Do You Find Yourself Defending Your Harlequin Presents Reading?

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

I end up defending my love of these books all the time. Some people just don't get why they are enjoyable to read. Yes, they are somewhat questionable in their portrayal of men and women. They are over the top, and sometimes unrealistic and silly. But they're entertainment.

It's really interesting when you talk to people who read about crazed mutant cannibals, and they put down Harlequin books. To each their own. My philosophy on pleasure reading is this: Books are to be enjoyed. If you like reading about virgin mistresses to Italian tycoons, then by all means. If you want to read about sparkly vampires, that's fine too.

I don't think that I have issues as a person because I enjoy these books. I don't call myself a feminist, but I do have some feminist leanings. I'm definitely a sexual egalitarian. Reading these books has not made me want to hang up my professional woman persona and become a professional mistress or gold digger. I'm not holding out for a Greek billionaire to take me away. It's just pure escapism for me. I read these books and I have a couple of hours removed from the pressures of the real world.

How about you?

[Mae]

My husband just joined Goodreads and when he logs on he'll see some of the HP's that I just read and he'll just look at me and say, "seriously?".

He could careless what I read, but the titles definitely have him shaking his head.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

What does your hubby read, HMS?

[Lynsey A]

I've never really had to defend the HP's I read. My dad certainly frowned at my reading material when I was a teen but now could care less. My boyfriend has no problem with my reading and will just smile at me.

Yes, they are pure escapism and are definitely not to be taken seriously. It's for sheer enjoyment.

The titles, well, I just tell people I think they are ridiculous too. :-)

[Mae]

Danielle ~ My husband reads Religion books (he's a pastor) and science fiction type books. He is currently reading Jim Butcher's Dresden Files.

[Melanie♥]

When I was a teenager, I remember hiding my HPs down the side of the sofa if mom, dad or siblings were near. Now, my kids and husband of *cough* years are used to finding my books scattered around the house. I do use a little more discretion with my EC-type books LOL!

[willaful]

My husband mocks them a bit -- but then, so do I. Honestly though, I mostly don't defend them because I mostly don't admit I read them. [blush:]

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

LOL, Willaful.

My family is used to my books. They don't say anything. But outside people make fun of my reading habits, and non HP readers really make fun of these books. I think you have to have a sense of humor and a sense of drama to enjoy HP books.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

HMS I love the Dresden books.

[Lynsey A]

Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: I think you have to have a sense of humor and a sense of drama to enjoy HP books.


Oh, definitely a sense of drama. :)

[Samantha]

I had a conversation the other day with co-workers about this. Now one of them asked why do we read cheesy romances like this. There is no substance to it. Now I was like I enjoy reading them. Yes they are over the top and have silly titles but they are my relax, just need straight romance books. Purely entertainment. I don't get it because I don't knock other people.

[Lynsey A]

Very well put, Samantha. That's one of the reasons I read them. They are just fun and there is no stress. A person can just sit and relax and enjoy a good story (most of the time) for a few hours.

[Samantha]

Exactly and when you read a really bad book, you can and pick up a HP book and know you are going to get a decent romance story. I have tons of them. I also get them from a used book store when I travel for work. I rack up. My suitcase are filled with them. lol

[Lynsey A]

Stated perfectly. There have been several times I've picked up a Presents to wipe away a terrible read from a longer novel.

Oh, I have tons of them as well. They are scattered all over my house. Every time I go to the ubs I always leave with at least one Presents. My house is filled with them. Ha ha

[Bargainbooks]

Yeah, I just finished Sweet Savage Love and immediately went out to buy some older HPs. Feeling much, much better now!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

That's definitely why I love these.

I wanted to say thanks for participating, everyone. It's so great to talk to other readers who like HP. :)

[Verity]

I have 1 HP & 1 full-length book in my car all the time. HP's a quicker read during my work breaks, 1/2 hour lunchtime + 2 X 15-min mini breaks. I clock in & out for lunchtime w/ 7-minute leeway. I read in small increments after spending 10-15 min moving my car. My co-workers & I park in 2-hour zone & often swap parking so that helps w/ my reading time. The only days I don't read on my breaks are on the rare occasions I get all-day parking, like hitting the jackpot 'cuz that means less chance of getting slapped w/ a $ 63 parking ticket. I've been a lifelong HP fan, my gazillion books are everywhere & even tho' HP titles raise eyebrows, they're v. angsty & fulfilling & I luv re-reading 'em, esp my fav authors like Daphne Clair (also the ones under Laurey Bright), Sara Craven, Michelle Reid, Susan Napier, Anne Mather, Lynne Graham, Abby Green etc (Kim Lawrence is my latest craze). I'll always luv HP. I never have to defend my books @ workplace 'cuz nobody knows I read romance. I buy HP ebooks only nowadays to save space 'cuz the boxes of books I have sitting in my front porch have been a sore point for my family. My sis used to make fun of my books (she knows if the covers are black, they're the ehem racy ones aka Black Lace / EC) but not anymore =)~

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

One of these days, I'll take a picture of my bookcases, so you all can see how many of these HPs I own. I am an addict! No question about it!

[Melanie♥]

I think it would be fun to share pics of our book stashes in the photo section here LOL!

[Lynsey A]

My HP collection is unbelievable. Some of my pics up on here already show some of my HP books. I buy them constantly.

I've never really had to defend my reading of these. My dad just mostly rolled his eyes. My boyfriend, it doesn't bother him.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

I like the idea of sharing photos.
It's ideal that our loved ones would understand and support the things that make us happy, when they are beneficial to us. I know reading relaxes me and makes me happy. So how can that be a bad thing?

