To some extent, this will be similar to other lists I've made, like recommended 2012 reads and the books that define me as a reader. However, this also includes some other titles you might not have expected me to read :).
*Didn't include picture books because I don't remember a majority of them and nowadays, they're just meh for me. Also don't expect to see comic books or graphic novels here as I don't read them either (though maybe one day I will get into them? You can suggest a few good titles for me :D). Also horror novels. I've tried a few, but I don't think that I'm the right audience. I appreciate the aesthetics, but they rarely ever impact me.
Middle Grade:
I don't read a lot of Middle Grade novels. Harry Potter is the exception, of course, but I'm not going to bother separating the rest of these into genres.
(does it count more as YA now that Percy's grown? Eh.)
(literally one of the most beautifully written children's novels I've read)
--- by C.S. Lewis*
(Wasn't a fan of the two Narnia books I read but his essays on children's lit are fantastic.)
Young Adult:
*Note: obviously Harry Potter makes this list, even if I don't include the books. And for me, in case you were curious, HP7 > HP6 > HP4 > HP5 > HP3 > HP2 > HP1.
Historical Fiction:
Paranormal Romance:
(Also Days of Blood and Starlight.)
(I wonder if I'd have the same experience with this if I'd read it now.)
(Despite my issues with this one, I really like her writing. I want to see it performed.)
(I need a refresher with this one too. And it doesn't really belong in PNR but meh.)
Contemporary:
(Also Where She Went.)
(I like Anna too, but Lola gets priority.)
Fantasy, High or Urban:
(Anything by Kristin Cashore really, but Fire is my favorite.)
(Okay, so her books don't really fit here but where else to put them?)
(I need to reread this one. I remember LOVING it when I first read it,
but for the life of me, can't remember a lot of the details of the story anymore.)
Dystopian / Post-Apocalyptic / Utopian:
(It seems obligatory to put this here since my review is the top one on Amazon and it was
the first review I'd written with all +s, if I'm not mistaken. But again I need a refresher o.O).
Science Fiction:
New Adult or Take-Place-in-College:
(I'm not even finished with this one, but I love it)
Adult:
Historical Fiction:
(Really I like all of her novels. Same for Courtney Milan & Sherry Thomas.)
(She's the sweetest! I got to help her with a signing while volunteering at the 2011 RT Convention, and meeting her convinced me to read her books).
Paranormal Romance:
(Also Shadow of Night.)
Urban Fantasy:
Science Fiction/Dystopian/Post-Apoc.:
(As with Witchlanders, I remember loving this but don't remember much anymore.)
Contemporary/Magical Realism:
(Complete with my brother's genius margin notes like LOL. Isn't he a great student?)
Erotica:
*Truthfully, though I've read other erotica series, I have a hard time with them because
I don't find them quite compelling. The emotional relationships and tension don't work as well for me.
Nonfiction:
(Still haven't finished this one but loved what I'd read.)
Literary (or Various Books I Studied in School):
What does favorites mean in this context? They're not necessarily five-star reads, but they're the ones that have stayed with me, or the ones that I remember really impacting me when I first read them.
**Obviously some of these genre distinctions are more fluid than they seem in this list, and I could have broken down the categorizations further but if there'd only be one book on the list? Meh. By including this "literary" distinction at the end, I'm not implying that the other books don't have literary elements.
If you're curious what I think of any of these and I haven't linked to a review, just ask me about them below! Or if I've linked to one of my crappy, early reviews and you want to know more, the same applies :).
Do we share any favorites? What books do you still need to own to having read? Are there genres that you won't touch? Are there any books you're embarrassed to admit you've read? Want to recommend me some titles based on the ones I've listed?
