I read romance.

There, I've said it.

Although I've been reading it since I was 12 or 13, I've always felt it was something to be embarrassed about.  Part of it is those darn covers -- when I was in school, I used to flip my book over so that it was face-down on my desk, and when I was reading it I was always careful not to hold it up too high.  Even as an adult, I kept my romance novels tucked discreetly in my purse or a messenger bag when I had them with me out in public.

Thankfully I no longer have to try to keep my guilty pleasures hidden, thanks to my Nook.  I don't even have to be seen in the romance section at my bookstore or library, since I can make purchases and check out titles all online.  Hiding my reading habits has never been easier.

But what is it, exactly, that makes us feel so self-conscious about reading romance?  I don't feel guilty for leafing through the tabloids to find out who is sleeping with who in Hollywood (even though I really ought to be embarrassed at how eager I am to find out someone else's business -- someone I don't even know, for heaven's sake).  Nor do I feel self-conscious about reading an issue of Cosmopolitan at the checkout stand, even though the cover usually screams, "5 Ways to Rock His World," or something of the kind.

I think it's because, as an English major -- someone who has read some of the greatest works of literature in English -- I feel I ought to know better.  When I was a kid, I was embarrassed about the covers, sure, but I still devoured romance with blissful ignorance.  These days, I force myself to read "good" books until I can't take it anymore and throw myself headlong off the wagon.

Thank heavens for that Nook...  Now only you and I will know how many romance novels I really read!