Most authors love to read. But what exactly do they read? Do they read the same genre that they write in? Or do they read something completely unexpected? It could be some form of fiction, non-fiction, comic book, or even the dictionary. Let’s find out what our authors like to read.
Question 9: What are your favourite genres to read?
My favorite genres to read are the same as the genres I like to write. That would be science fiction, fantasy, and a little mystery or crime thrown in. I have a soft spot for post apocalyptic or dystopic science fiction and dark fantasy.
I’ll read just about any genre as long as it really draws me in. But the stories that I love the most are ones with a twist in them – something you don’t see coming. I find twists happen more in mysteries and thrillers or horror stories. Having said that, I love a great fantasy novel. “Lord of the Rings” is a huge favourite of mine. I also love anything deeply psychological. I’m fascinated by the workings of the human mind.
Mystery, fantasy, and Southern. Southern may not be an official genre, but I love to read Southern literature. The language and feel is different. They feel like comfy PJs. It probably has to do with me being Southern and living in the Deep South. I fell in love with mysteries with my first Encyclopedia Brown in grade school. I’ve moved on, but I’m not happy unless someone dies. I enjoy the chase, once the mystery is solved, I lose interest. The cozy mystery is my favorite. English cozies are the best, but there are a flock of US writers that I really enjoy reading. I discovered fantasy a bit late in the game, college. Fell hard for Tolkien, then eventually discovered many modern favorites. A subgenre I love is children’s and YA fantasy.
Currently, my favorite is paranormal romance, but I’ve also got a lot of fantasy, sci-fi and historical fiction on my shelves. I tend to rotate what I’m reading depending on what I’m writing. When I’m in the midst of writing a particular genre, I prefer to be reading something else. Which is the cause of my current trend – I’m in editing a fantasy novel and drafting a sci-fi novella.
The queer dark diverse ones! Honestly, if I had a constant stream of queer, dark, diverse books to feast on at all possible times underneath one umbrella genre, I’d be the happiest little weirdo this side of the Atlantic.
Science fiction, fantasy, space opera, epic fantasy, steampunk, urban fantasy, and according to Goodreads it’s okay to call manga a genre.
I tend to gravitate toward historical fiction most often, although literary and women’s fiction rank pretty high on the list, too. It depends on what I have available, though, because I’ve been known to read just about anything I can get my hands on.
First and foremost are horror and supernatural. I love creepy stuff, weird stuff, things that go bump in the night, things that give me the shivers. And yes, this does include things like romantic vampires, although personally I prefer the kinds of monsters that will tear your throat out over the ones that will kiss it.
You mean other than science fiction? I enjoy thrillers and some fantasy.
I’m very much a fantasy/horror/sci-fi girl, and in that order. Fantasy was my first love, and almost the only thing I read in my teens; there was always a little thread of horror though, starting from ghost story compilations and moving on to the big players like King and Lovecraft and Barker. The sci-fi I’ve read has been mostly incidental; I’ve picked up the occasional cyberpunk or space opera story but I don’t seek them out, just read them if they jump off the shelf at me. These days, though, I think graphic novels and manga are my most-read genre, just because I can go through them lightning-fast.
The photo at the top of this post is part of my bookshelf (actually, a closet). Forgive the messiness, I don’t actually have enough room for all of my books. As you may notice, I have a lot of fantasy and science fiction. Those are my favourite genres to read, but I also like some classics, and especially Shakespeare. I do have some interest in history, so I’d like to read more historical fiction. On the non-fiction side of things, my first love was the Encyclopedia, but also science books, astronomy and palaeontology in particular.
What do you think of our preferred genres? What do you like to read? Leave a comment with your answers below.
I guess it is already Friday in Japan. I don’t think my favorite genres are that much of a surprise.
What I read: Science fiction, fantasy, thrillers that contain SF/F elements (I have no patience for mundane serial-killer novels, but I could enjoy a near-future medical techno-thriller — I’m reading one of those now — or a story an angry precog stalking the streets of New York), and occasionally historical fiction.
I read a lot more fantasy than my clone does (which is ironic, all things considered). I go through phases when I prefer science fiction over fantasy, or vice versa, and sometimes I want to read stories that blur the line (as much as there even is one) between those genres.
I’m similar, I’ll go through phases between sci-fi and fantasy, though I’m more interested in reading fantasy while watching sci-fi movies and tv. And I’m writing sci-fi, though I also plan to write fantasy.
The first Authors Answer for the new year is up.
Is that your bookshelf, or a stock image? Where did you find those editions of the Wheel of Time books? I love them.
My books. I bought those editions in a bookstore here in Japan. I think they may be the British publisher, but I can’t be sure. I’m not near my bookshelves at the moment. I really like those covers, too. They look great.
Just gonna add adventure/disaster nonfic to my list here. Trails the others but it’s still a big deal to me.
So I’m late, but here is the latest Authors Answer post. We’re talking about our favorite genres to read.