I'm ashamed to admit I read Twilight and was for a period of time, a Twihard. Not one of my best moments haha. I do sort of feel ashamed for loving Nora Roberts, I loved the Bride Quartet, it fulfils my romance guilty pleasure :P
ReplyDeleteI would definitely not touch erotica, I have no interest in it at all and it might be why I'm hesitant to approach NA. There really isn't anything that really appeals to me in NA because I see that a majority of NA does largely focus on the sexual aspect. I'm more interested in the growth during that period, for example in Just One Day, Allyson's growth as she discovers more about herself and just being comfortable with who she is.
Hmm I do think The Heroes of Olympus series would be more YA now.
Ooo, I have been curious about The Pledge and to know it was your first all positives review has me wondering!
I'm very impressed by your variety of genres! I often stick to the same type of books, though I wish I branched out a bit more. This is such a great post!! I've read many of these myself and adored them as well. Others are on my TBR list, waiting patiently. Soooo many amazing books out there!! :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, most of these that I've read are my favorites, too. If not that particular book, then some other book from the series most definitely is. As you know, I love everything Colleen Hoover, I love The Sea of Tranquility and Pushing the Limits was a good read for me, too. I'm not afraid to say that I loved everything about Unraveling (Liz Norris) and Sweet Evil. However, I did not like Hex Hall and I tried reading Matched, but it was so boring for me.. :( I also tried the one you haven't finished yet. Unteachable? It was just.. not my cup of tea with the subject, yes, it was realistic of sorts, but I didn't like it as much as I adored Slammed. I love that book. I didn't like this one though. I didn't like the way it was written either and it was just too dramatic for me in some places. Which makes me a double-standard reader since I love my drama and I loved Hopeless which had plenty of it at the end, but all these maffia stories and whatnot are driving me insane. After I read Elite, I have a bad taste in my mouth about that topic. I didn't really enjoy what this book offered me and I didn't enjoy what Unteachable gave me so it was a DNF for me. I'm glad you're loving it though. I'm glad that everyone seems to think it's brilliant and worth a try. Unfortunate that it didn't work for me, but I don't think it'll effect the success it has had and will have in the future. OH AND MAGGIEEEE!!! HEHE. 'nuff said :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting list! Many of the ones that I have read are ones that have stuck with me as well, but really that's only a small fraction of your list because I don't read MG, NA, and barely any Adult. So um... I just tend to stick to my YA bubble. O.o Still, I think it's awesome you're owning up to all that you have read and loved! I don't see why you should be embarrassed on any (well, some of those covers scare me, but that's just me ;) ). I do think it's funny that there are quite a few you loved but don't remember. I feel the SAME WAY. I feel like since I've started blogging I don't have as many favorites that I feel strongly about as I did before. But then those that I know were my favorites I am unsure if I still would feel that way if I read them again or what. Reading is so complicated!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I actually haven't read books from many of the genres that you included in your list... I'm sort of stuck in the YA section of the world of fiction. But I have read a bit of New Adult and maybe, like, one paranormal romance (does Soulless count as a paranormal romance?).
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I think it is great to see that you aren't embarrassed by the books that you read. Nobody should be ashamed to have read and enjoyed a book. Fiction is met to enjoyed, after all :D
We have a lot of books in common, especially the dystopian, paranormal, and fantasy. I've been on a YA kick for awhile, but I still read some books that are categorized as adult, like The Bone Season, Gameboard of the Gods, The Discovery of Witches, etc.
ReplyDeleteTuck Everlasting was one of my all time favorite books growing up, I remember reading it over and over. It's been a long time since I've read it, and I wonder if I would love it as much. Sometimes I don't want to ruin a memory of a book. Another favorite is From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler) (I may not be spelling that right). Those two have stayed with me for a long time.
Other books that stayed with me were from the literary brat pack. Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInerney, Less Than Zero and Story of My Life, by Bret Easton Ellis, and The Secret History by Donna Tartt. And of course I read Gone With the Wind and Pride and Prejudice once every few years.
