A compilation of embarrassing, horrifying and dreadful books that you love.

[Kelly]

I read almost all the VC Andrews books that were published by the early 1990s. Romance novels are still my guilty pleasure, though I am bored by Nora Roberts lately. My favorite for a long time was Jude Deveraux. I still re-read some of my favorites from her when I need a few hours of "chocolate" reading to decompress.

[Liz]

So my guilty pleasure as a kid were the Babysitters Club books...I read SO many of those and thankfully only ever spent money on one...I'm keeping it as a relic.
Right now my guilty pleasures are the Gossip Girl novels. I've been sucked in.
On the note of Twlight, I may or may not be starting that soon (really curious), and I was wondering if the series ends with the 4th book?

[April]

Ok, people. The LEAST you could do is list your embarrasing, horrifying, shameful books in as a link. How am I going to add all of these deliciously scandalous reads to my TBR otherwise? LOL

[Jamie]

Liz wrote: "So my guilty pleasure as a kid were the Babysitters Club books...I read SO many of those and thankfully only ever spent money on one...I'm keeping it as a relic.
Right now my guilty pleasures are t..."

It does end with the 4th book; however, Meyer started writing Midnight Sun (the Twilight story from Edward's perspective), which you can read online, but because it was leaked to the public, she may or may not finish it. It's still worth reading, though.

[Janny]

Oh, gosh, it would have to be when I was a teen, quite addicted to stuff by Frank Yerby... I never even thought to be embarrassed about it, until somebody with a bit of sophistication needled me for my terrible taste.

Now, it would be reading Nora Roberts on airplane trips, except that I thought her title, Carnal Innocence was extremely well written.

A funny rembrance, embarrassing to my father - he and I often exchanged our favorite books. I lent him Tell Me No Lies by Elizabeth Lowell, since that book read very nicely as an action adventure. He loved it, and went to the bookshop to get other titles by the same author - then called me up outraged, when he tried to read what he'd picked, and discovered why he got funny looks from the lady at the register.

[GracieKat]

I love the R.L. Stine Fear Street Books, Diane Hoh's Nightmare Hall series and especially Richie Tankersley Cusick, I think for a young adult writer she's amazing. I also reread some of my old kids books from time to time, also. Like Bruce Coville's The Ghost in the Third Row and The Ghost in the Big Brass Bed. I used to really like L.J. Smith's The Forbidden Game Trilogy.

[Natalie]

I am shamefully addicted to the Black Dagger Brotherhood ROMANCE (yes romance) novels by J.R. Ward.

I have been known to be a bit of a literary snob and usually pride myself for being "above" such books. Romance? Puh-lease.

Not anymore. I have egg on my face now and have learned my lesson about judging others' reading habits...I am literally addicted to these books....

[Caroline]

I love the Stephanie Plum novels, and I noticed there were a few on this thread who enjoyed them as well. I have also read and enjoyed a couple of the Shopaholic series and enjoyed them, but I am not hooked. My other guilty pleasure is the Southern Vampire Series by Charlaine Harris. I am surprised I am the only one to admit to this :)

I read the first Twilight, and I just didn't enjoy it, but I know I am in the minority.

[Allison]

I used to think it was embarassing that I liked Nora Roberts (I mainly read her in HS, not so much anymore), but really...a lot of her books have really good/interesting mystery plots above and beyond all the romance.

[Allison]

Caroline wrote: "I love the Stephanie Plum novels, and I noticed there were a few on this thread who enjoyed them as well. I have also read and enjoyed a couple of the Shopaholic series and enjoyed them, but I am ..."

hey, I love Sookie (well, really I love Eric!) too :)

[Allison]

Natalie wrote: "I am shamefully addicted to the Black Dagger Brotherhood ROMANCE (yes romance) novels by J.R. Ward.

I have been known to be a bit of a literary snob and usually pride myself for be..."

I'm not ADDICTED to the Black Dagger series, but I have read the first three and they are really...something. :) I understand!

[Irene]

any of the Alex Cross books by James Patterson
ugh some of the stuff that happens in those books is ooooh awful! but I can't put them down- I have to find out what happens.
These days paranormal romance is my guilty pleasure. Yes, I actually read books about vampires and werewolves and vampires and werewolves getting it on- in glorious hot steaming love scenes....
Hey- don't laugh until you've tried it.
Charlaine Harris
Laurell K. Hamilton
and yes, sometimes I laugh too but I still love them.
Right now I've got the twilight series [image error] ] [image error]
on my PDA
high school girls, vampires and werewolves- OH MY!

nobody can tell I'm not reading Pride and Prejudice

[Mel]

There are a few series that I have been following of late (can't go too far back in time for my guilty pleasures or else this list will go on and on):

Jilly Cooper - doesn't get more guilty than that and yet I am hooked, have read and reread and probably will reread again.

