This week I want to know do you have a genre preference? If you do does that
mean you are or are not willing to read outside that genre preference? I am
mostly a contemporary reader be it suspenseful, romantic, or sexy. I don’t do
many paranormals, but did read and truly enjoyed Dark Lover by J.R. Ward. I did read the
second in the series, but it was not enjoyed as much as the first, and therefore
the third is still waiting, as are most of the paranormal books on my shelf.
Can you remember the first adult book you read regardless of whether or not it
was a romance? For me my first love has always been romances and if I’m
remembering correctly my first gown up romance was by Danielle Steel.
Do you have a keeper shelf? What makes a book a keeper? How often do you weed
out the keeper shelf? What happens when the shelf runs out of space? Do you
reread the keepers? I know this is going to come as a shock to those who don’t
really know me, but I don’t have a keeper shelf. I read and share the love of a
good book, and tell people if I had a keeper shelf I’d have kept….whatever book
is being discussed at that moment.
In closing I’d like to say thanks again for the condolences of the loss of our
pet Sally. While we can never replace Sally we have adopted a new baby. We
aren’t sure what the new baby’s name is going to be, but we’re thinking we’re
going to name her Oreo. She’s a shih tzu mix, and was adopted from a rescue league.
do I have a genre preference? Oh yes, I read 99% only historicals. I'll once in a blue moon throw in a contemp. I do read historical paranormals. I used to read alot of contemps, suspense, etc...but my one true love is historical anything. And yes I do have a keeper shelf, its quite large and probably should be weeded out, but its so hard for me to get rid of any books, even if I'll never read them again. Crazy I know I am! Once again, Oreo is so cute, enjoy! (Shauna George 10:24am November 29, 2009)
Sandi, Congrats on the new puppy. She is a cutie! Last night I groaned as I placed five more keepers on my overstuffed book shelves. I have more than run out of room. I need to buy another bookshelf case, as I rarely cull through my keepers. I keep books that are must reads or must reads again, books that moved me in some way or another. I keep all of my nonfiction and religious themed books. Even though I have cut back on buying I still manage to collect books. I now have books stacked on the floor, which is something I have never done before. After Christmas I am going to buy myself a nice bookshelf and clean this book mess up once and for all..at least until I run out of room again. (Sari Nichols 10:26am November 29, 2009)
Sandi, I mainly only read romance period. More contemporary. I do not read the paranormal and vampire stuff. I keep tons of books. I just can't bring myself to throw them away. Love the new puppy. She is so cute!! So great the you got a rescue dog!! (Julie Harper 10:30am November 29, 2009)
Sandi congrats on your new puppy, Orea! I hope you and your family enjoy many happy years w/ her.
Genre preference -- not really, I read a variety of things. Thus, the reason for so many books waiting to be read. And w/ so many books waiting to be read no I really don't keep the ones I've read. I tend to pass them on, trade them. I figure w/ the trade sites if I really want to re-read I can just swap for it again. (Pam Nolan 10:35am November 29, 2009)
My favorite genre is paranormal romance and YA paranormal and it is what I read most of the time, but I do venture out to other genres. I am currently reading Gabaldon's "Echo in the Bone". Occasionally a contemp or historical romance or chick-lit will catch my eye (and I mean that literally since I tend to judge books by their cover). I also like to read humorous mysteries like Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich or the Spellman series by Lisa Lutz.
I have been reading so long I can't really remember the first adult book I've read, but The Hobbit seems to be the one I can recall at the moment (yes, fantasy lover from the beginning!)
I do not have a keeper shelf mainly because I do not re-read. (Michelle K 10:41am November 29, 2009)
I have a keeper shelf and also boxes of keepers. For me a keeper is a story that I read and truly enjoyed, so much so that I can't give it away. My first adult book was probably Mary Stewart or Victoria Holt. My first romantic suspense had to be Helen MacInnes. (I have definitely dated myself with these authors.) (Joyce Mandle 10:59am November 29, 2009)
Good luck with your new puppy she looks adorable. I have a keeper shelf, its books I loved the story so much I can not bear to give them away. It tends to be many books from the same author. I never clean out the keeper shelf. My genre has changed, I've actually went outside my comfort zone and read everything. Just to enjoy something new. (Theresa Buckholtz 11:31am November 29, 2009)
Sandi, first of all, I'd like to say that your new puppy Oreo is absolutely adorable! May she bring you many years of happiness and joy. Do I stick with one genre? I used to! I only used to read books by Danielle Steel until someone from work introduced me to Debbie Macomber and others. We used to have a book exchange that myself and others arranged; bringing in the paperbacks we no longer wanted. So from there I learned about other authors. I distinctly remember reading as a young adult novels with castles in them, so I am thinking maybe Victoria Holt, etc.? Today I read contemporary romance (not chick lit), romance historicals, western historicals, cozy mysteries. I don't care to read paranormals and vampires. Yes, I do keep the books by my favorite authors such as Linda Lael Miller, Debbie Macomber, Belva Plain, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Lisa Kleypas, Kristen Hannah, etc. And yes, I have tons of books tha I have yet to read. And I also have quite a lot of books that I have read and hate to give away. (Peg Fragale 11:35am November 29, 2009)
Congrats on the new puppy! My girls and I think Oreo is a perfect name. Thanks for sharing the pic - she's adorable.
