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Sara Reyes | Escape the Economic Downturn .... Surprising Answers

Hey, guess what? Something you'll never believe about the economy! Romance book sales are up. Way UP! And I say, DUH!!! Sheesh, where has everyone been? Of course they are! As the uncertainty about jobs and income stays with us so does the need to find escapes and one of the best "bangs for the buck" is a good old-fashioned romance novel. Seriously, you get a couple of hours of entertainment with a guaranteed happy ending for about eight dollars.

Of course the romance publishers doing the best are the ones with the less expensive books, but even so, $8 is generally still affordable. It's even better than buying a tube of lipstick which was supposed to be the other big recession commodity not given up by women.

And the other little splurge? Movies. But not the big dramas, the so-called chick flicks, children movies, comedies and as my son calls them, "light-hearted action flicks" are all making box office profits and it's hard to find a good seat on Fridays and Saturdays. Even worse on half-price Tuesdays! People find it reasonable to go out for a movie, maybe skip the candy and popcorn, for a couple of hours of entertainment.

A TASTE OF
MAGICSo, my friends and fellow readers, what's YOUR choice of diversion now? What are the books (or movies) you'd prefer? I find that I'm reading more light-hearted books whether they are romances or mysteries. If I read a tissue-box romance, I have to follow it up with at least two laugh-out-louds! For example, Robyn Carr's PARADISE VALLEY was followed immediately by Tracy Madison's A TASTE OF MAGIC with its unusual wacky birthday present and Julia Harper's FOR THE LOVE OF PETE, a screw-ball adventure comedy set in the fields and by-ways of Southern Illinois.

THE LOVE
OF PETEFor movies, I've enjoyed going to a couple of film festivals recently and I really enjoyed the comedies. I saw THE 2 BOBS or what happens when two game designers forget about the big picture and have to learn to enjoy life and Rock Slyde a mash-up of a comedic film noir private eye and a Scientology-inspired cult who worships early morning exercise and magic cookies! I highly recommend both if they come to a town or screen near you! They'll definitely make you smile!

Now it's your turn...what are you reading or watching? Tell us and I'll make sure you're entered into our little contest to pull something out of the old Fresh Fiction grab bag. Definitely a good book and maybe a little surprise!

Well, until next time... Sara ReyesGet out there and READ a book...
Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers Group
Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas November 13-15, 2009!

 

 

Comments

39 comments posted.

Re: Sara Reyes | Escape the Economic Downturn .... Surprising Answers

Right now I'm reading Erin McCarthy's Flat-Out Sexy and it's a great story.
(Maureen Emmons 6:32am April 11, 2009)

Just finished Anita Shreve's Body
Surfing. Since we didn't get a spring
break thanks to snow days, this had to
serve as my Spring Break Beach
Moment. Next time, I'll grab a bucket
of sand to dig my toes into while I read
my beach book! Inexpensive mental
trip!
(Margie Rogers 7:02am April 11, 2009)

I'm reading Midnight Magic by Betina Krahn -- I have about 30 more pages then I think I will read a murder mystery -- not sure yet.

Would like to wish everyone a HAPPY EASTER.!!!
(Mj Chesick 8:05am April 11, 2009)

i'm reading chosen right now by pc cast... it's a great little series!

Happy Easter!
(Tina Werner 8:09am April 11, 2009)

I just finished reading "Dancing in the
Moonlight" - nice story. Also read
Kristan Higgins' "Too Good to be True" -
loved it. And want to suggest Julia
Harper's"Hot".
(Mary Hundley 8:16am April 11, 2009)

Another book I read last week was "The
Lost Recipe for Happiness" by Barbara
O'Neal - really liked it!
(Mary Hundley 8:19am April 11, 2009)

I have been reading a lot of the older books of Jessica Steele lately. They are very good.
(Jeffery Carman 9:22am April 11, 2009)

I'm on a mystery kick at the moment. Charlaine Harris' Grave series. I'm a bit sorry that I went to her page and found out she only intends this to be a 4-book series. I still like my HEA.

Oh, I am also re-reading the Jasper Fforde Thursday Next series.
(V Scott 10:09am April 11, 2009)

I just finished Seducing the Scottish Bride by Sue-Ellen Welfonder, and now I am starting Tempt the Devil by Anna Campbell.
(Cheryl Castings 10:46am April 11, 2009)

I just finished reading Janeology by Karen Harrington, which tackles the tough question of who is culpable when one parent kills their own child. I think I need something lighter for my next read. Perhaps I will go back to For the Love of Pete.

