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The structure of this poll is pathetic. Would a poll on techno-thrillers or murder mysteries have been worded so dismissively and inaccurately?

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Yes, I do read romance but I do NOT read "bodice ripper" novels. As a romance reader, I find it offensive that someone would insinuate that what I'm reading is something comparable to pornography. I especially enjoy historical romances and the authors I read do wonderful research and are so talented with their writing ability that reading a historical romance is like stepping back in time and understanding life as it was then - be it 2, 4, 6 or 8 centuries ago. And the best part of this experience? The happily-ever-after ending that is always guaranteed in a romance novel. I can't think of a greater escape from everyday life.

Bodice ripper, indeed, huh?

— Christy-342231

Way to go, MSNBC. By not doing a little something called "research" to make an accurate, unbiased poll, you just insulted more than 65 million people.

— JaneG

What was that old commercial? Something like, it's not your father's Chevy? This is not your grandmother's romance.

Where has MSNBC been? Romances are as diverse as any other type of book today, and they are for every reading interest, from those who like vampires to gay characters to cozy romances. And, what about readers who read Christian romances? How do you expect them to answer that survey? Danielle Steel isn't even considered a romance writer.

For a news organization, someone definitely did not do their homework as to the most genre that sells more books than any other area of publishing.

— LesaH

Ugh.

Enough with the "bodice-ripping" and the "trashy novel" buzzwording already. It's very insulting to thousands of romance authors and millions of romance readers.

Pick up a romance novel and enjoy a good story.

Joy Nash

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I am a writer and published author of romance novels, as well as a reader of romance novels. Why couldn't MSNBC have just asked if you read romance novels without the using the term "bodice rippers"? The term bodice rippers is outdated and derogatory to those of us who write today's romance novels.

Kristie Leigh Maguire, author of "Affairs of the Heart: Desert Heat and Cabin Fever (Collector's Edition)" and "No Lady and Her Tramp

ROMANCE AUTHOR AND READER AND PROUD OF IT!

— KLM

I don't know why the writer didn't just put what he/she was really thinking:

1. Yes, and I have no literary taste.
2. No, because I have literary taste.
3. Yes, but I am deeply ashamed.

Constructing biased answers for a question that (one would think) requests an unbiased response is unprofessional and reveals the ineptitude of the writer.

"Bodice ripper," today, is considered an outdated term and has a negative connotation. It's how romance communities refer to a very small subgenre of romance novels--a subgenre that hasn't had much good press, even in the romance community, in a few decades.

I'll be interested to see what kind of "professional" article is written about the results of this survey.

— Kristen G.D.

I write urban fantasy/paranormal romance. The only thing being ripped off in my books are the demons' heads. I certainly hope the people who wrote that article/poll get their elitist attitudes ripped, though. *grins*

Yasmine

— Yasmine Galenorn

This poll is poorly written and extremely biased against romance novels. I am an eclectic reader and enjoy well written books of all types. I have always hated the term "bodice-ripper" which is contemptuous, but even so it only refers to historical romances with helpless "heroines" involved in near rape scenes. These went out of fashion in the 1980s (over 20 years ago). I would expect any news organization to be aware of the current state of events (that's what news means anyway) in any area they feature. This poll demonstrates that MS-NBC is not a news organization.

— Cynthia K. Dalton

Sheesh. This does not give me much confidence in MSNBC journalists' research. If they can mess up on such a simple thing to look up (hey, how long does it take to Google "romance novels" and Romance Writers of America?), I wonder how much they mess up on more complex news.

As for "bodice ripper," as a feminist, I object to the implication that women somehow approve of rape, because that's what that pejorative implies. I guess old gender stereotypes of the 50s and 60s still linger...amongst journalists, no less.

And yeah, I read romance novels.

— KarenH-338062

1. Bodice ripper: A term referring to HISTORICAL romance covers of the 70's and 80's

2. Danielle Steele doesn't write historical romances. For that matter her books are shelved in the FICTION section (not the romance section). Don't believe me? Go run down to Barnes and Noble. I'll wait....

3. I resent the living daylights out of Romance Novels being called Bodice rippers--shame on you NBC. Wake up and smell the 21st century. Then go do your homework. Bodices don't get ripped anymore. Heroines are smart, snarky and they can kick ass! They proudly hold their own with Alphas!

BOO HISS!

— RipmuhBodicepleeze

"Bodice Ripper?"

Seriously?

Didn't that term go out in the 80s? Way to prove that whomever wrote the question has absolutely zero connection to the industry.

— AnniCat

Bodice rippers is an insulting and an ignorant term. Romance sells more than any other genre, and I'm sure you've put down a lot of your viewers. In my case, former viewer. I don't go where my reading choices are mocked.

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I'm also disappointed and disgusted by how this poll was written. That isn't funny. I also agree that I think people who write these sorts of things think they can get away with it because we are women. It is wrong. I loved the Today Show poll. That really illustrates how terrible this poll was worded. Grow up, and do your homework people. Romance isn't what it was, and I for one am very proud of what it is.

— Kristin W

Seriously? Bodice Ripper? The person who started the poll was obviously ignorant of the subject matter and either thought too little of the subject to do it properly or was too lazy. It shows a lack of professionalism. A simple yes, no, and sometimes would've sufficed if they couldn't be bothered with actually doing it properly.

— Missy T

Nothing I can add to what's been said so I'll just say BUMP!!! We can and do read about poetry, literature, music, art, physics, true-crime, fictional crime and no one makes condescending remarks. Let us read about love and a happy ending and we're a joke. Unbelievable!!!