I always hate when people get snobby when it comes to books (and tv and movies for that matter). I want to be entertained when I read, and most of the time, you can find deeper issues and topics of "deep" conversation from almost any book.
Great post! ~Pam
I'm never that embarrassed by what I read, though sometimes I feel that there are book covers that are embarrassing to carry around...
ReplyDeleteI still like reading the new Percy Jackson series as well . Ooh now I see new adult novels I can check out . Great list ;)
ReplyDeleteI really don't read any MG or adult, but we share a lot of similar YA reads. I really try to never be embarrassed by what I read, but sometimes I feel self-conscious when I can tell others are judging me by what I read. When I realize that I have no reason to be ashamed of reading a book with a kiss-y cover (for example) I try to sit up straighter and be proud that I love reading so much.
ReplyDelete(Quick story: When I was reading My Life Next Door, an adult asked me what I was reading, looked at the cover and said, "Now isn't this a little suggestive?" I am so proud that I told her what I thought about her judging that book by its cover, instead of feeling like I should be ashamed.)
I agree with all of your (YA) historical fiction choices, especially Out of the Easy and A Great and Terrible Beauty. I agree with most of your paranormal choices, especially Unravel Me and The Evolution of Mara Dyer. Your contemporaries are all so lovely! Jellicoe Road will always be my favorite. Obviously we share very similar tastes, because I agree with most of your fantasy, etc. category. I really loved the writing in The Scorpio Races and Kristin Cashore. Out of the dystopian category I really agree with Angelfall.
I think this comment has gone on long enough, but suffice it to say I agree with almost every single one of your YA picks! No shame.
I agree about your definition of 'favorite' A 5-stars book doesn't automatically means it's a favorite, because sometimes a 3-stars book ends up in my favorite pile. That might be strange, but that last book might have touched me in another way than the 5-stars book.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of titles there I could have picked:
-HP of course.
-Grave Mercy.
-Iron King.
-Hex Hall.
-Shadow and bone <3
-I still need to read Crown of midnight, but I adore Throne of glass.
-Legend.
-Divergent.
And I have quite some of your choices on my TBR pile :)
I'm never embarrassed. I always remind myself that I read because I LOVE it, so I don't give a damn about other people's opinion when it comes to the books I read :)
Thankfully I have never felt embarrassment over anything I have read. I get why others do, though. I've been scoffed at my entire life over my reading choices, but I truly enjoy what I read. To heck with everyone else. :) I think the only genre I won't touch is romance, but that's because it's simply not my thing. As for recommendations, maybe To Kill a Mockingbird if you haven't read that one.
ReplyDeleteI see a few of my wishlist books in your favorites. I completely forgot about Quiet. I may make that one my next nonfiction read.
Christina I really am pleased to see so many books that I too would have included on my favourite list too, such as Shadowfever, Just One Day, Unravel Me and Angelfall! could probably go on about how awesome these books are forever! Also books which I've had on my shelf for ages on your list too such as Psych Major Syndrome, The Raven Boys and Unspoken. I really think I should bump them up my pile a bit now. I really enjoy making lists of favourties, that I may just have to make one of these lists for myself! Thank you for sharing your favourites with us, I had a lot of fun reading them! :)
ReplyDeleteI love how you broke these down. Maybe it's just me but I'd own up to any of these books. I read across the spectrum--only non-fiction bores me most times. I don't always review everything I read, but that's not really because I'm embarrassed or not inclined to own up to reading it--I just don't review everything I read on my blog--even all the YA I read (and it's primarily a YA blog.) I like that when I get bored with the YA I can go read some Adult Contemp. Romance--or paranormal romance or even erotica if I'm feeling that way. It's nice to have options:)
ReplyDeleteI'd recommend reading Unsticky by Sarra Maning. Have you read that? It's adult cont. rom and a British title so hard to come by in the states unless you buy online, but the author is about to re-publish it in the states. It is such a disscussable book. I loved it:)
I love seeing Atonement on here... just read that recently for the first time and that book wrecked me. Adore the movie too (and that's pretty rare for me). And A Great and Terrible Beauty! Ahh! All time favorite. I can't say I read very much Non-Fiction, and if I do it's mostly memoirs which can be fun as long as I'm reading about interesting people. :)
ReplyDeleteThis post is awesome because I've been looking to expand my reading outside of YA and so I love the suggestions of where to start first with MG and adult books. During the month of August, I devoured Karen Marie Moning's Fever series. I read all five books back-to-back and am completely in love with Barrons.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to see that Psych Major Syndrome made your list! That book is one of my favorites and is often overlooked in the blogging world, so I always get excited when I see that someone else has read it and loved it!
