Jennifer Jackson’s blog entry on Romancing The Blog today covers various opinions from her family members on romance novels. Which has inspired me to cover my family’s (hypothetical) responses.
Mom: I CAN’T READ. That’s right, you kids nowadays have it good, we actually sent you to school and paid for everything including college. And what do I get? Phone calls that are usually late because you forget about the time difference. CALL MORE OFTEN. And when are you coming home for a visit?
Dad: If it’s not in The Star or The New Straits Times, it’s not worth reading.
Brother No. 1: Romance novels? What do you think I am, some kind of fag?!?
Brother No. 2: Romance novels? What do you think I am, some kind of fag?!?
Brother No. 3: Romance novels? What do you think I am, some kind of fag?!?
Brother No. 4: Romance novels? I’m a fag, and I refuse to read them. Oh, wait, I did use to sneak them into my bedroom when I was a teenager, especially some of the spicier Penny Jordan titles. Anyway, they’re trashy. Nowadays I confine myself to fine literature with titles like Fag Hag and Bitch Goddess.
Sister: You don’t like Linda Howard? What’s wrong with you?
p.s. Didn’t cover my sisters-in-law’s responses because I don’t know their reading habits all too well, though I know SIL Numero Dos reads almost exclusively romances, mostly category titles.
Your brothers sound like mine. One reads nothing but “How to Make a Gazillion Dollars on a 20 Cent Investment” type books. He doesn’t know what romance is- just ask his wife.
The other is very interested in what he calls romance- “Bubba Joe Tells You How to Turn Your Trailer Into a Shaggin’ Wagon” was his pick, I think.
I was partially responsible for raising my brother,who’s seven years younger than me, and he developed reading tastes similar to mine and when he got old enough, I made him read a few romances. I think the only reason he didn’t read more is because he was embarassed someone would find out!
Yeah, you don’t like Linda Howard? What’s wrong with you….. Sorry, couldn’t resist.
What’s with smart-mouthed lawyers and their Linda Howard love? If this is what law school does to people….
Law school takes away every last ounce of common sense a person has. Maybe that’s the explanation you’re looking for. If you’re thinking of going, call me and I’ll talk you off that ledge.
Yeah, well, it’s far, far too late for my sister…
I want to be a vet. Either that, or an English professor. Anyone want to talk me off THOSE ledges?