The Reading Vent & Rant Thread

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Yes, I totally agree with this. Moreover, I tend to prefer books that are pretty far removed from the here and now, and I have no wish to experience anything happening in them. That goes for sex scenes as well. I still read them, with interest if they're good, rolling my eyes if they're bad, just like any other scene.

I admit I don't really understand this aversion to sex scenes several posters have expressed. To me, they're like any other stuff in a book, and can be well or badly written. They're not necessary for me to enjoy a book, but they can enhance the enjoyment when well done, just like any other kind of scene.

For me, it's not an aversion to sex scenes "in particular" or specifically. I have a real aversion to any scene, of any kind, that plods the plot. And I agree, whether it's a fight scene, action scene (of whatever kind), discussions (OMG, especially of specific topics near/dear to the author's heart of any kind; I recall reading a lengthy discussion, in a murder mystery that...shall we say, "aped" The Devil in the White City, that went on at tedious length about women's rights, or lack thereof, at the turn of the 20th Century) or so on, I'm not a fan.

Now--I freely admit, given how much godawful writing I see, day in and day out, I'm...more sensitive to it than many. Granted. And I'm genuinely sorry if anybody thought I was pissing on them about their interest in sex. That was not my intent. Just...I'm tired of reading scenes (of whatever kind) that obviously interested the author and NOBODY ELSE ON EARTH. That's all. I mean, the last John Wick movie, #3... Jesus Mary and Joseph. Talk about tediously long. I even tend to like fight scenes, far more than Mr. Hitch, and I finally started fast-forwarding through the end portion. Far, far too long and drawn out, IMHO. But, hey, it's just my opinion and we all have them don't we--just like certain body parts. :-)

BTW, I agree that the Bad Sex Awards (in fiction, https://literaryreview.co.uk/bad-sex-in-fiction-award ) are hilarious. Reading the awful bits alone is worth it.

Hitch

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by Hitch

For me, it's not an aversion to sex scenes "in particular" or specifically. I have a real aversion to any scene, of any kind, that plods the plot.

I tend to have one of two reactions when I come across a sex scene:

- Finally, took them long enough.
- Really? Why are you stopping things to do it now??

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

I tend to have one of two reactions when I come across a sex scene:

- Finally, took them long enough.
- Really? Why are you stopping things to do it now??

Yeah, that's about it.

Hitch

[DuskyRose]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

I tend to have one of two reactions when I come across a sex scene:

- Finally, took them long enough.
- Really? Why are you stopping things to do it now??

Yeah. Lol.

What gets me are the missplaced ones. Put them in the wrong place, and it not only messes up the sexy-times atmosphere, but messes up any type of drama or action scenes going on around it.

And while I like a slow burn, it needs to be realistic. Too long, over too much drama, with constant, child-like misunderstandings just make me believe they don't belong together. I get BORED with those parts, and just hope the action bits are keeping my interest.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

I tend to have one of two reactions when I come across a sex scene:

- Finally, took them long enough.
- Really? Why are you stopping things to do it now??

As a prurient person, I enjoy a good sex scene (or even a bad one). But there's a sub-genre of western, the adult western (started by Playboy Press). They are dying now, but once they were wildly popular. These were short books written to a formula where in each novel there would be a required amount of sex scenes (three or four?) and man, not all stories lend themselves to that formula.

[ownedbycats]

We really need a site like IsThereAnyDeal for eBooks. Comparing prices across different stores, price history, seeing which ones have DRM (and of which type).

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

We really need a site like IsThereAnyDeal for eBooks. Comparing prices across different stores, price history, seeing which ones have DRM (and of which type).

Calibre's "Get books" does some of that. Not price history, though.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

We really need a site like IsThereAnyDeal for eBooks. Comparing prices across different stores, price history, seeing which ones have DRM (and of which type).

https://luzme.com/

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

https://luzme.com/

Only available in the US and UK apparently - information which would have been helpful to have had included initially.

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

Only available in the US and UK apparently - information which would have been helpful to have had included initially.

yes

[andyh2000]

The faq says:

Which countries do you cover?
Currently: the USA, Britain, Canada, Australia, India, Spain, Germany.

but the front page just shows UK and USA flags and the sign up process only allows UK and USA. So maybe they're working on expanding coverage.

Andrew

(edited to add: I guess if you can buy books from UK or USA stores you can still use it)

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by andyh2000

(edited to add: I guess if you can buy books from UK or USA stores you can still use it)

I live in the US and have no problem buying UK books from Kobo using no special tools or fraudulent address. Just pay with PayPal. If I can do it, anyone can.

[Gardenman]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I live in the US and have no problem buying UK books from Kobo using no special tools or fraudulent address. Just pay with PayPal. If I can do it, anyone can.

Works for me too

[HLS]

I hate sex scenes in books. I don't mind subtle hits at romance but details are not necessary. Its like they are just "fillers" for poorly written books.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by HLS

Its like they are just "fillers" for poorly written books.

Well, why do you read poorly written books then?

Any scene can be a filler for poorly written books, not just sex. And any well written scene can make a book more enjoyable, including sex scenes. IMO, of course. Obviously there are a lot of people who dislike specifically sex scenes, for reasons I don't really understand.