Do you like Colleen Hoover’s books?

[Anonymous]

Also, I think your entire point about "women who like them like easier reads," is not accurate. People (men and women) like commercial fiction all the time, sometimes, or never. Your insistence is just a way to get around these stereotypes. I read one Colleen Hoover book and liked it. I also loved Homegoing and think it's one of the greatest books of all times. Readers, and people, contain multitudes.

I think my issue with this is that reading is supposed to open minds. It's exists to help us be more empathetic. Especially pertinent when you are reading more complex or literary novels. That being such a reader would make you reduce women to stereotypes is just sad.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Why are people getting so mad when posters say it’s low brow. It IS low brow. Just own it for godsakes instead of denying it. It’s that’s your jam, fine. But also understand that the books are lower lexile and they aren’t going to satisfy other book worms.

1. "Low brow" is a derogatory term. It would be more appropriate to call it "commercial," since that's the industry designation.

2. PP's have associated it with *checks notes* women with "low education" who are "basic." This is utterly wrong, insulting, and reeks of misogyny. Women scientists can and do wear lipstick and high heels. Women politicians who are wicked smart read romance -- see Stacy Abrams and Katie Porter. Women are not a monolith.

3. Every time we denigrate women's literature in the genre of "women's fiction" or "romance" ("chick lit" is outdated), we collectively hurt women. Women are bigger consumers of literature than men, yet women writers win fewer prestigious awards, get fewer reviews in the NYT, and get fewer press mentions and best of lists. (Google old article by Jennifer Weiner to see her outrage on these omissions.) Thank goodness Colleen Hoover is helping to break the ceiling. Finally, the NYT has to include her in the best of lists because she sold more books than any other author last year, by far. Also, her sales revenues help the publisher take on smaller books that may not have as much commercial success (i.e. likely won't earn out their advance). Even if you don't appreciate Colleen Hoover's work, you might think about applauding her success.

4. Judging a woman by the cover of the book she's reading means that you are missing out on who she is as a full person. It's really your loss.

I'm with you are supporting women in publishing. I pretty much only read female authors. I'm happy when people read, whether it's via books, ebooks, comics, graphic novels, audio, etc. Reading is reading. That being said, I don't think that means problematic female authors get a pass.

However, I think we absolutely can be critical of a woman who is writing books where women are abused and manipulated.


Also, there's the her defending her son (over 21) some shady interactions with a 16 year old. So...yeah. Not a fan.

I'm not disagreeing with that -- I'm upset that women stereotype women who read certain genres and/or denigrate an entire genre. That's it. As I said, women are not a monolith. We are free to like what we like. Again, the problem is devaluing literature of genres that women are particularly drawn to.

Why can’t we say our honest thoughts, though? If some of us see her books as “basic” (basic formula, in other words), and likely most women who read them like easier reads, I don’t see anything wrong inaccurate with those assertions.

Why do you insist on using "basic"? If you insist that you have to express yourself honestly, it feels dismissive and judgmental. What's wrong with "commercial?" As I've said, that is the industry designation. Can you not see how "basic" is derogatory to the writer and readers? Even "light" or "escapist" is better than "basic."

It was my first time using that term. I think many people see her books that way, and multiple people have used that term on this thread. I don’t see it as derogatory. I’m not insulting the readers, just the books 😉 Maybe some Hoover readers will eventually agree and start reaching out for better books!

You just can't help yourself.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I tried and hated the two I attempted. The rape and abuse themes she sells in romance books are disturbing. I hate that GenZ has blown her up on BookTok.

Totally agree. I worry that books full of abuse and trauma are marketed as romance and are being gobbled up by young people. There are teens reading that stuff...at least we knew VC Andrews books were batsh!t crazy. Some of these kids think the abusive husband in It Ends with Us is romantic because he has sex scenes.

This is where I draw the line. Like in general you do you but her books portray some horrible stuff as romantic and that's not okay.

