Tuesday Tidbit: Sub-Genres & Giveaway
This contest is now closed. Thanks so much to everyone who visited and commented! Christine is my winner; Christine, I’ll contact you by email!
When I first started reading romance, I’d read pretty much anything. In fact, early on, I read more historical than contemporary books—tons of Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, Mary Jo Putney, Mary Balogh. But gradually, I found that I preferred books that were similar to the books I wanted to write. These days, I read mostly contemporaries, mostly on the hotter side, and generally on the more emotional/serious side—although not always; I love funny books, too.
But I still like to read across subgenres, partly because it’s purely a nice change of pace, and partly because I believe the best inspiration to my writing comes from writing that’s the least like mine. The more different a book is from what I usually write, the more I have to learn from it, and the better it makes me as a writer. This applies to everything from how another writer uses language or how he or she creates a character, to getting ideas from the kinds of plots you can only find outside contemporary romance.
Sometimes, this means reading outside the genre—women’s fiction, science-fiction, literary fiction, mysteries and thrillers. Sometimes, it means reading within romance, but books that are not my sub-genre—paranormal, erotic, romantic suspense, new adult, mystery-romance.
This week, I read three books that weren’t straight across contemporaries, and loved them all. They were Lexy Ryan’s Unbreak Me (New Adult), Juliet Rosetti’s The Escape Diaries (a romantic thriller/caper, a la Janet Evanovich) and Carolyn Crane’s Off the Edge (romantic suspense). The three books were all very different from one another. Unbreak Me was steamy and angsty, The Escape Diaries was crisply written, hilariously funny, and sexually low-key, and Carolyn Crane’s Off the Edge was gritty, raw, and just—beautiful.
Comment and tell me whether you stick to reading contemporaries or read multiple sub-genres within romance, and what other kinds of non-romance books you like to read. One randomly selected commenter will win his/her choice of one of the three books I mention above (ebook copy). You must be 18+ to enter and live somewhere I can gift a book from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Contest ends Thursday May 22, 11:59 p.m. PST.
May 20, 2014 @ 9:55 am
Within romance, I prefer to read realistic contemporary, but I’ll also read new adult and historical, as well as the occasional romantic suspense or inspirational. The sub-genres that don’t interest me much are paranormal and urban fantasy.
Outside of romance, I like to read nonfiction, especially popular science and cookbooks. I also screen (and consequently read) many picture books.
May 21, 2014 @ 8:34 am
I now screen middle grade/early YA for my daughter, and sometimes just read along with her when she finds something she thinks I’d like. It’s really fun to discuss stuff we’ve both read (she’s 11) and I imagine it only gets more fun as she gets older …
May 20, 2014 @ 4:59 pm
I mostly read historical and contemporary realistic romance. Outside of romance, I read a lot of fantasy, sci-fi, and urban fantasy.
May 21, 2014 @ 8:35 am
I need fantasy & urban fantasy recs, actually — I don’t even know where to start.
May 23, 2014 @ 4:18 pm
Let’s see… I’m reading the second book in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy right now, and it’s amazing. Actually, pretty much anything Sanderson writes is a good bet for fantasy (he is phenomenal when it comes to world building) . Theft of Swords by Michael J Sullivan is the first of a really fun epic/adventure fantasy, Rachel Aaron’s Eli Monpress series is lighter fantasy, and The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss is just gorgeously written.
For UF, I would rec Seanan McGuire (either her October Daye series, or her Incryptid series), Jaqueline Carey’s Agent of Hel series (and her Kushiel books for fantasy that’s heavy on the romance and political intrigue), The Dresden Files.
Alternatively, you could just read my novel of a comment 😀
May 20, 2014 @ 5:26 pm
I like variety within this genre. I read Romantic Suspense, PNR, Contemporary, etc. The most important qualification is a compelling story! I also really enjoy biographies because sometimes reality is crazier than fiction.
May 21, 2014 @ 8:35 am
Like this biography of Catherine the Great I read with my book club. Crazy princes locked up in towers, wild affairs, etc … 🙂
May 22, 2014 @ 5:46 am
I go through phases – contemporary one month, historical the next. It’s whatever catches my eye at the time. Outside of romances, I mostly read thrillers and urban fantasy. If you are looking for a good start for UF – try Jim Butcher – he is one of my faves and possibly the only author that I still buy in HC. He has two series – Codex Alera which is completed and Harry Dresden (the latest book comes out next week and I can’t wait!).
May 22, 2014 @ 10:11 am
Thanks for the recommendations! I’ll definitely check those out (and report back).
May 23, 2014 @ 9:44 am
This contest is now closed. Thanks so much to everyone who visited and commented! Christine is my winner; Christine, I’ll contact you by email!