Dexter Series - not so addicted to this (particularly after book 3 so not sure how badly this reflects on me)

Stephanie Plum series - Joe or Ranger? Ranger or Joe? Bob or Rex? Rex or Bob? Bob and Rex? When will she ever decide?

Charlaine Harris Southern Vampire series - Bill or Eric? Eric or Sam? Sam or Quinn? Quinn or Alcide? Sookie is even less decisive than Stephanie if that is possible. Loving it.

I also have the Dresden series and the Undead series lurking about in my wishlist waiting to be read the next time I need a mindless read fix. I have no shame. Of course since I read on an electronic book device no one knows what I am reading :)

Mel

[rebecca j]

Who writes the Dexter series? I keephearing people talk about them, but I don't know titles or authors, so I can't look for them!

[April]

I think it's Jeff Lindsay?? Try that!

[Kathy]

I am a romance reader, but I'll happily admit it. I even read the occasional Harlequin. I just wish they didn't have such stupid titles because some of them are really good books but I really don't want to tell anyone I read a book called The Greek Tycoon Billionaire's Pregnant Virgin Mistress or something like that.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Harlequin Presents truly do have the most bizarre titles, don't they, Kathy?

[Kathy]

Yes, they do. Those are the ones I read only at home where no one can see me.

[Edith]

I love this topic! I am currently hooked on the Sookie Stackhouse vampire series. I'm about to start book 3. I also love the Womens Murder Club Mysteries by James Patterson.

[rebecca j]

I just read the first of the Study series by Maria V. Snyder - Now I have any great series to read!

[GracieKat]

Edith wrote: "I love this topic! I am currently hooked on the Sookie Stackhouse vampire series. I'm about to start book 3. I also love the Womens Murder Club Mysteries by James Patterson. "

I really like the Women's Murder Club series, too!
This might not be a horribly embarrassing book but I don't like people seeing me read At Home in Mitford. It's just not a book that I would normally be seen reading.

[Jessica]

I've just finished the first Confessions of a Shopaholic book- and I'm hooked. My roommate (who is male, and who believes I have good book taste) is horrified. Same when I read the whole Twilight series in about 2 weeks.

[[deleted user]]

Monica wrote: "I absolutly loved the Twlight serise and am awaiting the release of Meyer's new book! (And the New Moon movie NEXT November!)

I also have a love for V.C. Andrews! My grandmother got me hooked w..."

yeah, my mother got me hooked on vc andrews when i was young. i love her books way too much. i've read the dollanganger series three times now i think haha

[Jessika]

Just finished reading Twilight last night for the first time, and I am hooked! I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one!

[rebecca j]

Reminds me of The Wolf and the Dove - it was so popular at my high school, and my Mom was set against me reading it, so I smuggled someone's copy in and out of the house until I read it. Yes, it was trashy, but I still enjoy those type once in a while!

[Marsha]

One of my girlfriends and I were big Kathleen Woodiwiss fans. We loved one particular word that was guaranteed to appear several times in every novel, and we'd shout it out when we came across it. "Akimbo!" I still do that. Startles the husband.

[Suzanne]

I LOVED the Twilight series, all of Stephanie Plum(definitely RANGER!!!) Grandma Mazur is scream out loud funny...

[Katie]

Bergdorf Blondes A Novel was truly terrible, but I loved every minute of it.

I don't think the Shopaholic books are *that* bad, but maybe that's just how I convince myself that it's okay to love them as much as I do.

I can still devour any Babysitter's Club or Sweet Valley High book in an afternoon.

[Jackie]

Put me in the bandwagon for the Shopaholic series too. I also enjoyed Twilight, Stephanie Plum series and my current embarrassing read: The Black Dagger Series. Who knew that vampires could be so damn yummy?

[Abbie K.]

Until you've had to teach Romeo and Juliet to four classes of 14 year olds (thats 120+ kids), you have no true appreciation for escapist literature. I love Sci-Fi, Romances, and Murder Mysteries. There is a place for everything and we deserve enjoyment regardless of the tone or quality set down by someone else's standards. Are you reading? Good for you! Are you reading with your kids? You deserve a medal!

