I’m participating in Armchair BEA all this week. If you’re a new visitor here, you can learn more about myself and my blog on my About page or my Armchair BEA Intro post.
The current topic of discussion is genre fiction.
Ahh, this is where I belong! Literary fiction, whether published a hundred years ago or last week, is all well and good every once in a while, but it just doesn’t excite me the way that genre fiction does.
Obviously the focus of my blog is thrillers, but today I thought I’d focus on some of the other genres I read. If you want to read more about thrillers… well, that’s what the whole blog is about.
Let me share a few links before I move on:
- If you’re new to thrillers and don’t know where to start
- If you’re curious how thrillers compare to similar genres like mystery, suspense, and horror
- For the books I’ve reviewed in my brief time as a book blogger
- For some shorter, less-structured thoughts on certain titles, what I refer to as my “unreviews”
If you browse through my Goodreads bookshelves, you’ll see a bit more variety than the books I normally discuss here. I’m definitely no expert in these genres — not to say I’m an “expert” on thrillers either, but at least I have a lot more reading experience to draw from — but here are a few of my favorites from other genres (links go to my GR reviews):
The End of Eternity, by Isaac Asimov
I haven’t read Asimov’s better known science fiction, but I really enjoyed this one.
Time’s Eye, by Arthur C. Clarke
The first in a science fiction trilogy with a very intriguing premise.
The Bestseller, by Olivia Goldsmith
I guess I’d call this chick lit; not so light and fluffy, but not as weighty as contemporary/women’s lit.
The Boleyn Inheritance, by Philippa Gregory
This isn’t one of Gregory’s most popular books about the Tudor court, but it’s one of my favorites.
A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness
I don’t normally like urban fantasy/paranormal romance, but this one stood out from others I’ve tried.
The Bells, by Richard Harvell
This is historical fiction about the 18th-century musical world.
I’ve Got Your Number, by Sophie Kinsella
Definitely the light and fluffy chick lit, and I was unexpectedly blown away by how much I enjoyed it.
That Hideous Strength, by C.S. Lewis
This is the final book in his science fiction trilogy, but it’s really more of a fantasy at this point.
Keepsake, by Kristina Riggle
A family drama about struggling with disorders, very emotional and powerful.
What is (or are) your favorite genre(s)? And what books would you suggest to those looking to try that genre for the first time?
Cheap Thrills 
I agree about Deborah Harkness! I’m not a fan of that genre but was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed her book.
There was just more to it, I thought, than most UF/PNR I’ve read. I could really lose myself in the world. (Starting the story in an academic library probably didn’t hurt either.) Thanks for reading!
thanks for all your recommendations. I’m not too much into thrillers. I love HF, though I find Philippa Gregory and shallow and too repetitive: once i read 3 of her books, I realized they were following the same type of pattern. I enjoy more research and originality, for instance: http://wordsandpeace.com/2013/05/21/book-review-chronicle-of-the-mound-builders/
I guess I’m not what you’d call a historical fiction enthusiast; I read for the story, and whether details are historically accurate or not doesn’t bother me. I do love reading about the English court though. I recently read Innocent Traitor, by Alison Weir, which was very good as well.
thanks, I definitely need to try Alison Weir!
I’m a Literary Fiction fan, myself, but my reading is very eclectic. There are a few genres that I do not enjoy at all, but for the most part, I’m open. I love SciFi/Fantasy, too.
I’d like to read more SF/F, but those genres are SO wide that I just get overwhelmed over where to start!
I haven’t read any of the books you mentioned above ): but I’m planning on reading A Discovery of Witches.
Leanne @ Escaping With Books
It was really good. The second one didn’t quite live up to my expectations, but I’m really looking forward to the final book in the trilogy. Thanks for stopping by!