Smart Bitches Trashy Books | All of the romance, none of the bullshit.

I, SB Sarah, a Person, was reading the latest entry at Galley Cat, a website, about the number of books being tagged with the words “A Novel.” The phenomenon is so odd, and yet, so common.

An Anonymous Bitchery Reader, a Person, sent me the link, saying, “What the hell is up with that?”

My answer: I do not know. Why tag books with “A Novel?” Maybe it’s a CYA attempt along the lines of “We guarantee this is 100% made up, as opposed to a fictional work that’s attempting to pass itself off as a memoir.” Or maybe it’s a particular cover artists’ love affair with the word “novel.” Or maybe it’s an attempt to steer that book from being shelved in a particular subgenre so that its housed in the more austere “general fiction” section of the big store?

So what is the deal? And can I tell you how much I dread a cover that uses the deadly words, “A Romance Novel?”

Holy crap! A completely safe-for-work ad for a porn channel!

I didn’t think those sorts of things needed ads. But oh my God, this is brilliant.

A few links sent in by Bitchery readers for your fun and amusement. We’re not just romance, we’re a random news aggregate too!

In the inverse of, “No, this time I’m telling the truth!” we have James Frey’s new book deal, filed under, “No, this time I am really making ALL of it up! I’m REALLY lying this time!” Bitchery reader DesertWillow sent me a link to this Yahoo:News story about the buzz surrounding Frey’s new deal with HarperCollins: “Bright Shiny Morning,” [will be] a “kaleidoscopic” portrait of modern Los Angeles. His first deal was seven figures, according to the article. Holy Cow.

And, should you be looking for a costume to promote your new book or just collect a crapload of free mini candybars next month, Lucinda Betts is here to help you out. They’re not Storm Troopers - they’re FemTroopers! Seems women have stormed the gender barrier of trooper land, but honestly? Those outfits look a little chafe-y to me.

Courtesy of my friend Mel, check out this serendipitous placement of the Amazon.com “Search Inside” arrow.

All I can say to Lady Chatterley is: Honey, if you need to search for it, you might want to look into getting a new lover. I’m just sayin’.

Bitchery reader Zaza sent me a link to a hearing aid site that is using some seriously fine looking man-titty in its advertisement. Because nothing says hearing aid like man-titty, right? Seems the company sent her a postcard of the man-titty hotness, and she went to the website to check it out. That would be a slam-dunk in the junk mail department. If word gets out, there’s going to be fine man-titty everywhere. What a shame.

Are you ready for some links already? Audéo is using a rather innovative and dare I say pleasant to look at advertisement set to spread the word about its new hearing device.

This would be the gentleman who captured Zaza’s interest. Can’t say I blame her.