I find that I don't have the patience or something to sit through an entire season of a show, any show, even one I liked. However, I will sit down and binge a series of "trash" romance books. Romance is the onle genre I read and have read forever.

For the Kindle Unlimited reader who is looking for well-written romance, try the following ones that I've recently discovered.

Becka Mack-Playing for Keeps series-Consider Me is the first book. I'm not typically a re-reader but I reread all 5 within the span of 3 weeks
Stephanie Archer-Vancouver Storm series. I'm currenly on the last book in this series. These are super fun and I will read all of her books. She has another series
Lainey Davis-Stag Brothers series (There is the original Stag Brothers and then she has branched out into the kids) She has several other really fun series too but I cannot remember the names of all of them. I've reread some of these. Get on her website. She is great.
Kate Canterbary-She has several series and I can't remember the names of them but I would look her up and she has a reading order onher website. I binged all her books.

I have been seeing lots of Reels/BookTok or whatever it is called recommending Elsie Silver and Liz Tomforde. I'm going to dive into those series next.

Small caveat, I'm not sure all these are Kindle Unlimited. I know for certain Becka Mack is and I could not put those down. (Bonus they are sexy AF put you in the "mood." I'm menopausal and need all the help I can get these days)

Anonymous wrote:I’m not for trashy but GBBO is my perfect watch
And to listen to reggae

GBBO is wholesome. Not as wholesome as, say, All Creatures Great and Small, but pretty wholesome, the occasional cheeky remark or double entendre from Prue notwithstanding. (Adios, Prue. We'll miss you).

Anonymous wrote:Life is hard. I've had my share of hardships and trauma, and the world is dark and depressing enough, that I don't want to watch your serious dramas, historical/period pieces, or read your thought provoking books. I want to watch 90 Day Fiancé, Love is Blind, and Bridgerton. Dance to fun, peppy things. Go to zumba class and shake my middle aged lady self. Laugh at funny memes.

I have a good job, a master's degree from a prestigious university, and own my own home solo. But no, I don't want to read your serious books or watch the classics. I am tired. I'm not ignoring the world's insanity, but I do need a lot of levity where I can find it. I am unrefined and "trashy" - anyone else?

To some degree, although the exploitation factor in some of the "reality TV" shows is icky. Like 90 Day is filled with people who clearly have mental illness or extreme desperation. I know they agree -- want -- to be on this show, but... Recent example: Manon on The Other Way. Clearly has a personality disorder and unresolved trauma from her childhood. On the one hand it's fascinating, on the other hand it's exploitative putting her under a microscope.

I try to be mindful. There's something a little distasteful about constantly trying to make yourself feel better at someone else's expense.

Anonymous wrote:Life is hard. I've had my share of hardships and trauma, and the world is dark and depressing enough, that I don't want to watch your serious dramas, historical/period pieces, or read your thought provoking books. I want to watch 90 Day Fiancé, Love is Blind, and Bridgerton. Dance to fun, peppy things. Go to zumba class and shake my middle aged lady self. Laugh at funny memes.

I have a good job, a master's degree from a prestigious university, and own my own home solo. But no, I don't want to read your serious books or watch the classics. I am tired. I'm not ignoring the world's insanity, but I do need a lot of levity where I can find it. I am unrefined and "trashy" - anyone else?

...okay?

Motion to stop calling what people like a problem because it's not. If you like "refined" things or "classics", you're stuffy and insufferable and boring. If you like "junk" and "fluff", you're "trashy" and unrefined. None of this is true; they're tropes and they're boring.

Most people like a mix of things. Don't put yourself in a box. Don't put others in boxes. Let people like what they like.

Be your best trashy, OP. Enjoy it!

I felt that way for a long time but now that phase is over for me. I used to love Real Housewives of SLC for instance and something clicked and I can't stand it. Same for silly podcasts, psychological thriller books. Used to be such a fan and now it's all the same.

The Hallmark movies in December are my jam.

Yes!! I love trashy novels and Kdramas.

I have a Kindle Unlimited for the trope-filled romance novels. I am a fast reader, so it is far more cost effective to do this. Granted, some of the writing is complete crap, but it scratches the itch...

Anonymous wrote:I like a mix, too, but I just wanted to say that I understand 100%! Do what makes you happy, OP! A nice thing about middle age is that you start to care less and less about being judged. Enjoy your shows in peace!

1000% this! My tastes differ from OP’s but more power to her! I often think of the title of an old country song “My give-a-d@mn’s busted!”

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jodeemessina/mygiveadamnsbusted.html

I like a mix, too, but I just wanted to say that I understand 100%! Do what makes you happy, OP! A nice thing about middle age is that you start to care less and less about being judged. Enjoy your shows in peace!

I’m right there with you, OP. I’m 50, have a stressful job, teens with their lives and parents with constant health issues.

All I want to do is watch TLC. I could talk to you about 90 day fiancé and the spin offs all day.

DH watches tv in a different room now, we are both okay with this.

51 and I need my media to be a balm these days. Currently watching cozy Norwegian show Home for Christmas on Netflix, reading a mystery set in posh Britain, and listening to podcasts about tv shows

I’m like this now. I love Downton Abbey and Virgin River and the great British Baking Show. And House Hunters. Things that are light and don’t leave me stressed or upset. Just pleasant and fun.

I mainly watch zoo shows and British comedy panel shows now

I’m a 45 yo woman and I’m the opposite. I can’t stand “reality tv” and mostly watch documentaries and dramas. Love reading lots of news and biographies and historical fiction. But I also like good romance novels and mysteries.l

My main genres of music these days are Kpop, classic rock and yacht rock, and 80s and 90s country.