Linsey Lanier
Sally Kilpatrick
Sia Huff
Romily Bernard
Darcy Crowder
Marilyn Baron
Tami Brothers
Sandra Elzie
Carol Burnside
Debbie Kaufman
Maxine Davis
Tammy Schubert
Susan Carlisle
Pam Asberry
Lindy Chaffin StartEntertain Me
by J Perry Stone
Every spring break I become a reader again. We usually go to the beach (where the grandparents wait breathlessly to whisk the kids out of our faces) and along with my sunhats and sandals, I always schlep a big bag of books. Then, sitting in front of the ocean while sweating sunscreen into my eyes, I sink into a story. Or four.
It is utter bliss. I’m no longer a writer judging every turn of phrase, but a reader making her escape. After that week, I emerge whole again and though you may think it’s the Vitamin D or the peaceful environment–even the time away from mothering 24/7–I know it is the experience of reading that heals me most of all.
I take great care in choosing which books I’ll take. I crave light, happily-ever-afters with rich characters–something that doesn’t preach to me and doesn’t require I have 12 years of grad-school English (though it must be written well). I made a mistake once and brought a 1000-page tome chock full of so many literary devices (and a depressing Russian ending), I swear the footprints I left in the sand were a foot deep. I don’t want to emerge richer for my struggles; I just want to be sucked into a story. Make me laugh. The author can even make me cry as long as I know there is happy resolution waiting for me. After all, it’s been one hell of a year and I take my escape seriously. Already I’ve dealt with deaths in the family and job-insecurity so I don’t think asking for quality entertainment that ends well is any small request.
This year, I tried my first Susan Elizabeth Phillips, specifically Ain’t She Sweet. By about page 150, I found myself sitting in a rocking chair, tears streaming down my cheeks. I gobbled this wonderful book in half a day then made my husband take me to the bookstore so I could get another one: Match Me If You Can.
I’m sure Phillips works incredibly hard on her books, but I bet she sometimes forgets how deeply important her work is to a reader’s mental health. She may not always realize that some of us need an escape as desperately as others need Xanax or therapy. People tend to minimize the importance of good, consistent entertainment, but I’m here to tell you DON’T. Good books have gotten me through the worst of times–through the loss of pets, friends and relatives. What some very ignorant people have carelessly called “trash,” I’d rather call my “happy pill” because romance affords me a timeout in the midst of some pretty hefty conflicts.
So, romance writers, you are not doing frivolous work. Take the entertainment value seriously. You provide the space we need to catch our breath.
And readers, your requirement for an entertaining escape is highly crucial. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. People pay oodles of money on spa days and prescription remedies … you’re simply asking for it in book-form.
Now you tell me. How seriously do you take your reading escapes and which authors are your favorite “happy pill”?
Tags: Art of reading, entertainment, J Perry Stone, Susan Elizabeth Phillips
About the author
 |
J Perry Stone | J Perry Stone has a big mouth and bigger heart; a short memory and shorter attention span. She's uncomfortable with pretension and formality, and couldn't live in this world without ethnic food, wine and saucy books.
|
April 26th, 2010 at 6:23 am
J Perry,
I often read your posts and laugh my head off. You’re as incredibly funny online as you are in person. I Love your humor.
But in reading this post, I realize I also adore your more serious side.
As you say, Romance novels are good for the soul. The ones that suck you in, make you smile, laugh, cry, long and hope can affect you in ways you never thought possible. I’m sure I’m not the only romance reader whose mental orgasm kept reverberating days or even weeks after I finished a really great book. You know, that little jolt of electricity you get when you picture a truly heartfelt, emotional scene that sang to your heart and mind. You visualize the characters, their struggles, their love, their passion and you say…ah…now that was a great book.
I think alot of us (writers) feel that way after reading a really special romance. I also think alot of us write because we want to give others that feeling too. At least I do.
The best compliment a reader can give a writer is to say, “Her book made me forget about my life for a little while, the job, the stress, the family struggles and escape into a world of sublime passion and happy endings.”
To me, the heart wrenching difficulty of writing a novel is worth praise like that. Hopefully we all hear compliments along those lines one day.
I’m glad you got a chance to escape a little with a few really good books. And sinking your toes into white sand while taking a mental break from reality is just icing on the cake!
Very inspirational post J Perry.
(You better be writing!)
Have a wonderful day,
Tamara
April 26th, 2010 at 6:29 am
Ah. One of the reasons I look forward to the beach (other than woman in bikinis, which your picture shows.) I take at least four books with me when I go on vacation and I get through them all.
