Recently, our very own Tori Benson was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal to give her thoughts on the types of erotic books she reads and how she reads them. We all know Tori is a huge reader and she has been contributing articles about the erotic genre to Heroes & Heartbreakers for some time now. For example, BDSM: Spelling it out in Erotic Romance or Searching for the Elusive F/M/F Menage in Erotic Romance (Oh, that is a hard one to find.)
With the whole Fifty Shades of Grey (is anyone tired of hearing that title yet? No, just me?) thing blowing up in the mainstream media lately, everyone seems to be talking about erotic books these days. I had some girlfriends over for dinner last night and they brought up Fifty Shades where normally books would not be a topic of discussion. My one friend who is not a huge reader, is reading Fifty right now just because she had to be involved with the hype surrounding the book. I wanted to yell – there are better BDSM books out there!! BUT..I am also thrilled that my friend, and many, many other people who are not huge readers are picking up the Fifty books and giving them a try. It is similar to how many Twilight fans got hooked on the paranormal genre and haven’t put a book down since. If the craziness surrounding the Fifty books gets more people to read romance, then I’m all for it.
In the article, Tori mentions that her daughter calls her Kindle, “Mommy’s naughty reader,” which is so true, right? We’ve all read some pretty dirty books on our e-readers. Probably more because there are a lot of erotic books that are only e-books. Now, Tori is not an embarrassed erotic reader in the least, and I would love to move to a point when reporters are discussing romance books where we don’t HAVE to bring up romance readers becoming embarrassed. If you don’t want to yell it to the world and would rather keep it to yourself, is your decision. I’m not saying how you choose to read is wrong. I just want a nice, intelligent article that doesn’t feel the need to point out that women blush when they read romance. Can’t we just read erotic books because we find them sexy? Because we enjoy reading about sex without having to do the *giggle* I saw the word cock *blush* *giggle* Why does it seem like every article out there recently is about how reading Fifty Shades is the suburban housewife’s dirty secret? Or that people think we are going to read a BDSM book and immediately go out and buy handcuffs.*bangs head*
If I’m reading print, I like to think of myself as one who doesn’t care what is on the cover of my book. It’s my romance book and I’m proud of it. And I would say that is about 95% true. Because really, a naked mantitty chest cover doesn’t embarrass me at all. However, last week I read Sweet Addiction by Maya Banks and I picked up the book to take it with me to my son’s basketball practice and then looked down. I opted for my Kindle that night instead because that cover made me feel squirmy showing it in front of eight year old boys. So there is definitely an advantage to having a Kindle. Although I did read someone’s tweet yesterday how they were sad sometimes riding a bus or the subway that everyone now has Kindles and you can’t be nosy and see what they are reading. I love peeking at people’s covers and if I recognize the book, striking up a conversation about it.
Do you consider your e-reader a “naughty reader?” Do you think you read more erotic books because you have an e-reader and it hides what you are reading?
I don’t think of my e-reader as a “naughty reader” per se, because it has lots of things on it. But I freely admit to taking advantage of the anonymity given by the e-reader and there is a LOT more erotic stuff on my e-reader than I would ever have felt comfortable reading in public in print.
I find myself in an odd position. I’m not ashamed of what I read. And I’m totally outraged by the attitudes that seem to be out there right now (eg. the whole Fifty Shades thing) that seem sex-negative in relation to women in particular, and seem derogatory and demeaning about women’s erotic lives and fantasies in a way that doesn’t seem to apply to men’s propensity to view porn or whatever.
On the other hand, I’m a pretty private person, and I think am permanently scarred by my mother’s ridiculing and shaming attitudes towards my reading choices when I was a teenager. And my choices then were pretty innocuous (category romances, mostly), relatively speaking. Now I have a great reluctance to put myself in a position where I have to defend myself against such attitudes again. Some of the covers on the books I read seem to just invite such discussions. So I think my e-reader has had a kind of liberating effect in my life in this way.
