There are so many genres of fiction out there now it can get quite confusing. Especially when you start thinking about sub-genres too!
I try not to worry too much about categorising the books I read. If I like them, I like them, if I don’t, I don’t!
I think a lot of people get stuck in a genre rut when choosing their next book to read. I’ve done this myself in the past – looked at a book and dismissed it because it’s such a such genre and I probably wouldn’t like it.
I try not to do that any more and consequently I have found some books I love that are in genres I wouldn’t have considered based on my pre-conception of them.
I always thought YA fiction would be a bit too tame and quite childish. Then I accidentally tried it because a friend told me how much how I would love The Hunger Games so I bought it without realising it was classed as YA fiction. This is now one of my favourite genres.
Having said that, if I was forced to categorise, I thought I would share 3 of my most and least favourite genres.
The Favourites
Crime – I love getting inside the mind of the killers and trying to work out their MOs. I like the fact the books are generally fast paced.
Horror – I like the suspense in horror books, and I particularly like the ones that genuinely send a shiver through me.
YA Fiction – I love the settings that are usually still Earth but not as we know it. I like the way the civilizations are usually forced to have some unfair condition put upon them and try to fight it. I also like that they are usually trilogies so when I find a new one, it keeps me going for longer.
The Least Favourites
Westerns – I don’t think I will ever get away with these. I’m not sure exactly why, they just don’t appeal to me.
Romance – I can read the odd romance book, and I don’t mind a sub plot about a budding romance alongside something else, it’s just every one I’ve ever read seem to fall into one of two categories:
1. The tragic love – You know that one of them is going to die, or be stuck in a loveless marriage with someone else.
2. Girl meets boy. Boy is hot and girl feels hopelessly attracted to him, but he is an arrogant prick. They clash. They have hot sex. They clash a little more. Girl realises that actually she loves him and they all live happily ever after.
Science fiction – There are some fantasy books I can get away with (not many, but a few) but real science fiction I just can’t. I have no interest in how the space ship/time machine/any other device actually works.
What are your favourite/least favourite genres?
Those least favorites! I couldn't agree more. 😀
Thank you 🙂
I like fantasy. Why read books about real-life if your IN real life.
I totally agree about not judging a book by it's genre. I typically gravitate to crime novels because that's what I love but back when I was in a book club, our goal was to read books that we typically wouldn't read so every month we chose a different genre. I cringed when we got to the Romance genre because I can't stand romance novels. BUT I fell in love with a book that is catagorized Romance (but could also be Historical Fiction, although all her books are in the Romance section): Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. OMG, what an incredible book…and series. There are 7 books in the series, maybe 8. Each book is about 4 inches thick and I just couldn't stop turning the pages. So it taught me that valuable lesson, not to judge a book by its genre. Thanks for putting that out there.
And I think we like reading the same thing. I too hate science fiction and fantasy. I just can't get into them, at all. I've tried! I haven't read any YA but enough people have told me to write YA so I guess I better start checking some of it out… I just don't like the idea of reading about civilizations that aren't real. I'll have to get over that though…
Great post.
Michele at Angels Bark
I might have to give Outlander a try then, it doesn't sound like a typical romance.
I know what you mean about civilisations that aren't real, it feels sort of pointless. That's what I like about YA. The settings feel different but are similar enough to still identify with, and all the ones I have read so far have been about actual people. If you are looking to start YA, the Divergent series by Veronica Roth is brilliant and its set in recognisable America
Thank you 🙂
Your least favourites are very similar to mine!
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who can't get away with them! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Hunger Games made me discover YA too! Such a great trilogy. I get so confused by all the genres out there. I've often pushed off books because "I'm just not into it," but some have surprised me. I know for certain that I usually love Historical Fiction and Fantasy! #TheList
The Hunger Games is brilliant isn't it! I get confused by it all too, that's why I try and not label too much!
Great post RM… my favorite genres are Crime/Mystery, Science Fiction, and Horror. My least favorites are Romance (unless it is Historical Romance), some Paranormals, and some Fantasy. I can read just about anything, but if something is too far fetched or too good to believe, I will lose interest.
Lori @ The Rattling Bones
I agree about too far fetched – it has to be reasonably believable!
Gosh you sound like a pro to me – i've just been sat here trying to work out what the abbreviations stand for – YA is young adult, right but MI?! Not so sure!
I hardly ever read fiction, but if I do I tend to read things set in the English Countryside about nothing in particular, a character as they go through a crisis or something else which I feel 'richer' for at the end…haha! I need to get some thrillers on the go, don't i?! Thanks for linking up to #TheList xx
Yeah, YA is young adult. MI = Modus Operendi (not sure on spelling)!
I don't mind reading the odd one or two of those but I get bored if I read too many – I'm always waiting for someone to jump out and murder them or something lol. Get your teeth into a real good thriller, you won't regret it! Thanks for hosting 🙂
Yeah I read far too much YA for my age! I don't do romance unless there is something very clever and unusual about it. Don't do horror as too easily scared. I tend to like books to be funny and/or a little different & weird. So I look for that within all genres, rather than a specific genre. #bestandworst
Me too lol. I like things a bit different/weird too, but I would have no idea what to classify that as. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Your least favourites would be my favourites *hides behind book* but I read anything really. Or I used to. Before I had children. By reading the first chapter you'll know whether you're hooked or not. You're right that a genre may not seem like your read but you have to read it to know!
Life would be so boring if we all liked the same 🙂 I totally agree – if a book doesn't have you hooked after chapter 1, it probably won't get you at all 🙂
Ohh good post!! I love to read, I like to read crime and thrillers but also I have to admit I love a fluffy, chick lit novel too! I do read quite a variety, I think my least favourite genre is definitely sci fi though! Thanks for linking up to the #bestandworst hope to see you again!
I do love a bit of Sophie Kinsella, a guilty pleasure, lol 🙂 Thank you and thanks for hosting 🙂