Fresh Fiction: Blog Watch | Sara Reyes | Where Have I Read That Before? by Sara J Reyes

Call me old or at least a long-time reader and you'll be right. And as one I've got a few favorite authors that I'll read anything they jot down including a grocery list which reminds me of a web site a few years ago that collected authors' grocery lists, hmm, gotta check that one. For charity I think. Anyway, back to me and reading old favored authors.

Recommended Reads

Have you ever noticed that you'll be reading a book and need to pause, wondering, "Did I read that in _____?" or perhaps, "hmm, Lydia is just like Joceyln in ______" I'm referring to another book by the same author so don't get all excited I've delving into plagiarism. I leave that to others to root out (don't be alarmed, my Pennsylvania Dutch has a way of emerging now and again). No, talking about authors who, bless them, have a way of telling the same story over and over.

Sometimes it's because I'd assume, their publisher wants another hit or at least a known out of them for a ravenous market (that would me!), other times it's become a job, like every night when I do the dishes, sometimes I forget exactly how I did it, it's a routine, and perhaps for some authors the stories are all the same or the telling format is. Whatever it is I've noticed it more and more recently, as in the past several years, that the stories are the same old same old. And I'm not always happy about it.

That forces me to find newer authors with different characters and different voices to tell me their stories. But that is a lot of work and there are days when I just want a Jayne Ann Krentz or a Loretta Chase or a Mary Balogh or a Lois McMaster Bujold. And sometimes it becomes a disappointment to me when an author has a new book, I'm all agog to read it, even to the point of snatching it out the package when it arrives (oops, perhaps I was a bit violent grabbing but hey I really wanted to read it, I read fast, no one would notice!). Or like my daughter, stalk a store until it is unpacked and placed into her eager hands. Well, she did wait nearly 12 years for that final book in the series.

Anyway, the book in hand, I settle down to read something with a great deal of anticipation and I consume it, quickly, greedily, with no interruptions ... threat of death and dismemberment works very well to avoid any misunderstandings during my "quiet time." After the read, or worse, during it, I realize, I've read this before. Well, maybe not the same exact characters, but pretty close. Maybe not the same exact plot, but nearly the same. If it was by a master then I usually don't notice the similarities until I've consumed and had time to think about it. I try really hard not to think too much when I read, I prefer the "journey" the storyteller unfolds page by page, scene by scene. If I start to think during the book, then it's usually not working for me. Sigh.

So, how do you read? And are their similarities in books that will pull you out? Or do you just find each one new and different enough that it doesn't matter? I'm always curious to hear from other readers.

I do have three books I recommend from this week's reading: DOG ON IT by Spencer Quinn. This one is a must read if you love dogs and a good private eye mystery. Told in first person dog it is a great read. Hopefully this is the first in a LONG series of Chet the Dog books. I've given my copy to my son to read and he's already disappeared with it. For something not a science fiction or adventure, that is a very good sign. Second is the latest from Loretta Chase, DON'T TEMPT ME. This one is very similar in my opinion to others by her but the journey is well worth the time. The third is LOVING A LOST LORD by Mary Jo Putney. She returns to the time and tone of some of my favorite romance historicals. Not a bit of magic, not that I don't like magic, but it's an emotional read you can wallow and really really enjoy.

As usual, we have a weekend giveaway (today and Sunday) for someone who comments about our postings. We hope you'll enjoy our ramblings and add some of your own.

Until next time...
Sara Reyes

Get out there and READ a book...
Sara Reyes

DFW Tea Readers Group
Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas November 13-15, 2009!

Comments

Hi there! Yes, sometimes I notice that alot of books that I read (and I do read ALOT of books!!) have similar or same sounding plots, but they are usually different enough that it doesn't bother me. Most of the time it's not even by the same authors, just similar plots. I'm bad to "stalk" the Wal-Mart boxes for new releases! They are so slow putting them out. Have a great weekend.
(Martha Lawson 5:41pm June 27)

I also read a lot and am not really bothered by plot similarities. Didn't someone say there are only so many stories..it just matters how you tell them. I find it is the author's voice that I enjoy. I do look forward to my favorites, with Loving A Lost Lord on the list.
Cheryl Ricin
(Cheryl Ricin 6:44pm June 27)

Cheryl, I think I've heard the same thing about there being only 3 stories. A while back Mary Balogh and 3 other authors used the same plot -- it involved old lovers being reunited in inns. It wasn't the same inn, of course, but the same story told in different voices and honestly, if you didn't realize they were doing this, don't think you would have recognized the stories.

I thoroughly enjoyed Chase's new book -- thought it her best yet, but then I haven't read too many of hers lately.

Now, to settle down and spend the week-end on a good book or two. It's too hot to get out from under the a/c!
(Betty Cox 6:52pm June 27)

According to my writers group which has been meeting for 20 years before I came 3 years ago, there are mainly 2 plots. The first plot is going on a journey, the second plot is coming back from a trip. I believe a lot of stories are a good fit with variations of this criteria.
(Alyson Widen 7:02pm June 27)

Now and again I may notice that the plot has been done before, but I agree with a previous post that when you have a good author voice the journey is still good. When I have an author I have been following for years, I look for, and enjoy, how their voice and way for telling the story changes over the years. I think what I object to most, and what has stopped me from reading an author, is when the author seems to give up and create the same formula for their books because they know that is what the publisher, reader, made for movie people want. They don't grow or tell the story differently- it's just rote, and that is when I stop reading.
(Sara Edmonds 7:32pm June 27)

I don't really mind that a plot has been done before, but does it have to be the same month. Several times there have been books that sound so much alike that you wonder if the authors called each other up and discussed the plot (or maybe they had a wine party and forgot who was going to use that plot this month?) :>)
(Karin Tillotson 10:30pm June 27)