And, as far as a happy pill, Stephanie Bond makes me laugh my head off.
April 26th, 2010 at 7:28 am
J,
I loved your post. Everything you say is true. I just got back from a beach vacation in Florida I took with some friends while my husband was out of town for the week. Since I flew, I could only take a few books. One of my favorites was “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand,” by Helen Simonson. It probably qualifies as literary fiction. It was the author’s first book and it was beautifully written but captivating and easy to read. It was a romance and more, but it had a wonderful, happy ending.
My friend brought “The Girl Who Played With Fire,” by Stieg Larsson, a writer I recently discovered, whose three books were published posthumously. I saw the movie based on his first book, “The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo.” I didn’t read the book yet although I bought it, but my friend was so engrossed in the book she could hardly put it down.
That said, those were not the lose yourself at the beach type books. When I absolutely want to do that, I love to read Susan Elizabeth Phillips (I discovered her a long time ago and have read every one of her books); Amanda Quick (Jayne Ann Krentz) She just came out with a new books, Burning Lamp; or Janet Evanovich because she makes me laugh. Of course any Nora book would qualify.
Isn’t romance great?
Marilyn Baron
April 26th, 2010 at 8:33 am
Tamara, doll …
Everything you said is just so right on, but this is the very best:
“And sinking your toes into white sand while taking a mental break from reality is just icing on the cake!”
You’re a writer.
April 26th, 2010 at 8:35 am
Do you know, Walt, I’ve not yet read a Stephanie Bond (though I adore her and her writing workshops).
To tell you the truth, it makes me happy I have this great list of to-be-reads waiting for me. I’ll take a Bond with me the next time I’m beach-bound. Great suggestion.
April 26th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Marlyn, I’m currently reading “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” to my husband. Reading aloud is taxing in its own right, but me bungling all those Swedish names/places has kept us rolling amidst an otherwise suspenseful reading experience. I mean, for God’s sake, the main character’s name is “Blomkvist.” I’ve been saying the “k”, though it wears me out to do so every few sentences.
I’ve not yet tried Amanda Quick nor Janet Evanovich, but I’m feeling absolutely rabid about Susan Elizabeth Phillips right now. Will put your suggestions on my list.
THANK YOU!
Romance is the best. To deny yourself the pleasure is to admit to a raisin heart.
April 26th, 2010 at 8:47 am
I’ve never read any of her Blaze novels, but her “Body Movers” series had me searching for her backlist. They are hilariuos.
April 26th, 2010 at 8:49 am
Duly noted, Walt. I’m heading to her website now.
April 26th, 2010 at 9:32 am
Bring on the “happy pills”, I say! If an author can make me laugh, I’m sold, and SEP is one of my favorites. Vicki Lewis Thompson, Karen Hawkins, and Stephanie Bond also make my “authors whose books make me laugh” list.
Everyone can use a daily dose of laughter. I’m grateful to those authors, film makers and comedians who provide my “prescription.”
April 26th, 2010 at 9:41 am
J
Great post. I couldn’t agree with you more.I love to read at the beach. I especially like to sit by the water in the late afternoon, a couple of hours before the sun sets close to the water, no one around and be completely into a story. Books are my happy pill also. I was realing a big fat romance when Nick was in the hospital, I needed to give my mind some place else to go for awhile.
April 26th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Love this post, JP. I agree whole heartedly and am a huge supporter of romance for this very reason. Been in the same position as you have been where I needed that escape.
If you are looking for more recommendations, try Toni McGee Causey.
http://www.tonimcgeecausey.com/
Her Bobbie Faye novels are hilarious. The last one I read I could not put it down and ended up staying awake until 4 am to finish it. AND I had to go to work the next day.
I, too, love Stephanie Bond’s books. She writes so many different genres that you are sure to find one you like.
I haven’t read Susan Elizabeth Phillips yet, but you guys have convinced me to give her a try. I’ll grab one the next time I’m at the store.
Thanks for sharing this!
Tami
:!:
April 26th, 2010 at 10:29 am
J,
Thoughtful writing today…love it!
I’m heading to the beach for a week, starting this coming Sunday. Can’t wait! I must plan a trip to the book store before the week is out. (g) Thanks for all the suggestions, guys.
I recently read Something About You by Julie James. Great read. And don’t forget Dianna Love & Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Bad series. Love those sexy bad boys!
Sandy
April 26th, 2010 at 10:49 am
JP,
Loved your post. I want to go to the beach – no, make that got to go to the beach!