On the books topic, I'm a keeper girl. Will admit to keeping a lot less (due to space) nowadays. And I do clean out every once and a blue moon, again its about space. I keep telling my girls once they move out, they won't be able to move back because their rooms will become a library - lol.
On genre, I am a contemporary romance/romantic suspense/mystery kinda girl. I will read other stuff occasionally, with the main exception being my Peanuts collection (do comics count on this?). And my mystery is just that - all kinds, not just in the romance field.
My first adult read, hmmmmm hard to say exactly, but probably a close call between Presents (and probably Carole Mortimer - still have a few of those, just can't part with them) and Agatha Christie. After watching Death on the Nile, new this was an author for me (and I have all her books). I do like the paranormal books, but more pyschic ability than vampires, even though I love the JR Ward books.
Maybe your next topic should be what our all time favorite 10 or 20 books are. Bet the lists would be interesting! (Amanda Reeder-erdly 11:47am November 29, 2009)
My favorite genre is Romantic Suspense. If I like an author I will follow into whatever genre or sub genre that author writes. An author I have followed for 25 years writes romantic suspense with a touch of paranormal. I love a good Science Fiction Romance. Even when I read Cold War era spy vs spy there had to be a touch of romance.
I tend to enjoy contemporary best, but still read some historicals, suspense, and paranormals. Mostly I read based on authors...once I find an author I enjoy, I'll usually follow her to whatever genre she writes. I have two keeper shelves. One is a hodgepodge of genres, authors. The other is my collection of JD Robb books, which I reread and lend out all the time. I often change out my keeper shelf as my interests change...but yes I do reread keepers...which is the only reason I keep them.
Very cute puppy...look forward to hearing more about her! (Tina Sporer 1:03pm November 29, 2009)
My favorite genre is anything....I mix it up. Romance (all, but erotica), Mystery, Women's Fiction, Fantasy, etc. The only thing I don't have a lot of is science fiction and that because I need really, really, REALLY good recommends before I start a sci-fi (Calculating God was excellent, Ender's Game ticked me off). I have a keeper shelf, but it mostly holds nonfiction and I gave away a box of keepers not too long ago so I'd say yes, I weed them out. I'm not a rereader and have limited space, so it's silly to hang onto too much, isn't it?
Oreo's a cutie!!!! You did good....and I hope you are feeling better.... (Cindy Ferrell 1:15pm November 29, 2009)
I love Paranormals, Western and Regency Historicals, Erotic romances with M/M. I do have a Keepers shelf and also Keepers boxes that I now have to weed out due to a lack of space. I keep mostly books from favorite authors and series that I enjoy. I don't do much re-reading. First adult book was a Regency Historical romance by Johanna Lindsay called Captive Bride. I was 16 at the time. Oreo is a beautiful baby! Congrats!! (Debbie Beverley 1:24pm November 29, 2009)
I like lots of genres. I am a happier reader when I mix it up because then I don't get bored and each one makes me appreciate the other genre more. Suspense, mysteries and sci-fi/fantasy have been genres I have loved since a young kid. Later I added historical fiction, literary fiction and romance. In romance I like romantic suspense, medieval, paranormal and some of the blends with other genres.
I try to keep all of my books but I have moved several times in my life. I miss the books that could not move with me. (Merri Crawford 1:38pm November 29, 2009)
Congrats on the new puppy! She's adorable, and Oreo sure seems to fit her.
I keep some things, but very few. I have some of Lori Foster's, everything Linda Howard has ever written, and JRsWard's BDB, and a few specific books, like the first book that Lori Foster had published. I do not reread, so I don't see much point in keeping them.
