Book Lovers Inc.
Romance Novel Reviews, Author Interviews, Commentary
Men Don’t Read Romances–Fact or Fiction? by Sara Brookes + Giveaway
“A good romance immerses the reader in the life of characters that, many times, deal with the same emotional struggles/pleasures that arise in real world relationships and brings more depth to those emotions than many other written genres.”
Amanda – The Winged Lover: Men read romances? I suppose making them off limits to them would be kind of like saying women are supposed to be in the kitchen…but to be a hypocrite…if I caught my boyfriend reading something that had more romance in it than action eyebrows would rise.
Susi – The Geeky Lover: No I think it’s awesome and I always squee when BF agrees to read something with the tiniest touch of romance in it. He usually starts rolling his eyes but he sees why I like those. *wink*
Caroline – The HEA Lover: It shouldn’t be off-limit! That’s like saying women shouldn’t read Sci-fi books or books without romance. Or that adult shouldn’t read YA books. If a man finds pleasure in reading a romance then it’s fantastic. There is so many kind of romances! If we find it weird that a man read romance, then I shouldn’t be reading M/M books I guess. 😉
Melissa – The Spellbound Lover: Well each to their own I guess. If they want to read them go for gold but it’s not something I’ve seen very often but if girls can become mechanics than who’s to say guys can’t read romances 🙂
Larissa – The Crazy Lover: Absolutely NOT! I mean, maybe not a Historical one LOL but why not?
Stella – The Latin Lover: I haven’t yet met a man who liked reading romances (or at least he hasn’t told me;-p). I find it a bit weird, but why shouldn’t men also enjoy romantic stories? But it would be good if he kept 1-2 romances for every 3-4 other books, or as Amanda said, “eyebrows would rise”.
Lea – The Danger Lover: I think men should absolutely have access to romance novels. Given the variety of genres out there now, maybe it would dispel some notions that “romance is lame & all tripe”.
Stella – The Latin Lover: Great point Lea! If men were (seen) reading romances they wouldn’t look down on women reading them!
Jackie – The Quirky Lover: I think it would show a sensitive side BUT if it were the only genre he read, that would spell trouble, lol.
Veronica – The Sexy Lover: I agree with Lea and Stella. 🙂
Bea – The Charmed Lover: Hell yes! If it interests you, read it. I don’t care if you are male, female, Klingon, Wookie, or a dragon. Read what you want, when you want.
JoJo – The Cornered Lover: Absolutely not! I thinks its great that men actually read romance. I did a guest post with a twitter Friend of mine on my blog. Erotica….From A Man’s Perspective with Scott Romanski AKA @Truedeadman . not exactly romance, but i think its still the same concept.
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Interesting post! Romance books should not be off limits to men! My husband doesn't read them but I certainly wouldn't dissuade him. A good book is a good book. It doesn't matter if it is a romance with a HEA.
GeishasMom73 on twitter
I enjoy a wide variety of book genres, and sometimes only a romance read will do. Sometimes, a very specific type of romance is needed. Could be “heart with heat” or “heat with heart”. Paranormal or erotic romance may be just the ticket. Maybe you want a fun, sexy romp of a romance : ) There is so much variety in the romance read world, and so very many talented authors! Truly something for everyone! Having said all that, I think men should try out a few different types of romance reads–at the very least, just for their own enlightenment! Most of us will not resemble the attractive, appealing lead characters, but we will see some of ourselves somewhere in the story line. Also, I am very sure that the majority of men, not matter how much they deny it, would be aroused and involved by a good “heat with heart” story. It might become a very enjoyable habit for them. They might look at women with a greater appreciation of what makes us tick. I would love to observe a man reading a romance book, read that same book myself, and then discuss it with him. We might all learn something in the process. What fun we could have!
US Resident, GFC Follower, Subscriber
Entered Big Blogoversary Giveaway
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Many men don't read romance because women don't want them to. Just look at the women's comments you received.
