<human>: People in the reading community seem to really love genre fiction, particularly science fiction and fantasy. To these readers, the book doesn't have to say anything new. It just has to be fun (which I completely agree is a wonderful thing).

Mysteries and thrillers are also accepted, but for some reason romance is not. I just read a comment where someone said that reading *50 Shades of Grey* isn't actually reading at all. I haven't read *50 Shades*, but it seems like it's at least a fun story that's different from the other romance that constantly makes bestseller lists. Surely that's acceptable?

I don't personally choose to read romance often, but I was sharing with a friend my love of Forster's *A Room With a View*, and even though that book has plenty to think about he dismissed it as "silly romance." This book is rather literary (if not particularly challenging). I can only imagine what people who read more genre-y romance get taunted with.

I hate to turn this into a feminist issue, but is it perhaps because romance novels are usually catered to women, while science fiction and fantasy are for the most part male dominated? Or do you think there's some other reason why certain pulp is acceptable and certain pulp is not? Feel free to disagree. Honest opinions are wanted!

Can you give me a shortened version of the text?
<bot>: I think it's pretentious that people beat on romance and I'd like to know what you think makes it different from other genre fiction.