I don’t read a lot of Mystery/Thrillers. When I ask myself what I want to read, Mystery/Thrillers don’t come up. However, after reading Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series and Tana French’s In the Woods (loved – review to post soon), I have been wondering why that is. There is just something about a character who is embroiled in a situation in which they do not know all of the facts and are not in control. Add an element of danger and you have an enjoyable, compelling read. Especially since reading In the Woods, Mystery/Thrillers have quickly made their presence known in my reading process. Maybe asking myself what I want to or feel like reading is confining myself into a tighter box than I’d like.
Now that I have a better idea of why I do enjoy Mystery/Thrillers so much, I thought it might be a good idea to put into words why I read from my other “go to” genres:
Historical Fiction is an entertaining way to learn about a historical figure, time period, event, or place. It is a draw for me because I get the chance to act as an explorer, traveling to different times and places I have not been and likely will never be. I get to catch a glimpse of what everyday life might have been like.
Here are a few of my faves:
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
The Last Queen by C. W. Gortner
The Witch’s Trinity by Erika Mailman
Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir
The Autobiography of Henry VIII with Notes by His Fool, Will Somers by Margaret George
Gothic Fiction engages the darker side of my imagination. I like things to get a little spooky now and again. I don’t get too far into the paranormal, though. I prefer more things to be a little more ambiguous. This genre always has that element of danger that can raise the hairs up on the back of my neck from time to time.
Here are a few of my faves:
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Asylum by Patrick McGrath (read before I began reviewing – probably my favorite book in this genre)
Literary Fiction makes me feel intellectually alive. I enjoy playing with language, symbolism and theme. The writing and the way the story is crafted can be a character in and of itself. This genre works for me because it makes me think. If I were to reread a book, it would usually come from this genre.
Here are a few of my faves:
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
The Glass Room by Simon Mawer
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Women’s Fiction is my literary chocolate. I read this when I want a story that will speak to my heart. Typically, these novels are easy to read and are more plot driven than character driven. I find these books compelling especially when the author’s writing makes me feel close to relatable characters. Sometimes they are just plain fun.
Here are a few of my faves:
Real Life & Liars by Kristina Riggle
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
A Silent Ocean Away by DeVa Gannt
When She Flew by Jennie Shortridge
Abberations by Penelope Przekop
The truth is that there are so many good to great to mind blowingly spectacular novels out there that it’s hard to go wrong with just a little research. I am not terribly adventurous when it comes to genres, but I think I may be doing myself a disservice by not straying too far from comfort zones. If I were to try to read within as many genres as I can, I would eventually get a feel for what books from each category bring to the table when I sit down to read. Then, instead of asking what I want to/feel like reading I’ll be able to dig a little deeper and ask myself what it is I want to get out of my next book. I know that those two questions are not mutually exclusive. If I decide I want to read Gilding Lily by Tatiana Boncompagni, I know what I’m looking for is a fun, light read. Still, how could making that distinction not add to my reading satisfaction?
So tell me. What genre am I missing out on? What are your favorite genres? What is it about those genres that speaks to your reading self?
Ooh, I’ve got In The Woods on my nightstand right now! Can’t wait! And I adore and drool over gothic fiction — The Thirteenth Tale and The Shadow of the Wind are two of my recent favorites, and I just added The Reliable Wife to my wish list and was able to order Asylum on Paperbackswap! I so can’t wait!!
Great post! And you can thank me later, but you have to read The Likeness (audio is incredible). I think it will rock your world.
I haven’t adequately explored Historical Fiction, and I know this is your thing. One day, someday, I’m going to set everything else aside and do it. Other than that one, we have much in common. But one genre I really really enjoy is true crime. Just as exciting as mystery/thrillers, except that it actually happened!
I had pretty much the same literary preferences as you, but lately I’ve been reading a lot more mystery/fiction – love it!
I tend towards the same genres as you, although probably a little less on the mystery. I avoid westerns like the plague…for some reason that’s one genre that holds absolutely no appeal.
I love historical fiction – one favorite is The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber but my all time favorite is Gone with the Wind! Love that book no matter how many times I read it.
I know I’m in the minority but I did not like In The Woods (neither really did anyone in my mystery book club). That aside, though, I LOVE mysteries. It’s definitely my favorite genre!
I tend to read almost all sub-genres in mysteries but am really drawn to “literate” character-driven mysteries. Some examples are Elizabeth George, Craig Johnson and Jacqueline Winspear. While they are master storytellers and the mysteries are well-plotted and convincing, what draws me to these authors are their characters. They are real… flaws and all. I care about the protagonists and read to, not only, to try and solve the mystery, but to see the characters develop. It takes a great author to write a mystery series where the characters are more important (to me) than the mystery, itself.
Each one of these authors could take the mystery out of the plot and just write a character-driven story and I’d still read it! That’s not to say, however, that their mysteries are sub-par… FAR from it. The mysteries are superb and the details well-thought out. That, combined with these characters, create my absolute favorite genre!
I like a lot of the books you listed too. I think we have very similar tastes, because I avoid mysteries and thrillers, but occasionally enjoy them.
I do also like some fantasy and sci-fi though and love dystopian fiction.
I read so many genres, they all have their appealing qualities. It is easier to say what I won’t read, romance and I didn’t think of this until Softdrink mentioned it above, westerns.Nonfiction is my home base, because like you mentioned with historical fiction, I learn so much.
I am going to check out some of those gothic fiction titles that you mentioned, I need something new!
First I have to say that I have In the Woods (and have for awhile) and I NEED to read it. Glad that you liked it…maybe that will move it up the pile
Next, I was wondering if you check out YA lit. It is also one of my literary chocolates. It is fast, fun, and enjoyable. If you don’t, you should check some of it out.
I think this is a valuable reflection on your reading. I need to focus more on the reflection of my habits. You and I share many of the same favorites. I was surprised to see how many we agree on. Interesting post.
Thanks for including ABERRATIONS on your list!!!
What a great idea to break down the genres you read and pick favorites from there. I’d have to agree with you on most of these!
Rather than taking up a new genre as a chore, I think preferable to try classics of a certain genre. For example, I coaxed my former book group to read Rebecca because they had never read it and were not able familiar with the concept of a gothic (there are other, more pure gothics, but none I thought they would enjoy as much). Some might tell you the True Crime genre is their favorite, and I suppose one could make an argument that In Cold Blood would be worth reading. However, given how many books there are to read and how little time we worker bees have to do it, why spend too much time reading books one might not enjoy?
It probably won’t surprise you to hear me say this, but the genre you’re missing out on? Children’s Lit
I know, it’s frequently dismissed from the great Canon of Literature, but there’s some really good stuff out there. Plus it will give you stuff to leave on the girls’ bookshelves for them to read!