Every Wednesday here at the Broke & The Bookish is going to be A Cocktail & Conversation time. We'll pose a question to 2-3 members of TB&TB crew about books, life, music, etc and then they'll answer and we can converse about it. So grab a cocktail & cozy up for some conversation. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, friends.
This week: What is your most favorite genre and why?
Tahleen says: My favorite genre changes constantly depending on my mood, so I wouldn't say I have a favorite genre. But my (somewhat) guilty pleasure is inspirational fiction. It's fluff, but I like it and in between the harder reads. For example, I just finished The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth, which is excellent and award-worthy but cannot be accused of being light reading, and I think I need something a bit lighter right now. Onto inspirational fiction!
Daisy says: My favourite genre is fantasy. I don't read nearly enough books in this genre, but I love it! I love getting lost in a world with magic, swordfighting and heroes (both men and women). I love the idea that just about anything can happen. Also: DRAGONS!
Jamie says: This question is so impossibly hard because I pretty much read and can enjoy every genre. But the one I think I always go back to and LOVE the most is contemporary (YA and adult). I love getting caught up in a fantastical world or a chilling dystopian but sometimes I find myself feeling stronger connections to the contemporary stories. I've really been more into contemporary YA books lately and I've read some of the most beautiful and heartwrenching stories along with some really fun and lighthearted ones. I always feel some sort of oneness with humanity when I read contemporary. I just love stories about people that could be my neighbor or a friend or the stranger I'll meet next week. 
I'm definitely a fantasy girl through and through, BUT I have noticed that lately, I've been loving the contemporary genre a whole lot more. I feel like I've been lucky enough to stumble across a whole treasure trove of books that I love that are contemps - and I know there are so much more out there!
ReplyDeleteI feel like, since blogging, I've realized that about a lot of genres -- genres I didn't think I liked! I used to think I hated fantasy and paranormal but I have found books that I LOVE in the genres!
DeleteI love how blogging has broadened my horizon so to speak! I'm reading books I probably never would have picked up before because they're in a genre outside of my comfort zone :)
DeleteAlso, there are so many people to give recommendations, my TBR list is neverending!
YES..that is the "problem". Opening up my reading horizons has meant a very extended TBR list that I'll never conquer. #nerdproblems
DeleteLol, yes definitely #nerdproblems :)
DeleteI know I'll never conquer my TBR list, or even just read all the books on my overflowing shelves... Which also falls into #firstworldproblems
TOTALLY agree. It's been crazy how all these books I never thought I'd read are making their way on to my TBR.
DeleteContemporary. It's hands down my most favorite to read. I've found books in paranormal and fantasy which I love, but they usually have a contemporary feel to them, I've noticed. Though I love to travel to far off places and get caught up in fantastical elements, it's the joys and heartbreak of reality which capture my literary heart.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I am imagining that I'm drinking a peach bellini right now as we discuss this topic because damn that sounds delicious right now! haha
Firstly -- YES. I have noticed the SAME thing about my paranormal tendancies -- they have a more contemporary feel to them..the ones I love. Some don't but the majority of them do. Interesting!
DeleteALSO, PEACH BELLINI!!!! I will have a few of those with you.
I do love contemporary fiction, too. But I just don't think I'd be able to choose, really. There are so many genres and subgenres out there that it doesn't quite seem fair. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's impossible to choose really! I mean you know my love for travelogues and for historical fiction and...all of the genres! I should have just said I LOVE BOOKS. ALL BOOKS. lol
DeleteLol! Yes, ALL THE BOOKS! I really love contemporary as well and paranormal romance and historical and just ALL OF THEM :)
DeleteI'm probably in the minority that loves paranormal. All of my favourite stories end up being paranormal. I love the idea that something magical can exist in the modern world, but just out of sight. :)
ReplyDeleteI used to think I hated paranormal but OH MY GOSH lately I've been loving the genre..even though I still consider myself quite a newb to it. I LOVE how you put it "the idea that something magical can exist in the modern world, but just out of sight." SO ELOQUENT and puts why I've started to love it in worlds. I think part of the reason I've started loving it again is it's helping me to have an imagination again. I remember as a kid it was SO easy to imagine worlds of werewolves and vampires and witches...and they always seemed so cool and intriguing. But then, I think when I was in middle school/high school, I stopped having an imagination because it seemed so childish and immature. I love that these stories can evoke those feelings in me again of unlimited possibility and magic.