I read your comment about Nightshade and immediately wondered the same thing. I liked it quite a lot at the time (before I had really familiarised myself with YA fiction, admittedly), but I can't entirely remember why now. Still, it's good to see that we have so many favourites in common. And you prefer Lola too? I think I gave Anna the same rating, but Lola resonated with me just a little more.
ReplyDeleteAnd gosh, now that I think about it, there are SO many books that I never admit to reading. Recently I've been going on a contemporary binge and seeking out titles that are pure brain candy. Some are pretty awful, and I skim through most of it, but I still can't help myself. Erotica isn't for me either, but I will sometimes actively dig out a steamy adult title and then blush my way through it. I feel fine admitting that on the web, but in real life? I definitely keep it to myself.
Okay, I absolutely adore this post. Not only do we share a huge majority of favorite books this is an awesome way to get recommendations so I will for sure be adding some of these to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteYour fantasy section makes me so happy because those are my all time favorite books. The Scorpio Races had gorgeous writing and Shadow and Bone is made of absolute perfection.
About the actual topic, I agree. I am very careful when choosing what books to bring on the bus for my 2 hour commute to university because I read so much YA. It's quite sad. Whenever someone asks me my favorite book I feel the need to lie about that as well. It's awesome because on Goodreads and my blog I can pretty much read anything without being judged. Great post.
I love this post, Christina! Not only because we share lots of favorites (I basically share the same with you in every YA genre) but the whole "owning what you read." Because sometimes, I see people read these deep books or whatnot and sometimes I really prefer my fluffy contemporary. I also love these new recommendations :)
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a Twihard, but for a while I was ashamed to have read Twilight. And then I realized, nope. Not ashamed. It's nearly impossible to read other YA without hearing about the book, so why not read? And yeah, maybe I don't agree with parts of it anymore, but oh well. Why Nora Roberts? I know a lot of people who love her! She's one of the top ten authors I think in the US. I have a lot of 'guilty pleasures,' but I am going to try not to refer to books that way anymore. I am a romance addict! I should not feel guilty. :O And I hope you won't either!
ReplyDeleteYes. A lot of NA is like that. I definitely agree with you. However, most of the titles I listed were ones that focused more on character growth than sex (the only exception is Unteachable). Like Just One Day :).
Hehehe. Damn. And here I was, thinking that I could get away with Heroes of Olympus as MG!
I remember really liking the Pledge except for a few things. Sometimes I wonder if it'd get the same review as it did then o.O.
Haha, I look like I'm branched out, but my blog title reveals it all ;). Thank you! I hope you get a chance to get to those books from the TBR.
ReplyDeleteHehe, I had a hard time trying to decide which book of a series to include. Sea of Tranquility is #3 on my recommended soon-to-read list :D. I pushed it down for Through the Ever Night, since I already own that. If I don't get another rec before then, Pushing the Limits comes next!
ReplyDeleteMatched is definitely one of those hate-or-love types. It is boring, not much happens, but I also loved the poetic writing and thoughts on human nature. It's a very symbolic type of dystopia. You didn't like Hex Hall? :O Yeah. Unteachable - it's easy to tell whether or not you'd like that book; it seems like a lot of the negative criticism is because people can't stomach the subject, and really it IS an icky subject.
