Books on the Nightstand discussion

What are some of your reading "guilty pleasures" - books that you've read and loved but would be kinda a little embarrassed if people knew you read them?
My friend in Ireland sent me a couple of books that her friend wrote - they're geared more towards young adult / late high school age readers, and they're not really the sort of thing I normally read, but I have to confess - there's something about them that I just can't get enough of... There's a third one coming out early next year and I can't wait for my friend to send me the next one. Vendetta and Inferno

What are your guilty book pleasures? Or do you view any reading as good regardless of the book and thus don't feel "guilty" about whatever you're reading?

Oh yeah, and in case it needed to be said - no judgement shall be passed on any of the books mentioned on this thread or the people mentioning them :)

Well, 40 years ago, I belonged to a book club (I was sent a book every month unless I returned the card saying, "No!" before the book was mailed.) I ended up with a copy of Flowers in the Attic. It was disgusting, but I kept turning the pages. Then there was a sequel. Then another. And another. I told one of my friends about the books and my reaction to them a bit ago. The last time we had lunch, she admitted she was reading them.
Then 15 years ago, one of my teaching colleagues could be found at the end of the day with her feet on her desk truly enjoying her end-of-the-day planning period. When I'd ask her, "What ya' reading?" She usually responded, "A Romance." I'd turn up my nose and go to my corner of the room. Eventually, I was curious about one of this "romances." It was Outlander. I quickly found out they were so much more than "romance" and I haven't stopped reading those tomes and do tell people about them all the time.

Amish Romances. I'd read some article probably 5-10 years ago about how they were taking the romance world by storm, and being of Mennonite background and having lived around a lot of Amish people I had to try them.

I don't read them often as they're just so odd- they're such an incredibly idealized portrait of Amish life, and their basic premise is just so different from other books- everyone stops school at grade 8 (except for a few boys who might choose to go a bit further), not that interested in medical care, remaining within the norms of the community almost always trumps individual desires, etc. But they're like crack to me- when I do read them, I'll whip through 10 in a row. It's like going to Narnia, with pie recipes :-)

Jen wrote: "Amish Romances. I'd read some article probably 5-10 years ago about how they were taking the romance world by storm, and being of Mennonite background and having lived around a lot of Amish people ..."
Wow - I have never heard of those! Very interesting.

Oh my. I read Tropic of Cancer in junior high. It was known for its sexuality that would be a laugh today.

I know I read some erotica at a young age. Wouldn't think anything of reading it today.

I read many of "The Attic" books that Linda mentioned and enjoyed them at the time.

Great question Katherine. You sure made me think. I'll bet more will pop into my head.

Katherine wrote: "Or do you view any reading as good regardless of the book and thus don't feel "guilty" about whatever you're reading?"

This. I don't usually do book clubs because I don't like being told what I have to read--as opposed to reading all of your lists and being inspired to add to my TBR, which is awesome. I used to be a die-hard chick lit fan before I joined Goodreads and a group of coworkers who just like to talk about books. I've branched out a lot into grittier novels, current bestseller list books, etc.....you know, what all the "cool kids" are reading (ha) and discovered a surprising love of historical fiction. I still like my chicky books here and there but I'm not embarrassed anymore because everyone's taste is different and I enjoy different types of books at different times. I love hearing what others are reading but I still make my own choices.

Edited to add: The BOTNS podcasts (RIP....sniffle) also turned me on to some amazing books I'd probably never have read and sent me here to this group, where I can't keep up with the recommendations. I will never be at a loss for something to read, and I really appreciate that! :)

Gina wrote: "Katherine wrote: "Or do you view any reading as good regardless of the book and thus don't feel "guilty" about whatever you're reading?"

This. I don't usually do book clubs because I don't like b..."

In my town the book clubs run by the public library and the indie bookstore have 'anyone can come' policies rather than fixed membership, so I go to whichever group is reading a book I'm interested in. It works great for me - I get to meet and talk books with new people more often, and reunite with others in a different club than the one we met in.

Hmm, I would like that. I'll have to see if our library does this.

Gina wrote: "Hmm, I would like that. I'll have to see if our library does this."

My guess is that if they don't they would be open to it. My library has one and they get the books for us through interlibrary loan so we don't have to buy the book. We also get the book for a longer loan period than usual.

Let us know how you make out.

Gina wrote: "Katherine wrote: "Or do you view any reading as good regardless of the book and thus don't feel "guilty" about whatever you're reading?"

This. I don't usually do book clubs because I don't like b..."

Our library also has an anyone can participate policy. Though many of each group do come each month others do drop in now and then. As an example I almost always make our non-fiction book group and occasionally attend the senior group or the fiction group. As Linda mentioned our library gets the books through interlibrary loan (a wonderful service for the groups but also if a library member just wants a book our library does not own). They will even try to get an audio edition or large print if needed and if it is available through their digital subscriptions they will make certain that is available also.

Some libraries have groups that do not read a specific title but meet to discuss any book the participant chooses to read on a theme or perhaps just to chat about what you're reading.

Talk to your adult services librarian or whoever is in charge of this type of programming to see what might be available or perhaps to get something going that suits your needs.

Yes, please let us know how you make out.

I'm about to start Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows. We'll see what kind of looks I get carrying that one around!

Nadine wrote: "I'm about to start Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows. We'll see what kind of looks I get carrying that one around!"

Have fun- that book was a riot :-)

Gee, and I only want to hide a book cover when I'm reading a "Democrat" book in my "Republican" county. (I'm neither and read each.)

Gee, and I only want to hide a book cover when I'm reading a "Democrat" book in my "Republican" county. (I'm neither and read each.)

I just finished reading The Chickenshit Club: The Justice Department and Its Failure to Prosecute White-Collar Criminals I got comments about that title.

Though there's a bit of seriousness here, you all are too funny. I am just laughing heartily as I read this conversation.

Carol wrote: "Oh my. I read Tropic of Cancer in junior high. It was known for its sexuality that would be a laugh today.

I know I read some erotica at a young age. Wouldn't think anything of reading it today. ..."

I read the "Attic" books when I was 14!!! Yikes! Not what I would read today :-) My guilty pleasure is I read all the Sookie Stackhouse books. Tried to watch Trueblood and couldn't get through the first ep. Didn't have the light feel of the books.

Deb wrote: "Carol wrote: "Oh my. I read Tropic of Cancer in junior high. It was known for its sexuality that would be a laugh today.

I know I read some erotica at a young age. Wouldn't think anything of read..."

I think I know what you mean by "Attic" books. I was in my mid to late 20s when I read them. I thought they were "disgusting" but I could not put them down. My next door neighbor came over and picked one up off the coffee table (back when I had a coffee table) and she had the same feeling. She borrowed them and I haven't seen them since. I've moved three times since then.