Oh, would someone, please, write another BDSM book? It looks like this trilogy is all that is mentioned in erotica/romance genre lately and I find it tiresome. There are great books, better books in my opinion which should be discussed also. I’m not ashamed of what I read, but I love my e-reader, it’s my precious. And I find it quite convenient for its “undercover advantages”. “Naughty reader” is an apt name for it. :)
Off the topic, but I love Tori’s posts on H&H. She did one of the best not so long ago about favorite M/M couples in fiction and I just loved it.
Sarah F. posted a comment on the smartbitches blog recently (GS v. STA on BDSM, I think) in which she listed a number of books that she views as offering a much better depiction of BDSM relationships than Fifty Shades. I think it was from sometime last week or the week before.
Here is an article from DA that has some suggestions http://dearauthor.com/features/beyond-the-book/50-shades-of-grey-by-e-l-james-primer-and-books-you-might-like-if-you-liked-fifty-shades
Also, Read React Review has a nice post with suggestions in the comment section
http://www.readreactreview.com/2012/03/01/fifty-alternatives-to-fifty-shades-of-grey/
I flipped through “fifty” and then put it down because the writing didn’t strike me as anything special. Not because of content. I can’t say that I’m reading more erotica because of an e-reader but it certainly makes it easier to read in public if I want to.
Incidentally, one of the books that is NOT on my e-reader, and never will be, is Fifty Shades! Everything I read about it suggests that I won’t like it. Which is not to knock those who do at all…
IN my earlier post, I just referred to the whole “Fifty Shades” brou-ha-ha (which I too am getting very tired of) as symptomatic of particular attitudes about women’s reading choices and relationship to romance/erotica.
I don’t think of my ereader as naughty , but there are some questionable books on there. I do think that there are better books out there than 50. No i haven’t read it and I do think that there are better books. I do think ereaders are cool but yes I miss seeing book covers too.
@jacqui Oh, thank you on info, I was just being sarcastic,’cause Fifty frenzy is everywhere and like every seasoned reader in the genre I don’t get what’s all the fuss about. :)
Fantastic post! Just today I had a friend on FB message me about 50 Shades and I said the same thing. There are some really great books out there that are better so let me give you a list. But if 50 Shades is going to introduce her (besides my constant FB and GR and blog updates) to read that genre then go for it.
As for the “naughty reader”…I work at a bank in an office. I work in a project management area frequented by higher VP levels. I can safely say EVERYONE in my office knows about my love of Romance books. BUT the covers of some of my erotic books are just not office acceptable. No more than a male colleague pinning up a sexy hot bathing suit calendar. It’s just not office appropriate. Kindle is a bonus for that reason.
I do love my Kindle and I currently have 68 books in my “Salacious” folder but I also have 38 in my “Contemp” romance folder, 35 in my “Historical” folder etc…the point is, I just prefer to read my books via Kindle now and I have really withdrawn from the paper books.
So no, Kindle is not just a naughty reader because I have 10 folders full of books and there are lots not considered “naughty”. So I truly hope that media will not turn “just because a woman is reading an ebook that means the book must be erotic”
So I truly hope that media will not turn “just because a woman is reading an ebook that means the book must be erotic”
Yessssss.
Also – I could never, ever live without my kindle. How did I survive before? The ease of reading and ordering books…oh I love it.
Seeing as I have 1984 and Pride and Prejudice on my ereader as well as YA, and a slew of all types of romance genres, I would say my ereader is very well rounded. :)
My fire-the good e reader-has a little bit of everything on it too. lol
Thanks Mandi for the pimpage. :)
The term “naughty e reader” is a term my husband bestowed on one of my e readers because when I was explaining to the kid I had books on there she could not read, her dad said, “It’s mommy’s naughty e reader-leave it alone.” Well that and Satan’s Tool was taken and Mommy’s Questionable E reader doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.
I am not ashamed I read erotics. I don;t hide the fact I read erotics. I could care less if anyone saw the covers of my erotics. But I like that fact I can read them anywhere on my kindle and not offend anyone else.
I also would like to add I spent an hr speaking to this reporter and some things were added together giving a whole different idea of what I was trying to say.
