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I prefer low fantasy which often borders on horror or sci-fi, or romance, depending on what teenage dimwit is stocking the shelves at the bookstore that week. My husband calls it "soft core fantasy".
My type of fantasy involves the world of vampires, fae, were creatures, wolves, shape shifters, demons, angels....(did I miss anybody?). My favorite series blend mystery, action, and steamy romance. Character development is a must, along with a good grasp of an alternate world--even if it secretly coexists with our own reality.
When the story arcs become to political and war-like, I tend to get bored, hence, why I'm not as much into high fantasy where the lines are drawn between good and evil.
Some of my favorite series include:
The "Hollows / Rachel Morgan" series by Kim Harrison
http://bookshelvesofdoom.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/27/goodbadundead.jpg
The "Mercedes Thompson" series by Patricia Briggs
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n37/n189178.jpg
The "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer
Sookie St. James and the Suzanne Collins books are on my short-list as well.
All of these that I enjoy so much are books that bring me out of my boring element and tickle us with the idea that there may be more to this reality and universe than we think. And any book that makes me root for the main character to fall in love (with raunchy sex!) is almost always a winner.
Source(s):
http://www.patriciabriggs.com/books/books.shtml
http://www.kimharrison.net/The%20Books.htm
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I also love historical based crime novels, like Da Vinci Code, because I'm always interested in History. Combine it with adventure, then the History gets more exciting to read. But cut out the cliche romance plots, please. They annoys the hell out of me.
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Some books I love are those being written by Nicholas Sparks, James Patterson (Yea, I read thriller types of stories too), I also read the twilight saga because I'm into fantasy romance. I also like Mitch Albom's books. And of course Dan Brown. :)
Maybe I'm just a book worm that's why I love reading no matter what genre. ^^
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Some of my other favorites are the Twilight series and The Host by Stephenie Meyer, and the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, which I also created pages for: Hunger Games Movie and The Hunger Games Trilogy.
Good luck on your book!
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My novels (in progress) tend to be fantastical in nature, kind of a combination of the two genres, with a little bit of horror and mystery added for good measure. Now if I could only finish one...:)
Source(s):
My brain :)
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I love to read - I can't remember NOT reading. The first series I started collecting as a child was Nancy Drew and that may explain my love of crime novels.
I've found characters that have shared many nights with me through the years - Kay Scarpetta, Alex Cross, Dave Robicheaux, Savich & Sherlock and now Robert Langdon. I enjoy the learning process that goes along with absorbing a character with all their skills and trying to figure out "who's the bad guy". Even as I try to solve the mystery in my mind, I enjoy the twists and turns when I'm wrong.
With as much as I enjoy these characters and the continuing story lines, one of my favorite crime novels is "Night Fall" by Nelson Demille. Set around a true event, the ending of the book hit me with a punch. It is endings like that that keep me interested and searching for new crime novelists.
Tags: novels, crime
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Also if I discover an author that I love, I might read all of their work, but never read anyone else who writes in the same genre.
Still you asked us to name a favorite, so I'll say: Fantasy.
I've read most every Terry Pratchett, all the Harry Potters, the main Tolkien works, some of Neil Gaiman and Susanna Clarke, and probably other authors that I can't remember now.
A few why it's the choice for favorite...
- There's enough high-quality work in that category for it to be a contender
- It's something I'm always up for reading, whereas there might be times when I'm not feeling energised enough to read something denser or more demanding
- I enjoy the inventiveness and the exploration of big themes and novel ideas that you often find in that genre.
- The best of it also often strong on rich characters and deep emotions, which are often lacking in sci-fi, which might be a contender for favorite if I knew enough good SF writers!
Still, it's a little bit of an arbitrary choice because if for example Scott Turow had turned out as many books as Terry Pratchett, I might have answered that my favorite genre was legal thrillers. Or if Ellis Peters was still going, I might've said: historical crime fiction. And at one time I was very big on Graham Greene.
So I think what I'm saying is I don't really have favorite genres so much as favorite authors. And the genre I read a lot at any given moment depends a lot on which authors I've recently discovered, and which of my favorites writers are producing the most new work.
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Source(s):
http://www.amazon.com/Guns-South-Harry-Turtledove/dp/0345384687
Tags: of, the, guns, south
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When I want some light reading, I go for the latest 'The Cat Who...' by Lillian Jackson Braun. The stories are whimsical mysteries published in a chronology and follow the same human and feline characters through many adventures. I consider these a bit of mind candy and fairly easy read.
When I'm looking to get lost in a book over a long weekend, I seek out something a bit more intense, like one of Michael Palmer's medical mysteries.
