Saturday, July 25, 2015

DO MEN READ ROMANCE NOVELS?

A zillion years ago while in the Air Force as a kid, I had a male buddy who used to read romance novels, which sort of surprised me. When he told me why he read them, it made a little more sense. He wanted to find creative lines to pick up women. (lol) Well...ok.  This friend also spent his spare time drawing pictures of vaginas (another story-heh) and had them plastered throughout his dorm room.  We lost touch, but I often wonder if he ever got married. (lol)
Hottie Hubby's Book for July and Fun Bookmark
So once a month, Hottie Hubby picks up one of my many romance books for his reading pleasure and this time it's one from Diana Palmer published in 1991 called True Colors.    He finishes 
but we never really discuss them other than to comment on whether he liked or disliked the content.  He then gives it back to me so he won't put it in the wrong place on the bookshelf. (lol) This is what got me to wondering if there are more men out there who are reading from our libraries.

 Statistically, I was already shocked to find that there are actually more male bloggers than women, but when I realized that according to Nielsen Books and Consumer Tracker, in a survey they did for RWA, 16% are reading romance novels, my jaw dropped.
Other than my husband, I've never seen a guy read or talk about a romance novel, having only seen those who dismiss what we read as silly or unreal.  We like our Happily Ever After, but do men want to see that too?  Are they actually talking about romance, reading reviews or joining book clubs like we are?
A Blog was started in 2014 about men reading romance, and while it's currently not active, the premise behind it was a really good idea, so I hope it starts again. http://menreadromance.com/

 But what about you?  Do you know male bloggers who discuss romance novels, or have friends who are reading stories that make us swoon?


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22 comments:

  1. Keionda @Keionda Hearts BooksJuly 23, 2015 at 2:27 PM

    This is SUCH a great post and (who would have thought that makes actually read romance novels, Ro??) Definitely not me. With it being romance and "girlie things" I would think men would stay way from it but...well. I'm surprised. I'm also curious to know whether or not men are similar to us women in that, do they want a happily ever after ? Do they hope for.things like that?

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    1. ROJuly 24, 2015 at 10:12 PM

      Well, I sort of think it's a mix. Some men want to read the sex, and I believe some men get into the romance and won't admit it (lol) I think men who are mature and committed look for that HEA like we do, or at least I hope that's the case. *heh* Hugs...

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  2. Mary KirklandJuly 23, 2015 at 3:41 PM

    I love Diana Palmer! The very firs romance book I read was Once In Paris and I still have the book. I actually didn't realize that so many men were reading romance novels.

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    1. ROJuly 24, 2015 at 10:13 PM

      Diana Palmer is awesome and you can see how her novels have evolved over the years. Cool that you still have her first book! I was really surprised, too! Hugs...

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  3. Sophia RoseJuly 24, 2015 at 12:16 AM

    Interesting question! I've never actually seen a man read romance, but I know they do b/c I read two male romance writers and have three guys in my book group where romance is splashed in with the fiction.

    Oh and let's not forget that man men write gay romances (and yes, I mean romance and not erotica though they write that, too). I have several favorites in that niche.

    Your hubby sounds like an awesome guy. And he even understands about not misshelving a book. LOL!

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    1. ROJuly 24, 2015 at 10:17 PM

      Other than hubby and that friend from years ago, I'd never seen it either or even given it any thought, but I'm always curious about stuff, so this was interesting. I forgot about men writing gay romance, and you're right! So right, Sophia. Have had a few disagreements about the displacement of a novel or DVD. (lol) Hugs...Thanks for stopping by! Hugs...

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  4. Stephanie FarisJuly 24, 2015 at 7:48 AM

    I remember the time a man showed up for our Romance Writers of America chapter meeting. He had long hair like Fabio and he read from his work, which was basically erotica. The whole experience was VERY awkward. I suspected his motives for writing romance...I don't think he was in it for the book deal!

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    1. ROJuly 24, 2015 at 10:19 PM

      Yikes and a BIG LOL! That sounds like a totally strange situation, and I have to admit, I probably would have pulled him aside for questions and giggling. (lol) Ditto on his reasons... Hugs...

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  5. Lark @ The Bookwyrm's HoardJuly 24, 2015 at 9:07 AM

    I've occasionally heard of men reading romance novels, but I don't actually know any. My stepdad read one from my mom's shelf, just to see what she liked about it, but he never read any others. My husband doesn't read romances. There's no reason why men shouldn't read and enjoy them, though.

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    1. ROJuly 24, 2015 at 10:22 PM

      I agree with you. Romance novels are filled with plenty of info, tender moments, humor and suspense. So why not read them and talk them over with others? I wonder if men are reading them even more than we know and just keeping it on the down low? (lol) Hugs...