Like November 9, the male lead scars the protagonist in a fire, stalks her, sexually assaults her and this is portrayed as romantic. They end up together. Girls posy on social media about how romantic it is.

It's one thing to not write well, it's another to romanticize abusive relationships

Wow, I had NO idea. Tiktok is full of really toxic men promoting crappy treatment of women. If they're also reading this stuff and think it's romantic...yikes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people getting so mad when posters say it’s low brow. It IS low brow. Just own it for godsakes instead of denying it. It’s that’s your jam, fine. But also understand that the books are lower lexile and they aren’t going to satisfy other book worms.

1. "Low brow" is a derogatory term. It would be more appropriate to call it "commercial," since that's the industry designation.

2. PP's have associated it with *checks notes* women with "low education" who are "basic." This is utterly wrong, insulting, and reeks of misogyny. Women scientists can and do wear lipstick and high heels. Women politicians who are wicked smart read romance -- see Stacy Abrams and Katie Porter. Women are not a monolith.

3. Every time we denigrate women's literature in the genre of "women's fiction" or "romance" ("chick lit" is outdated), we collectively hurt women. Women are bigger consumers of literature than men, yet women writers win fewer prestigious awards, get fewer reviews in the NYT, and get fewer press mentions and best of lists. (Google old article by Jennifer Weiner to see her outrage on these omissions.) Thank goodness Colleen Hoover is helping to break the ceiling. Finally, the NYT has to include her in the best of lists because she sold more books than any other author last year, by far. Also, her sales revenues help the publisher take on smaller books that may not have as much commercial success (i.e. likely won't earn out their advance). Even if you don't appreciate Colleen Hoover's work, you might think about applauding her success.

4. Judging a woman by the cover of the book she's reading means that you are missing out on who she is as a full person. It's really your loss.

Amen, sista!

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed Verity because of the plot twist but not It Ends with Us, which I could barely get through (it seemed just SO over the top) and don’t plan to read another of her books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people getting so mad when posters say it’s low brow. It IS low brow. Just own it for godsakes instead of denying it. It’s that’s your jam, fine. But also understand that the books are lower lexile and they aren’t going to satisfy other book worms.

1. "Low brow" is a derogatory term. It would be more appropriate to call it "commercial," since that's the industry designation.

2. PP's have associated it with *checks notes* women with "low education" who are "basic." This is utterly wrong, insulting, and reeks of misogyny. Women scientists can and do wear lipstick and high heels. Women politicians who are wicked smart read romance -- see Stacy Abrams and Katie Porter. Women are not a monolith.

3. Every time we denigrate women's literature in the genre of "women's fiction" or "romance" ("chick lit" is outdated), we collectively hurt women. Women are bigger consumers of literature than men, yet women writers win fewer prestigious awards, get fewer reviews in the NYT, and get fewer press mentions and best of lists. (Google old article by Jennifer Weiner to see her outrage on these omissions.) Thank goodness Colleen Hoover is helping to break the ceiling. Finally, the NYT has to include her in the best of lists because she sold more books than any other author last year, by far. Also, her sales revenues help the publisher take on smaller books that may not have as much commercial success (i.e. likely won't earn out their advance). Even if you don't appreciate Colleen Hoover's work, you might think about applauding her success.

4. Judging a woman by the cover of the book she's reading means that you are missing out on who she is as a full person. It's really your loss.

Oh give me a break. I assume we’re all women here responding to this thread, and it’s a bit sexist of you to lump all women together. As if we all must respond the same way, or have the same opinion. As far as I checked, women are capable of debating and arguing and have spirited differences. I completely reject your claim that it’s misogynistic to dislike Colleen Hoover books! What a laughable idea.

And of course I respect her wild success! Good for her! But that’s not the topic, is it?

DP. For someone who seems so impressed with their taste in books, you seem to have remarkably little skill in reading comprehension, or you are just willfully misrepresenting the prior poster’s points. It’s as if you are responding to a completely different criticism.