Thanks for providing the in-link to your novel writing topic page. The page looks good. Have you considered a featured video for the top of the right hand side of the page?
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But I like most these books where describe fight for living,eating,shining and to be a great.
My fav. one is "scarlet"
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I do very much enjoy the fictional genre,
not so much into the romantic fantasy style though.
Historical fiction is the niche that i would have to say i read the most of, however i do enjoy good science fiction and fantasy too.
A few of my favorite authors in the historical fiction genre would have to include the works of William Sarabande ( Loved his First American series) and the works of Jean Auel, Linda Lay Shuler and the works of W. Michael Gear & Kathleen O'Neal Gear ( their series,First North American are great)
But like most others who have answered your interesting question ,what matters most to me, above genre is the quality of the writing.
Even the most boring of topics can be of interest to read providing the writer has the ability to put a magical touch to their words.
Great question Michy.
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Tags: mystery, comedy, books, scifi, novels
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So much stuff gets passed as sci-fi these days that's really fantacy, or psychology-fiction if there is such a genre.
Sci-fi that incorporates valid history in context is bonus.
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Answered Question
M$2.70
September 15, 2009 02:07 PM
Novel Writing: What's your favorite genre of fiction novels to read?
Let's talk about novel writing. I love to read just about anything that captures my attention, but I'm a novelist, and I tend to prefer writing in mainstream fiction more than anything else.
What's your favorite type of novel to read and why?
What's your favorite type of novel to read and why?
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Interesting: lesliec M$0.50, debbiehenthorn M$0.50, philipy M$0.05, randync M$0.25, socalsue M$0.05, shadowbear M$0.25, jeffhoard M$0.10
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Best Answer Chosen by Asker
| September 15, 2009 03:10 PM |
My type of fantasy involves the world of vampires, fae, were creatures, wolves, shape shifters, demons, angels....(did I miss anybody?). My favorite series blend mystery, action, and steamy romance. Character development is a must, along with a good grasp of an alternate world--even if it secretly coexists with our own reality.
When the story arcs become to political and war-like, I tend to get bored, hence, why I'm not as much into high fantasy where the lines are drawn between good and evil.
Some of my favorite series include:
The "Hollows / Rachel Morgan" series by Kim Harrison
The "Mercedes Thompson" series by Patricia Briggs
The "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer
Sookie St. James and the Suzanne Collins books are on my short-list as well.
All of these that I enjoy so much are books that bring me out of my boring element and tickle us with the idea that there may be more to this reality and universe than we think. And any book that makes me root for the main character to fall in love (with raunchy sex!) is almost always a winner.
Source(s):
http://www.patriciabriggs.com/books/books.shtml
http://www.kimharrison.net/The%20Books.htm
| Asker's Rating: |
• Thanks for explaining 'high' and 'low' fantasy. I've never heard the term before reading it here, and I'm actually in the publishing industry for my career!
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Other Answers (22)
September 15, 2009 02:19 PM
My favorite type of novel is fantasy. I love fantasy because I love to stimulate my imaginations to make-believe realities and persons. Fantasy novels are also often adventure novels and adventures are more engaging because of the actions in it and some curiosity of how everything will turn out. I also love historical based crime novels, like Da Vinci Code, because I'm always interested in History. Combine it with adventure, then the History gets more exciting to read. But cut out the cliche romance plots, please. They annoys the hell out of me.
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September 15, 2009 02:27 PM
Did you find yourself looking up historical references when reading Da Vinci Code to see if they were real? I did! Thanks for the answer! I'm currently writing a fantasy novel, so it'll be interesting to see how it turns out, since I'm not a fantasy writer!
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September 15, 2009 02:35 PM
Yes, of course! Of course, most of what is said as historical is actually debatable, but oh I love so much the descriptions of Louvre and all the historical places!
I'd love to read any fantasy books by you. I think you're a great writer, but you know that of course. :)
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I'd love to read any fantasy books by you. I think you're a great writer, but you know that of course. :)
September 15, 2009 09:11 PM
> Am I the only adult who love Harry Potter books?
No they're hugely popular with adults. Including me.
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No they're hugely popular with adults. Including me.
