Romance novel, anyone?

[AbidingHope]

OK Ladies,

I would love to have your opinions on romance novels. What do you think of them? Do you read them? Do you think it's a sin? What? I must say that I've read them for years. And yes, I do read them for the story lines. I don't feel guilty over this. However, of late I'm feeling more and more like I'm wasting my time. I mean, I could..., should be reading the bible instead. Seems other books amount to...nothing.

Anyway, please tell me what you think and what you read? I know you gals....my sisters in the Lord...will be honest with me.

[BelovedChild]

I used to read them, then gave them up. I find that I am giving up more and more secular reading. MY reading tastes have changed.

I prefer to read Christian books. For fiction I prefer Biblical fiction or christian historical fiction., and of course, Bible reading is more important than anything else. I do slip up sometimes though.

Hope, I think that the Holy Spirit is talking to you about your reading. Listen to Him.

[makarioselpis]

I came to a decision several years ago not to read romance novels. They caused me to have a distorted view of reality. I mean I knew that the characters weren't real but I found myself expecting my husband to act more like the men in the novels which was totally unfair to him.

I personally think that they are a waste of time and money and they keep me from engaging in more eternal activities. However, I do not judge others who do choose to read them...that's between them and God. I became convicted about the intimate scenes in them because they're nothing but mental fornication...a sin. I also quit watching soap operas and tv shows for the same reason.

I read the Bible and non fiction Christian books now and I can testify that I do not miss my former tastes in reading at all. :wave

[Theresa]

I find that they don't interest me any longer, especially the smuttier ones. I just can't read them anymore - having to skim over a third of the book because of the sex is dumb.

[NewWorldOrder]

It really depends on the novel. A lot of them are down right pornographic, and I mean that in every sense of the word. They leave nothing to the imagination; very graphic in nature regarding sexual matters. There are many romance novels that are quite clean, Harlequin novels are clean, at least they used to be. There are also romance novels which are Christian, and are very clean. My daughter likes reading those. Love Comes Softly, and all the other books that go with that one are really good, and have even been made into movies.

So, IMHO, if you want to read a romantic book then stick with something that is clean and won't leave you feeling dirty.

[Lynn]

Janet Oke books are great. They are entertaining and very, very wholesome. They are set in an earlier time when life wasn't so cluttered with 'stuff' and people talked to each other more. They worked hard and made sacrifices for one another. There are some good traits in her characters. I would recommend them to young teens (or their moms) for just some good wholesome, relaxing reading.

The Widow of Larkspur Inn, by Lawana Blackwell, author of Christian fiction, is another wholesome book for reading for relaxation.

The above posters are right though, when they speak of any reading that takes our time away from God's Word. If a person has extra time on their hands, there are always ministry opportunities to perform in the lives of others around us, but a simple little lightweight book written from a Christian perspective on the night table to read a few pages of now & then is something to enjoy as well. :)

[tybash]

i had to give them up when I was beginning to be very upset with hubby for not bieng like those guys. Also God told me to give them up.

[HSmomto4]

I don't read them.

[AbidingHope]

Thanks so much. You guys are confirming what I already knew. I don't feel right reading.., or writing.., them anymore. I'm a writer and I used to write romance novels...., I haven't written for some time as this is just no longer a part of my life. If it's not about the Lord I'm not that interested in it. However, my sister and some friends are wanting me to write again and I so miss writing! So I've been thinking about changing genres. Maybe going with Christian Fiction or Inspirational Romance. I really love the idea of writing a manuscript about the angels and the love of God.

Thanks guys for telling me what you think. I am now sure of what I need to do.

[pughugs]

i read romantic novels. i just don't read the ones with sex in them they make me feel uncomfortable