Hopeless is a mafia story? You don't like mafia stories?
Maggie fo lyfe! ;)
hehehe, I don't really read MG, NA, or that much adult either. The NA titles I included are ones I've found to be exceptional - different than what I usually associate with NA. Lol. Which covers scare you? The supremely romance ones or the vampire with red eyes?
ReplyDeleteYeahhh, right? Sometimes I wonder if it's a side effect of blogging or just that I read a lot more now. I want to remember those. But I also have changed a lot as a reader - how do you ever account for that? Maybe the favorites part has to do with getting a more discerning palate? Or that blogging makes you more critical as you read?
Haha, don't let the list fool you! I have read stuff in other age categories, but my blog is focused on YA ;). Soulless does, I think!!! And I am reading that soon. Did you like that book? I hope you did. I hope it means that I'm in for a good ride.
ReplyDeleteYes! This post ties in well with you reading too much one :). We shouldn't feel ashamed. And if someone tries to deride for having a romance novel, whatever. I'll give em the stink eye!
Hehe, glad that we both have our YA kick with YA blogs but still end up reading some adult titles :). Tuck Everlasting. Oh, such gorgeous writing. I know what you mean about the memory of a book - on some days, I feel like that with Harry Potter. I haven't read the title you listed, but you did spell it right (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3980.From_the_Mixed_Up_Files_of_Mrs_Basil_E_Frankweiler?ac=1) :) I kind of want to read that now! It is short too, so it could be done.....
ReplyDeleteThe Secret History! I have that book and really want to read it. It's stayed with you over the years? What's your favorite part? Do you think I'll like it? And Gone with the Wind! I still need to read that, though of course I've seen the movie o.O. Seriously how haven't I read it? It's, I think, one of the top ten best selling novels of all time o.O.
AND YES. I was so hesitant to even include the literary category because I felt that that was implying that you couldn't discuss the others. No, not at all. EXACTLY what you said.
Boddice rippers, you mean? I don't know. I do admit to having felt embarrassed by book covers many a time, but now I'm kind of upset with myself for that reason. Who cares if I'm reading a book with a shirtless dude on the cover? Or a kissy couple? If it's my friends/relatives, they'll ask me about it. If it's a stranger, unlikely I'll ever see them again so oh well!
ReplyDeleteWoot! Hope you enjoy some of the NA titles then!
ReplyDeleteIt's impossible not to feel self-conscious when they're judging. We humans do so dearly love to judge nearly everything o.O.
ReplyDeleteWOW you are awesome for telling that adult off! My Life Next Door doesn't even have a super suggestive cover. They're just leaning into each other!
Yay! That's awesome that we have similar tastes :). Now I know that going into your reviews. Haha, the dystopian category. I had a feeling that would be the most divisive one ;). Glad that we did agree on a title there too!
Nonsense! A comment could never go on for too long. I exceeded the comment character limit on a friend's blog :).
No shame! HUZZAH!
Yes. Sometimes a book can be perfectly executed but not inspire the same feelings in you as one that's flawed but you connect with on another level :).
ReplyDeleteMEL READ CROWN OF MIDNIGHT. Especially if you adored Throne of Glass :).
You're awesome, Mel. It's a GOOD thing that you've never felt embarrassed. I am telling myself that from this post on, I need to get ahold of myself. Show what I like more - especially since it's our books and that's our prerogative.
Yes!! My mom disdains all of YA lit, probably won't ever touch one of my books, but no! I enjoy the books, and there's no reason to ever feel embarrassed :).
ReplyDeleteI haven't read To Kill a Mockingbird! It's been sitting on my shelf for years though since you can't go anywhere without hearing about how wonderfully written that book is.
Quiet. I need to finish the book, but yes! I do hope you make it your next nonfiction book. Even having gotten about 1/3 - 1/4 of the way through, I still find myself thinking about it and the topics it's raised at random moments.
