I'm the guilty party ... looking for a forum about who's reading what. LOL. This forum is so huge I could ramble around for days and still not see everything.

BUT ... I'm interested in finding out what genres women are interested in?

And in particular, do you like books to be a little more like real life or do you prefer the "happy ever after endings?"

I just read an article that summed up the New York Book Expo (not sure if that's the exact name) and, according to the article, the trend is that people aren't browsing the bookstores so much anymore. They have definite likes and prefer those.

I know that I'll go into Amazon.com and search for genres or keyword searches to find the types of fiction I like to read and those are the ones I'll purchase. Since I'm in Germany, I'll usually order on line. I'll browse the library or used book shelves more often than bookstores to find something new I might enjoy.

Anyway, I'd be interested to know the genres that you find most intriguing.

Blessings, Francine

I write and read many genres, Erotica, Health issues, New discoveries for beauty and Mysterys. The genre I most adore is the psychological thriller, Mystery. I have yet to publish a Mystery but keep trying. My Erotica pays the bills and is in demand, oh well, what can one do?

Well I'm a big fan of mysteries (obviously) but also like thrillers of all type and true crime. While that's what I read the most of, I actually read just about anything that sounds good - I can spend HOURS in a bookstore just reading jackets and just wind up getting whatever strikes my fancy.

Oh - and of course I just LOVEEEEEEE books by my fellow Boomer girls...I've got a shelf full!

Right now I like to read Romantic Suspense. That's because I'm writing a Romantic Suspense novel. I like to read Women's Fiction as that is the main genre I write in.

I don't require that books I read have a HEA ending; but I'd prefer that the bad guy lose and get caught or die in some way.

I have a very eclectic collection of books here at home. I read everything from Piers Anthony's Xanth Series (fantasy) to Stephen King's Horror, to Patricia Cornwell's thrillers, to Robert Heinlein's Sci Fi. And EVERYTHING in between. I love books. I can't seem to part with them once I buy one, either. I have to keep adding bookcases to my "library".

I read anything and everything. Mostly true crime and self-help. Now, there's a strange combo for you! Love books that help me grow spiritually.

Science fiction, especially with strong women characters. Mystery (ditto.) Poetry (non-rhyming, non-"obscura academica"). Fantasy that borders on sci-fi IF and ONLY IF it's not gushy, cutesy or formulaic (damsels-in-distress and talking dragons -- NOT). Select fiction.

WOULD SOMEEEEEE BODY PLEASE SAY HUMOR?

JJ

I like reading humor, fiction humor, romantic humor, sci fi humor, horror humor, self help humor yadda yadda yadda.

Right now I am reading a great book called "A funny thing happened on the way to the throne" by Georgia Richardson. Ever heard of her?

The book is priceless and I have laughed out loud more than once.
I love her humor!

chick

[ June 07, 2005, 01:23 AM: Message edited by: chickadee ]

The reason I didn't mention humor is that so few people are good at it. However, I just purchased the same book that chickadee has, I've read a few excerpts, and THAT WOMAN IS REALLY GOOD AND FUNNY!!!

well now...sniff...sniff...that's more like it. Ahem (Queen putting away the tissues). Actually, the reason I say this is because all across this great Internet of ours humor seems to be left out when mentioning categories of writing. Oh fiction and non-fiction are mentioned, but I feel that humor should have its own place...like Mysteries, or Sci-Fi, etc...I know sometimes when I sign up for newsletters or groups, they will give me a list of genre's to check the one I write. Always...no humor. So...I check them all. What a snot I am, eh?

Wahhhhhhhh....I want my own category!

JJ

I love the queen's humor too. I often laugh out loud while reading her posts. I can't imagine where one comes up with the stuff. It's truly a gift. I don't know another funny soul like her.

My Queen I bow before you and that amazing talent you possess. I too am reading and enjoying your book....I look forward to your newsletters. Now the reason I didn't mention humor is that I don't find alot of the humor writing that funny, not like real life, until NOW that is and YOU...What you have ia such a gift and hopefully everyone will recognize it one day soon, like I said send your book to Oprah someone will read it and she will see it, what have you got to lose?? Better yet send it to Gail (her best buddy) in care of the Oprah show...then I know Oprah will hear about it..

Jaw Jaw just a reminder that if you go on Oprah, you're gonna take me with you!!

I'm also reading Jaw Jaw's book and loving every minute of it. The other night as my hubby and I were sitting around reading I interupted him to read something from the book....well, I got to laughing so hard that I couldn't even talk. I was breathless! This has happened a number of times through the book...my poor husband is developing patience waiting for me to calm down so I can read to him aloud!
Since getting to know JJ, I've started walking past the humor section in the bookstores! I realized I was definately missing out on some extra joy in my life! I had been "stuck" in mystery or fiction or self help for years. Now with my new business I even visit the business books! Am I branching out or what?

Ladies ... I'm loving the responses here. I agree, humor isn't mentioned very often. I enjoyed Lewis Grizzard's columns and books. I even remember when he played a guest spot on "Designing Women," -- one of my favorite TV shows of all time.

Okay, since I started this thread, thought I should add my favorites:

I love suspense but something with "heart" in it. One of my favorite authors is Sharyn McCrumb. I love how, while her books aren't necessarily sequels, she's developed great characters and they populate her books. Her collection of short stories is awesome. And she can satisfy those who enjoy historical fiction by running parallel plot lines within a book.

I enjoy Stephen King, although I'm rather discerning as to which ones. (BTW, his book, "On Writing," is a must if you are a writer.) Same with Dean Koontz ... and for those of you with grandkids, Koontz put out a book of poems that have become treasures to share with my two grandkids ... you'd be surprised at the poems there.

I love Tony Hillerman ... not only because of the setting but because of the mysteries he spins. Another author is J.A. Jance. She has two series ... one set in the Northwest (Seattle, I think) and one set in Cochise County, AZ (my home, lol).

I don't enjoy happy-ever-after, easy answer, trite endings although it's nice when justice is handed out.

Thanks for all the input,

Blessings, Francine

Anyone read Stuart Woods? I love his mysteries...he has a character Stone Barrington that I love following as he solves the murders, crime, missing person, whatever...He has another character in another series named Holly that is a police chief. These are also very good.

JJ

I read Stuart Woods....GREAT stuff...I also like Janet Evanovich who has managed to combine mystery/suspense WITH humor. Not an easy thing to do but some of her books are truly a lot of fun to read.

Although science fiction isn't my favorite genre, Terry Pratchett is probably my favorite author (besides, JJ) because of the HUMOR! He is just so great at playing with words. I gobble up everything in his discworld series.

Well, had a minute and couldn't resist this topic. Hope to be back for more later on as things start to settle down.

I LOVE to read suspense/mystery/humor

Love Evanovitch, Lee Child, Robert Crais, Ted Dekker, J. A. Jance, Dana Stabenow, Carol O'Connell, W. Dale Kramer.

Crais is good at mixing some wry humor in with his Elvis Cole Private Detective character, but his novels delve deep into human character and are very satisfying.

Ahhh haaa ... another J.A. Jance fan ... woo hoo.

I can't wait to check out all these great authors.

Thanks, ladies

Blessings, Francine