Today’s topic is genre fiction and I’ve encountered a few people who look down at those who read (insert genre). I’m not sure why since I’m all for anyone reading no matter what it is. I review a variety of genres here at Literary, etc. My favorites though are historical romance and mystery (suspense / thrillers included).
I’ve always been a mystery fan. I was the weird girl reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at age of 12 when I ran out of Nancy Drew books to read (I grew up in town with a population of less than 2,000). There’s something thrilling about solving the mystery alongside our lead detective. I get a rush of excitement and then comes the big reveal…was I right or wrong? Some mysteries throw me for a loop, while others have me grinning ear to ear because I “knew it.” I tend to group suspense / thrillers as a subgenre of mystery, but in reality they stand alone. Here are some of my favorites:
Romance
I came into the romance genre by accident. It was the summer of 2004 and I was working on a research project and burnt out. I was at the dollar store with a friend and there was a medieval romance. I picked it up for the laughs, but found myself intrigued. I did some research for writers in the genre and picked up another historical romance, Amanda Quick’s The Wicked Widow and never looked back. I’m not a big fan of contemporary romance, but do read them from time to time. These are some of my favorite historical romance books:
What are some of your favorite genres in fiction?
Dot Salvagin
I’m all about Historical Romances. I like some of the authors in your “Favorite” widget but also like Jade Lee, Tessa Dare, Susanna Kearsley, I could go on and on. I like Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Romances also, D.B. Reynolds’ Vampires In America Series is a favorite. I’ve tried to like Contemporary Romances but out of the many I’ve read only a few were really worth the read (Jennifer Crusie’s BET ME, was a good one). I like cozy mystery novels such as those written by Alan Bradley and Diane Mott Davidson.
Dot Salvagin recently posted…Tessa Dare Week: Review- The Scandalous, Dissolute, No Good, Mr. Wright
Jessica
Tessa Dare is one I’ve been wanting to try, but haven’t yet. I like the escape you get when reading and that’s why I love historicals. Contemporary is a bit too close to real life (minus the billionaire being attracted to you. LOL) and maybe that’s why I’m not really attracted to it.
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Julie @ MyBookRetreat
I read a lot of historical fiction when I was in my teens and early 20s and I think I got sick of it! So I don’t read it anymore. Now, I read mostly mysteries and thrillers, and historical fiction. I also get a rush of excitement during mysteries and thrillers. That’s why I like them so much!!
Julie @ MyBookRetreat recently posted…Armchair BEA: Genre Fiction
Julie @ MyBookRetreat
Oops. I meant I read a lot of historical *romance* in my teens and early 20s, not historical fiction.
Julie @ MyBookRetreat recently posted…Armchair BEA: Genre Fiction
Jessica
I should have mentioned, I have a love / hate relationship with historical romance. I don’t tend to try the new authors because they are very much hit or miss and even some of my favorites have slowly slipped. I’m back to reading more mysteries and thrillers than historical romance.
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
AH@badassbookreviews
Thanks for dropping by our blog and commenting. I loved Nancy Drew as a child. You have such interesting books chosen. I really need to start reading some of the books you’ve listed.
Nice to meet you.
AH@Badass Book Reviews.
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Annette
Gone Girl –one of my favs. I used to read adult romances (when I was but a teeN!) But now I stick to YA romances. Nice to meet you!
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Emma @ Words And Peace
thanks for sharing. Willis is on my TBR, and I will eventually read Gone Girl. My favorite genre is HF
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Stormy @ Book.Blog.Bake.
I’m not a huge fan of mysteries but I was also that girl reading Canon Doyle at 12! My reading teacher made us read a Sherlock Holmes short story and everyone else seemed to really hate it but I was hooked. I even begged my parents to buy the complete Sherlock Holmes, which I still have on my bookshelf today.
Stormy @ Book.Blog.Bake. recently posted…Armchair BEA day 2: Favorite Genres
Super Librarian
I really need to read more mysteries. I’ve enjoyed the ones I’ve tried! Gone Girl was a great read.
Super Librarian recently posted…Armchair BEA Day 2: Genre Fiction
Suey
That “looking down” on someone for reading a certain genre is frustrating. I haven’t read much true romance, but your historical suggestions intrigue me!
Becca Lostinbooks
I’ve never been much into romance but I am dabbling in it a little this year just to stretch my wings. 😀
Becca Lostinbooks recently posted…Armchair BEA: Why I Love the Classics