September 15, 2009 03:19 PM
I don't really have a certain favorite for genre. I appreciate different novel types. It just depends on the story and plot. Plot matters a lot, there are books that started okay but while reading it, you'd feel as if you lost interest in it. Some books I love are those being written by Nicholas Sparks, James Patterson (Yea, I read thriller types of stories too), I also read the twilight saga because I'm into fantasy romance. I also like Mitch Albom's books. And of course Dan Brown. :)
Maybe I'm just a book worm that's why I love reading no matter what genre. ^^
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September 15, 2009 03:24 PM
I don't know exactly what genre they would be called - but basically books that have romance (not raunchy romance novels), fantasy, action, and supernatural elements to them are my favorite. I'm totally in love with the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I only just discovered this series about six months ago, but the first book was actually published in 1991. The 7th and latest book An Echo in the Bone comes out on 9/22/09. I actually just made a page for it last night because they are also supposed to be making a movie based on the series: Outlander Diana Gabaldon Movie (This is not the same as the Outlander movie starring Jim Caviezel.) Some of my other favorites are the Twilight series and The Host by Stephenie Meyer, and the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, which I also created pages for: Hunger Games Movie and The Hunger Games Trilogy.
Good luck on your book!
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September 16, 2009 01:16 AM
@krystyne20, if you haven't read the series I listed in my answer, YOU MUST! I'm betting money you will love them!
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September 15, 2009 03:40 PM
Just about anything. :) I'm a book-a-holic, so I read anything I can get my hands on...including the dictionary about 16 times. Hey, I had run out of reading material! But my favorite genres are romance (especially paranormal) and fantasy. Those are the books I pick up most if I am buying. I love the stories, romance is a fairly light read (and you can get away with a lot more!) and fantasy, well, its rather my escape from the here and now. You go far more places in a good fantasy novel. I think that's why they're typically something like 120k words lmao. My novels (in progress) tend to be fantastical in nature, kind of a combination of the two genres, with a little bit of horror and mystery added for good measure. Now if I could only finish one...:)
Source(s):
My brain :)
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September 15, 2009 06:44 PM
This is a great question Michy! I love to read - I can't remember NOT reading. The first series I started collecting as a child was Nancy Drew and that may explain my love of crime novels.
I've found characters that have shared many nights with me through the years - Kay Scarpetta, Alex Cross, Dave Robicheaux, Savich & Sherlock and now Robert Langdon. I enjoy the learning process that goes along with absorbing a character with all their skills and trying to figure out "who's the bad guy". Even as I try to solve the mystery in my mind, I enjoy the twists and turns when I'm wrong.
With as much as I enjoy these characters and the continuing story lines, one of my favorite crime novels is "Night Fall" by Nelson Demille. Set around a true event, the ending of the book hit me with a punch. It is endings like that that keep me interested and searching for new crime novelists.
Tags: novels, crime
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Helpful: michelleldevon
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September 15, 2009 09:17 PM
I'm not stuck in any specific genre. I enjoy a well written story, regardless of whether it is a romance novel, crime drama, or fantasy. I enjoyed Judas Kiss as much as I enjoyed Harry Potter. I think that any genre of story can be appealing as long as the plot is compelling, the characters are well defined and identifiable, and the story moves along at a decent pace.
Tags: genre, novels
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Helpful: michelleldevon
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September 15, 2009 09:54 PM
I read books in many genres, so it's more important that a novel be good than that it be of a particular type. Conversely, in any given genre, there are lots of authors that aren't my thing at all! Also if I discover an author that I love, I might read all of their work, but never read anyone else who writes in the same genre.
Still you asked us to name a favorite, so I'll say: Fantasy.
I've read most every Terry Pratchett, all the Harry Potters, the main Tolkien works, some of Neil Gaiman and Susanna Clarke, and probably other authors that I can't remember now.
A few why it's the choice for favorite...
- There's enough high-quality work in that category for it to be a contender
- It's something I'm always up for reading, whereas there might be times when I'm not feeling energised enough to read something denser or more demanding
- I enjoy the inventiveness and the exploration of big themes and novel ideas that you often find in that genre.
- The best of it also often strong on rich characters and deep emotions, which are often lacking in sci-fi, which might be a contender for favorite if I knew enough good SF writers!
Still, it's a little bit of an arbitrary choice because if for example Scott Turow had turned out as many books as Terry Pratchett, I might have answered that my favorite genre was legal thrillers. Or if Ellis Peters was still going, I might've said: historical crime fiction. And at one time I was very big on Graham Greene.
So I think what I'm saying is I don't really have favorite genres so much as favorite authors. And the genre I read a lot at any given moment depends a lot on which authors I've recently discovered, and which of my favorites writers are producing the most new work.
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September 16, 2009 12:22 AM
I like most things historical in nature and have recently started getting into alternative history. I linked to my very favorite alternative history novel. "Guns of the South."
Source(s):
http://www.amazon.com/Guns-South-Harry-Turtledove/dp/0345384687
Tags: of, the, guns, south
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Helpful: michelleldevon
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September 16, 2009 12:40 AM
I'm currently reading more non-fiction these days, but as winter draws near, I'll be exploring the Mystery section of my local Borders Books. When I want some light reading, I go for the latest 'The Cat Who...' by Lillian Jackson Braun. The stories are whimsical mysteries published in a chronology and follow the same human and feline characters through many adventures. I consider these a bit of mind candy and fairly easy read.
