[whimsicalman]

I've been "reading" gay male romance books (listening to audio versions, really) to try to keep myself distracted. They don't take too much effort to have to invest myself in them or too much mental effort to follow plot and character lines. Sometimes I have to stop, if the challenges that get in the way of the protagonists start to trigger my depression, but most of the time, I am either turned on or satisfied that some gays can have their happily ever after. Now, in all honesty, I am kind of past the traditional relationship thing, so I never yearn for those happy endings. But it's nice to have some fluff to keep my mind occupied on either my moods or my failure to get stuff done or get motivated.

I like daniele steel (in fact my claim to fame is that she emailed me)
but I have not read a book by her (or indeed anyone) in a long time. my focus for reading is shot. it's ashame, their are so many stories out their dying to be read, but what can you do. I even stopped going to the library because I'd just take a book out that sounded interesting, then throw it in a corner and never look at it (sometimes not until the date it's due back)

[NatalieJastrow]

After 911 I was in a state. Not sure it was depression but I felt I needed something to keep me happy.

I binged on romance novels. I read them on the train and didn't care at all if people saw me.

Got me though a rough time.

But I can't find many romance novels that "do it" for me anymore. I think here is a set template that I know I see coming a mile away.

[Nammu]

I pick out books for mum, I get her westerns, inspiration, mysteries and romance. I ran out of my books and read one of her romance novels. I must say it has not changed much since I tried reading romance back in junior high, but it was a nice little story that left me wanting more. It was light and relaxing. Don’t know enough about the genre to identify male romance but it’s now an occasional pick for me too. It’s a nice way to pass the time.

[whimsicalman]

Originally Posted by raging vortex

I like daniele steel (in fact my claim to fame is that she emailed me)
but I have not read a book by her (or indeed anyone) in a long time. my focus for reading is shot. it's ashame, their are so many stories out their dying to be read, but what can you do. I even stopped going to the library because I'd just take a book out that sounded interesting, then throw it in a corner and never look at it (sometimes not until the date it's due back)

That's one of the reasons why I like audiobooks. I can passively let it play, and if it helps, great. But it is one fewer step of effort since I don't have to worry about "making" myself read. It is background noise that might be interesting, and I can always go back and forth, depending on my attention span.

[whimsicalman]

Originally Posted by Nammu

I pick out books for mum, I get her westerns, inspiration, mysteries and romance. I ran out of my books and read one of her romance novels. I must say it has not changed much since I tried reading romance back in junior high, but it was a nice little story that left me wanting more. It was light and relaxing. Don’t know enough about the genre to identify male romance but it’s now an occasional pick for me too. It’s a nice way to pass the time.

Light and relaxing is totally the reason I go for them when I am depressed. I usually avoid them, otherwise because of the simplistic formulas that are used in plotting them; but when I don't have the mental capacity to really invest in things too deeply, simple is good.
And, here's a fun fact: Reading between the lines, I assume you identify as female and straight. Believe it or not, the large majority of both authors and consumers of M/M romance? Straight women, not gay men like me. Who'd have thought?

[whimsicalman]

Originally Posted by NatalieJastrow

After 911 I was in a state. Not sure it was depression but I felt I needed something to keep me happy.

I binged on romance novels. I read them on the train and didn't care at all if people saw me.

Got me though a rough time.

But I can't find many romance novels that "do it" for me anymore. I think here is a set template that I know I see coming a mile away.

The templates are pretty formulaic, but if binging them, simple is good. Sometimes, though, especially when I am not in need of formulaic, I will choose novels or book series that are general fiction, fantasy or science fiction that happen to have an element of romance (or the potential for it). That way, I can choose to focus on the other elements (like worldbuilding and deeper plotting) rather than whether or not the girl and guy (or guy and guy, as most of my choices are) get together or not. I'm actually surprised how much of that kind of thing has been published.

[Buffy01]

Originally Posted by whimsicalman

I've been "reading" gay male romance books (listening to audio versions, really) to try to keep myself distracted. They don't take too much effort to have to invest myself in them or too much mental effort to follow plot and character lines. Sometimes I have to stop, if the challenges that get in the way of the protagonists start to trigger my depression, but most of the time, I am either turned on or satisfied that some gays can have their happily ever after. Now, in all honesty, I am kind of past the traditional relationship thing, so I never yearn for those happy endings. But it's nice to have some fluff to keep my mind occupied on either my moods or my failure to get stuff done or get motivated.

I always want a relationship like I read an a romance novel.

[whimsicalman]

Originally Posted by Buffy01

I always want a relationship like I read an a romance novel.

Don't we all!

Originally Posted by whimsicalman

That's one of the reasons why I like audiobooks. I can passively let it play, and if it helps, great. But it is one fewer step of effort since I don't have to worry about "making" myself read. It is background noise that might be interesting, and I can always go back and forth, depending on my attention span.

I have one based on the real history of downton abby- I have had it for a while.

I love the show, so suppose I could be persuaded....?

think I might have a mystery one too about a girl going missing

[NatalieJastrow]

Originally Posted by whimsicalman

I'm actually surprised how much of that kind of thing has been published.

I think it says something about humanity's need for fulfilling relationships.

But I recently got a romance novel,which got great reviews. But it disappointed me. What I once saw as a man being possessive now came off as creepy and bossy. It is so hard to find the line and sometimes - hard to believe when you do. One of my favorites was Judith Ivory the Proposition. That is the only one I still have around and read from time to time. It was a take off on my fair lady with the guy being the subject of the make over.

[whimsicalman]

Originally Posted by raging vortex

I have one based on the real history of downton abby- I have had it for a while.

I love the show, so suppose I could be persuaded....?

think I might have a mystery one too about a girl going missing

Go for it! They're healthy distractions, and the worst thing that can happen is that you don't like either of them, right? Or that you're turned off from Downton, as a result, which is unlikely because who doesn't like watching Allen Leach (can't remember his character's name) on screen?

[Nammu]

Actually my favorite downton to watch is Maggie Smith! Ouch!

[whimsicalman]

Originally Posted by Nammu

Actually my favorite downton to watch is Maggie Smith! Ouch!

She is a firecracker, that one. Diva or the weathering and sarcastic looks.

[whimsicalman]

Originally Posted by NatalieJastrow

One of my favorites was Judith Ivory the Proposition. That is the only one I still have around and read from time to time. It was a take off on my fair lady with the guy being the subject of the make over.

Sounds fun. Now just make both of them guys, and I'm in. (I'm sure someone probably already wrote it, as the premise is just too classic to not use.)