For those of us who know you, it’s clear that article is not a reflection of how you feel about what you read. I am frustrated with the media and the way they try to cast a shadow on romance readers by implying we should be ashamed for our reading choices.
Thanks Soph. If only I had had my virtual couch to hide behind. lol
Ditto on what Sophia said! You know interviewers are famous for their “cut/paste” way of making what you said fit what they are trying to get across.
Ditto Sophia.
Sophia, you said it!
The whole 50 Shades thing is really bugging me because I haven’t seen one report in the media that didn’t have that heehee sex, heehee, by adults who are supposed to be professionals. It’s all, “Oh noes! women are interested in sex!” Yeah, wow, call the presses. And I freaking hate the ‘mommy porn’ tag. GRRRR. lol.
OMG yes. The term “Mommy porn” skeeves me out. lol
YIKES! I’m reading some of the comments in the WSJ article and…shudders…YIKES! The problem is that the mainstream media with their, Beavis and Butthead behavior every time they talk about 50 Shades is doing more harm than good.
Is it me or do some of them come across as, well, insane? lol
The comments are insane. And sadly with articles like this, they are always those attitudes. So sick of it.
I haven’t nor will I read 50 Shades, but from the excerpts I’ve read, I *know* there are better books out there, both from the BDSM relationship standpoint and a written word standpoint. I just wish those other titles were suggested to the public personalities discussing 50 Shades.
But, like Twilight before it, if it’s enticing people to read — and to keep reading — I think that’s a good thing. I couldn’t believe the woman on the Today Show who said she hadn’t read a book in 6 years.
I too am of the mind to want to say, Dude, romance and its subgenres is the highest grossing/selling literature. Let go of the stigma attached to being a romance reader.
Honestly, I couldn’t care less what people think of my reading choices. If there was such a thing as a Kindle case with a picture of man-titty in it I would buy it and use it so everyone could see that I’m a proud romance reader. But there are covers that are ugly and embarrassing, so I get why not everyone would be comfortable reading them in public.
I’m sick of hearing about 50 shades, but I agree with you, it will introduce new readers to a great genre. Some of the first romances I read where by V.C. Andrews and Jude Deveraux. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as romance novels, I enjoyed those books and kept reading and reading, then I found other authors whose stories were even better and now I’m at a point where I think V.C. Andrews is crap (although that wasn’t so hard to figure out) and I can’t stomach Deveraux’s abusive heroes, tiny delicate heroines, and never-ending angst. So I think it’s a good thing, people are discovering the pleasure of reading I think that’s the most important part of all this.
BTW, some of the comments on that article are rage inducing.
Why are books with hot sex considered Mommy Porn? I am confused by this.
Because people are ignorant.
“Like” times infinity.
Could someone please explain why Fifty Shades is so popular? And why it’s being compared to Twilight? I’m not a reader of those genres but after reading a summary, it doesn’t seem interesting at all. How did it get so big? What’s up with the odd cover?
Okay, sorry…an answer to the first question is fine!
It being compared to Twilight because the author originally wrote it as Twilight Fan Fiction. Christian and Anna were Edward and Bella. When it became really popular, she changed the names and published it as a book.
Why is it so popular? I don’t know..LOL. I think it is because it is more kinky than normal romance, it has a very intense hero with virginal heroine.
But there are much better bdsm books out there.
Count me as one not interested in the Fifty phenom. And yes, too many other books that are so much better.
Yes, I read many erotics, print and digital. I could care less what others think of what I read. Hubs just worries about the Grandchildren seeing some of the covers; yeah, like they’re here that often. LOL! I use a fabric book cover when I feel it’s necessary.
I thought I commented on the FMF post at H&H! Sometimes my comments there get eaten. Darn it.
About the article. I’m rarely bothered by the media’s silly view of romance. Some of the covers ARE embarrassing. So what? I like sexy, embarrassing covers–at home. Where I can pet them to my heart’s content. In public, I’m glad for my kindle. I don’t want the mommies on the playground to know I’m reading lesbian erotica. Heh. But then I blog about it under my real name. I guess we all have different ways of being proud, outspoken romance readers. Blushing doesn’t have to mean shame.
