Re: questions for people who read novels
@Mdw, not sure exactly what genre "JQ" stands for but, as I said, "romance", or relationship novels are a pretty wide sub group.
I don't personally mind! people reading the intense erotica or other one note stuff, however my problem with that from a purely artistic perspective is exactly the same as my problem with generic action/power fantasy, paint by numbers schlocky slasher horror, hammy historicals, or any other one note type of fiction, namely that it is! one note, and thus both predictable, and unengaging to anyone who is interested in anything besides that one note, EG 3 3 dimensional characters rather than cliches, unpredictable plots, well written descriptions and complex emotions not tied to the one note in question, indeed all of the other stuff that makes a good book accept for erotic sex scenes, gory monster murder, extreme explosions or whatever that one note is; indeed I find myself that if a book has" the other writing building blocks placed properly it's one note will come off all the better, EG, an erotic sex scene is much more pleasant when you know and care about the characters in question, and a battle, or monster attack means much more if there is a possibility of losing characters you like along the way.
I will admit I personally don't tend to read stuff that isn't speculative fiction myself, but that isn't because I believe only speculative fiction, much less only one sort of speculative fiction, is worth reading.
As to why academic reading is harder, well welcome to the wonderful world of academia .
Firstly, anything is harder once someone is telling you to do it, or you have to do it for another reason than your own choice, secondly, most academic none fiction is simply not as interesting as fiction, not having plot, characters and all the other good stuff I alluded to.
Oh, and if your looking for stuff to read Here are my book reviews., most are speculative fiction of one sort or another, though hopefully my comments and/or marks should give you ideas for recommendations.
Indeed, if you want something generally cheerful and upbeat, yet at the same time well written, compelling and very readable, try Becky Chambers wayfarer trilogy, they're very pure science fiction, but hilarious, good fun, with great characters and an over all light hearted tone, for all her most recent novella slightly disappointed me.
Oh and yes, my wife and I read together regularly, we just finished Duma Key by Stephen King.
Often we read sf, fantasy or horror. Sometimes one of us will recommend a book or story the other hasn't read, sometimes we'll revisit an old favourite (wee reread both the hunger games trilogy, all the Harry Potter books and quite a bit of Brandon sanderson, Tad Williams and Robin Hobb together).
Sometimes my lady will recommend books or short stories in genres I don't usually read myself, such as crime or relationships, as with the silent partner or Pat Conroy's prince of tides, and usually (because my lady is a person of intelligence with good taste), they're books I get something out of.
Sometimes we'll try something new together, as with Becky chambers.
Just call it one of the advantages of being married to a fellow book fanatic .
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