When I'm looking to get lost in a book over a long weekend, I seek out something a bit more intense, like one of Michael Palmer's medical mysteries.
Thanks for providing the in-link to your novel writing topic page. The page looks good. Have you considered a featured video for the top of the right hand side of the page?
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September 16, 2009 01:37 AM
I like controversial and suspense books. Examples are books written by Dan Brown and Steve Berry, I found them informative and entertaining. You get to study a little about history, and get thrilled at the same time. Its not boring because its very intriguing.
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September 16, 2009 01:59 AM
I love reading and can devour just about any kind of fiction- mystery, romance and drama are my favorites while I also indulge in historical crime novels. Medical thrillers are another hot favorite and so is so-called 'chick-lit'. I even enjoy reading children's fiction- Enid Blyton included. So, there you go, I guess, I've covered the fiction section of the library quite well:-) Like I said, I love reading. Love it!!
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September 16, 2009 02:49 AM
I always love to read that books which are ralated to our social life. I don't think that I am a fan of any genre I like these book which are able to touch my mind, which book make me lough out, which book can make me sad. It may be romance may be fantacy or others. But I like most these books where describe fight for living,eating,shining and to be a great.
My fav. one is "scarlet"
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September 16, 2009 03:58 AM
Being a fan of many genre's of writing this is a rather difficult question to answer. I do very much enjoy the fictional genre,
not so much into the romantic fantasy style though.
Historical fiction is the niche that i would have to say i read the most of, however i do enjoy good science fiction and fantasy too.
A few of my favorite authors in the historical fiction genre would have to include the works of William Sarabande ( Loved his First American series) and the works of Jean Auel, Linda Lay Shuler and the works of W. Michael Gear & Kathleen O'Neal Gear ( their series,First North American are great)
But like most others who have answered your interesting question ,what matters most to me, above genre is the quality of the writing.
Even the most boring of topics can be of interest to read providing the writer has the ability to put a magical touch to their words.
Great question Michy.
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September 16, 2009 06:04 AM
I would say probably science fiction novels. A general bent towards sci-fi/comedy type such as anything by Douglas Adams (see username) but I also sometimes go in for darker or more complex stuff. I also enjoy mystery novels, though. And I'm into types of novels that are more targeted towards younger audiences, such as the "Harry Potter" series and similar series like "The Inheritance Cycle" or "The Bartimaeus Trilogy."
Tags: mystery, comedy, books, scifi, novels
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Helpful: michelleldevon
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September 16, 2009 09:14 AM
I like books on the supernatural, horror, fantasy, and mystery. I believe books about vampires, werewolves, demons, or any shape shifters is extremely big right now and is always an audience pleaser. These genres will always be in high demand and have a huge following.
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September 17, 2009 12:33 AM
My favorite is science fiction... the more actual science with relevance to, and effect upon, the plot it incorporates, the bettter. So much stuff gets passed as sci-fi these days that's really fantacy, or psychology-fiction if there is such a genre.
Sci-fi that incorporates valid history in context is bonus.
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I've probably read them without knowing the terms!
"Low fantasy contrasts with the sub-genre of High fantasy. Low fantasy is characterised by being set in the real ("Primary") world, or a rational and familiar fictional world, with the inclusion of magical elements. The opposite, high fantasy, is set in an alternative, entirely fictional ("Secondary") world with its own, albeit internally-consistent, rules that separate it from the real world. Low fantasy can be described as non-rational events occurring in a rational setting.123 It is important to note that the use of the word "low" is not an indication of quality but of the relative level of "fantasy" contained within a particular work of fiction"
When you think High fantasy, think Tolkien or C.S. Lewis. I find them a little dry and inaccessible, hence why I'm not very "into" high fantasy.
When you think Low fantasy, think Stephenie Meyer or any of the authors I listed above. Low fantasy can sometimes also include romance, which I enjoy as a bonus to the magical elements and mystery.
Although now your question has me wondering @philipy, would Harry Potter be considered high fantasy?
I suppose Harry Potter might be mid-fantasy then. It's supposedly set in the real world, but we spend most of our time in the wizarding community, where things aren't at all normal. :)
I agree with you about Harry Potter. I was debating this with my husband last night. HP reads like a low fantasy typically would, and to muddy the waters it does exist in both the real world and an entirely fictional world. But I think what keeps it from low fantasy really is the epic battle between good and evil, and elements of its own language.
thank you! I love learning something new!