Oh, Jasprit. You need to read the Raven Boys! Of the three that you've mentioned that have been on the TBR for ages, I would suggest that one first. Especially given the favorites you listed here. :)
ReplyDeleteNon-fiction also bores me - it has to be a truly extraordinary topic (to me) to keep my interest. Eh, I don't review some of these titles not because I'm embarrassed of them but because this is a YA blog, and also because there's joy sometimes in not reading a book for review. Or knowing that you'll review it, you know? But I agree with you! Right now I'm feeling kind of "meh" about some YA titles, so it's always nice to have the option of reading elsewhere. And woah! I looked at the GR page for Unsticky and it's interesting: some people have marked it as YA o.O. I hope it gets republished! It'll be easy to come across then, and discussable books are the best :).
ReplyDeleteOh, the movie. Oh, that book. It's a testament to the power of both that I can remember some of the exact scenes even years later. I've read a few other Ian McEwan titles, and I like his writing. I need to read more. Do you usually like either the movie or the book? Not both?
ReplyDeleteYES. A Great and Terrible Beauty actually does make all time favorite too :). I remember NEEDING to read the next two titles after that one. Sitting down for a whole weekend just to finish them! Love Libba Bray's work.
Yay!!! I'm with you: I'm always looking to expand my reading tastes even if this is a YA blog. It's the best to get recommendations elsewhere. I hope you enjoy the other books! And ooh, did you read ICED yet? Ryodan hasn't quite had the same chance as Barrons just yet, but he's got such potential. Looking forward to BURNED so hardcore.
ReplyDeletePsych Major Syndrome is definitely overlooked, but I LOVED it. And I hope I convinced others to read the book :).
Yeah... I think I'd liked Nightshade because of witches/werewolves dynamic, the writing, and Calla & her sexuality. But now, I wonder, with me rarely ever getting along with PNRs, would I like that book? It also was one of the books I'd read before I'd really gotten into YA.. And yes, Lola! I know a lot of other people liked Anna more, but I'm definitely with you on Lola.
ReplyDeleteHahah, I want to know what these titles are! What is brain candy for Sam? What have you binged on? I'm still working on admitting to the erotica on the web and in real life. Just the other day, my mother asked me if I'd read the 50 Shades trilogy. Yes. And then she asked me if she could read it to see what the fuss is about. A part of me is like, Christina, there is nothing wrong with you sharing reading tastes with your mom. Another part of me is like EW. YOUR MOM. SEX BOOKS. WHAT. WHY.
Yay!!! I love giving out recommendations - I hope you enjoy whichever books you added to your TBR :).
ReplyDeleteAnd haaha! I remember when I first commented on your blog, your user bio had said something about Shadow and Bone and Leigh Bardugo and I commented something so very similar ;).
Yes. I've had a similar experience. Not the bus aspect, but the favorite book. I'd mentioned that I read a bunch of spec fic in my Contemporary SF class, and my professor then asked me what my favorites were, and oh god. I blushed so hardcore, because a part of me still falls for that disdain that others have, especially in a "literary" class. NO NO NO, why, Christina? We shouldn't! Why is it okay for us to spot Mockingjay in the wild (though apparently that's not okay for some) but not something like Meant to Be? Blah.
Yay!! I like how so many people who've commented share the same favorites as me :). Oh, that warm, fluffy feeling of knowing your favorites have gotten attention and been recognized <3. I hope you like the recommendations!
ReplyDeleteI should have expressed myself better or put a full stop after that Hopeless part of the sentence instead of a comma. lol. I read that part of my comment and I would have drawn the same conclusion you did. Nope, no maffia in Hopeless, but it is very dramatic throughout the second part of the novel. Lately I've read a few maffia stories and dear lord! They've been overly dramatic, so not believable, but then again, I really haven't seen a REAL mafioso.. soooo,, yeah. It's fair to say they're not my cup of tea. I didn't enjoy Hex Hall mostly because I didn't understand the allure nor did I like the humour which read weird to me. IT's just me though, everyone else loves this one.