Haha, “mommy’s naughty reader” which is true. I agree with having grabbed my e-reader instead of the book I am reading if the place I am going to be reading might not be age appropriate. It has made it easier to read anywhere, no matter the genre.
I read more erotic books on my ereader because so many of them are digital only and those that are in print are horrendously expensive – for example, here in Australia, an Ellora’s Cave trade paperback which I might pick up digitally for $4-5 US will be over $30 Australian and this is even though the book is very very short – maybe only just over 100 pages!! I read quite a bit of m/m romance and most of that is digital only.
That said, I don’t love seeing *EROTIC – GET YOUR DIRTY SEX HERE! – SMUT CITY IN THIS BOOK!* all over the covers of the paper books I read – where that is the case I am a bit choosy about where I read them and its certainly not a problem when they’re on my reader! :)
Funny story: I purchased my Kindle mainly because I had to read the rest of Fifty Shades of Grey after reading the sample on Amazon (and I could not pay $24 or whatever it was for the paperback!). Now I prefer to buy my books in Kindle format because they are all with me whenever I want them and I don’t have to hunt them down in my stacks of only somewhat organized paperbacks hidden behind completely unorganized piles of paperbacks. Also there are LOADS of books that are only available in ebook format and now I can finally read them (most recently R. Lee Smith’s Arcadia books — OMG LOVE SQEEE). I also like that when I have a book I can recommend to my husband (the less girlie ones only mind you) he can grab them on his iPad and check them out. I only wish I’d gotten my Kindle sooner so I had more room in my house! I don’t mind paperbacks with racy covers, but I do tend to keep them hidden a work or when my conservative relatives come over; with my Kindle I am free to have my book right where I like it: in easy reach!
I do not think of my ereader as my naughty reader; however, I do read erotica now b/c of my ereader. NOT because of the covers, but rather so many titles are only available as an ebook. AND it is my preferred way to read, anyhow. Great topic!
Congrats Tori on being in the Wall Street Journal! I do read a lot of erotic romance on my reader, but mainly because there are so many more books available to me that way. I’m not embarrassed to read it in paper form.
I second that! Congrats to Tori for being in th WSJ :)
My Kindle Fire has lots of naughty reads in it, but other good reads as well. As for reading print books with questionable covers? Well, I take care of that by using paper bags(Trader Joes, Starbucks..) and make my own book covers, that way I don’t offend and I get to read on my down time. I work at a hospital as an X-ray tech, and my co-workers know what I read, and they are ok with it, as long as its covered. :)
It was fun reading the article, thanks to Mandi’s Tweet and see your name there Tori, congrats! I have never been ashamed of reading romance novels, something which is considered not “elitair” enough, I work at a law office. But I could not care less. Yes, when my boss comes in my office at lunch break, he sees me reading books with gorgeous men on the cover, so what, that is my choice.
I don’t have a good ereader (yet) and I read my ebooks on my computer at home. But there is always a paperback in my purse, in the bathroom, everywhere I spend time and can grab a few pages.
I am not into erotica, and when I learned that 50 was a fanfic based on Twilight, I really could not understand the hype. But then, I read and did not like Twilight that much.
If this is used to make people read more books, then that is a nice side benefit.
Enjoy your reading choices everyone!
Well, I would be too embarrassed to read that book during my lunchbreak. I’d rather have it on kindle then ;)
In public, I usually don’t even read erotic books on my ereader. There always seems to be someone looking over and trying to see what you’re reading. Since I only read about 5-10% real hot or erotic I always have something else I can grab.
Some of the books in paper format have such explicit covers I’m embarrassed to check them out of the library, but I do anyway (who knew the public library had so many, at least in my suburban Chicago area, that’s what actually fuel my interest in the genre).
I gave a book to my sister when I was done with and it almost blew her boyfriend’s head off when he realized I read stuff like that. ROFL!
I’m with Kaetrin on the price of e vs. paper erotica. Why is all paper erotica the horribly overpriced trade size?