Haven't been to the movies in awhile, but I am loving Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Dancing With the Stars, and the new show The Unusuals on tv.
(Margay Roberge 11:06am April 11, 2009)

I am reading Signora Da Vinci. Anything historical is fascinating and givs me a new perspective.
(Sharon Berger 11:09am April 11, 2009)

I just finished Kerrelyn Spark's Secret Life Of A Vampire. I love the whole Love At Stake Series and really enjoyed reading the latest book. I am starting Tempted At Midnight by Jacquie D'Alessandro now.

Happy Easter weekend!
(Lori Patterson 11:11am April 11, 2009)

I picked up a few books lately: Jodi Thomas' Rewriting Monday, Jeri Smith-Ready's Wicked Game, Sharon Sala's The Warrior. Best movie I've seen lately is The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke, will be buying that when it's released on dvd on the 21st. Loved it!
(Kay Martinez 12:39pm April 11, 2009)

I'm on a huge Urban Fantasy kick right now. The last three books I read were Ilona Andrews' Magic Strikes, Karen Chance's Curse the Dawn and Jim Butcher's Turn Coat. Oddly enough, it hasn't extended to my movie-watching...The last movie I watched was Stone of Destiny.
(Jacqueline Lam 1:34pm April 11, 2009)

Recently I have read Bone Crossed by
Patricia Briggs (love the series),
Angel's Pain by Maggie Shayne and I
just found the "Psy-Changelings"
series by Nalini Singh, can't wait to
read the rest of the series.

As for movies: Just rented August
Rush, if you missed it in the theatre I
highly recommend it.

I love Sci-Fi and Fantasy movies as
well and am looking forward to "X-
men Origins: Wolverine" who can
resist Hugh Jackman. Also
"Terminator Salvation" with the yummy
Christian Bale and on a lighter note,
the second "Night at the Museum"
movie.
(Shari Eggleston 1:35pm April 11, 2009)

I'm reading Left to Die by Lisa Jackson. I enjoy romantic suspense.
(Carol Mintz 2:12pm April 11, 2009)

New books I've read in the last few weeks:

The Secret Wedding by Jo Beverley

Someone Like Her (HSR #1558) by Janice Kay Johnson

Out of Time by Pauline Baird Jones

Claimed by the Secret Agent by Lyn Stone (Sil. Rom. Suspense)

Promises in Death by J.D. Robb

Horizon (Sharing Knife #4) by Lois McMaster Bujold)

First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh

Movies? I went to see Monsters vs Aliens on April 9th. I'm planning to see Xmen Origins: Wolverine and the new Star Trek movie when they come out.
(Robin Greene 2:17pm April 11, 2009)

I just finished Rita Herron's 'In A Heartbeat' - don' read on a dark scarry night! Right now I am reading the cookbook to get ready for tomorrow.
(Karin Tillotson 2:30pm April 11, 2009)

Just finished the last of the Montana Creeds series. I loved it. Linda Lael Miller is the greatest.
(Evelyn Day 3:01pm April 11, 2009)

I'm reading "The garden of evil" by David Hewson, and I like it a lot!
Happy Easter!
(Eva Moller 3:05pm April 11, 2009)

We saw Fast and Furious last night, was good and action packed. I am reading a Janet Evanovich book currently.










9
(Vikki Parman 3:34pm April 11, 2009)

I'm so glad to see more people are reading. It's so very important for both children and adults!
(LuAnn Morgan 4:15pm April 11, 2009)

Happy Easter!!!
I am reading Stephanie Bond's 4bodies. Can't wait for the next one.
Stephanie
(Stephanie Hall 4:26pm April 11, 2009)

Well, I'm with you about needing lighthearted entertainment. Charlotte Hughes has few peers when it comes to "light hearted" craziness (of course, she and Evanovich are good friends and they were both writing goofy Love Swepts at the same time)and I just re-read Hughes' "What Looks Like Crazy", and have the follow-up "Nutcase" to be read soon. These were to counterbalance "Malice" by Lisa Jackson.

Have to say right here, that the best entertainment I have had in years was the stage production of "Menopause, the Musical". I laughed until tears were rolling down my cheeks. If you haven't seen it, and get the chance, please do -- don't think age will matter here.

Hope everyone has a blessed Easter with friends and family.
(Betty Cox 4:35pm April 11, 2009)

I read a lot of paranormal romance, right now, its the new release by Kathleen Dante, called Endangered. Whenever I need to have a good laugh, I reach for a Janet Evanovich story.
(Cathy MacDonald 4:54pm April 11, 2009)

Right now I am reading Homicide in Hardcover by Kate Carlisle. I keep a book out all the time reading. I read about every night before going to bed.

