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By now, the global recession has become as ordinary as talking about the latest movie you watched or making plans for the weekend ahead. What is not so ordinary are the side-effects this economic shake-up has created, some of which have left observers puzzled as to their unexpectedness.

One such surprise has been the staggering rise in the sale of romance and erotica novels in the past few months, somewhat dispelling the age-old myth that money fuels love. Indeed, serial romance novel publisher Harlequin reported a $3 million increase in North American book sales in the fourth quarter of last year, whilst the  Association of American Publishers has revealed that adult paperback book sales are up 3.6%, as opposed to an overall decline in book sales.

Of course, such trends could simply be seen as a surge in the number of readers who indulge in escapism so as to forget the dull gloom of a cash-strapped reality. As Motoko Rich from the New York Times recently remarked, “Like the Depression-era readers who fueled blockbuster sales of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind, today’s readers are looking for an escape from the grim realities of layoffs, foreclosures and shrinking 401(k) balances.”

Yet the fact that romance novels, as opposed to fantasy, mystery or horror genres of literature, have received so much attention of late confirms that when it comes to feeling down, love (and sex) are the best of cures.

Speaking of love and sex, erotica editors Jordan LaRousse and Samantha Sade (the duo behind www.oystersandchocolate.com) have just released their premiere erotic anthology Oysters & Chocolate, Erotic Stories of Every Flavor. This deliciously naughty collection contains a diverse array of sultry stories that range from the romantic to the taboo, and is certainly worth having on your bedside table as a healthy distraction from your money woes (as well as for some between-the-sheets inspiration…)