What WON'T you read?

[Heather]

Brenda wrote: "It's funny how our tastes change over time isn't it Heather. I found myself thinking I'm quite similar to you in some ways :)"

I'm going to check your reading list! It would be fun to get some similar titles.

[Rita]

Sci-fi, vampires or dystopian.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Heather wrote: "Brenda wrote: "It's funny how our tastes change over time isn't it Heather. I found myself thinking I'm quite similar to you in some ways :)"

I'm going to check your reading list! It would be fun ..."

You're very welcome :) I hope you find something you'd like to check out.

[MaryG2E]

WF wrote: "I have read most things at least once, but have decided I won't read anymore vampire books and books which are evidently a case of a popular writer lending his name to yet another new series. eg I ..."

Good point WF.

[MaryG2E]

Brenda wrote: "It's funny how our tastes change over time isn't it Heather. I found myself thinking I'm quite similar to you in some ways :)"

I have just returned from the Great Debate at the Bendigo Writers Festival which was all about the issue of genres. Interesting and highly entertaining discussion. All debaters agreed that genres are quite fluid and that putting labels on novels can be a problem.

Having said that, I think there are two forces in action with the changes in our tastes, as my shifts echo yours, Brenda and Heather. First I do wonder if my tastes have changed with age, in that I am less tolerant of certain types of narrative these days. Second, I do believe the writing has changed in recent times. This is my feeling: there is such a huge outpouring of writing in the publishing world these days that writers and, very importantly the publishers, are in a highly competitive market. And I think that some writers, with the encouragement of editors and publishers, make their characters and plot devices more and more elaborate or extreme in order to distinguish themselves from all the other offerings out there, trying to appeal to a readership.

Do you think this make sense?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes Mary, it makes perfect sense. I was thinking it was my age which changed my tastes - though I still love crime/mystery/thriller which has been a staple genre right through my reading years. But what you're saying is right...

[MaryG2E]

I also must confess I'm a bit of a chicken with genres I don't like, and that's fantasy, paranormal and similar. I think it has something to do with the context in which the supernatural takes place, and the skill with which the author introduces it. Why is it that I adore (after so many decades) Middle Earth, and Gandalf and Galadriel really rock, but some domestic witch in a Cape Cod cottage or a Scottish croft just turns me off...??? :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

LOL!