ReplyDeleteLol. I can't say I've ever many - if any - mafia stories o.O. Most NA titles seem to be pretty dramatic - have you come across any that are sort of light hearted? Ahhh, I liked Hex Hall for the humor. The snark. I think on that first page, Sophie says something about her hair resembling a tropical jungle because of the humidity - something better phrase - but she won me from that moment forward lol. Too well do I know the sensation of out-of-control hair.
ReplyDeleteTypically I always like the book more but there are some times when both are equally liked. Atonement is one of those. A few of the Harry Potter movies. Fight Club was an equally good movie (possibly even better than the book.) Hmm.. I'm sure there are others. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL I meant *new* adult novels not NA though I can see how confusing it can get nowadays
ReplyDeleteI'm re-reading Throne of glass at the moment. Just because I can, haha. I want to be absorbed and then continue with Crown of midnight. And it's a good thing to see the story after reading the novella's! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd haha, I'm not awesome, it's just the way it is. I've been thinking all my life about what other people think about me, but there has never been a moment where I felt embarrassed about things I feel passionate about. SO, keep showing us what you like and keep showing it to the world ^^
You have some pretty awesome books on this list and I love seeing what other books you love that are not YA.
ReplyDeleteRe: Erotica - I am not opposed to sex in books but I also don't find them compelling. I like plot. And character development. And while I've only read a few I have yet to come across one that I find compelling.
Re: HP - Just in case you were wondering HP 7 -> HP 5 -> HP 3 -> HP 4 -> HP 2 - > HP 1 -> HP 6. Everyone I know ranks HP 6 at the top or near the top and I just don't get it. It was boring (by HP standards of course, not by regular book standards).
Re: Graphic Novels - I don't really read them either but I read Persepolis for a class and it was really good so... yeah. I recommend that one ;)
Awesome! I love the wide variety of books you read and enjoy many of the same genres :) I don't read a lot of middle grade books, but I think when I do, they're the ones I'd be most likely to be ashamed of. I also don't read a lot of erotica and might not review if I did... because my mom reads my blog, haha. Other than that, I'll stand up for anything I read.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely read The Secret History. It's pretty complex. I loved the college setting and hated almost every single character, but it's still so good! ~Pam
ReplyDeleteOkay, first off, amen for not being embarrassed for what you read! I don't think anyone should be. And even though erotica is not my thing either, I don't judge other people when they're into it. We're all readers here, and no one should be made to feel ashamed for whatever genre they're into. It's a particular frustration of mine when people think YA and MG should just be for young adults and middle grade readers. A good story should transcend all ages!
ReplyDeleteSecond off, you make me feel so limited in the genre range of books I read! Because you clearly have a wide variety of genres up here, all with a few memorable reads each. For me, I find I get caged in to particular genres (mainly fantasy, dystopian) and have to force myself to go outside my comfort zone to try out other genres. Thing is, when I do go outside of my comfort zone, I almost always am rewarded with a really great reading experience so I don't know why I don't do it more!
Within YA, historical fiction, contemporary, and NA are my least read genres. BUT I loved Grave Mercy and the Stephanie Perkins' books, like you. And I haven't read the rest of the books you've mentioned in those categories, but I feel like they could act as a good spring board for books to choose from and work off of.
Ehhh, and don't even get me started on Adult. I am woefully under read in that age group. But maybe someday I'll reach a point in my life when I'll be ready to grow up and leave my MG/YA behind... nah :)
Great post, Christina! It was interesting looking through it all.
GASP. You like some of the HP movies more than the books? You speak blasphemy!
ReplyDelete:)
Throne of Glass deserves to be re-read lol. Ooh, you read the novellas? Which one is your favorite? AND YAY!! I hope you can get to CoM soon :) :).
