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A Good Thriller discussion
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What Genre Of Book Do You NOT Read?!!
Hear, hear, Lori. I'm willing to give other books besides romance, suspense, and Dr. Seuss a try. And I plan to branch out, I just don't know where to start. But the ones I staunchly refuse to try are:
Pornographic
Erotic
and any book where the plot is lost in blood, gore, graphic violence, and offensive language. I simply cannot enjoy a book that offends my senses...
As an infectious disease specialist and author, I don't read or write zombie virus stories. I like to write infectious disease thrillers with a modicum of reality and an element of mystery in the infection detection. In the typical zombie scenario: man gets mauled and killed by zombies. 15 or 20 seconds later man stirs and comes back to "life" then clumsily gets up and staggers off seeking human victims. There's no mystery - he's got zombie virus! Now I do understand that those are the clunky zombies and that there are now "fast " zombies who are much more nimble with locomotor skills that make them much harder to outrun! But still... Maybe others feel differently.
Alex wrote: "As an infectious disease specialist and author, I don't read or write zombie virus stories. I like to write infectious disease thrillers with a modicum of reality and an element of mystery in the i..."I'm pretty sure a specialist will have an eye for details and will spot any inaccuracies straight away, but as a layperson, I found that I liked some of the stories in this amazon freebie that I read a few years ago.
It's a collection of short stories (ranging from entertaining to completely absurd) offering different takes on how the apocalypses depicted got started. In one story, a woman becomes infected through a paper cut. In another, the zombie apocalypse is a venereal disease that is transmitted through unprotected sex. (...male bits rot and fall off in that one. I thought it was completely hilarious.) In another, it's a mysterious supernatural force that afflicts children.
I'm pretty sure that none are grounded in enough scientific reality to intrigue an infectious disease specialist, but that person might find them entertaining if they are willing to suspend a bit of reality.
Mochaspresso wrote: "Alex wrote: "As an infectious disease specialist and author, I don't read or write zombie virus stories. I like to write infectious disease thrillers with a modicum of reality and an element of mys..."I'm not a purist by any means and certainly not above having some fun. It is true that if you come up with a new virus or infectious life form such as the Andromeda strain of Michael Crichton, you can have it do almost anything you want. The Andromeda Strain killed people and animals within seconds. That was scary! But I think when you are dealing with viruses and bacteria, an incubation period of at least 24 hours is more blo-plausible and less disruptive of the fictive dream.
Groovy wrote: "Hear, hear, Lori. I'm willing to give other books besides romance, suspense, and Dr. Seuss a try. And I plan to branch out, I just don't know where to start. But the ones I staunchly refuse to try..."
Yes, me too. If it comes up I usually pass right over the part. Love psychological books too where I really have to think things through. I do like to get scared, even when I watch movies or shows. Just no graphic violence.
I am also guilty of loving serial killer books. Are there many people out there who enjoy this genre also? Not many of my peers enjoy this type of book but I have always been fascinated by them. They actually scare my husband! As a ten year old, my mom wanted to take me to see Mary Poppins but I wanted to see the newest Alfred Hitchcock movie.
Lori wrote: "I am also guilty of loving serial killer books. Are there many people out there who enjoy this genre also? Not many of my peers enjoy this type of book but I have always been fascinated by them. Th..."I think people who enjoy reading and writing detective mysteries are likely those who require more intellectual stimulation. I guess you could equate it to watching " 2 Broke Girls" vs "Criminal Minds". Both are entertaining, but the latter requires a bit more concentration.
Interestingly, the first suspense novel I wrote is about a serial killer. Thankfully, it's getting good reviews, and I'll be smiling all week:) I agree, D.B. I know I like having my intellect stimulated. (no dirty insinuation intended. I really mean it:) Guess which one is my favorite to watch--exactly!
janna wrote: "Romancebecause they are too sad and one of them always end up dying"
What kind of romances have you read where they've been sad and one of them DIES? Every romance I've ever read has had a disgustingly sappy, happy ending!
Amber, wouldn't you like to find true love with a happy ending in life, sappy or not? I know I would:):) Just kidding with you, I know what your answer will probably be:)
Amber, what about the one they based the movie with Ali McGraw and Ryan O'Neal on? I'm pretty sure one of them dies there.And then there's that YA book where the girl has cancer.