[Anonymous]

I read It Ends With Us and rolled my eyes multiple times. I hated most of it. I don't think I'll ever read anything by her again (and I just saw that there is a sequel to that book. Gag.)

[Anonymous]

Honestly it depends on your mood. I read a wide variety from Holocaust Non-fiction to erotic with everything in between depending on a variety of factors. I've started a book, put it down, then picked it back up weeks later and LOVED it. It really just depends on your mental space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly it depends on your mood. I read a wide variety from Holocaust Non-fiction to erotic with everything in between depending on a variety of factors. I've started a book, put it down, then picked it back up weeks later and LOVED it. It really just depends on your mental space.

I also read a wide variety, but Hoover books aren’t ever appealing to me.

[Anonymous]

I'm a Colleen Hoover fan and I'm not ashamed by it. I read a wide variety of books and genres. There are plenty of books for every kind of reader. People can skip the books that do not appeal to them. I have tried various fantasy books and they don't work for me. I don't insult fantasy readers or the books just because they aren't my taste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I tried and hated the two I attempted. The rape and abuse themes she sells in romance books are disturbing. I hate that GenZ has blown her up on BookTok.

Totally agree. I worry that books full of abuse and trauma are marketed as romance and are being gobbled up by young people. There are teens reading that stuff...at least we knew VC Andrews books were batsh!t crazy. Some of these kids think the abusive husband in It Ends with Us is romantic because he has sex scenes.

This is where I draw the line. Like in general you do you but her books portray some horrible stuff as romantic and that's not okay.

Like November 9, the male lead scars the protagonist in a fire, stalks her, sexually assaults her and this is portrayed as romantic. They end up together. Girls posy on social media about how romantic it is.

It's one thing to not write well, it's another to romanticize abusive relationships

+1 I read a wide variety of books. My main criteria is that it have a good story. I have no problem suspending belief and some plot holes. I don't even mind reporting all the typos/errors when I'm reading on a Kindle. Yet, I will not read/support books that depict rape/abuse as romance. It's not. Maybe I would have felt differently before experiencing it in my own life - and having to work to recover from it. I feel strongly it should not be normalized in any way.

[Anonymous]

The first book of hers I read was It Ends With Us. I hated it and said I'd never read another one of her books.

Then people recommended Verity and said it was so different and good so I tried that. It was AWFUL. Crass and absolutely ridiculous.

I will definitely never read another one of her books, but it makes me wonder who the people are who like her?! To be clear, I watch reality shows on Bravo (some Real Housewives, Vanderpump Rules, Southern Charm), I'm not a book snob (I don't have rules like I have to read a classic a month or anything like that), and I am all about appreciating a book for what it is (i.e. if something is entertaining or engaging it doesn't have to be beautiful prose as well). But I cannot stand her books and I am just mystified as to profile of her fans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I associate her books with low education and women who only read chick lit.

I'm highly educated but I like some chick lit. Not Colleen Hoover at all though. To me she's below chick lit. She's like trash lit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She captures the young 20-something voice well. She's extra popular now due to TikTok.

I sincerely fear for our future if that's true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I associate her books with low education and women who only read chick lit.

I have a master’s degree and primarily read historical fiction. I’ve read one of her books and loved it. Will read another.

But carry on with your misogyny.

Lol let me just say that I joined Peleton's Moms Book Club on Facebook and it may as well be renamed Colleen Hoover Fan Club. And that crowd is very basic. I took my first trip to an all inclusive resort and saw one person reading while standing in the middle of a swim-up bar. She was reading Verity. I laughed (to myself) because I could 100% see someone posting a picture of themselves reading in the swim up bar and of course it would have to be a Colleen Hoover book. That reading taste is very different than mine.

The insufferable never fail to double down. I'm sure you're dying to tell us what highbrow literature you've read lately, although if you haven't read Colleen Hoover it's really just conjecture.

NP, but I wouldn't consider much of what I read to be highbrow literature and I have read Colleen Hoover and think her books are awful (yes, I've read more than one).