Modest is hottest

Did you guys know that there is an entire subgenre of books that basically amount to Amish romance novels? I know, I probably just blew your minds. They are referred to in the trade as bonnet rippers.

Sometimes I think about how many books in the world I will never read and those pretty much top the list*. Then again, I do have a fascination with fringe religions (do the Amish count as a fringe religion?). But the weirdest part about the Amish romance books is that they sell at a rate far over the actual number of Amish people in this country, so someone else reads them. I can only assume that like me, these readers must be grappling with what I call a hate-crush. You know, when you are so annoyed/repulsed/enraged by something but also super fascinated? That's a hate-crush.

Also this little exercise in stream of thought consciousness reminded me of a book that I did read, Plain Truth, by Jodie Picoult. I don't recommend it, because it's terrible. I equate Jodie Picoult books to Law and Order SVU and Lifetime movies because she clamps onto some hot button issue and then churns out a legal thriller about, ensconced in chick litty feelings. Anyway, I read this book. It was about an Amish family and a mystery and it sucked. At the end I was like, this should be an episode of Law and Order SVU, or a Lifetime movie. And guess what you guys?? It was made into a Lifetime movie starring Mariska Hargitay**, star of Law and Order SVU! That's what I call destiny. Unlike SVU and Lifetime though, this book will not make you feel like you just indulged in a delightful guilty pleasure. And I bet Amish romance novels won't either.

*Note that I have never read a non-Amish romance novel either because I'm pretentious about books and I think romance novels are for pervy old ladies. Also, a pervy old dude/salty sailor at a marina where we had docked the boat once when I was a tween reccomended me some book and it turned out to be a romance novel and that really set the tone for my distaste for that particular genre.

**Come on Mariska, you're better than that.