DeleteCan't say it's my favorite genre but I've certainly started to appreciate it more.
I love how you put that as well! :) I love that about paranormal too. Also, I'm still waiting for my Hogwarts letter to get here ;)
DeleteI'm more of a YA paranormal fan, adult paranormal works less for me, though I can't really put my finger on why that is.
That is so interesting. I wonder why that is!
DeleteMaybe it's because adult paranormal books tend to be more violent and sexual? I know that really turns me off, if something is too gratuitous.
DeleteI think that's part of it! The ones I've read were more about the sex than the paranormal... Also, I like the discovering process that's tied to YA paranormal, in adult paranormal the main character is usually somewhat more established and it's less of a journey.
DeleteWow, what a toughie! I'm kind of split between fantasy and paranormal. Anything that can suck me in and make me step outside my reality.
ReplyDeleteThe stepping out of reality is a HUGE part of why I love both those genres as well! I love contemporary as well, but sometimes I just need a break from the real world and step into something a little more magical :)
DeleteI thought I would be in the minority for liking contemporary, but I guess not. It seems like every book published in YA anymore is fantasy/zombie/paranormal/dystopian (however you classify them). I have read a few of those that I liked, but there's just something about reading a book about a regular girl who has regular problems that anyone could have that just gets me :)
ReplyDeleteI love the cute, fuzzy contemporaries! I admit that I sorta shy away from those dealing with tough subjects, even though the ones I did read were incredible. They just leave me a heartbroken mess and sometimes I just can't do that.
DeleteBut yes, reading about a regular girl with regular problems is awesome! :)
I have always thought that I was an eclectic reader, but my go-to genre is probably thrillers. I grew up reading Christopher Pike and Stephen King, and on the rare occasion where I find myself in a reading slump, a good mystery or edge-of-the-seat thriller always brings me out of it.
ReplyDeleteI really love Stephen King too... in fact if you are on goodreads check out The Stephen King Fan group. I've been the moderator there for years!!
DeleteAngie
I am kinda ashamed of myself for not having read anything by Stephen King... His books are on my must-read-someday list, but with all the shiny new releases I never seem to get to them... Any recommendations as to what I should start with?
DeleteI'm with Daisy... I LOVE fantasy. Not that I don't love other genres too... but if I had to quit all but one cold-turkey, fantasy would probably be what I'd be left with
ReplyDeleteMe too!! There are so many different worlds in fantasy that I don't think I'd ever get tired of reading those. Though I would miss my historicals and paranormal romances and all other genres ;)
DeleteI wish Young Adult books were a genre.. but I suppose I should pick something... let's see. Honestly I love fantasy.. but lately I have been loving distopian. I am just in love with those books.
ReplyDeleteAngie
Angela's Anxious Life
oh and I'm not having a cocktail right now but I am having my drink of choice... MOUNTAIN DEW!
Lol! I wish YA was a genre sometimes as well ;) I love dystopians as well! I think it might be the worldbuilding that attracts me to both dystopians and fantasy, I love discovering a new world!
DeleteI am in complete agreement with Daisy. Fantasy is the way to go, but I don't read it often enough either. The escape is just so wonderful when reading a fantasy though...Now I feel the need to go pick one up!!
ReplyDeleteI KNOW! Me too!!! Any favourites you'd recommend?
DeleteTough question! I think I would say that I enjoy contemporary novels best, mainly in YA. BUT, I do love romance, chick-lit, dystopians, etc. My reading preference vary with my mood, so I could read just about anything.
ReplyDeleteI'm a mood reader as well :) But if I could only ever read one genre it'd be fantasy, though I really liked all the ones you mention as well :) I think switching it up is what keeps them all interesting and fun!
DeleteOoh tough question! My favourite genres have changed a lot over the past few years since I started reading across different fiction. That said, I love most historical fiction, especially based on ancient or medieval history where less actual knowledge about the topic allows for more creativity (plus for some reason I've shyed away from the typical Tudor stuff, lol). Contemporary is definitely a close second though as well! :)
ReplyDeleteLol, I'm all about the Tudors for reading historical fiction ;) What I love about historical fiction is that they can make a historical figure come to life, it's wonderful!
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