Information Vacation

Is reading something you don't have to think about "lazy reading"?  Is it a sign that you are losing your ability to concentrate?  Are you afraid that you've reached a point where you can no longer absorb new information or learn something new?  In today's media immediacy,  we are under a constant barrage of information.  Somehow we are supposed to juggle this with the ever-changing technology that has been billed as easier to use and more efficient.  Our brains are overloaded.  Sometimes we need an information vacation.
Some readers describe these books as "beach reads".  Others (reading snobs) refer to them as "mindless drivel".  Many people will say that they don't care what you're reading as long as you're reading something.  No matter what you may think about books that do not require too much thought, they are obviously a necessary commodity in today's world.  If they weren't, authors like Nora Roberts and Danielle Steel would no longer be in business.
Nora Roberts has written over 200 books.  She veers back and forth between  romance and romantic suspense.  Her romances are often set up as trilogies (or quartets) which focus on a family or a group of friends.  Many readers of romance enjoy meeting a core group of characters in the first book and then following each of them through their own happy ending.  Naturally, the happy ending is what keeps the romance readers coming back.
Jude Deveraux has written several engaging series of historical romances.  Recently she has been writing contemporary romances that tie in with a few of her older romance series.  This has sent more than one romance reader back the book archives so that they can experience the complete back story.  Mary Balogh, Julia Quinn and Johanna Lindsey have also started series with a core family group and then branched out and created additional series through friends and distant relatives who make brief appearances in the original series.  Lynsay Sands writes historical romances with humorous language and situations.  She also has the long running Aregneau vampire series which are paranormal romances that don't take themselves too seriously (no teen angst here folks).
There is nothing wrong or embarrassing about taking a break from "serious" reading and cracking open something light and refreshing.  Try a contemporary romance that's not too spicy like Kristan Higgins, Robyn Carr or Susan Wiggs.  Not all romances are just about physical relationships.  There are many authors in this genre who take the time to build an appealing setting, create characters that readers can relate to, and develop a believable relationship.  The list of authors is endless but there are many resources like all romance writers that can help you find your next relaxing read.  These stories can provide the brain relief from the constant pressure of today's "infomania" and allow the reader to relax anywhere.  Or as Phil of Duck Dynasty fame would say, they'll make you "happy, happy, happy".