I read mostly contemporary romance. I don't like historicals at all, except for historical westerns which I really enjoy. The only paranormals I have read is the BDB. In general, the paranormal world doesn't appeal to me. (Janet Lewis 1:51pm November 29, 2009)
Lots of questions Sandi! I read all different genres but my favorite is definitely romantic suspense/mystery. The first adult book I read was Gone With the Wind. I'm a keeper girl--I keep books I love and want to reread or share with my daughter. I keep favorite authors. I also keep special books--autographed or special in some other way like an author's debut novel. Your new puppy is adorable and Oreo seems perfect. Enjoy! (Mary Perry 2:00pm November 29, 2009)
I tend to read in trends- or maybe more acurately what is being published at the time. When there are a lot of paranormals being released, I read them. The only genre I don't read a lot of is historical, but I do have some favorites.
I am a keeper, with a keeper shelf that never gets weeded. Mostly, keepers are those authors that over the years have always provided me with a great story, and almost all the ones on my keeper shelves are authors with many titles. Lately, with all others I have been giving away or selling.
I can remember my first adult novel, which was a romance thanks to my mom,and it does have a spot on my keeper shelf. (Sara Edmonds 2:03pm November 29, 2009)
Thank you for your questions, Sandi. And congrats on your new furry baby.
Which subgenres of romance do I prefer? I'll read any of them, with two exceptions. One is inspirational romance; I'm WAY outside of its target demo group. The other is erotic romance; why? Don't get me started!
But most romances I read nowadays consist of two types. The first is contemporary romance that avoids power fantasies. That is, it's NOT the zillionth account of how some powerless, conventional woman tames a rich, arrogant, headstrong man. I can't buy the notion that she "reforms" him so that he abandons his womanizing ways and becomes a poster boy for traditional family values.
In romance novels of this type, two incompatible people forced together into a miserable relationship always end up happy and in love. In real life, this never happens.
I'd rather read about real love, the kind that requires both the lover and the beloved to bring out their best. This can't be forced; it must come naturally, or not at all.
My idea of romance is a story about how real love can endure any hardship and overcome any obstacle, from both within and without. And it doesn't have to end happily ever after. The catharsis of tragedy is also welcome, or would be if the genre didn't ban it.
The second type of romance I favor is what I call non-horror fantasy romance---i.e., no vampires, werewolves, or demons. I also love its cousin, futuristic romance---provided its setting isn't really nasty and depressing. I've found that nasty, depressing settings produce nasty, depressing people. This isn't always true in real life, but it is in fiction.
The same principles stated above for characters, plot, and theme also apply to my choices in fantasy and futuristic romance, and other subgenres.
The types of romance I favor are very hard to find nowadays on the retail book racks. Hence most of my reading comes from second-hand stores and garage sales. It's (Mary Anne Landers 3:46pm November 29, 2009)
(con't) It's not fair to the authors, who don't get a share of the purchase price. But what else can I do when publishers currently just aren't interested in readers like me?
Sorry I can't remember the first novel I read that was aimed at grownups. It probably would have been mainstream or sci-fi. That's what I was into back when I was what is nowadays called a tween.
I have several keeper shelves. Any book that well and truly moves me gets placed there. So does any work of nonfiction that contains info I might want to look up later on. I've never weeded out my keepers.
I used to go back to consult my nonfiction keepers pretty frequently. However, nowadays when I need a bit of info, usually I google it.
I reread my keepers only once in a while, but I'm still glad I have them. My book collection represents the story of my life.
Sorry I got a bit carried away! I usually don't get so long-winded in my responses. But do you realize how rare it is for someone to ask me what I like about ANYTHING?
I perfer the paranormal/erotica genre and that is what I read almost always now. I do venture out on rare occassions but I find them to be true/real life books. Like I would love to read Patrick S. book. I have a keeper shelf and it is moved on to a few keeper shelves now. I love these books, stories and I definetly plan on reading them again. The first grown up books Iremember reading were Stephen King and after I had kids it was Nora Roberts, I read all of them and Danielle Steele. Now a days I really don't read them anymore, except when Nora does one with a paranormal element. Graet questions and it is always a blast talking about books! Oh and saying you are a lover of books and yes I keep them. :) (Chris Jones 4:19pm November 29, 2009)
I read mostly historical and paranormal/urban fantasy, but I enjoy science fiction and once in a while I'll throw in a contemporary. I love romance, but don't have to have it to enjoy a book. The genres I don't enjoy too much are suspense or horror. I have a keeper shelf, but only keep books I really love. The others I'll give away because I have bookcases full of books I haven't read yet. (Barbara Elness 4:26pm November 29, 2009)
Yes, I am a keeper, yes, I try to weed them out from time to time. It is time for me to do that again! Yes, I do re-read which is why I keep the ones I do mostly by favorite authors. When I weed out I usually donate to the library sales so others can enjoy & the libraries benefit. The first adult book I remember reading was Gone With The Wind, not sure what age I was & not sure it was the first one but it is the only one I can think of at the moment. Favorite genre: romance/romantic suspense including some women's fiction & chick-lit. I have to confess to sometimes not really understanding the difference. Mostly I read favorite authors but thanks to Sandi & other "friends" I do try new to me authors. This year I have tried several new to me authors and some non-fiction. The non-fiction I get from the library as who can afford those hardcovers? Not me!! Sandi, the puppy is so cute. Oreo does seem like the perfect name. You are a brave woman with two new pups in the family! (Donna McClure 5:53pm November 29, 2009)
Boy, what a lot of questions! First, I think Oreo is absolutely adorable and thanks for getting a rescue doggie.
