Sharing my love of Fantastic books
I read a good deal. By that, I mean anywhere from two to five books a week. Most of those books are in the Fantasy genre. With a habit like that, I read and reread books in my collection as well as buying and discovering new authors. Unfortunately, I find that my tastes are not completely mainstream. Nor are they particularly literary. I can't count on either the New York Times bestseller list or reviews in prominent magazines because I'm usually disappointed by books on either (or both).
What do I love? An amazing story that carries me along. Characters, especially female characters, whose skin I can ride around in for a while. A setting that transports me away from where I am actually sitting. I also like a bit of well-written romance, though it isn't a necessity. As my already-read list grows, so does my need for plots and settings that are written with a twist or in a new and original way. I love books whose writing doesn't get in the way of the story. Where, when I've read for a few moments, I no longer see words. I instead see a moving picture in my mind because of seamless writing, fantastic characters and wondrous settings. I want the book that is so much better than a TV show or film that I don't mind missing my bedtime.
Epic Fantasy is my "carry me away" go-to. But Urban Fantasy is a close second. And of course I'll pick up a bit of alternative history or Steampunk if it's amazing. Science Fiction has to be completely character-driven (and I usually only like SciFi when written by a woman) or I read a chapter and set it down. These days there isn't much difference between Young Adult Fantasy and Adult fantasy so I read it all and probably won't notice who it was directed at.
I've decided to start sharing the books I read that I love. Some will be rereads and have been released years or decades, some will be new. Some I will be rereading because another in the series is coming out and I want the world to be fresh. There is a massive influx of books on the market these days - between self-publishing, vanity publishing, regular publishing and publishing I'm too old to know about the market is flooded. I've learned to my chagrin that much of it is really, really bad. Luckily I read quickly and can tell within a chapter if something is worth my time. This is my way of plucking the gems out of the silt I am sifting and presenting them to you as a reader. I doubt I'll waste my time on the ones I didn't like. I like focusing on the positive and as a writer know that every book is the author's baby. I don't believe my opinion is the defining well of wisdom.I despise many books that other readers adore and vice versa. So why hurt an author just because I wasn't the audience they were directing the book to?
If you find you like some of the books and authors I'm reading, then this may help you decide future purchases. If you find you hate the books I review then find someone who reads what you love and don't bother me about it. I'm really not interested in hearing that you hated something I loved - this blog is mine not yours and I don't need your narcissism. I will delete negative comments and arrogant jerk posts. Because life is too short to respond to trolls - and way too short to read books you don't love unabashedly.
What do I love? An amazing story that carries me along. Characters, especially female characters, whose skin I can ride around in for a while. A setting that transports me away from where I am actually sitting. I also like a bit of well-written romance, though it isn't a necessity. As my already-read list grows, so does my need for plots and settings that are written with a twist or in a new and original way. I love books whose writing doesn't get in the way of the story. Where, when I've read for a few moments, I no longer see words. I instead see a moving picture in my mind because of seamless writing, fantastic characters and wondrous settings. I want the book that is so much better than a TV show or film that I don't mind missing my bedtime.
Epic Fantasy is my "carry me away" go-to. But Urban Fantasy is a close second. And of course I'll pick up a bit of alternative history or Steampunk if it's amazing. Science Fiction has to be completely character-driven (and I usually only like SciFi when written by a woman) or I read a chapter and set it down. These days there isn't much difference between Young Adult Fantasy and Adult fantasy so I read it all and probably won't notice who it was directed at.
I've decided to start sharing the books I read that I love. Some will be rereads and have been released years or decades, some will be new. Some I will be rereading because another in the series is coming out and I want the world to be fresh. There is a massive influx of books on the market these days - between self-publishing, vanity publishing, regular publishing and publishing I'm too old to know about the market is flooded. I've learned to my chagrin that much of it is really, really bad. Luckily I read quickly and can tell within a chapter if something is worth my time. This is my way of plucking the gems out of the silt I am sifting and presenting them to you as a reader. I doubt I'll waste my time on the ones I didn't like. I like focusing on the positive and as a writer know that every book is the author's baby. I don't believe my opinion is the defining well of wisdom.I despise many books that other readers adore and vice versa. So why hurt an author just because I wasn't the audience they were directing the book to?
If you find you like some of the books and authors I'm reading, then this may help you decide future purchases. If you find you hate the books I review then find someone who reads what you love and don't bother me about it. I'm really not interested in hearing that you hated something I loved - this blog is mine not yours and I don't need your narcissism. I will delete negative comments and arrogant jerk posts. Because life is too short to respond to trolls - and way too short to read books you don't love unabashedly.
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