As far as movies go we don't go to the movies because of the cost. We used to rent a few each month but the vidio store we used closed and we haven't check out another one.
(Gail Hurt 6:14pm April 11, 2009)

I'm reading Burnt Toast by Terri Hatcher and it's a hoot and sounds just like her in Desperate Housewives.
(Alyson Widen 6:35pm April 11, 2009)

Took a long time to read because of life and company but I did enjoy Promises In Death. I really enjoyed Hot, so I look forward to finding time to read The Love of
Pete if you think it was better. Now I'm reading Rewriting Monday by Jodie Thomas, and have to find more time to read because I am really enjoying it.

I'm not really much of a movie person, so spare dollars here will be going to books or maybe even shoes!
(Sandi Shilhanek 7:19pm April 11, 2009)

I am reading Paradise Valley by Carr and loving it. Just love that series; cant wait for the next ones.
(Pat Lieberman 8:33pm April 11, 2009)

I just started a ten book set by Lynsay Sands thay are great light hearted books about a family of vanpires.and i spend alot of time playing on the computer these days not so much time wacthing movie's
(Stacey Smith 9:59pm April 11, 2009)

Ijust finished two books that match your call - one that had a very obscure HEA of sorts, so obscure that one wasn't sure if it really was an HEA at all (Elizabeth George, "A Place of Hiding"), and then to counter-act it, an older Johanna Lindsey, "Once A Princess". I'd read the George before, but kept finding things in it that made me wonder if I had because I didn't remember them, but I hadn't read the Lindsey before. A friend had given it to me, saying she was done with it, and her bookroom was full, start putting things in mine! Haven't seen any movies recently, though!

Later,

Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 11:44pm April 11, 2009)

Right now I'm reading Heartsick by Chelsea Cain. So far, it isn't a romance book (and I doubt it will be) but all my romance books were downstairs and this one wasn't. As far as what my choice in reading goes, I am addicted to paranormal romances!!! Movies, on the other hand, I have been watching more lighthearted movies. I just bought Marley & Me, Bedtime Stories, and Bolt today. Sure, I have 2 kids (maybe 3 if I'm lucky and am pregnant right now) but I bought the movies because I wanted to see them. Ha-ha
(Dawn Detkowski 2:21am April 12, 2009)

Yes I heard about the morning and evening shows talking about romance sales up!! I know I haven't changed much, I got to have my reads!

I read THE CLUB by Sharon Page. Awesome historical! I think I may start Jade Lee's DRAGON series next!

I heard about both those contemps of Ms. Harper and Ms. Madison. Those with humor so are uplifting! Those kinds really miss reading lately!
(Cathie Morton 2:30am April 12, 2009)

I love Wendi Corsi Staub and am waiting for her new book. I just finished Lavender Morning by Jude Deveraux. It's great! I've also just discovered Carlene Thompson and just finished "Black for Remembrance." I'm ready to stary "Annie's Song" by Catherine Anderson.
(Susan Holtry 10:00am April 12, 2009)

Definitely reading over watching movies. Romances with a sense of humor are best of all! :)
Happy Easter!
(Eva Minaskanian 12:20pm April 12, 2009)

I still prefer reading to going to a
movie. I enjoy movies and some need
to be seen on the big screen (Harry
Potter, Lord of the Rings). However
most others I'd rather watch at home.
Those I really like, I buy so I can watch
them over and over and end up
spending less than one trip to the
theater. Right now I'm reading Silent
In The Grace by Deanna Raybourn and
Wild Indigo by Sandi Ault. Will be
starting Julie Kenners Good Ghouls Do
at work (my lunch reading). My TBR
pile is getting way too high!
(Patricia Barraclough 4:29pm April 12, 2009)

I just read Tempted By His Kiss by Tracy Anne Warren. I loved the hero, Cade, who wore reading glasses and admired his lady who could beat him at chess!
(Virginia Campbell 5:39pm April 12, 2009)

After turning 48 yesterday I decided to re-evaluate my life. The solution was to relax more with a good book. Right now I am reading "Running From The Devil", a thriller by Jamie Freveletti
(Linda Fast 9:55pm April 12, 2009)

I prefer books over movies. Right now I am reading Kitty Raises Hell by Carrie Vaughn. I enjoy paranormals and mysteries. I revisit my books,my favorites. I can do the same with movies but books are something I enjoy holding.
(Jo Anne Benware 11:25pm April 12, 2009)

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