Amen! :D I haven't been to that forum for maybe half a year because it's just stressful and crazy... I come here because I love books, reading AND talking about them, and talking with other readers about them is very calming to me and makes me happy as heck. I even just love reading about other people do reviews, talk about books they LOVE (especially that) and what everyone is reading at the moment- I guess I'm weird. :D Another reason to be grateful for this forum- I've gotten so many great recommendations here and found some amazing books that way! 

Nancy, how could we possibly be pissy when our passion is reading about love and sex?

But I certainly understand what you're saying. I don't do the CMT forum, but I've participated in a variety of forums on a variety of sites over the past 14 years. Sooner or later (and mostly sooner), they decend into hellish cat fights and hurling insults. In our society, people take the time and energy to complain, but seldom to praise. i.e., we write letters to complain and criticize about inadequate products and services but we never write letters endorsing, commending, or encouraging companies to keep up the good work.

I was once a Brownie Girl Scout Troop Leader. At one meeting, we were discussing manners and how we treat other people. I had them all squeeze toothpaste onto a paper plate, then gave them popsicle sticks and told them to put the toothpaste back in the tube. The purpose was to illustrate that words, once spoken, cannot be taken back.

Communicating online offers one tremendous advantage over face-to-face discussions. We can type all our wrath and ire and disgust to vent those feelings, then choose to delete the text without ever posting it. We can unsay the words. Or, on this website, we can click the PM button and communicate with the offender privately rather than berate them publicly.

Sooooo, maybe we're just more mature or more responsible here. Or maybe we have developed an esprit-de-corps in which frequent posters set the tone for lurkers and visitors. I cherish all the folks here. The rest of the world thinks we're crazy for reading romance, craving HEAs, and wanting to escape to places where relationships work. It's nice to have a place where we can share a group hug.

Colleen

I don't pay much attention to that forum, and it's very deliberate.  I get annoyed enough reading the Q&A forum, but CMT would have me building missiles in the basement.  Just kidding ... I don't have a basement:P  I like the laid back atmosphere here, the freedom to speak your mind & people don't really get offended, and the fact that everyone seems to appreciate the diversity we have. 

I like the people here. The only topic that really interests me is what's the last good romance someone read, and I find that right here.

Yeah, if I wanted to fight about stuff there are a gazillion other places I could go. I never understand why people want to talk politics on romance boards. It drove me away from the RT board. I'm here to talk books!

It is so true.  When we discuss books:  reading them, listening to them, collecting them, wanting them, swapping them, hating them;  they are too short, too long, too many words, not enough description, too much detail, sex is good , sex is weird,  what is THAT on the cover!......then we have a good time. 

It kinda creeps me out when folks start arguing about religion on CMT.  There is a really serious discussion now about someone's sex life.... TMI.  The talk here about the same topic is always so funny.

Kim,   CMT would have me building missiles in the basement.     LOL

I'm very thankful for the L&R forum! I have gotten some great suggestions for new  authors/books to try. Actually the book I'm reading today I only put on my WL because of reviews here. I enjoy reading the opinions and reviews and some of the threads are good for a laugh.

I love to hear about what other people are reading and I've also gotten some great recommendations and discovered some new authors.  And when I'm having a bad day at work or just need a little break - I sign on here and usually find something to get my mind off of it all and make me smile again! 

L&R is the first forum I visit when I get on the computer :)

Everyone in this forum has been very nice & helpful... and I've discovered some great new authors here!! 

I was out of the Romance loop when I came in here last March,  I have been given great suggestions, I have laughed out loud most days about something posted.  I was injured, and then had a life threating illness, from which I am recovered, but I'll never be as active as I once was.  To rediscover my love of reading and to be able to share thoughts and laughter about the books has been priceless.  So to all the ladies who have generously shared their knowledge.  I say thank-you. 

We just have a good vibe going on over here.  No matter what kind of romance we read, we all seem to get along well.

I do look at CMT on occasion but there's rarely a thread that interests me.  The vibe is not so nice over there a lot of the time.

There are a lot of very nice people who post there regularly, and a lot of threads that it seems like the perfect place for.  But it can also be a big troll magnet too.  Or someone will invariably put up an offensive thread & it starts a big board war - which I usually think was the purpose to begin with.  I don't think it's a bad idea to have a board where people can just "hang out" & chit-chat about whatever is on their minds, but I do think that there are some who look at everything in hopes that they'll find a good opportunity to pounce & stir up some drama.  The "nice pussy" thread was cute.  I did look at that one, not expecting anything offensive, but sorta intrigued.  I believe, btw, that big cats can be just as affectionate as little ones, but when your sweet little puddy-tat goes buck wild for no apparent reason and mauls your arm, they aren't likely to rip it out of the socket in the process:P

L&R is the friendliest forum I know... it's a great community.

but CMT would have me building missiles in the basement.

I have now had my laugh for the day!  Thanks Kim!

Seriously tho, that's what "love and romance" is all about - having a good time and being positive.  I don't think I've ever encountered anyone here who made me want to get ugly, and how often does that happen?!

Your avatar just gets me every time!   I have to look and focus and then I can see it. 

Thank you... I think! If it's causing a headache I can change it. :)

Cateye - After reading Pamela's post, I looked more closely at your avatar. Couldn't figure out what it was. Copied and pasted to Paint so I could zoom it. Voila! I love it! It's not cryptic at all once you know what it is. Don't change it!

Colleen

it's a tiger isn't it? that's what it looks like to me...I don't have an avatar..

Don't you dare change it!  I love it.  It is beautiful.  So much so, that I had to mention it.  I wish I could figure out how to put one on.  I have a great picture of a dog with eyeglasses, but alas....

Thanks, Pamela! I would love to see your dog with glasses... if you go to the help docs and search for 'avatar', there are directions. Susanna, I'd love to see what you pick also.... I just googled "free avatar quilt" and discovered there's such a thing as a log cabin pattern... made me laugh, I thought  of L&R. :)

I haven't been posting here very long but I love that you ladies are always willing to discuss a book and give very informative recommendations for other similar books. I can't tell you how many books I have found and loved as a result of lurking through the threads on this forum or asking directly for recommendations. Everyone is always very friendly and at times VERY funny which is so wonderful since why in the world would we want to take ourselves or this topic too seriously! I'm pleased to have found this forum:-) Thanks ladies!

Same to you,  Margaret.   I have enjoyed sharing my love of books with you.

I love this forum because you won't find the statement *sticking nose in air* "I don't read romances" *sniff*. Like they'd die from embarassment if they were caught with a romance book.