Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Cheating

I'm wrestling the Sicilian to - I hope - a finish. So I'm too busy to post much.

But there are two interesting articles to distract you/occupy you while I'm working

1. Yesterday in the Daily Mail, an article declared: Mills & Boon boom sparked by young fans in rush to download romances

I'm not sure it's embarrassment that means younger readers are downloading their books rather than buying them in print - more that the ebook readers appeal to them. But are you embarrassed to be seen reading your romances in public? Do you prefer them in print or on a 'reader'?

Enquiring minds would like to know. Of course, to illustrate the article they had to use the cover of a book that was first published in 1986 - 24 years ago! But why let reality get in the way of a good story?


2. Again in the Daily Mail - today Danuta Kean is talking about Heroes. After the announcement of the Romantic Novel of the Year Award, she says that : The new men of modern romantic fiction are about as sexy as socks

I've not read the books she's talking about - but with other stories I have read in mind, I've half a mind to agree. If I had the time

So what about you? what do you think? Comments welcome

11 comments:

Jackie Ashenden said...

I'm an ebook fan. But it's not embarrasment that makes me download, it's impatience! Plus the fact that in NZ the romance shelves in the large bookshops are embarassingly small. It's ridiculous.

But that other article. I haven't read any of the novels either and not sure that I want to. Escapism is my preference and they don't sound like escapist reads to me! Think I'd prefer to stick to my alphas. ;-) Though those are just my personal opinons naturally.

Rachael Johns said...

Thanks so much for popping by my blog!!

And regards to your question.... I LOVE my new reader but I'm not embarrassed to read romance 'actual' books. Like Jackie, I'm impatient and the ebooks come out quickly and also, I'm just trying to be a little more environmentally friendly!!

BTW... speaking about media, you should watch this absolutely shocking piece of Australian 'journalism' that aired this morning: http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/soapbox/article/-/article/6999668/three-lines-from-a-mills-boon/

Kaz19 said...

I have to admit I would like to try an e-book reader, but at the moment I'm quite happy with my paper back in my hand.
Am I embarassed to read romance in public? No, not now. I did used to be when I was younger, but I couldn't care less what people think nowadays. If they have a problem with me reading romances, that's their problem.
I agree with Jackie, escapism for me every time.
xx Karen

Caroline said...

I'm in the old camp. I prefer books. But if I ever get published I wouldn't care what form my readers read me in - lol :) Caroline. PS - check out my wedding photo's Kate - I've posted some on my blogsite when you have time! Caroline x

juliemt said...

I'm reading my way through the Major Award shortlist and I am struck by just how differently the romance genre is defined on both sides of the Atlantic. Whereas in the US, 'romance', 'chick lit' and 'women's fiction' are three different genres, in the UK romance is a much broader church as evidenced by this shortlist. Whereas in the US, the focus in any kind of romance is always the relationship, in the UK the books are more about the heroine's journey than her relationship with the hero.

It would be interesting to see how Ms. Reah would have felt had she read her way through the Love Story of the Year shortlist! The men in that shortlist were to die for!

Scarlet Wilson said...

I love both! My better half bought me an ebook reader in the hope of getting some space back in the house. I love to take it on holiday - as it's really hard to fit 24 books in your case, as well as your clothes! But in some cases, I just have to buy books. What can I say it's an addiction and it's one that I'm happy to have!

Joanne Coles said...

I can read books on my iPhone and tend to download US releases on that, ones I perhaps can't get over here.

Still, nothing compares to having a real book in your hand, in my opinion.

Lacey Devlin said...

I'm old fashioned, I still love hardcopy books. I look forward to buying them too and they give my eyes a rest from the computer. I'm lucky enough to have stores that stock the whole M&B range :D

CC MacKenzie said...

Hello Kate Walker.

I like both. I download books I can't get here in the UK.

But you need a 'real' book if you want to read in the bath, relaxing.

I notice that it's the Spice line that has the largest number of 'hits.'

Personally, I'm not embarrassed, but a number of my friends have said they would never dream of reading an M&B on the train for example. With an e reader no one knows what you're reading. A number of friends use their iphones too.

I haven't read any of the books Ms Reah mentioned either. Perhaps she needs to get her hands on yours Kate? You could definately show her a real hero. Just a suggestion! LOL.

Christine Carmichael

lidia said...

I wrote a note and it appears to have disappeared. I'll wait and see if it appears later.

lidia said...

OK - trying again.

I travel a lot (mostly flying) on business and love having my Kindle. It lets me read what I want, when I want without having to carry many books around.

Years ago I traveled to work by bus. I always read my hard copy books with no embarrassment.

I still buy hard copy books - and sometimes have both a hard copy and a ebook on my Kindle as well.

As for the second article, I have not read any of the books mentioned. I can state that I like alpha males in both my contemporary as well as my historical reading.

 

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