.
I think that for now I am definitely done reading romance novels. I've suffered through enough literary...corruption. However, if you've never read a romance novel before, I recommend you read at least one. They'll take you places you thought you'd never go...
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