— Becky-337290

Bodice ripper doesn't describe any book I've read in the last decade-plus. And I read romance plenty.

A simple "yes" as an answer choice would have been sufficient and more accurate.

Not too mention a lot less insulting. ;)

— Shiloh Walker

I'm so glad I wasn't the only one irritated by the outdated term "Bodice Rippers." Way to bias your poll right off the bat!

I'm also glad to see that those of us who read and love romance are leading in the polls! And it's obvious that those of us who write romance aren't the only ones coming out in droves to vote!

I'm not holding my breath that uninformed journalists (definitely not talking Barbara Vey at Publisher's Weekly here, who is awesome!) will ever take an unbiased look at the romance industry, but I'm crossing my fingers just the same.

— Tina Gerow

Grumble is right.

Just wrong. I can't add much to the comments Mel, Barbara and others have already made. Just GRUMBLE.

Dragon

— LesaDragon

I have to say that I am rather irritated with this poll. Are you going to combine the sometimes and the yes answers? Because sometimes equals a yes answer! You should be ashamed of yourselves for trying to shame anyone who reads a romance into thinking that they are ignorant or dirty for enjoying a well-told story that documents a journey of love. While a Romance may not be for everyone, that doesn't mean it's worthless.

Considering how many Romance readers and authors there are out there, one would think you'd have taken a bit more care in how you worded this poll.

— Chris M.-336875

I don't understand the snobbery toward romance readers or writers.
I grew up reading romance books and it created a general love of reading for all works. I happen to love the old "bodice rippers" and the newest contemporary romance on the shelves. I'm not ashamed to admit it either.
I take pride in the fact that I read and love it.

Nora Roberts isn't referred to as La Nora for nothing. She's Elvis to the world of Romance.

Reading is like watching a movie in your mind. You read the books, and it's the same as watching Fool's Gold or Lake House or any of the countless wonderful block buster movies. I don't hear anyone snickering about someone that enjoys those movies. Books are the same. Great variety of genres people go to theatres and watch in public!

— Maria Shanti

Why does the media look down its nose at romance readers? I am an educated woman with three college degrees. Reading was and is my escape when real life is too difficult. I read romance and I'm proud of it!!

— Amelia-336087

I'm so over uninformed journalists writing stories they have no business writing. Danielle Steele writes great books but she is not who I would say is the number one romance author--hands down that's gotta be Nora Roberts. I read romance and particularly historicals. Haven't read about a ripped bodice since the 80's easily. Someone at MSNBC needs to do some research.

Thank GOD we have folks like Barbara Vey at Publishers Weekly who know the industry. I know I can trust her articles.

— Stephanie1961

Why did the poll not offer a simple yes as an option? I love to read romance novels and I think the poll tried to make readers of romance sound like they are reading porn(Bodice-rippers, really?). A simple yes or no to the poll would have been the right way to list the answers.

— Liza-336556

Sneering at ANY book just shows the ignorance and intellectual snobbery of the one sneering. Yes, there are objective standards to judging whether a book is "good" or not. Then again, there are those who would argue that following rules of grammar and structure stifles creativity. What I'm getting at, though, is that just because a person might not prefer the subject matter (there are a LOT of suspense/thriller/horror novels out there that I don't enjoy)--just because You might not like something doesn't mean it's not valuable. It doesn't mean anyone has the right to trash it or snigger at it. And, again, it shows ignorance.

— Gail-D

Everyone has read a romance at some time in their life. Very few stories are completely without some romantic element. Even the Bible has romances (Ruth anyone?) It's high time this stereotype met its demise.

— Kristen Painter

What a poorly written poll! What about people who read romance novels that aren't "bodice rippers"? Or those who read them but don't consider them the "ultimate escape"? Or those who rarely read them, but without considering them untouchable? The phrasing here is incredibly condescending towards those of us who do read romance novels. I'd be interested how they'd feel to be the subject of a similar poll.

"Do you watch the Today Show?"
A. Yes, it is the only show that caters to my taste for non-intellectual content.

B. No, I prefer shows that are worth my time and attention.

C. Sometimes, when my brain isn't working or when there's nothing else on but infomercials.

— SonomaLass

Another thing that really bothers me is that Danielle Steele and Jackie Collins are always listed as "The" romance writers. What about Nora Roberts? Eloisa James? Sophie Kinsella? Susan Elizabeth Phillips? Jennifer Crusie? Honestly, it's just infuriating on so many levels.

I think the majority of the "trashy novel" snots believe that bored, lonely housewives sit at home and read about a life they'll never have because they're too busy birthin' babies and cleanin' house for their men.

Grumble. I know everyone isn't going to read and love romance novels. I just wish the overal attitude about the genre would change. It's insulting to the readers and authors.

— Melissa (Mel) Francis

As a romance reader and writer, I am offended by the term "bodice ripper." It is antiquated and demeaning to the genre. It shows the typical disdain the those who think that they are "educated" tend to have for women who are open about their love of romance novels. Is it wrong to want to read a novel with a satisfying ending? No. If every mystery you read ended with the killer getting away, would you read anymore of them? I don't think so.

The readers of romance novels are increasingly well educated, employed, and independent women. Every time a term like "bodice ripper" is used, you denigrate us. The genre has changed. Do some research. Don't simply rely on what you remember from the 1980's.

— Lia Morgan

Thanks so much for saying what I've been thinking. There's romance in almost every book out there, so saying yes doesn't really encompass the romantic suspense/paranormal/historical/sci-fi/thriller. A simple "yes" as an answer choice would have been sufficient and more accurate.

— bookaholic

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