> I do not know if this is appropriate for this
>forum, but I have a friend who has recently
>started reading romance novels. Now, I would not
>mind if she was reading horror novels, cook
>books, or westerns, but romances.... That's going
>too far. She claims the characters are developed
>.and the writing is good, and that is why she is
>reading them. What do I do? (If anything) Hope
>it's a phase? She used to despise romances, but
>.now she's turning into (*gasp!*) her mother!
>Should I be worried? Is it healthy to read things
>like that (which I consider immoral)? I would
>like to get some other views on this subject, for
>I am having trouble telling if I am out of line,
>or if it is right to be concerned. What do the
>rest of you think about romance novels?

Just let her read what she wants. I don't particularly like romances either, but I'd rather a friend of mine read *something* than nothing at all. My girlfriend's mother and father read romances and westerns, respectively. At least they read.

And to be honest, not all romances are bad and trashy. It depends on what she's reading. Those big chain romances are usually pretty bad, but the more mainstream ones are often decent. No nobel prize winners among them, but then again, neither are there any among the books and authors I usually read. I can't tell you how many people have told me I shouldn't read that "trashy fantasy and sci-fi stuff".