My favorite genre is historical fiction. Of course, if you know me you might expect me to say that since I’ve read scads of them and have had three complete historical novels published, as well as one being released in installments (shameless self-promotion here).
However, I also love reading mysteries such as Anne Perry’s Victorian series (William Monk / Charlotte and Thomas Pitt), The Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun, and Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache stories. I could list countless others (Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce books are another example), but these are books I read. I have yet to publish a mystery of my own, although I am currently editing a cozy mystery.
That brings me to another favorite genre: cozies. If you are unfamiliar with the term “cozy,” it is a subgenre of the mystery category in which violence is limited and mostly off-stage (my own definition). Something you can curl up with on a dark and stormy night without subsequent nightmares ensuing.
Speaking of genres, I recently read a great romance set in Scotland that made me want to hop on a plane to Skye to see the place for myself. Thanks to Carla Laureano for the experience. So although I don’t usually read dedicated romance novels, this one provided a lovely balance of character, plot and setting to keep me hooked from the beginning.
I also have a dear friend who writes gripping Christian suspense, which is a good balance to some of my other reading. Janet Sketchley’s Heaven’s Prey is a recommended read, but I couldn’t write suspense either.
Sometimes we all need a good belly laugh, a book that will make us forget our troubles. I love to read humor, but it’s a challenge to write.
So if I was forced to reveal my favorite genre, I would have to say, “yes!” To all the above and more. Fiction has “food groups” and I like to have a balanced diet. I think it’s important for readers and writers to read widely. As they say: so many books; so little time.
Looking forward to checking some of these out!
Wishing you blessings in your own writing endeavours.
Thanks, Chris. The Blog Hop thing has been fun, much more than I expected. And it makes me write! All the best to you too.
Variety is the spice of life!
I like variety in my reading as well, although I prefer the stories to have romantic elements in it.
-RB
Balanced diets? Uh oh, I’m going to have to start diversifying, lol. Thanks, Janice!
i like the whole food groups and balanced diet bit, very clever.
Janice, thanks for sharing about your favourite genre(s) 🙂 Although historical fiction is my favourite, it’s not the only genre I enjoy or write in. I think it’s fun to try out different genres. Sometimes we even surprise ourselves!
The Isle of Skye is very important to my son and his girlfriend. (Nathanial has now joined his lady in Scotland.) One of these days, my hubby and I hope to see our ancestral homeland in person – and, of course, visit with “the kids.”
Kudos to you for writing historical fiction. I would have to recruit my hubby to do the research if I was going to plunge into that particular genre.I have read some I enjoyed very much, on the other hand.
Your interests seem as eclectic as my own. I would very much hate to only be allowed to read in one genre from now on.
I totally agree: So many books . . .
All the best.
Thanks, Steph. I hope you are able to go there soon. You can let me know what it’s like.
I’m sure I will be blogging about it for a very long time if I get there, Janice. 🙂
A balanced fiction diet — love it! And thank you for calling Heaven’s Prey a recommended read!
It’s funny how some of what we love to read, we don’t think we could write. I love fast-paced, complicated adventure/action stories, and I don’t see how I’d ever write one. Who knows, though? Someday…
On the other hand, having a “fun-to-read-but-I-don’t-write-it” genre may be good for us. Whenever we’re reading, we’re relaxed. When I read genres close to what I write, I’m always partially on-duty, observing and comparing.