Susan Campton asks, “I have a freelance project that is sort of fun and was wondering if our ladies might like to help me out.
I’m writing an article on racy books this generation’s grandmothers would have read.
How old are you and what is one novel you remember being forbidden to read or having to read on the sly because of its ‘romantic’ content? Thank you in advance for your help.”
73 and I remember Peyton Place, Valley of the Dolls and I was working at a small town library (Union, MO) and Lucy Lomax was the librarian in 1965 or 1966. Prudence and the Pill was considered “racy” enough that it had to be kept under the check out counter 🤗. There was a waiting list longer than three of my arms! Lolol
Anything by Jackelyn Susan, Once is not Enough,very racy!
I’m 68 and remember reading “The Harrad Experiment”, “Uhuru”,and most of the others listed. I also read an anthology called something like 100 Gaelic Stories which was a little bit more than racy.
Valley of the Dolls! I was only about 11 or 12 and my girlfriend’s Mom had bought it. We snuck it and read it when ever we could! I’ll be 65 soon.
Hi I’m 68 and from New Zealand (originally from Canada) I can remember reading all the Mandingo books, Black Pearl, Lady Chatterleys Lover, Valley of the Dolls, Last Tango in Paris, Peyton Place and a whole bunch more, being an avid reader. PS We left Canada when I was 9
I am 73. Early reading in teens /Madame Bovary and Lady Chatterly”s Lover. Too many since then too list.
I’m 74 and remember finding a copy of Peyton Place in my mother’s dresser. I was never really told, though, about specific books I couldn’t read.
Wonderful, thank you for your help!
Fear of Flying; Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers; Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small. I’m 58. This was mid 70s.
Peyton Place was considered very races in the mid 60’s. I was encouraged to read as my mother was an avid reader herself. However, I was not allowed to read magazines like “True Confessions” or their ilk. Yet, after I discovered a copy of Pwyton Place on my mother’s bedside, it was a week or later, she placed it on a hall table where I could access it. I knew she knew I was reading it. It was the 60’s and I was a teenage so we just didn’t discuss it. 😉
Wow..smart mom! Thank you
Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small, Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews. I’m 57.
I’ve never heard of O’Malley. I’ll check her out..thank you!
Valley of the Dolls; Lolita; Behind the Green Door; Lady Chatterly’s Lover; Mandingo. I also read more intelligent books. I’m currently into spy thrillers.
You’ve given me so much to research..do you remember how about how old you were when Mandingo was the rage?
Thank you!
About 1965. I’m now 75 & my sister is 84😁
Anne Rice the Sleeping Beauty Trilogy very erotic not for the faint of heart
I am 72. Voracious reader, since I could read Dick and Jane😁
Lolita, Valley of the Dolls, Gone with the Wind, To Sir with Love, Wuthering Heights…my parents never told me what to read..
I am 66 – Fear of Flying, Candy, The Happy Hooker, Sex and the Single Girl and Valley of the Dolls. I don’t know why I remember all this???
I’m 69 and a person who reads everyday. I was never told what not to read growing up . But my dad kept me busy reading all the wonderful books he read as a child.
Anything Jackie Collins. I thought she was shocking at the time.
Peyton Place, Valley of the Dolls and The Joy of Sex come to mind. I’m 65 and my mom tried (unsuccessfully) to monitor my reading.
I’m 74 and remember reading Lady Chatterley’s love, in my early 20s, and “Peyton place”, “Lolila,” That’s all I can think of now.
Sylvia
Ecstasy and Me by Hedy Lamar.
Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann
Last Tango in Paris by Robert Alley (book, screen play, movie)
Not a novel, but . . . Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* by David Reuben, M.D. (*but were afraid to ask)
I’m 65.
Hi, I’m 63. I recall reading Candy when I was 13!
I’m 69 and can’t ever remember reading anything racey….I was brought up to be very straight laced….I think I read a couple and I mean about two romance novels which had the vague mention of something going on but nothing was spelled out. I had a normal sex life however and that seems odd to me now hahahaha!
66 here….nothing racy, just Amish novels! 😂