I have been reading all of my life, and I even read some Harlequin Romances when I was a teenager. I tend to lean toward mysteries or true crime, and there isn't much sex in those, so maybe this has been going on for a long time and I just didn't notice. I've read a few romances over the past few years, and have noticed the authors seem to spell everything out with regard to sex. I think it's an overall trend in society, because I've noticed the same thing with movies, and I don't like it there, either. I have a perfectly good imagination, and don't really need or want someone detailing every position and every bodily response when it comes to sex. Has anyone else noticed this? I don't read many of what I consider romance books, and I'm not squeamish or a prude, but I find this to be a turn off.
I haven't read any romance novels in a long time, so in books that I do read I don't see a difference. I'm not prudish at all and if it's there I just gloss over it anyway. I think I've seen just about everything you can imagine at this point in my life. Nothing will shock me but I'm also not very interested in reading or viewing it. What for?
I'm probably going to start skipping those sections, and hopefully there won't be anything important to the story lines mixed in with the sex. I have noticed the same type of thing when watching HGTV. It seems people really like to be spoon fed information and given lots of details that I think are unnecessary. I'm enjoying the story lines other than those sections, so I might read more of her books, but after that, I'll probably go back to my typical genres.
I'm sure the sex is gratuitous and adds nothing to the story but it sells and maybe that's what people want today. Men always liked it more than women so I don't understand the shift. Most men anyway, before I get attacked by all the saintly men on here.
I do think it has shifted. I've noticed that from the types of movies being produced these days. They seem to promote acting out by both men and women. There are lots of changes going on, and I'm sure part of it is (as I've mentioned elsewhere, with regard to education and other things), an attempt to divide the generations, and change societal expectations with regard to gender roles. When I was younger, I wanted to see every new movie that came out. Of course, there were less of them back then, and now Hollywood and entertainment in general are more of an industry than ever, but there are far fewer movies I'm interested in seeing these days. If it's not the subject matter that turns me off, it's the constant preaching and attempting to foist the values or Hollywood on the masses. I guess it was inevitable that book themes and writing would follow the money train.
That question has me thinking what's the difference between erotica and porn? I think in my mind, women prefer erotica and men prefer porn. Again, I'm talking in generalities.
I read 50 Shades, all 3 of the books. I don't usually like romance books, but that was more of a sex how to guide then anything else, if you are into kink that is. I just read them, to be in the "loop" whenever something gets a lot of press like that, I always feel like I am missing something if I don't read it, or see the movie or whatever. I don't think I missed anything, but I found the books entertaining.
I am not a reader of books anymore because of my busy work schedule. My husband was once asked to write several short stories for the so called Red Lit - it is a local pornographic site that is for exclusive members only. The story was written using decent words but the titillation is brought about by the way the story is told. I actually haven't read one of his writings. And the pay was good so he would write whenever there was a request. However, it was agreed that the story will not indicate my husband's name for the author because it might somehow affect his reputation.
@Diane Lane When the book came out, "Peyton Place", my Mother had a copy and spent spare time reading it over a few weeks time. I think I was maybe in the 7th. or 8th. grade, and thought nothing about it. When she finished it, the book laid about for quite awhile, and then, nothing to do during the hot summer, I picked it up and started reading it. When my Mother found that out, she seemed divided on whether to allow me to read it. But, she did not say no, so I continued. I guess in a way, it prepared me for a lifetime of frolicking fun! One particular part of the book I will never forget. A group of several old codgers sat around afternoons, discussing the town's gossip. One day, talk turned to discussing a landscaper and gardener, Kenny Stearns. One mentioned poor Kenny and his wife wanted a child so much, and Kenny had thus far been unable to produce one. I forget the "whip's" name, the old guy who always made the decisive statements, but he said, "Yep, old Kenny sure has a way with them plants of his, a real green thumb. Guy would be better off if he had a green pecker!" It seemed hilarious! Frank
I really had no interest in reading 50 Shades of Grey. I tend to avoid things that seem over-hyped. I have read some erotica, and have enjoyed most of what I've read, but when I read erotica, I'm expecting erotica, not a romance novel. I'd be disappointed if i read erotica and it turned out to be a romance novel, as I'm disappointed to read a romance novel and find out it's erotica. I started watching Girlfriend Experience, but didn't really care for it. One show I really like, though, is Blue: A Secret Life. I find the characters in Blue more interesting, since they have more depth than those I saw on Girlfriend Experience.
I haven't noticed it in any of the books that I read, but then I don't read a lot of new stuff. There's plenty enough older literature that I haven't read yet that I don't feel the need to read the new stuff. I have certainly noticed it in movies, however. Not much is left to the imagination, and it's often gratuitous.
It doesn't bother me but I don't like watching stuff like that with my kids for some reason. But if I was with peers or by myself I wouldn't even blush, doesn't phase me. At this point I've seen or heard or done it all.