Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

I'm a big Romance reader, and I would assume almost 90 percent of members who are here are the same.

However, I do not read Romance exclusively and I'm sure, most of you don't either.

So, if you are not reading a Romance novel, what other genre do you pick up?

For me, after romance would be Urban Fantasy..and offshoot of my PNR addiction.

I also read some Young Adult fiction, and not always, but some times, I read action/thriller books.

Also much discussed or any General Fiction that has a "catchy" plot.

urban-fantasy
ya
current bestsellers
historical fiction
sci-fi
fantasy
mystery/thrillers
modern classics

It's all rather eclectic, I read everything but non-fiction and poetry. And to be honest, I don't often go for romance - pnr or other, but I like when my books have some romantic elements in it.

Kasia wrote: And to be honest, I don't often go for romance - pnr or other, but I like when my books have some romantic elements in it..."


See, I knew there were a few here that are not really romance readers in the group..LOL! Found one!

I always enjoy checking out the books you read or post on the group shelf. Gives me a chance to peek at other genres.

I like UF, Sci-Fi, Erotica and M/M though most of the M/M I read can be classified as either PNR, Sci-Fi romance, UF or erotica too. It's just the gender that's different.

I'm a pretty eclectic reader. Inside romance, I read nearly every sub-genre. On the occasions I venture outside romance, I'll read YA and non-fiction especially books about people, places, history and science/nature. I'll also occasionally pick up a fantasy, mystery, classic fiction, or historical fiction. I can't think of any other particular genres right now, but I'll read just about anything that catches my eye.:-)

Ditto Kasia's list for me, too. I read a little less SF, but I do read it. Also add graphic novels and manga to my list.

I like ANYTHING that appeals to me. The "stranger" the better sometimes. I really like fantasy (movies) but find it harder translating that love to books. Perhaps romantic fantasy (sci-fi, space, futuristic) will be the way to go.

Besides romance I like best:
horror

Inside the romance genre, I read PNR exclusively. Outside the genre, I read UF, and occasionally fantasy.

Might be easier to list what I don't read. lol I don't really read any PNR, UF, or horror.

I read: romance, YA, mystery, suspense, cookbooks, memoirs, biographies, travel books, fiction (especially lately books made into movies), sci fi, classics, historical, humor, poker books, and westerns among others.

Good point, Briansgirl. I should have made the topic into genres you would not read...LOL

In my case, horror is probably the genre I have least explored of all. I'm a total scaredy cat, complete with a wild imagination, so I avoid books that scares me.

My one and only foray in horror was Peter Blatty's The Exorcist, and no matter how beautiful his prose was (great writer), I had nightmares for over a week. Not touching horror after that.

Other genre I rarely read would include biographies (don't read any of that), general non-fiction, memoirs, travelbooks...I guess I'm partial to books with "stories"..LOL

The only travel books I've read Yz are by Michael Palin (yes, from Monty Python). I havn't been able to see all of the BBC Travel series he has made, but read his travel journals that went with each one. I've only recently read a few memoirs. Not bad, but no endings! lol (I didn't realize Under the Tuscan Sun was a memoir til I started reading it.) I do like non-fiction now and then, and I do read biographies from time to time when I'm burned out on fiction.

Horror and real thrillers is a category I rarely, if ever, read. I've read a few Stephen King but mild ones. I think the Dean Koontz books might definetly fit that category. I'm not into PNR or UF. I've read SciFi and Fantasy but not into romance books with Vampires and Werewolves. I like suspenseful romances but that's different than real thrillers. The trouble is finding out which is which BEFORE you read them. lol

Briansgirl wrote: I like suspenseful romances but that's different than real thrillers. The trouble is finding out which is which BEFORE you read them. lol
..."

I think that is why I love GR so much because of feedback from other readers.

If I find a book I'm interested in reading, I usually check what other readers say about it...(not critics, but actual readers, most especially individuals whose reading tastes are similar to mine) and that is usually very helpful in my decision whether I will read a book or not.

Also it can be helpful in classifying a book, in my opinion.

