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SBD -- What won't I read?
Jul. 31st, 2006 07:33 pmBeth has announced a theme for today's Smart Bitches Day: what books will you NOT read?
Uh, I'm blanking on a subgenre that I refuse to read. I tend not to read inspirationals, although I don't refuse to read them outright. I've read a few romantic suspense ones that were okay (Dee Henderson, Kristin Heitzmann), and a chicklit one that I think I blogged about. Why do I tend not to read inspirationals? Because most authors (that I've read, which is by no means a vast number) can't seem to write it without proselytizing. Not interested.
Same with American westerns, because the portrayals of Native Americans/Indians and settlers tend to be one-sided. Either everyone is entirely noble or utterly evil, with nothing in between.
There are several romance subgenres that I read less in or which I am leery of. First, historicals: I like them when they are well done, but have O.D'd on historicals with heroines using 21st century language and sensibilities. I expect a Regency heroine to act, talk and think like someone from the 19th century, not the 21st. Add to that the Avonization of historicals. Second, paranormals: market glut. Third, erotic romance. Nookie is natural, nookie is good, but in a book it needs to have a point. If all I wanted was mindless boinking, I would check out some internet porn sites. I want a STORY, authors, not a string of sex scenes. I read two pieces of erotic fiction this weekend, and the contrast between them was huge. In one, there were a variety of sex scenes and a murder mystery; the nookie actually fed the mystery. In the other, there was an overabundance of pointless sex - it was purple and squishy and squicky, and worst of all, it had no point. It didn't advance the plot, and it wasn't erotic (to me).
Hmm, don't read inspirationals or westerns, wary of historicals, paranormals and erotic romance. What's left? Narrowing my choices is edging me out of straight romance and into other genres -- fantasy, science fiction, more mysteries, young adult fiction, etc.
Uh, I'm blanking on a subgenre that I refuse to read. I tend not to read inspirationals, although I don't refuse to read them outright. I've read a few romantic suspense ones that were okay (Dee Henderson, Kristin Heitzmann), and a chicklit one that I think I blogged about. Why do I tend not to read inspirationals? Because most authors (that I've read, which is by no means a vast number) can't seem to write it without proselytizing. Not interested.
Same with American westerns, because the portrayals of Native Americans/Indians and settlers tend to be one-sided. Either everyone is entirely noble or utterly evil, with nothing in between.
There are several romance subgenres that I read less in or which I am leery of. First, historicals: I like them when they are well done, but have O.D'd on historicals with heroines using 21st century language and sensibilities. I expect a Regency heroine to act, talk and think like someone from the 19th century, not the 21st. Add to that the Avonization of historicals. Second, paranormals: market glut. Third, erotic romance. Nookie is natural, nookie is good, but in a book it needs to have a point. If all I wanted was mindless boinking, I would check out some internet porn sites. I want a STORY, authors, not a string of sex scenes. I read two pieces of erotic fiction this weekend, and the contrast between them was huge. In one, there were a variety of sex scenes and a murder mystery; the nookie actually fed the mystery. In the other, there was an overabundance of pointless sex - it was purple and squishy and squicky, and worst of all, it had no point. It didn't advance the plot, and it wasn't erotic (to me).
Hmm, don't read inspirationals or westerns, wary of historicals, paranormals and erotic romance. What's left? Narrowing my choices is edging me out of straight romance and into other genres -- fantasy, science fiction, more mysteries, young adult fiction, etc.
