I see a lot of people talk about a lot of books. But I usually see people talk about the same kinds of books most of the time. Paranormal romance authors and readers talk about paranormal romance books. Same with Historical Romance, Horror, etc. So am I just weird? I’ve been chatting with my friend Rose Gordon, and Stephen King was mentioned (by me). That got me thinking, do other people read so many different genres like I do? Is this weird? I honestly get bored reading the same kinds of books over and over. I have to have variety. I read paranormal romance, historical romance (especially regency), a LITTLE contemporary romance, horror, mystery, suspense. I don’t read non-fiction, usually, except for the Bible. I don’t usually read erotica unless a friend writes it, and then sometimes I will. I don’t mind a little erotic romance, but that’s different from straight erotica. I actually like the build-up, the sexual tension, the growing love more than the sex. Then the sex actually means something. But I digress. I can’t tell you exactly what my favorite genre is. Most of the books I’ve written have been paranormal romance. I have one that’s a fantasy romance (it has wizards, elves, fairies, etc.). I wrote one horror book (The Gnome), and the book I’m writing now is either going to be horror or suspense. I’ll have to see what category my beta readers think it needs to go in. I would like to do a cozy mystery at some point. Because if I read so many different genres, why wouldn’t I want to write them? Why not get out of my comfort zone and try new things?
Here’s my question to you. Do you read in multiple genres or stick to the same one (or one similar)? If you’re a writer, do you write in multiple genres (or want to eventually)? If you have a favorite author who has written something outside their normal genre, will you read it just because it was written by them? I want to know!
lauralynnelliott.com 
Almost everything I read is some iteration of romance. Some urban fantasy. But I want love, in all its guises. I get so freaking bored reading books by most men because they don’t focus on the things I read for. But since there is a subgenre in romance for almost every other genre, I usually don’t feel like I’m missing much. I do get on kicks for non fiction, depending on what I’m researching or just generally sparks my interest.
I love it when even horror books add at least some romance. Stephen King does that a lot. I remember a romance especially in Needful Things and 11/22/63. And no matter what genre I’m writing in, even horror, there’s always a romance. And the main couple will never be killed off. I just don’t do that.
I have done fantasy, sci-fi, a thriller with sci-fi and religious elements, a couple of YA thrillers, and mostly romance. I would love to do horror at some point with a strong romantic subplot (still working on the details in my mind). I’d also love to do a twist on popular fairytales similar to what they do in Once Upon a Time. My interests are very wide. I could probably write in any genre and be happy, but I think a romance somewhere has to be in it, and the couple has to end up together.
Ironically, I mostly read nonfiction. Most of it is religious but some financial (because I need the help when it comes to learning how to better manage money). I don’t read much romance at all (probably because since I’m writing it all the time, I need a break from it). I love horror and high suspense/thriller (stuff to keep me on the edge of my seat).
If I loved an author’s work, I would read anything they wrote. My reasoning is that if I loved how they told a story in one genre, I’d probably love how they tell it in another. It’s really their storytelling ability that pulls me in.
And I’ve read all of your genres, or at least most. I love it when an author writes in multiple genres. I’m like you, if I like an author’s writing style, I don’t care what the genre is. Michael Crichton was the master of crossing genres, in my opinion.
I do need a romantic thread in what I write, even if it’s secondary, like in what I’m writing now. I don’t need that in what I read, but I like it if it’s there. I don’t like it when the romance doesn’t have a happy ending. One of the Stephen King books I read recently didn’t have a happy ending for the romance. But because of the subject matter, I can see why it had to happen the way it did. I didn’t have to like it, though. LOL
I read a lot of paranormal, then there’s my chick lit books for some light reading and contemporary fiction. I should mix it up a bit more, maybe pick up a thriller or crime novel next time. 🙂
I don’t read much chick lit. I love thrillers and crime novels. I think you would, too. I find that mixing up genres really keeps up the excitement of reading.
My reading tastes are very ecletic as is my taste in music, movies, foods, and hobbies. I hope that my writing themes will be as well. With all the ideas in my head, I have plans for coming of age stories, horror, mystery, science fiction, fantasy, and yes, even a love story. I really need to finish my WIP so I can move onto some of these other ideas.
My taste in those other things is also eclectic. We’re just well-rounded people. 🙂 Yes, finish that WIP!
I read anything speculative, although I do enjoy a thriller without anything too fantastical, too. I have to be in the mood. Romance for it’s own sake bores me but I do enjoy some elements of it within an unrelated plot. I think it’s okay then,. because it’s unpredictable, believable, and I can connect with that the same as any other human emotion in extreme circumstances, which usually brings us together. I try to read out of genre – Y.A, even Middle grade, lots of craft books, a few historical fiction and right now I’m reading lots of Classical literature. Once I get my head around the vast difference in the English language and the ‘flowery’ use of it, I can kick back and enjoy the story. I find audio helps, although I didn’t suffer this barrier so much with Dracula a couple of years ago?
Grea post Lauralynn. X
shahwharton.com
I honestly have a hard time reading classical literature. I read The Picture of Dorian Gray a while back, and I HATED it. I thought I would like it because it’s a wonderful plot, but the writing bored me to tears. As I get older, I think life is too short to read anything I don’t love. I used to think I had to finish a book if I started it, but now I don’t finish it if I don’t like it. As far as YA and middle grade, I don’t usually read that unless someone I know writes it.