Women are supposed to be __(fill in the socially accepted words)__ and men are supposed to be __(fill in the socially accepted words)__.
It's okay for women to enjoy sports, to wear men's clothes and work at men's jobs but men who do anything considered feminine are considered sick perverts to be spat upon. Why would a man take that kind of heat just to learn or enjoy a bit of "romance"? The cost is just too high. For most, it's simply a, "Forget about it… ain't gonna happen!"
LadyDee, If I had a male in my life I would love him to read Romance. He might get an idea he would share with me and we would explore together. It would spice up our intimate lives.
I think it's a great idea if men read romance novels. Some might actually learn something. 😉 My husband doesn't read them. He doesn't read many books at all, but he does enjoy when I read them. 😀
I've only read Hardware by Sara Brookes, although I own all of her other books. If you haven't read Hardware, you must! It was one of my top 10 in 2010.
No books should ever be off limits to anyone. And my eyebrows most certainly wouldn't rise if I met a man who read nothing but romances.
I personally don't think there is anything wrong with it , though I couldn't imagine my ex reading them but why not? I mean who's to say just women need to find a good romance maybe the men that read them are looking for that as well.
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
whatever floats their boats . I don't think men like them cause they are geared towards women. Soul searching isn't what they go for. But lots of UF today has all the action and suspense along with a dose of romance. The men that read these probably don't even realize they are reading a romance .
My husband, Mr. Alpha Male, loves SOME romances in addition to mine and he doesn't always love mine. His favorite author? Linda Howard.
More men should read romance. It would improve their sex life.
I think a lot depends on how books are classified and how men react to that. It may not appeal to men to read books labeled “romance,” but without the label, the content may be very interesting to them.
I read mysteries and thrillers before I read much romance. With that as background, it seems to me that categorization of books (mysteries or romantic suspense) frequently involves the author's gender. James Patterson's books typically have as much "romance" in them as do Tami Hoag's. The same can be true for the fantasy and paranormal romance designations. Perhaps if books were simply called "fiction" fewer readers would be turned off by labels.
My boyfriend reads a lot of scifi. Many scifi novels have some romance anyway; love is part of the human condition. And sometimes, those scifi books may even have HEAs.
ironss[at]gmail.com
I always find it weird when people say that a gender shouldn't read a certain genre. After all every genre has authors of both genders, so why shouldn't the book appeal to both?
I don't think any book should be off limits to anyone.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
All men should be required to read at least one romance in there life. Maybe then they would have an inkling to how the female mind works.
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alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
Not entering, oh my e-book rule is silly.
Lol, well yes I wish bf could read some, but honestly I would rather give him some of my UF books
Anyone shouild read whatever speaks to them. Men shouldn't rule out romance simply because of the genre. As a man myself that genre simply doesn't appeal but neither do other genres.
That being said I've read several good romance books in my lifetime but I viewed them as "good books" not "romance books".
http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
Since JoJo was so nice to drop my name here, i'll add to her comment. I have no problem reading romance novels. I don't read very many…more a here and there thing. I don't enjoy comtemporary or historicals(that i've tried anyways) The ones with a sci-fi/fantasy/military backdrop interest me more.Maybe because i like to be "transported" out of the real world and the comtemps/historicals are too close to real world for me. But yes, we will…so long as the story is done well. truedeadman AT gmail DOT com
I think men should absolutely read romance. I have been pestering my husband to try for some time. Especially the action packed paranormals.
Interesting post. I think to each is own. If a man want to read a romance novel more power to him. Who am I to judge someone for reading. I think it would be great if more men read romance.
iqb99@yahoo.com
My brother in law reads historical romance books he has for years. He also reads Dean Koontz and other and suspensful thrillers but his fav is Historical Romance. I know a lot of men who read romance, had one boyfriend who did to learn what women look for in relationships on the sly.
