But I think mystery and SF/fantasy (which I admittedly don't read much) may get a bit more respect because there's no standard goal in mind

I wonder if romance as a genre is hampered by the factors you cite, AmyLiz (and welcome!), whereas -- possible unpopular opinion coming -- SF/fantasy are hampered by the readers themselves, or to be more precise, the popular stereotype of the readers.

Caution: stereotyping ahead, not to be taken seriously:

• Literary novels are read by middle-class college-educated people with ordinary lives, mortgages, kids.
  
• Romance novels, whatever their quality, are read by unthreatening middle-aged women who wear pastels.
  
• SF and fantasy novels are read by those (often overweight and socially maladjusted) people who dress up as Darth Vader and wait in line for three days for the premiere of RotK.

This is what the media tells us, and the perception of the readers taints the genre being read, because who wants to be associated with a class of people that all look like Harry Knowles?

t /satire mode

I liked Atonement, but I read it like a mystery, which is probably like putting ketchup on quiche in McEwan country.

Romance novels, whatever their quality, are read by unthreatening middle-aged women who wear pastels.

You misspelled "written". Signed, woman who has been to an RWA convention

I believe you, Betsy. Which makes them even more unthreatening.

I was surprised, when I went to the library here, that the librarians asked me what I was interested in, and then showed it to me, with no quirked eyebrows or oddities, and that they still let Greg know that they ran across something they think I'll like, and often send things home with him for me. (FTR, in order, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, mytery, graphic novel, rarely lit fic. no non-fiction unless it's about building, making, writing or decorating something.)

I remember, as I was growing up, that I'd get funny looks from many of the librarians, or they'd try to steer me toward "good" books, even the occasional look of severe disapproval or muttered comment, whenever I checked out another book of fairytales or an Andre Norton.

the occasional look of severe disapproval or muttered comment

A student I TAed once was shocked one day to discover the book I was carrying in my backpack for a bus ride was "Anna Karenina" - because, you know, a girl who studies physics can't possibly read anything other than SF.

A good librarian does not judge the reader's taste, whether it be LoTR or (shudder) Left Behind. There may be private shuddering, but public shuddering is Right Out.

YLMV.

Kenny's reading Ender's Game. This should be interesting.

Hi, my name's amyparker (and welcome to AmyLiz; let's see you weirdos mess around with pronouncing that!) and I had never read a romance novel before I fell in with you lot.

flea, yeah, of course, that was (way too many) years ago. I've even read one of the Left Behind books. Pertty much disliked it, but I read it.

dude, I can top that...I read "The Rules". I'm so ashamed. I'm Erika, and I'm a textoholic.But when the urge for the printed word hits, I might read anything.