Tami, I read the Toni McGee Causey excerpt. Yep, gotta buy that one.
I also like the Sue Grafton ABC books (A is for Alibi, etc).
April 26th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Lovely post, J. You are the queen of eloquence, especially when talking about love and romance.
I actually live at the beach and never take the time to just sit in the sand and read. Must change that and soon.
I adore SEP but have put off glomming her backlist, mostly because I don’t want to be done with them. But for me, when it comes to great characters, love, and laughter, no one beats Jennifer Crusie.
April 26th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Gannon, I know you understand. And I think it’s serious business to have the ability to lighten people’s lives, if only for a little bit.
I’m putting your suggestions on my list, and am still sending you cyber hugs.
April 26th, 2010 at 11:49 am
JP–I think you’ve made an excellent point here today. I would go one step farther and say that reading a book with a happy ending is downright cathartic.
I just finished Joshilyn Jackson’s Gods in Alabama. It isn’t a romance novel, but it does include all of those emotions and ends with a satisfyingly “happy” ending. I wept like a baby, then I finally went to bed at 1 am and slept like a baby.
I, too, adore the Body Mover series (I laughed; I cried; it was better than Cats), the BAD agency books, Amanda Quick, and Vicki Lewis Thompson (love the nerds). Oh, and I just read Sandra Chastain’s Baring it All–ya’ll need to look that one up, too.
I do read literature. I adore Richard Russo and Michael Chabon, but I don’t always want a book that makes me reflect on the true nature of life. Sometimes I want to forget about the true nature of life.
Romance novels as “happy pills;” I like that!
April 26th, 2010 at 11:51 am
“I needed to give my mind some place else to go for awhile.”
Exactly so, Susan. Romance is an upper, even the dark ones. Even the paranormal, angsty ones.
I’m totally going to try your couple hours before sunset trick. Usually by that time, I’m washing sand out of bottoms
April 26th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
This is totally screwy, but when I’m at the beach, I love digging into something challenging. Light and funny is for the airport runway. I purchased countless David Sedaris books in airport bookstores. Janet Evanovich is good plane reading, too. I can finish one in a flight.
April 26th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
What great recommendations here. Thanks to everyone because I’m headed to Europe for two weeks and have been pondering what to slip in my suitcase to read.
Reading romance = happy pill
Love it!
April 26th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Tami, I’m keeping a detailed list from today and am writing down Causey’s Bobbe Faye books.
And I know you understand the need for escape. We all do. That’s why we’re blog sisters.
April 26th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Sandy, I had another hit last week. My darling cat, Henry, died unexpectedly. He was only two. I called poor Cindy sobbing hysterically. I guess I’m not that great at relegating my animals to pet status. They’re always family.
Needless to say, you can see why I’m asking for everyone’s “happy pill.”
And I love Diana’s Bad series and am presently putting your other suggestion on my list.
Thank you.
April 26th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Maxine, everyone deserves a beach vacation. There’s just something about the surf accompanying the words, “Leaning down towards her, he brushed his lips across hers.”
I don’t even mind the headache I get from squinting.
To me, it’s the perfect date … for one person … while your hubby sits next to you, absorbed in his Warren Buffet book
April 26th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
My darling Terri, you are too kind to me.
I completely understand you wanting to savor SEP’s backlist. I have those inclinations myself. I do think, however, that you should treat yourself to one and head for the beach this summer. Consider it a mini-break.
And thank you for letting me sob on the phone to you last week. I would be nothing without my darling friends.
April 26th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
JP, what a great tribute to our profession. I wholeheartedly agree. And thanks for the recommendation of Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I’ve been wanting to get some of her books on CD and wasn’t sure which ones to choose.
You’ve got to try Stephanie Bond. She is absolutely hysterical!
April 26th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Sally, my only requirement is that the book has to end well. That’s it. I’m too Russian already (melancholy with brooding tendencies) and life has treated me like a soccer ball this year.
I’m definitely getting Joshilyn Jackson’s Gods in Alabama. I do love to cry, but not for myself.
No more crying for myself, I say.
April 26th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Anna, you probably read Kafka at some brain-bending intellectual symposium, don’t you?
You’re the best. I really do adore how I can’t pigeon-hole you.
April 26th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Yay, Carol. I’m glad you can benefit. Although, you won’t be reading in Europe. On the way there, yes, but not while there, I don’t guess.
Where are you going? Living vicariously through people’s travels is another one of my happy pills.
