Thank you Alex Cavanaugh for hosting this monthly event, and thanks so much to this month's co-hosts: Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose!
This month's optional question is:
Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice?
I was a reader long before I became a writer. To me, a reader is a reader is a reader. Give me something good to read, whatever the genre, and I'll read it. Anything from inspirational and motivational to classic literature.
But the mystery genre is my go-to. It's what I read to relax and escape.
There are so many sub-genres to a mystery. I write in a sub genre called cozy mystery. But to go even further, I write in the sub-sub genre called paranormal cozy mystery. My paranormal cozies include ghosts, but other paranormal cozy mysteries might include witches and other paranormal creatures such as werewolves, vampires, or even fairies and elves, which sort of crosses over into fantasy.
Though I write cozies, as a reader, in recent years my go-to mystery is a police procedural by classic authors such as Ian Rankin, or the late P.D. James. Or historical cozies by Jacqueline Winspear. I still love the classic cozies, as well, such as those by the late author M.C. Beaton.
BUT, I'm always desperate for something inspirational and motivational, so please feel free to drop your recommendations in the comments!
Do you write in genres other than your reading preferences?
Do you read widely?
Have a go-to genre?
Have a motivational/inspirational recommendation?
Hi Gwen, I'm the same. Give me something good to read, whatever the genre, I'll happily read it!.
ReplyDeleteI just visited your blog and saw your wide variety of reading choices. I love it! I'm the same.
DeleteI don't read cozies but I do like paranormal, which is one reason I love your character Indigo so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane, that means a lot :)
DeleteThis isn't a cozy, but it's a mystery with great characters: Still Life by Louise Penny and the other books in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series.
ReplyDeleteI love any kind of mystery--thanks for the recommendations, Natalie!
DeleteI don't read much in the mysteries, but I do enjoy Tony Hillerman (learn so much about Navajo culture), Carl Hiaasen (the sarcastic humor about Florida) and Alexander McCall Smith (learn so much about Botswana). Which explains why I love reading, I get to go to all these places I'd otherwise never get to visit.
ReplyDeleteTony Hillerman is good--I watched the series based on the books too. I've been meaning to read Alexander McCall Smith too.
DeleteWhen it comes to mysteries, I tend to lean toward Sherlock Holmes and the like.
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge Sherlock Holmes fan!
DeleteMysteries are good. Admittedly, I haven't read one in quite a long while. I used to read Nancy Drew mysteries when I was a kid, and enjoyed them. Have you read Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom? That's one of my favorite books.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've read Tuesdays with Morrie! Loved it! That's just the sort of thing I'm looking for.
DeleteI'm a big mystery fan too, no surprise :) Have you ever read the Judge Dee mysteries by Robert Hans van Gulik? They're historical Chinese mysteries. They might be something a bit different to check out.
ReplyDeleteI know you are, Ellen! Thanks for the recommendation--I will definitely look up the Judge Dee mysteries.
DeleteMy sentiments exactly. If it's good, send it my way.
ReplyDeleteNothing better than a good book!!!
DeleteI read widely, but have always loved mystery. My father introduced me to the Perry Mason books when I was still considered "too young" for them. Ditto with my step-father's Shell Scott mysteries. My mother insisted they were inappropriate because Shell had, uh, "relations" with his lady friends. Bwahaha! I've read tons of cozy mysteries (they're cheap and fast) but I love a gritty, hardboiled police/detective story. I have a fondness for British mysteries, as well.
ReplyDelete"relations" LOL. British mysteries are my favorite--I read them almost exclusively. I even write in "English" haha.
DeleteI'll read pretty much any genre if the story is good.
ReplyDeleteYep, same here. Depends on my mood too.
DeleteI love cozies and mysteries too. I particularly like mysteries from the Golden Age, like Dorothy Sayers and the Miss Silver mysteries, which usually have some deep thinking or inspirational elements. I also like Grace Livingstone Hill, which would qualify as inspirational romance.
ReplyDeleteYour books sound intriguing!
Yes, I love the oldies but goodies too.
DeleteNot sure if it's inspirational or what, but based on your list, you might also like my recent discovery, Charles Todd's books. I've been working on both series and enjoying them.
ReplyDeleteYes, I used to read all of Charles Todd, but I've missed the last few. Thanks for the reminder!
DeleteYou are my go-to for cozy mystery, likely for your great writing and injecting of paranormal. But I also enjoy suspense novels and thrillers.
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet!
DeleteI love cozies and suspense novels. I can't do blood and guts type of stories. Nope! can't do horror. Must admit I can't follow the paranormal stuff in stories too well. I wish you the best in all your writing endeavors.
ReplyDeleteNo blood and guts for me either!
DeleteI read an assortment of genres as well, my go to is urban fantasy or something in that range.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite fantasy is Harry Potter--is that fantasy or paranormal? LOL.
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