A Twisted Tangent
A few weeks back, one of my blogger buddies, Rhian did a whole post about the different way erotica is viewed now a days. You can read the post here, but the gist of the post talks about how erotic stories, while not exactly mainstream, its at least a small stream off to the side. Basically, erotic stories are no longer just "Dear Penthouse, you won't believe what happened last weekend."
This of course had me thinking about how my reading list has changed as I have gotten older. Ten years ago, my bookshelf pretty much consisted of books about sports, fictional books by Mike Lupica and Robert B Parker, and the occasional historical non fiction book. (took me forever to read March through Georgia) My reading list was a man's reading list.
Now, its all changed, and I don't know how it truly happened. I am now reading Kim Harrison, which I have mentioned before. I am a huge fan of Laurell K Hamilton. Nanny Diaries is one of my favorite books I have read ever. When did I become an afficianado of chick lit?
And, some of these books are not even main stream chick lit, they are "paranormal romance." If you read a Harrison or Hamilton book, or find any of the Sleeping Beauty Series by Anne Rice, you will see that these books have certain undertones of BDSM to them. 10 years ago I would not have even known what BDSM was!! Now, I am getting annoyed at Rachel Morgan for not breaking down and falling for Ivy already! I am wondering which one of the 5 suitors Merry Gentry will choose. I guess I am now a renaissance man?
If I ever mention in this blog that I am asking for a subscription to OK! or Us Weekly magazine, some one has to do an intervention.
7 comments:
you are most definitely a renaissance duck Sparky-sweets! I think the growing trend in erotica (and by that i mean well written stories celebrating personal sexuality or sexuality in a relationship) reflects positive psycholigical changes in our society. i'm all about breaking apart ridiculous taboos/myths like, oh... i don't know - guys don't read erotica or romance. yeah - that's a pretty stupid myth.
A modern duck, that's you Sparky! Besides, I don't think you're alone...men read erotica, erotic romances, and other genres where they've opened the door to the bedroom, along with the porn, they just hide it or say they're buying it for their wives.
Now, as for BDSM, I have to admit being in the book biz for many years, I knew it was there. I may be wrong but I'm thinking this period we're living in is somewhat similar to the Victorians in that the more structured and confining society became, the more adventurous they acted out sexually in private.
I wouldn't worry so much about your reading selection, it's fine because its yours and you're enjoying it.
Oh, and don't worry about the mags, they're harmless :-)
I think marketing types and those in charge of dictating taste have figured out that good entertainment (be it books, TV or movies) are bi-sexual. If something is of high quality, should it really be sexually segregated?
Hold your head high at the next book club meeting!
Sparky, 'ol pal, you know about Rice's Sleeping Beauty series?? Wow! You might like her books as Anne Rampling (like "Belinda"). It's sort of a Lolita storyline. Anais Nin was quite popular at one time, and you might like Nora Roberts' witchy stuff, starting with Dance Upon the Air....
Nothing wrong with reading what you like, dude!
Ok. So do you like Merry or Anita better? Who do you want Merry to get pregnant by? I am all for sex in novels but don't you think that sometimes Hamilton needs write more story and less sex?
You and hubby need to exchange books!!!!
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