It's a Girl Thing: Romance Novels

Many critics claim that romance novels are literary pornography that bastardizes contemporary literature. However, the public seems to disagree. The romance novel is still the best-selling and the most popular fictional genre in many parts of the world, especially in North America.

Romance novels are usually categorized into two: single title romances and series romances. Aside from that, they also have several subgenres including category romance, historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, romantic suspense and inspirational romance among others. Their plots usually revolve around females who become heroes of their own stories as they battle all their hardships in life.

Romance novels are generally distributed as paperbacks. They are typically written to entertain and titillate a massive reading public. This genre has 51 million readers in the United States alone. However, what many critics fail to realize is that these novels also educate. Although some novels portray women as weak and subjugated by men, it also reflects the lives of ordinary women who struggle to jump over hurdles and face the consequences of their actions. Romance novels provide stories that have rich character development and are usually plot-driven.

Containing explicit sex than any other mainstream genre, romance novels are said to turn on and excite women. This is evident in detailed storytelling of sexual encounters in the books. However, many claim that these parts are actually necessary. It shows the connection between characters and the emotions involved. As two lovers are apart, these stories sustain a sexual tension. Finally, when the love they feel is finally consummated, it leads to a satisfying, optimistic and romantic ending, which is inspired by emotion and not lust.

The demeaning notion that romance novels are pornographic make many women deny that they are reading romance novels. The truth is, there is nothing to be ashamed of or be embarrassed about. In fact, this genre is slowly penetrating literature classes and women's studies at various universities.