I personally feel drawn to the same plots.
But I never tire of them because no two
authors tell it the same way.
(Seung-Ju Ahn 10:50pm June 27)

I try to just immerse myself in the
story, but like you I start thinking
afterwards. There are just so many
plot lines out there and just so much
you can do with them, so there are
bound to be moments of de ja vous.
There is one really well known author
who was my first romance author and
still my favorite. One thing I noticed
early on was she has the same 3 sex
scenes in each of her books. The
names and the place are different but
that is all. I haven't had time to read
her last couple of books, so I don't
know if that is still the case. It really
isn't a problem, just funny.
(Patricia Barraclough 11:30pm June 27)

It is jarring when I read a book and am overly struck by simiarities to other books by the same author. There is an even more annoying situation. I have read an anthology by a single author and each story is of a set of different couples. The author had an unusual/uncommon phrase that was used by each of the heroes in the set of stories. It was annoying.
(G. Bisbjerg 11:34pm June 27)

I try to mix up my reading so I don't get the feeling of reading something familiar. So if I just read a Regency I might read a contemporary next.
(Leslie Gladnick 3:34am June 28)

I have noticed that. There are a few authors I can think of (not naming names) who do this and that can be very off-putting. As a reader, I am always looking for something new, something challenging. I don't want to read the same story with different names and settings. If I wanted to read the same story, I'd just reread the original book. As a writer, I like to observe how others keep it fresh and try to discern how they keep it new and don't retread the same story ground.
(Margay Roberge 7:50am June 28)

Recently I read a 2-book series and the plot lines of both books were so similar that while reading the second book I felt I was re-reading the first book. That's not good. Is that a sign of no real imagination? Don't know but both books received lots of kudos. To be fair, they were well-written, but the distinct similarities threw me. But maybe that's just me.
(Karen Haas 11:45am June 28)

I have noticed that my self. Most of the time this doesn't bother me, but sometimes you think your getting something different and your reading the same thing. When this happens I get in a reading slump.
(Gail Hurt 1:05pm June 28)

I don't mind if authors write books that sound similar.

What I don't like and what I have found sometimes is when an author rehashes an old plot and just puts it in a different setting and gives the characters different names.

I love many genres, so hop around a lot when I'm getting tired of one. When I go back to that genre, then it seems fresh and new again and I enjoy it more.
(Valerie Bongards 1:24pm June 28)

Having just finished Mary Balogh's new series (out of order, I might add!), I can say that, yes, she does use similar plots for the four books, but the differences between the books definitely out-weigh the similarities. Now, if she'd only write a fifth one, giving us Constantine's story!! Sigh ...

Later,

Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 2:06pm June 28)

There are so many wonderful books coming out right now. I am looking forward to Loretta's and Mary Jo's new books, as well as Julia Quinn's and Toni Blake's.

I read so much that I run across similarities all the time, but each author has a different voice so it doesn't bother me. I tend to alternate reading historicals and contemporaries so things stay fresh.
(Cheryl Castings 3:49pm June 28)

I've run across a number of similar plot lines and for the most part it doesn't put me off. What DOES frustrate me is the buy a book and fid that I truly have read it before but it's been released with a different cover photo and I just didn't realize i.
(Jill Hayden 4:45pm June 28)

Yes sometimes when I am reading I will wonder if I haven't just finished this book no so long ago; the realize it's by a different author. I don't mind since when continuing to read I start noticing the differences in the styles of each author or the different twist that unravels as I keep reading
(Diane Sadler 5:06pm June 28)

I think sometimes I keep buying an author is because they do write about the same way or things again and again. Usually they are my comfort reads and I know I will enjoy them over and over.
(Pat Richardson 6:02pm June 28)

Similar plot lines don't bother me so much except when I read a book and it makes me remember another book like it and I have a devil of a time remembering the other book's title. Also, getting a book and then discovering I've read a previous release of the same book is annoying. I really appreciate those first time in print seals that are on the new Nora Roberts' books. Very helpful.
(Summer Sharp 7:43pm June 28)

I must be an idiot! I can't at the moment recall reading any book, and thinking I've read somethign very similiar before.

However, I do recall hearing that there are only so many plots in the world, and therefore they get told again and again and yet again!

With my comment you now have more comments than I had when I came over here!
(Sandi Shilhanek 9:53pm June 28)

I love reading a variety of genres but too I have my favorites like historical. The under that have favorites like arranged marriages and rogues, so I'm gonna look for those themes too so I may read more of similar themes but each book is so unique in itself! I love it!
(Cathie Morton 10:03pm June 28)

Lynn,

Con's story (Mary Balogh) comes out NEXT YEAR. She is SO mean to us!!!! It will be a hardback too, but I love her books and don't mind if they have the same plot. It's the journey you go on when reading her that is important.
(Sara J Reyes 12:03pm June 29)

Thanks to everyone who commented, yup, I feel special this weekend.

And Faye is back so I can take off a couple of hours and read.

Finished the new Mary Kay Andrews and I'm letting it simmer. Not sure what I think about it. Hmm...
(Sara J Reyes 12:04pm June 29)

I have just found out about DOG ON IT and am looking forward to the read. But I have to agree about Loretta Chase's book. She has such a good knack about writing situations that it just doesn't matter if you have the a simular story before - its gonna be good!
(Vicki Patterson 1:14pm June 30)

I am drawn to all paranormal! But I do have faves and well...I totally understand the stalking and package ripping! lol
I pre order months in advance for some and stalk Walmart for those release days and let me tell ya sometimes they dissapoint! How could they not have it!
Reading is awesome and my fave addiction!
(Chris Jones 5:18am July 1)

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