April 26th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Linsey, you must try SEP. I lent the book to my mom–my mother who reads approximately 4 books a week, some of them 1000-page tomes of literary Russian hopelessness–and she adored it. In fact, she just called this morning to ask who my favorite character was in Ain’t She Sweet.
We agreed on the matter, but I’ll tell you only after you’ve finished the book.
April 26th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
And you wrote racy limericks on the study hall desks.
April 26th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Actually, I was a rule-keeper. I just looked and spoke like a rule-breaker.
And that racy limerick to which you refer was meant to make you laugh, Anna!
Snails …
April 26th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Romance books have gotten me through some really tough times over the years. It’s nice to be able to take a break from issues and just escape into a well-told story with a happy ending.
Instead of hauling around a big bag of books, consider getting a Kindle. I made the change, and I am hooked. You can carry loads of books on one little device AND, if you finish them, go shopping on Amazon for some new material.
Great post!
April 26th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Tammy,
I would LOVE a kindle, but I’m waiting for a special anniversary or birthday to get myself one. I have guilt-issues with buying myself stuff.
Next time you come to meeting, will you bring it so I can see?
April 26th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
We’ll always have the snails. Yes, I was — and am — laughing.
April 26th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Oh, one more thing. If you want to take the Kindle on the beach, just put it in a zip lock freezer bag to protect it from the sand.
April 26th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Just saw your note. Of course I will bring it to the meeting. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it until June though.
April 27th, 2010 at 12:33 am
I once went on a 7 day vacation and packed 9 books. Now I just bring 3 delicious books I’m willing to re-read and hope I’m at a vacation spot with a book exchange. I’m glad that you are reading paper. I have no problem with the kindle, but how do you lay the book on your chest when you get to a happy part so you can smile up at the sun? How can you hide behind the book when you get to the part where you are both laughing and crying. I agree about “happy pill”. I just thank so many authors out their for writing books that make our heart happy. JP, you make me happy, too.
April 27th, 2010 at 5:12 am
Hubby and I are doing a 10-day cruise around the eastern Mediterranean, stopping at ports in Spains, France, Italy, Corsica, Malta & Tunisia (N Africa) to celebrate our anniversary this year.
Forgot to say earlier that I enjoy J.D. Robb books and Susan Wiggs. For me, they’re great to relax with.
April 27th, 2010 at 8:40 am
That’s a great tip, Tammy. I will definitely do that when I get mine. See you in June.
April 27th, 2010 at 8:44 am
You travel light, Nicki. Light yet deep.
“how do you lay the book on your chest when you get to a happy part so you can smile up at the sun?”
Oh, hell yes. A question for the ages! I guess if you have a Kindle, you have to bring along a Windex wipe for just such moments.
And I always have to check myself with how much mushy sentiment I rain down on you, but now I’m going to say screw it.
I just love you, Nicki S. Deal with that!
April 27th, 2010 at 8:46 am
Carol!! What a lucky woman! I’m absolutely OBSESSED with North Africa. You must take lots of pictures and write a blog about it when you get back. Please make it about setting. I’m sitting here breathless just thinking about it.
April 27th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Will do. I plan to take a brand new, bound journal to chronicle my travels and impressions. Ideas for blogs, notes about pics I took, FOOD and more. Am I a writer or what?
April 27th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
oh yes, FOOD! That’s my favorite travel detail. That and tchochkes. Can you imagine some of the finds you’ll ferret out in North Africa? I’d like to decorate my whole house with them.
April 27th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Wow, JP, I love this post. I’m sitting here absolutely CRAVING the sand between my toes…I can hear the waves crashing now. Unfortunately I won’t be getting to the beach this year, well, a little bit when I travel to Charleston later in October. I love the water, there’s something so calming about it – even when the waves are rough.
I haven’t been reading enough for pleasure lately. Thanks for reminding me what I’m missing. I did pick up Nora’s new Savor The Moment. I’m loving this Bride Quartet series.
Oh, and I’m so deeply sorry about the loss of your beloved Henry. I’ve never had just a pet – they’ve always been furry family to me as well. Sending happy thoughts your way. May the rest of this year be full of love and laughter. No more tears!
April 27th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
You must go to the ocean, Darcy. Go with a book. It’s the best gift I can recommend a writer giving herself.
I’m writing down your suggestions. To be honest, you all have been so generous, I feel blessed.
And thank you so much for your condolences. Today, I received a bouquet from my vet. It really made me cry, but I do feel I’m getting better. The house still seems so vacant without him, but you should know your kind words help immeasurably.
It’s just that I miss seeing him in his favorite spots, but I’m slowly getting used to seeing them empty.