I had forgotten until I read some of the other blogs but, my first adult novels were "Nine Coaches Waiting" (which I still have) and "Gone with the Wind (which I read in four days during the summer between 10th and 11th grades). I read just about every Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt book published. Now, I my favorite genre is historicals, especially Scottish and Medieval historicals. I also like contemporary romances along the lines of Harlequin's Presents, Blaze, etc. I'm not into paranormal novels at all. I also will read mysteries from time to time. I do have a keeper pile which is on a separate bookcase from my TBR pile; the keeper pile doesn't grow very fast which is good! (Trudy Miner 5:56pm November 29, 2009)
I'm not sure if Sherlock Holmes counts or if I should say Georgette Heyer. I was 10 when my grandmother gave me an unabridged copy of Alexander Dumas' The Three Musketeers. It took me three months to get through it, and I know I missed all the politics and most of the history. Now I read fairly widely: Science Fiction/Romance, Diana Gabaladon's history based series, lots of mysteries. I don't usually choose by genres, only authors. (Susan Driskill 6:14pm November 29, 2009)
I'm glad you decided to get another pet, when I lost mine I didn't have the heart to get another one. Genre preference? No not really; I read suspense, mystery, historical romances, contemporary romances, paranormal romances and some fantasy; I don't usually read fiction or sci fi. The first adult book I ever read: a series in french with the character being an air hostess and her husband a pilot, there were about 20 books in the series and then the books: Angelique, loved those. Do I have a keeper shelf? More like a keeper room; my husband built me bookshelves in our spare bedroom that go around the room completely, all four walls. And yes I re read must of them; when I decide to clean out, I usually have about 6-8 boxes I donate o make room for different books. (Diane Sadler 7:49pm November 29, 2009)
The first grown-up book that I read was by Agatha Christie. I ordered it through the weekly reader program at school. Now I read many genres depending on my mood. There are so many great books that I don't want to take a chance on missing one. (Rosemary Krejsa 8:11pm November 29, 2009)
I re-read my favorites so I copies of those on my bookshelf in my room. I also have keeper shelves of books I've received from authors and more shelves of favorite authors too!
I go through phases when it comes to genres. So I read pretty much everything. (Sue Ahn 11:40pm November 29, 2009)
Paranormal is my fave but not my only Genre I read lots of types of book.I do have a Keeper Book Case in fact it takes the hole wall of my room up.I do reread Books I happen to love series and every time a get a few new book to the series i will read all the rest of the books that go to the new ones first the read the new books. sasluvbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com (Stacey Smith 1:07am November 30, 2009)
Ohhh, your new baby is soooo cute. Love the eyes, "Love me" they seem to say. Or not guilty..... hehheehe. :) I have several Keeper selves, one per author, a couple of them for authors that have more than one series. And I do reread a lot. Although now that I have my Kindle I dont' need shelves. LOL I read all kinds of books, whatever catches my eye at the time. Sorry, can't be more speficiate. (Melissa Tackett 5:02am November 30, 2009)
Like you Sandi, I like to read contemporary books, romance with a twist of supsense or humour.. But I also like to read Historical, Western, both historical and contemporary and I do like a few paranormal books.. I do have a keeper shelf but because of limited space, I tend to every once in awhile thin them out.. I keep the hardcovers, but I do donate once a year to our library fund raiser.. Your new puppy is a real cutie... (Kathleen O'Donnell 1:08pm November 30, 2009)
I like contemporary books, a little bit of everything. I don't keep any of my books, I share them with my Mom, sisters, Grandmother, and they donate them to their libraries in the end. (Brenda Rupp 10:43pm November 30, 2009)
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