ReplyDeletePssh, Mel, don't downplay it. A lot of people on this thread are very passionate about books, but we've sometimes felt embarrassed. This post is supposed to be my "manifesto" of sorts, but... for real: You already are awesome!
Ah. The great genre title for NA. WELL THEN lol. I hope you like the ADULT titles that are here! Let me know if you try any of these :). I love discussing them!
ReplyDelete:) I am going to put your name in my recommendations box with this book because I really want to read it, and after all, you are recommending it to me now!
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDeleteMe too. That is exactly my issue with erotica. Even with the one I listed, there's a lot less character development than there is in my romance novels, which also include sex but a lot less of it. The tension and plots there make those novels way more compelling.
GASP. You didn't like Half-Blood Prince? It was even more boring than the FIRST one? Ooooh. Why? The classes and the teenage romantic drama or?
Persepolis! Will add it now :). Thank you for the rec!
Really? Why would MG make the most likely to be ashamed of list? Is it because it's too young? I did see the Percy Jackson movie, and I've read all the books, but the movie made me wonder whether the books were that corny. But I don't know that I'd be ashamed of having read them. Hahahaha I have a similar situation. My brother follows my twitter, so I don't know - maybe he saw the erotica part? I'm definitely not reviewing that kind of title here though!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm not hugely embarrassed to read middle grade books and would probably tell my friends about them, but at work I'm almost as likely to hide light fiction as I am erotica. As a grad student, I just feel like everyone expects you to be working or at least doing something intellectual all the time!
ReplyDeleteNO. Lol Never more than the books but almost just as good. :)
ReplyDeleteThey are all awesome, but I think I liked The assassin and the empire the most <3 Such a heartbreaking novella! I really liked how long they were and how they show another side of Celaena.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are a few light-hearted ones. More like.. light-heart-ish, to be exact. I know Catching Liam is sort of a fun story, I really liked Losing It which was more on the fun side. Lengths by Steph Campbell and Liz Reinhardt is another one that's quite light. Her humour may have been lost on me because I'm not a native English speaker so it's sometimes hard for me to identify with a character right off the bat, but I'm glad you loved her. I think I had read too many YA books right before so another Rose-Hathaway-alike character didn't do it for me then, but I'm intrigued to give it a try again someday. I think I even have it marked as on-hold on GR lol.
ReplyDeleteYes totally agree with that oh-so wonderful feeling. I get super giddy when I talk to people and we have the same favorites! I bet I will :)
ReplyDeleteMe too! That, and for some reason, the desert novella... I want to know more on Arobynn and what he did. Can't wait to see what you'll think of C. in CoM!
ReplyDeleteI remain in awe whenever you talk of books that didn't work for you. You tend to say you'll return to them later or point fingers only back at yourself, not at the book. It's really inspiring.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! I was telling one of the ladies below about my experience in a literary SFF class, and wondering whether I could mention some of the lighter titles I'd read. And yeah... grad school culture... from what I've seen, I can definitely believe that o.O.
ReplyDelete:) now if only we could convince the rest of the world...
ReplyDeleteHa, even if I've got a favorite in each genre, doesn't necessarily mean that I'm well read in them :P. Maybe my favorites are favorites for that reason o.O. And I too get caged in to particular genres (PNR is strictly limited & SFF is the best :)). But sometimes going out of the comfort zone - especially if friends are recommending the book - can be really rewarding.
Historical fic. & NA are my least read too (even though it may seem otherwise o.O.). If you do choose to experiment in those genres, I hope you'll find books that suit your tastes!
Hahaha. Adult. Well, honestly? One of my friends said that she didn't read adult titles that much because there was an undue emphasis on sex immediately in relationships - something like that - that she thought was to the detriment of the novel. So she's a definite MG/YA lifelong reader too :).
I love QUIET; such a good book. xx
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