Receiving packages of
new books with shiny covers is one kind of bliss, finding hidden
surprises hunting in the used book aisle another. As long as it's new to me, it works.
Huge re-reader, especially for series. Some of my favorites I've read multiple times. A high rating doesn't always mean a technically perfect book, but is indicative of how much I enjoyed it.
Urban Fantasy
My favorite genre, especially when it comes to series.
While I usually dislike paranormal romance, I love Urban Fantasy - I define by paranormal elements in an urban world. If romance exists, it exists along with a plot that's taking the focus of the story, in the background or as a tie-in.
My favorite is the Hollows series by Kim Harrison (Huge Al & Jenks fan.) I follow loads of other UF series too - include Cassandra Palmer series by Karen Chance, Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews, Morgan Kingsley by Jenna Black, Faefever series by Karen Marie Moning, Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, Kara Gillian series by Diana Rowland, Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris (besides last book, yech), Downside Ghosts by Stacia Kane and several others. I'm picky with shapeshifter focused themes, prefer other paranormal creatures to be the main plot point.
Mysteries
Everything from straight whodunnits to suspense themes.
Horror
I always loved horror novels; it was the main genre I read growing up.
I prefer the serious over the cheesy but will give almost any a try. I love the surreal, strange, and fantasy-rich horror. My favorites are usually apocalyptic style and supernatural. Zombies are big in media, while in book form they are enjoyable to me but definitely not favorites. I like the stereotypical haunted houses and ghost stories too, but these have to be done really well to hold my interest anymore.
Favorite horror novels include Dead Sea by Brian Keene, Stranger by Simon Clark, Firestarter and Cujo by Stephen King, Books of Blood anthologies by Clive Barker, and almost any horror novel by Graham Masterton, who remains my favorite of the horror writers.
Gothics
These deserve more attention but are mainly from the 60's/70's
I grew up reading and loving Barbara Michael's standalone gothic novels. I had no idea they were considered "gothics" but figured they were unique types of mystery novels. I found some Beverly Warren in my twenties and figured out this was a genre on it's own. A few years ago the local used bookstore revealed a hidden section of gothics - huge amount - and now I have plenty to read. When the mood strikes, they stand out as a nice reading change, but they're not something I could read all the time.
Romance
There are so many sub-genres and types of romance, and I don't really enjoy them all
What I don't care for as much -
Western/cowboy romances (historical or contemporary), the romantic suspense and similar subgenre harlequin prints (they bug me, a lot), existing children in the themes, bargained preg. themes, pre-existing romances.
Dramas
Modern and classics - I didn't get much into drama until my twenties, but I really dig what I've been reading in it.
I can't think of how to break this into sub-genres or anything. Dramas, whether depressing or not, are usually interesting and reflective. I started most classics as an adult instead of reading them as a child.
My favorite books from this genre are Gone with the Wind, The Godfather, Of Mice and Men, The Lovely Bones, Flowers for Algernon, Rebecca, and Boy's Life by Robert McCammon.
Other Genres
Young Adult - I haven't read too many of these but know they're incredibly popular. I love Christopher Pike, he'll always be a favorite of mine from my teenage years, and today the writing is still perfect to me. He wrote one of the best, mind-bending, surreal books I've ever read, Whisper of Death. Judy Blume will always be awesome. With modern books I especially like Darren Shan's Cirque Du Freak books (One of my favorite series), Carrie Jone's Need series, and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.
Graphic Novels - I'm a huge Superman fan especially (graphic novels but also novel versions), but also like the Marvel Zombies and Exiles. I have a ridiculous amount of catching up to do when it comes to these types and want to explore more of them. I also love superhero themed print novels.
Biographies - I've become more interested in these as an adult.
Fantasy - I avoided most fantasy growing up. As an adult, The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis is one of my favorite series. I have a lot of high and mid fantasy I'd like to try out when I get a chance. So far I prefer Dark Fantasy and coming-of-age fantasy.
Huge re-reader, especially for series. Some of my favorites I've read multiple times. A high rating doesn't always mean a technically perfect book, but is indicative of how much I enjoyed it.
Urban Fantasy
My favorite genre, especially when it comes to series.
While I usually dislike paranormal romance, I love Urban Fantasy - I define by paranormal elements in an urban world. If romance exists, it exists along with a plot that's taking the focus of the story, in the background or as a tie-in.
My favorite is the Hollows series by Kim Harrison (Huge Al & Jenks fan.) I follow loads of other UF series too - include Cassandra Palmer series by Karen Chance, Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews, Morgan Kingsley by Jenna Black, Faefever series by Karen Marie Moning, Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, Kara Gillian series by Diana Rowland, Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris (besides last book, yech), Downside Ghosts by Stacia Kane and several others. I'm picky with shapeshifter focused themes, prefer other paranormal creatures to be the main plot point.
Mysteries
Everything from straight whodunnits to suspense themes.
-
Cozy Mysteries - I love fun cozies but haven't found dedicated series
yet. I do have a few I really enjoyed that I want to track more down of
and see if they become favorite series, such as Shirley Damsgaard's
Ophelia & Abby series. Cozies that are focused on the paranormal,
supernatural, or something related to bookstores and books are my
favorites of these. And of course food related ones that have recipes
are fun bonuses.