Men are allowed to read romance books if they want to but I have to admit, I would tend to look askance if that was the only genre a man read… 🙂
I don't think there is anything wrong with a guy picking up a romance. I ask my sweetie all the time if he wants to read books before I swap them and he makes a really funny face when I tell him "gushy vampire story" after he asks me what it's about. But my books sit on the shelf for anyone who wants to read them.
meredithfl at gmail dot com
I Believe a lot of man have but there afaid of other man finding out.But I Believe thay can learn alot reading them on what a woman wants.
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
I believe man reads romance sometimes. Not the whole time. I asked my fiancee and he reads once in while any of my romance books instead of immense himself in business or self helps that he always have on his side bed table.So, i guess, why not?
(not an entry for the giveway)
darlyn225 at gmail dot com
Hmm, that's a good question!
l guess l couldn't imagine my boyfriend doing it, kind strange but l know males do and they should be able to if they want too.
booksforcompany@gmail.com
Romance novels should not be off limits to men. Anyone should be able to read any type of book they want. A good book is a good book. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
Absolutely more men should read romance. Maybe then they wouldn't be so clueless LOL. I also don't see what would be wrong with it if that was the only type of book that a man wanted to read. I'd just be happy that he was reading at all.
jen at delux dot com
If more men read romance, more women would be happier, don't you think? Surely they would put all that knowledge to good use, right?
lisagkATyahooDOTcom
I think it's pretty awesome when men read romance! Probably a lot of them will enjoy romance books, but don't have the guts to actually pick one up in fear of what other people will think about it.
Great post about this!
Celine
nyxbookreview(at)gmail(dot)com
Romance definitely shouldn't be off limits to men – in fact, it would be great if more men read them to get insight into women!
smaccall @ comcast.net
Everyone should be able to read what they want! Why is it okay for women to read scifi and action and not for men to read romance?
k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk
I find it A okay if a man curls up with a romance novel. I know that my man won't. He actually made some sorta comment about that the other day. I am just glad that after 10 years of being with him that he has finally picked up a book. We hit the milestone like 2 days ago!!! 😀
cmurphy213@yahoo.com
I don't see why men can't read romance novels, if they fancy that kind of thing. There's a lot worse things to be done! Besides, why hog all the fun to ourselves?
girl23rocks at hotmail dot com
If men want to read romance books then they should go ahead and read them.
At least if they're reading romances they're not going to be making fun of you for reading them.
natalie23[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk
I think its great that some men read romances. Everyone should read what interests them.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
I work with the father of one of my reading friends. When my other friend and I pass books to her, her dad usually reads them first. I think it is awesome. I don't know that I would want my hubs reading my books, it would take away from my reading time. 🙂
beckerjo(at)verizon(dot)net
I know some men who are into reading but not the romance one. But I think it's not weird at all if a man read romance novel as long as it's not the only novel he reads. 😀
aleetha.ally at gmail dot com
twitter: @aleetha
I think some of the romance book covers put men off and having an ereader can put any book within reach of any reader. I know many of the romantic suspense stories are as hard hitting as anything in the mystery/UF section and men would enjoy the plot.
linze_e at hotmail.com
I'm a guy and I quite like romance. Or maybe it'd be better to say that I'd like to like romance.
Problem for me is that while a decent amount of books seem to star perfectly normal and likeable women they rarely star normal and likeable men.
Most men starring in romance novels are described primarily as the handsome, heavily muscled, rich, charming, rakish etc. type of guy. And frankly at best it's boring and at worst it's just slightly depressing.
I'd think the equivalent would be the big breasted, blonde, shy, slightly insecure, slim, can't do anything herself etc. type of girl.
When I find romances featuring not only a realistic modern female but also a realistic modern male I often really like them. But those are hard to find…
@Anon I would really like to hear what you think a good romance is? I'm awfully nosy and my curiosity knows no bounds. Hope you don't mind.
That was me! #bloggeraccountfail