Yz wrote: "Also it can be helpful in classifying a book, in my opinion.
"

I have trouble with this sometimes when entering them into GRs is trying to figure out what genre or category a book is. Usually it's obvious but sometimes it isn't. Some authors write books that fit into more than one genre/category. Some romance authors are now writing not just suspenseful romance but thrillers.

I primarily read urban fantasy, epic fantasy, and science fiction. Some mystery.

I prefer romance in my pick-a-genre book, rather than pick-a-genre in my romance. In other words, I'd rather have a strong relationship line in a non-romance book.

I like a wide variety of subjects however I do not read biographies, most of the current bestsellers, cheesy chick lit, anything non-fiction or classics. I like to be entertained not have a life altering moment while enjoying a good book.

Biographies/Auto Biographies
Historical Fiction
Literature Classics
Non-Fiction

I read a lot of horror when I was younger but now I read more historical fiction, books with dark humour and science fiction, too.

I read a lot of thrillers, historical fiction, chick lit and biographies- but I will read most things. I'm not really a lover of sci fi though.

I read almost anything... and it all depends on my mood.
S/F, fantasy, young adults, non-fiction...
But... don't do chick-lit - Bridget Jones et al; nor classics - no Bronte or Austen for me, thanks.
But give me a Georgette Heyer any day!
Crime, adventure, thriller...
I think it all comes down to what appeals to me at that time.
An idea of the random nature of my reading can be gleaned from these photos of my book cases (well, the main ones, not the non-fiction or picture book shelves)
http://themadnessofhamsters.blogspot....

Barbara wrote: "I like a wide variety of subjects however I do not read biographies, most of the current bestsellers, cheesy chick lit, anything non-fiction or classics. I like to be entertained not have a life a..."

wow, what kind of book would you consider as having a "life-altering-moment"? Just curious.

I have to admit, I started reading PNR and UF, only after watching Twilight, and then decided that Meyer's book were too young for me. That's when I discovered SookieS, JBaldwin, MThompson, BDB and the others.

I'm not into Science Fiction, I understand Sci-Fi better when I watch them on TV.

Have read only one biography in my life.

Cookbooks only out of necessity. =)

Travel books only when I plan an immediate trip there.

No horror in both books and movies, have scared myself silly once wont do it again.

The YA only when its PNR.

Lastly, I have yet to read a chick-lit book. Im avoiding last genre mentioned because if I get hooked with that, I dont know how the hell am I to keep up with all my TBRs.

Most of the romance books where from my college life
Now is more of Suspense, Thriller, and Mystery books.
Romance came back only after goodreads..and when they're on sale. hihihi =D

Romance, mysteries & historical fiction are my favorites.

On the rare occasions I venture outside the romance genre nowadays, I most often pick:
best-sellers
mystery/suspense/crime/thriller
fantasy
classic literature

Like Julie I'm a pretty eclectic reader as well. I read whatever catches my eye. I love romance novels, but I also read thrillers, mystery, fantasy which is my second choice of reading material, sci-fi, graphic novels i.e. manga which is also one of my first choices, young adult fiction, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, historical, etc (you get the idea). I'm an equal opportunity reader :-). I, like Yz, do not generally like to read horror, but I can if it's a really-good-can't-put-it-down type of book. I always welcome reading recommendations!

Besides Romance, I like:

Fiction-wise
*Fantasy - Urban, Dark, Epic
*Science Fiction
*Mystery/Suspense - but very rarely
*Horror - really only Vampires and Zombies though
*Teen and Young Adult - these most of the time have to have some element of fantasy though
*Graphic Novels/Manga - not a genre, more of a format, but sometimes when I need a break from novels I'll read a comic book with pretty pictures!

I've found that straight/normal/non-fantasy fiction puts me to sleep. Unless it's erotica. ; )

Non-Fiction-wise
*Cookbooks - I don't cook a lot but I love to look at the pictures!
*Food Writing - I'm a Food Network junkie, and while I'm bored to tears by most biographies and essays, I'll read one by a chef or foodie.
*Asian Studies - I'm majoring in the Japanese language and I love reading about the culture.

Most of the time though I'm reading something that at least has elements of Romance. It's rare for me to read a book without it.

Biographies
History
Military History
Romance
Yep that's about it for me

Christel,

You're back! *hugs* Hope you are better now.