How Many People in Your Real Life Know You Read Romance Novels?

Being a published author of romance novels, it's rather hard to keep it a secret---especially since I have a wall on the office at my day job (which is not writing/publishing-related) displaying the covers of all of my books.

Of course, that's going on the assumption that people extrapolate what I read from knowing what I write.

Most people know I read romance novels, especially if they talk to me for more than a few minutes. I've mentioned before I once got the old 'bodice ripper' chestnut from an acquaintance, and I went off on him--I think he might be scared of me now.
I have real-life romance readers and writers as friends, which is great, but usually I'm on my own with my reading taste.

Even when I tell people I'm reading a particular book unless it has a really obviously romance title I don't think they realize. I've read science fiction and fantasy since I was very young and skip between gendres all the time. 90% of my romance reads are urban fantasy or SFR. At least in my case I think my history plus the plot elements that are "exotic" to the stereotype of romance (such as a spaceship) tend to mentally over-ride the idea that the book could be a romance to my family and friends.

What I read is no secret to anyone who knows me. All my family just accept it and a few of my family and friends read romance as well. Even my students when I taught 6th grade (I retired last year) knew I read romance. The only consession I ever made was not allowing my students to see some of the covers of my books, which frankly, were NSFW.

I always wondered if anyone would ever ask this question. I come from a very conservative, opinionated family. so, when I joined FB I created 2 accounts, 1 for family and friends and another for all the authors I enjoy. And my faves lean toward naughty and mostly paranormal. I tend to spend more time on my author fb. Also even tho I cant figure out twitter to save my soul, my account is only authors and reading blogs, and I basically just lurk.

A few of my friends know, but really none of my family does. They are all pretty conservative, and I've gotten some flack for the covers of my scifi/UF novels, so I think full blown man titty might not go over so well! If I am asked straight out, I will answer honestly, but I usually try to be discreet.

Everybody in my life knows that I'm a readaholic and that I favor all types of romance. I can't be bothered to hide it. Dince I'm never without a book and most of my life e-readers did not excist, real books it's been, for all to see.

My parents, thankfully, didn't care as long as I was reading. And anybody else who's ever taken issue with it, and there have been a few, have been summarily dismissed as the inconsequential gnats they are in the grand scheme of my wondrous existance. (joke)

Some of my friends know my prediliction for candy-reading of romance novels. I pop them the same way some reach for chocolate. A few of my (male) friends tease me horribly about it - reading aloud some of the more trite sections of books. Others just want me to give them the snark synopsis. I finally convinced my mother to read a few novels, starting her with more the suspense-romance and she's admited that she needs to branch out. Overall, it's something that I don't hide, but I don't advertise too much IRL.

Funny, for me it's the opposite. Everyone assumes I read romance because of the RWA conferences I've attended and blogging here. They assume since I am a die-hard Nicholas Sparks fan that its romance too. (Yes, I know Nick isn't romance.)

I read love stories, romantic WF, and the occasional contemporary romance novel but I am far from a traditional romance reader. I've tried to explain the difference to them but I gave up.

What my family does know is that I'll never read 5o Shades of Grey. So, they think I don't read smutty romance and remind other family members of that whenever the subject of my romance writing career comes up. "Oh she writes romance but not that dirty 50 shades stuff." I do read steamy tales, some borderline smutty, but I shake my head and say nothing. I'd rather not explain what erotica is and isn't to my family which includes my 91 year old grandmother.

Will the masses ever get what romance is or isn't????

Well, my family certainly does. My Mom and I swap books. And probably some of my friends because I've usually got a book in my purse (but now an e-reader!) I have one lovely, dear friend who is a voracious reader- of about anything but romance! She can usually be found watching PBS or listening to NPR (I know, lots of us do!) I've seen lipstick on her dear face about twice and her wardrobe consists of mom jeans and flannel shirts. But, the other day she handed me a giant paper grocery sack filled absolutely to the brim with romances- probably somewhere around a hundred! As my face lit up she just said, hey, I was at the library sale and I know you like to read romance...
Love friends who like you just the way you are!