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  6. Joy July 25, 2015 at 12:32 AM

    Hahahah! How did we end up with sort of the same line of thoughts today? I personally think that men should read romance novels for educational purposes. I think your Army buddy had it right!

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    1. ROJuly 25, 2015 at 10:40 AM

      Isn't that crazy? You're so right, Joy. Lots of educational stuff in a romance novel for sure. I've picked up a few things myself. *heh*

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  7. UnknownJuly 25, 2015 at 2:57 PM

    Good job soldier boy! did he score a hottie?

    Men do need to read romances more if only
    to get a clue about us women. Sometimes i feel like I have to speak maybe Klingon for guys to get me.

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    1. ROJuly 26, 2015 at 8:02 PM

      LOL! As you can probably tell, based on drawing vaginas and getting snazzy pickup lines, this guy was hilarious and fun to hang out with, but back then, his romantic relationships didn't last all that long. You've got a really good point about guys really knowing who we are may start with reading a romance novel every now and then. You're so beautiful, I imagine guys are lined up wanting to know you. Big Hugs...

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  8. Linda @ (un)Conventional BookwormsJuly 25, 2015 at 6:51 PM

    LOL drawings of vaginas, and using romance novels for pick-up lines? I really wonder how that worked for him!
    My husband hardly reads at all, and when he does, he reads biographies. Sports biographies... So no romance for him ;) And I don't think I have any male friends who read romance either, but I could be mistaken, maybe they just don't want to tell me.

    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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    1. ROJuly 28, 2015 at 2:10 AM

      LOL Lexxie! Well most women who went to his room were a little creeped out by his hobby, but there were a few who were quite fascinated. The lines worked initially, but he was such a funny guy, his humor outweighed his attempts to be romantic in many instances. I wouldn't mind reading biographies which can be super interesting, but the sport part is a deal breaker for me. (lol) your hubby and my son could probably talk about sports statistics for hours!. Hugs...

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  9. topaz wintersJuly 26, 2015 at 1:54 AM

    Oh, wow, what an interesting post! I've never really thought about men reading romance; I know the target audience for romance authors is generally women, but still, it's interesting to see how many men pick up the books regardless. I suppose gender shouldn't be a barrier to enjoying a good love story - I think it's a bit sad that there's such a stigma surrounding men who enjoy romance. We're all readers here, no?

    (Also, I'm just going to put this out there: I feel like if someone tried to use a pick-up line from a book on me, I'd probably marry him. Just sayin'. ;))

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    1. ROJuly 28, 2015 at 2:13 AM

      A BIG welcome Topaz and thanks for stopping by. I agree there is a stigma about men reading the same things we do. I think society just expects women to be the readers of that genre, but it looks like it may be picking up, and that's neat! Too bad I lost track of my friend from back in the day. (lol) You would have loved him and his sense of humor. Hugs...Ro

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  10. BlogorattiJuly 26, 2015 at 5:36 AM

    There was a time in the past that I read romance novels, mostly from my mom's collection. But the did make for a good read. Nice post and greetings!

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    1. ROJuly 28, 2015 at 2:24 AM

      Oh wow! That's neat to hear and glad you liked it. I know you may not be reading the romance like you used to, but it's always a thrill to see a man who enjoys a good novel AND manages a cool Blog (lol) BIG Hugs...Ro

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  11. AnonymousJuly 28, 2015 at 9:13 AM

    I hope your childhood friend found someone ;) A man or a young man who draws vaginas means at least that he's interested and willing to learn more about women and putting some effort in it ?
    This is such a great topic ! I've never known any men who claimed to read romance aloud. I know some who read romance if it has a mystery/thriller subject, or paranormal - anything but romance only. And I've only seen them (so very few) on the net. Maybe we just don't react the same to the same circumstances/plots/life events ? I know there are things I woud love to happen, but asking for them to happen is not the same as those things happening without any request, no ? It's doesn't feel genuine when you asked for them. I would want things from my boyfriend, but he's not the kind. If he were the kind, however, he probably wouldn't be my boyfriend ! The only book he's willing to read with me is "The princess and the penis", lol ! I'm afraid if he would read my favorite romance book of all time, "Jane Eyre", he would roll laughing on the floor and then I would have to kill him. Ah well, we're different, romances are written by women for a certain type of women - I don't even like all romances myself. Good topic, RO :)

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    1. ROAugust 1, 2015 at 8:27 AM

      The Princess and the Penis is definitely a fun title and I suspect my hubby may want to check that out, too! (lol) My friend was a really quirky and fun character. Ironically, even though looks aren't important to me, he was incredibly handsome, but that was secondary to him. His humor is what drew people to him and other Air Force guys thought he totally rocked because he read romance novels, even though they would never do it! (lol) I told the vagina thing was a little out there, though. *heh* Happy Saturday and looking forward to you being back next week! Hugs...

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