What kind of books do I like?

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It's easy for me to get stuck in my genre.

I'm fairly narrow when it comes to what I like to read for fun! I occasionally branch out, but my favorite genre is fantasy. I especially like fantasy with a strong romantic subplot, or even some fantasy romances.

Of course, like anyone who loves fantasy romance, I love anything by Sarah J. Maas. I especially love the Throne of Glass series. Other fantasy series and books that I've loved are the Sevenwaters series by Juliet Marillier, the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, and Katherine Arden's The Bear and the Nightingale, and Uprooted, by Naomi Novik. I also read entirely too much fanfiction. I've actually been writing a few stories to post on AO3 for practice!

Fun fact: Naomi Novik is one of the creators of the website AO3, the most popular aggregator of fanfiction.

 

 

I just looked at our reading profile examples, and I wanted to add a few sections to round it out!

Part of the reason that I find it difficult to read outside of my chosen genre is that things that really grip my attention are somewhat specific, even if they are a common type of story. 

I don't like stories with sad endings, bittersweet can be okay. I really love intense drama, and I don't mind if the story is very dark as long as the ending isn't completely tragic. This is one of the reasons that I don't read Greek mythology inspired books very often, despite the fact that I love mythology and folklore. 

I really, really, love enemies to lovers. I don't want this to be confused with the related "rivals to lovers," which has some cross appeal. I do enjoy those from time to time, but as someone who loves the drama, I like to read about people who actually hate each other but somehow overcome their differences. Bonus points if this darker romance takes place somewhere where dragons exist.

To be a little different, I'll list my all time favorite "books" and also my favorite all time fanfictions (in no particular order).

 

Books

1) The Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling

2) A Court of Thorns and Roses series, Sarah J. Maas

3) A Discovery of Witches series, Deborah Harkness

4) The Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas

5) The Lunar Chronicles, Marissa Meyer

6)  Twilight, Stephanie Meyer (I'll die on this hill)

7) Wildwood Dancing, Juliet Marillier



Fanfictions - Please read trigger warnings, some of these are dark. The only ones that I wouldn't give a disclaimer for are Wait and Hope, The Right Thing to Do, and Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love.

1) Manacled, Senlinyu (https://archiveofourown.org/works/14454174/)

2) Wait and Hope, mightbewriting (https://archiveofourown.org/works/22818646/chapters/54531817)

3) The Right Thing to Do, Lovesbitca8 (https://archiveofourown.org/works/11472648)

4) Catharsis, daffydarling (https://archiveofourown.org/works/27200035)

5) Blood and Gold, ObsidianPen (https://archiveofourown.org/works/10643571/chapters/23549517)

6) Unsphere the Stars, cocoartist (https://archiveofourown.org/works/24407335/chapters/58878859)

7) Unfogging the Future, Naidhe (https://archiveofourown.org/works/19949440/chapters/47238583)

8) The Auction, Lovesbitca8 (https://archiveofourown.org/works/19101535/chapters/45385237)

9) For the Greater Good, CandidC (https://www.wattpad.com/story/56475086-for-the-greater-good-tom-riddle)

10) Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love, isthisselfcare (https://archiveofourown.org/works/34500952/chapters/85870804)

 

Comments

  1. HaleyJanuary 12, 2023 at 6:38 PM

    I wonder if Naomi Novik got her start as a writer from writing fanfics! I got really invested in reading every single Fire Emblem fanfic I could get my hands on a few months ago, haha. I've heard a lot of good things about Sarah J. Maas, but haven't read any of her books yet. Reading can be a really personal activity, so I say there's no shame in reading whatever you want as long as you are enjoying it. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katie Reads BooksJanuary 15, 2023 at 5:47 PM

      Novik actually started out writing Master and Commander fanfictions, which makes a lot of sense given the genre of her Temeraire series! I actually haven't read that series, but I really love her standalones.

      I really enjoy Sarah J. Maas writing. I know some people don't like her, fair enough. If you prefer more straight fantasy (with romance), then you might like Throne of Glass. It's actually a YA series. A Court of Thorns and Roses is a New Adult series with a bit more romance, but is still high fantasy.

      Annalee Newitz. Naomi Novik says fanfic is part of literary history. Gizmodo.
      https://gizmodo.com/naomi-novik-says-fanfic-is-part-of-literary-history-a-5634183

      Delete
    2. Claire LeoJanuary 17, 2023 at 7:22 PM

      My people! <3 I have read so much Fire Emblem fanfiction (Three Houses specifically) that I think, if we're talking word count, it probably overtakes almost any other genre/series I've read.

      Delete
    3. HaleyJanuary 26, 2023 at 8:53 PM

      Katie, that is amazing! I actually just watched Master and Commander for the first time last year and I love that the creator of AO3 loved it so much she wrote fanfics aobut it lol.
      I have definitely heard of those books - adding them to my list!

      Claire, I read more Blue Lions fanfics than books last fall, for sure haha!

      Delete
  2. Laurie FancherJanuary 13, 2023 at 2:13 PM

    Hi Katie! I have to say that Katherine Arden and Naomi Novik's books are on my to-read list but I haven't gotten around to reading anything by them yet. I've heard so many good things about both authors and really need to pick up their books. I had no idea Naomi Novik got her start on AO3 though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katie Reads BooksJanuary 15, 2023 at 5:50 PM

      Yes, she began with writing Master and Commander fanfictions and helped to start the entire site of AO3. It's wild. I didn't know about it until I was doing research for a project last semester and was flabbergasted!

      I'd start with Novik's standalone Uprooted, or possibly her newer series about a magic school (A Deadly Education).

      Katherine Arden is phenomenal if you like Eastern European/Slavic/Russian folklore.

      Delete
  3. RamahJanuary 14, 2023 at 7:24 PM

    Hi Katie! I was just commenting on someone else's blog about how we can get so comfortable with the things we like such as genres, food etc. My own goal is to try to branch out and read different genres because who knows, I might just love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katie Reads BooksJanuary 15, 2023 at 5:50 PM

      Me as well! It's so hard to get started on something different, but once I get started I usually have a good time!

      Delete
  4. KJanuary 22, 2023 at 5:39 PM

    HI! I love a good fantasy romance and I've been rather obsessed with Sarah J. Maas's ACOTAR series for a while now. I really need to get my hands on Throne of Glass though, as I know I'll love it. All of your book favorites I have read and loved! I will also absolutely die on the Twilight hill.
    Have you read anything from Jennifer L. Armentrout or V.E. Schwab? They seem like they would be something you would enjoy!

    ReplyDelete

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