[[deleted user]]

Abigail wrote: "I've loved pretty much every Stephen King book I've read too. My other guilty pleasures are English text books (for no apparent reason other than I like to read about reading and writing) and manga..."

Oh Abigail!! How can you call Stephen King a guilty pleasure! I just love him. He's one of my favorite authors!!!

[Heidi]

I had my dad bring all my Goosebumps books when he came to visit this past Christmas. And by all... I mean ALL... I have every book from the original series. With those he brought all of my other childhood books: Christopher Pike, Fear Street, Sweet Valley High, etc. As a result I've started to collect any of the Fear Street and Sweet Valley books I don't have.

I don't know if I can accurately call these guilty pleasures because I willingly talk about it, but they're probably the closest I've got.

[Dree]

I have read every single one of Sophie Kinsella's books. Every.damn.one. Not just the shopaholic books--though shopaholic takes manhattan got me started...

[Petra X]

Have you read any books? Madeline Sophie Wickham is Sophie Kinsella's real name.Madeleine Wickham

[Allison]

Dree wrote: "I have read every single one of Sophie Kinsella's books. Every.damn.one. Not just the shopaholic books--though shopaholic takes manhattan got me started..."

oooo, love those :) I don't feel guilty about them though as they're hilarious.

[Heidi]

I like everything of Sophia Kinsella's, except for shopaholic. I was ok for the first one, but the second just drove me up the wall so I gave up.

[Dree]

Oh crap.

Allison wrote: "Dree wrote: "I have read every single one of Sophie Kinsella's books. Every.damn.one. Not just the shopaholic books--though shopaholic takes manhattan got me started..."

oooo, love those :) I do..."

[Abbie K.]

I have a set of English boarding school books I started collecting when I was about 12. I still try to find part of the set now and again when I'm rich enough to afford the shipping from the UK. I still read through them every once in awhile. Lovely memories.

[Dree]

OK. THIS is what I meant to respond to.

Thanks Petra. I think.....

Petra X wrote: "Have you read any books? Madeline Sophie Wickham is Sophie Kinsella's real name.Madeleine Wickham"

[Kandice]

I love Graphic Novels. I know a lot of people think they are trash, but I just PORE over each illustration.

I was re-reading Sin City earlier this week and had to take my son to a Dr. appointment. I actually put a stretchy book cover over it, because I was embarassed for anyone to see the cover art.

[GracieKat]

I don't have it anymore but I must confess to owning and reading... Grease the Fotonovel! *hides face in shame*

[Abigail (42stitches)]

I like graphic novels too! Transmetropolitan Vol. 1 Back on the Street is one of my favorites. I don't usually like American comics though. I read more manga. And some of those covers do get pretty spicy...

[Madeline]

I'm a huge graphic novel fan, but I'm not ashamed. I might (haven't tried it in awhile) be embarrassed reading Manga in public at my age but I loooove CLAMP and will still buy them even though. I did have a twinge of wierd when I read Acorna's World on the BART recently. I felt really aware that there was a Unicorn girl on my cover. Denying Anne McCaffrey is denying my youth though so I just pushed through the shame lol.

[Amber]

i'm not really embarassed by anything that i've read, however, i do enjoy fluff books now & again :]

my favorite fluff series right now would be the sookie stackhouse series by charlaine harris. i also enjoy the riley jenson series by keri arthur.

[Paul]

Mine is James Patterson, yes he's a hack but they are fun
also, old mystery/detective writers like john creasey;brett halliday;john d macdonald

[Adrienne]

My most embarrassing addiction is Ella Enchanted, I've probably read the book 20 times. I don't know why I love it so much, I just do. I usually get bored or intensely dislike books that have to do with romance, but Ella Enchanted has me hooked. It only takes an hour or two to read, and it usually comes between heavier books. I just love it.

[Jessica]

I love Ella Enchanted! Nothing to be ashamed of there :)

I think my worst "guilty" novel would have to be the Shopaholic series. Becky Bloomwood is such a ridiculous character, but I love the books all the same.

[Judy]

I'd have to say, I love the John Grisham books, as low level pulp as they are, but they are totally fun to read. It would be interesting to see him really write something serious.

[Jessica]

Have you read Grisham's A Painted House? It's definitely different from his courtroom dramas, and a bit more serious, but I liked it a lot.

[Judy]

I did read "The Painted House", which I loved. I'd like to see him do more like that.

I have to include in my list also, the "Outlander" books by Diana Gabaldon. Definitely a guilty pleasure!