[Melanie♥]

Lynsey,
Love the photos!!! Makes me feel better to know I am not alone =)
Will work on getting some of mine posted!

[Lynsey A]

Thanks, Melanie! Oh, no indeed you are not alone. My book piles continue to grow and grow. Glad I could make you feel better. :-)

Danielle, it most certainly isn't a bad thing. I think that is my boyfriend's thoughts on the whole situation. He knows it makes me happy to have and read my books so he is cool with the whole thing.

Don't get me wrong about my dad. He never made fun of me or anything like that. He just preferred I read more things like literature. This was when I was younger. Now, well, he even buys me romance books for Christmas and birthday's. =)

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

That's very cool that your dad buys you romance novels. My father passed away, but I couldn't see him doing that. He was too macho. :)

[Lynsey A]

Danielle,
Sorry about your father. Was it recent? I have several friends who have all lost their fathers. I can't imagine how that must feel.

Actually, it was A Wallflower Christmas and Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts so no sexy hot covers! :) It's very rare but it does happen from time to time.

[Samantha]

Nice Dad Lynsey. My family looks as me like I'm crazy for buying all these books. My sister doesn't understand. She thinks I should go to the library. But now, they just sort of let me be. They figure they can't change me. My man don't even stress it, as long as its not taking over our place.

[Lynsey A]

Yes, he's the best, Dad that's for sure. :)

Well, both my sisters read romances too, tho, my younger sister not as much as me and my twin. My brother just rolls his eyes and does sometimes talk trash but he lives in LA so we don't get to see him that often. It's all done with love, of course. LOL

Yes, I'm lucky my man feels the same. It doesn't bother him. In fact I'm spending the entire day (except for the few times I'm online) reading Pleasure of a Dark Prince. I have to finish it before work tomorrow! I'll never get anything done otherwise!

[Samantha]

Oh you're a twin? How awesome!

[Lynsey A]

Yes, I'm a twin. We're fraternal. I have brown hair and hazel eyes and she has blonde hair and blue eyes. :) I'm the oldest by four minutes. On my mom's side of the family we are actually one set of 3 sets of twins. Two of my mom's cousin's also had twins. Each of us are different. The first set are fraternal boy/girl twins, then Lesley and me and then Adam and Aaron the identical twin boys. It's pretty cool.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

Lynsey Azkedelia wrote: "Danielle,
Sorry about your father. Was it recent? I have several friends who have all lost their fathers. I can't imagine how that must feel.

Actually, it was A Wallflower Christmas and Chesape..."

Thanks, Lynsey. It's been about six years, but I have my moments where the grief still seems fresh. But at least I had the time with him that I did. Hugs!

[Lynsey A]

Hugs back, Danielle! I can imagine.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

Thx for the hugs, Lynsey!

[Lemon]

I only read ebooks and it's definitely a guilty secret pleasure for me. It's funny though, because I work in a very intellectually snobbish profession but I bet at least a good 60% of the women read them in secret. Because I have to think and read all day, I just want something completely mindless and simple for a couple of hours and HP fits the bill.

[Romance Lover]

When my mother discovered my HP's (hidden in the closet) she almost had a heart attack! After I promised her that I don't read them any more she stopped asking me about this subject. When she found them again (after 2-3 years) she didn't even refer to it!
My best friend at the other part is totally cool with it, but she is still mocking me about it.

[Destiny]

I don't so much defend my reading of Harlequin Presents as much as my love of reading in general. It's not the reading that bothers my family, but how much I spend on books. Like this month for instant, I think I've spent $400 dollars on books from various stores and websites. They just don't understand how I can spend that much money on books. I do admit though, that I could go to the library more often to compensate XD

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

Destiny, I know what you mean. I think it will even itself out during the lean times.

[Lisa Kay]

I wasn't even posting my HP on my 2011 Reading Challenge b/c I didn't want to be judged by more "serious" readers. Then I realized I was never going to make my personal goal if I didn't list them. So, in April (when I committed to the challenge) I had to get over that real quick, LOL!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

Be loud and proud about your HP reading, Lisa!

[Lisa Kay]

Okay, Lady D.!

[Lisa Kay]

Well, you did say LOUD! :)

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

Awesome!!!

[Lisa Kay]

I should have added music from YouTube. Which should it be? Aretha's mega-hit R.E.S.P.E.C.T. or Tina's immortal Proud Mary??

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

Definitely RESPECT!

[Kouk]

You make that cover really look like diamonds Lisa!

I agree with Danielle, RESPECT!

[Lisa Kay]

Okay, Kouk. Now that you said that, I had to go in a make the necklace twinkle...which made me add more hearts, stars and - of course - a butterfly, LOL!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

I definitely believe people in glass houses should not throw rocks.

[Destiny]

Mia wrote: "I for one have no qualms in admitting I read Mills & Boon or Silhouette.

I remember an interesting conversation with someone who loves paranormal romances... She was deriding me about my fondness ..."

Is that really true? Because I love paranormal romance as a genre.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Harlequin Presents are my crack!]

I don't think of it that way, but I know some people do view PNR romance that way.

[Destiny]

Huh that's weird. I love animals, but I'm not into bestislity. But I'm on a vampire kick lately myself XD

[Kouk]

Lisa Kay wrote: "Okay, Kouk. Now that you said that, I had to go in a make the necklace twinkle...which made me add more hearts, stars and - of course - a butterfly, LOL!"

Awesome Lisa!
The necklace is really cool and the hearts, butterfly and stars make it really cute!