-
Psychological - I love the Alex Delaware series
by Jonathan Kellerman and psychological/blended mysteries, but besides
this series haven't found many others to be faithful to. I discovered
these books as a teenager.
-
Hard Case Crime - I'm newer to these
as well but love the Hard Case Crime line revived and also finding old
fashioned Noir novels. I discovered them when Dorchester was still
around and decent and, after belonging to the horror line for years,
signed up for their Hard Case Crime series when it was developed. I
guess you could call them more 'crime' books than mysteries but they're
comparable.
- Golden Age - I'm a huge Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot fan. Always loved the Belgium detective while Miss Marple bored me. Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile is one of my favorite books and likely my top favorite mystery.
Horror
I always loved horror novels; it was the main genre I read growing up.
I prefer the serious over the cheesy but will give almost any a try. I love the surreal, strange, and fantasy-rich horror. My favorites are usually apocalyptic style and supernatural. Zombies are big in media, while in book form they are enjoyable to me but definitely not favorites. I like the stereotypical haunted houses and ghost stories too, but these have to be done really well to hold my interest anymore.
Favorite horror novels include Dead Sea by Brian Keene, Stranger by Simon Clark, Firestarter and Cujo by Stephen King, Books of Blood anthologies by Clive Barker, and almost any horror novel by Graham Masterton, who remains my favorite of the horror writers.
Gothics
These deserve more attention but are mainly from the 60's/70's
I grew up reading and loving Barbara Michael's standalone gothic novels. I had no idea they were considered "gothics" but figured they were unique types of mystery novels. I found some Beverly Warren in my twenties and figured out this was a genre on it's own. A few years ago the local used bookstore revealed a hidden section of gothics - huge amount - and now I have plenty to read. When the mood strikes, they stand out as a nice reading change, but they're not something I could read all the time.
Romance
There are so many sub-genres and types of romance, and I don't really enjoy them all
-
Harlequin
Presents - these are the main romances I like reading. I love these
small, drama-filled things. They usually have a dramatic story where I'm
eager to see what happens next, while having little sex and actual
substance. Sometimes they're silly, sometimes they're boring, but
usually they're worth reading, and they take little time to go through. I
prefer the older style over the newer, especially Lynne Graham's older
style. They're predictable but can be enjoyable, especially with a lot of antagonism.
-
Paranormal - A lot of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal
overcrosses. Pure Paranormal Romance is something I'm usually not into
it. It's drenched with sex scenes and not enough storyline. Sometimes
it's melodramatic and has cloying dialogue. Paranormal romance can be
particularly annoying for becoming emo or angsty too. That said, there
is some that's actually done decently. Some of the early books in
Christine Feehan's Dark series are guilty pleasures.
-
Contemporary
- I don't like contemporary, full length romance much. It's usually
cutesy and chic-lit and just not my thing. Sometimes it works, though,
just not as often. I prefer this type mixed with another genre to keep
it interesting.
- Historical - With full-length this is usually what I read. I go through phases where, for some odd reason, I crave Indian or pirate romances. Usually historical romances have humor I enjoy or the lead males are especially likeable. Also like high society, victorian-age era - especially with humor.
What I don't care for as much -
Western/cowboy romances (historical or contemporary), the romantic suspense and similar subgenre harlequin prints (they bug me, a lot), existing children in the themes, bargained preg. themes, pre-existing romances.
Dramas
Modern and classics - I didn't get much into drama until my twenties, but I really dig what I've been reading in it.
I can't think of how to break this into sub-genres or anything. Dramas, whether depressing or not, are usually interesting and reflective. I started most classics as an adult instead of reading them as a child.
My favorite books from this genre are Gone with the Wind, The Godfather, Of Mice and Men, The Lovely Bones, Flowers for Algernon, Rebecca, and Boy's Life by Robert McCammon.
Other Genres
Young Adult - I haven't read too many of these but know they're incredibly popular. I love Christopher Pike, he'll always be a favorite of mine from my teenage years, and today the writing is still perfect to me. He wrote one of the best, mind-bending, surreal books I've ever read, Whisper of Death. Judy Blume will always be awesome. With modern books I especially like Darren Shan's Cirque Du Freak books (One of my favorite series), Carrie Jone's Need series, and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.
Graphic Novels - I'm a huge Superman fan especially (graphic novels but also novel versions), but also like the Marvel Zombies and Exiles. I have a ridiculous amount of catching up to do when it comes to these types and want to explore more of them. I also love superhero themed print novels.
Biographies - I've become more interested in these as an adult.
Fantasy - I avoided most fantasy growing up. As an adult, The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis is one of my favorite series. I have a lot of high and mid fantasy I'd like to try out when I get a chance. So far I prefer Dark Fantasy and coming-of-age fantasy.
Besides to my
addiction to reading, I love all that is music. Big fan of Universal
Monsters, homemade soaps, play League of Legends, and attend a horror convention every year for the
past six years running, meeting random celebrities that spooked me
through film growing up. A big night owl who loves the moon and
artwork associated with it.