Personally, I think you're a glass half-empty type of girl judging by many of your posts.
I love happy endings? Why? Not because they're realistic, but because they're not. It's the same reason I love James Bond movies. I'm looking from an escape from RL not a reminder that it's a cruel world out there.
Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "Amber, what about the one they based the movie with Ali McGraw and Ryan O'Neal on? I'm pretty sure one of them dies there.And then there's that YA book where the girl has cancer.
Personally, I t..."
Love Story. And that's NOT one of the ones I've read. I've read romances like this one: Naked Dragon (Works Like Magick #1)
by Annette Blair (Goodreads Author)
( https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...) Or like this one: Jane's Warlord (Warlord #1)
by Angela Knight ( https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... ) Pr even this one https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...) And none of the women die in ANY of these, except for the last victim of Jack the Ripper ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Ja...) which was part of the plot of JANE'S WARLORD.
Secondly, I DON'T read 99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999ad infinitum% of YA to begin with, though I think I know which one you're referring to.
I don't mind happy endings, I just don't want them to be TOO sweet.
Groovy: Like I said, I don't mind happy endings but I don't like them to be too sweet.
I think you guys are referring to "The Fault In Our Stars". I agree with Kirsten, I read to escape reality. I don't want to read a book where it's just a reminder. Give me the happy ending I wouldn't normally find in real life...
Mochaspresso wrote: "For me, the entertaining appeal of Fifty Shades lies in the soap operatic nature of the storyline. The old soaps had bad writing and acting too, yet people still tuned in day after day. Why? The story. It's all about the story. They wanted to see how it would all play out. How are these characters going to get themselves out of this mess that they've gotten themselves into now? I suspect that this is what many critics of Fifty Shades tend not understand about people who enjoyed the series. Imo, enjoying Fifty Shades is not much different from enjoying pulp fictions, penny dreadfuls or old Mills and Boon romances. It's no different from enjoying episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and the b-movies it featured. "I agree with you. I've read 50 Shades, wouldn't criticize without reading it, and I see tons of misconceptions posted about it.
First, it's definitely not just sex, because it has less sex than almost any paranormal romance I've read, way less than erotica, and less than some historical romance. There's actually over a 100 pages in before it even has one sex scene. Trust me, for this genre type that's not as bad. I keep seeing people say it's just an erotica book, but why narrow it down out of all others in its genre?
It's not just sex, that's not true since most of it is angst and their strange relationship. It's also NOT that kinky, trust me, it's very mild, and they drop the BDSM part early on because the girl ends up controlling the relationship and saying no to almost everything. People have so many misconceptions about this book and freely call it what it's not or say it has stuff in it that it doesn't. Sad.
I do agree the writing is awful, though. She really can't write, I admit that in my reading and review. I liked the first one well enough because of the drama, couldn't look away, it was like a soap opera as you said.
I haven't read Twilight, but I picked them up for $1 at a yard sale, intending to try one someday. I hated the movies, so I'm not holding out hope, but you never know. I personally don't insult books or people who have read them, especially if I haven't read them and know for sure myself.
Since I like paranormal, there is a chance I may actually like the books, I don't know yet. I keep an open mind with reading and explore a lot of books and genres. I don't like limiting myself.
Lori wrote: "I am also guilty of loving serial killer books. Are there many people out there who enjoy this genre also? Not many of my peers enjoy this type of book but I have always been fascinated by them. Th..."I will try them out and enjoy some, but to overall serial killers are rather boring. This is the same for me with movies. I did enjoy the Hannibal series and also a series of books by Barry Hoffman that you may want to try out someday, Hungry Eyes. It's unconventional revenge/ s. killer type.
Amber wrote: "What kind of romances have you read where they've been sad and one of them DIES? Every romance I've ever read has had a disgustingly sappy, happy ending! "I wondered that too, but I think she's referring to books by authors such a Nicholas Sparks, the tragedy romance genre. They're very popular and usually don't have HEA endings. Not the typical romance, but definitely a genre of romance.
I don't read strictly romance books. They can have romance in them but, romance can't be the central theme. Strictly romance books bore me to tears and they're always formulaic and predictable.
Erin said:I will try them out and enjoy some, but to overall serial killers are rather boring. I agree. I can only take them in widely scattered doses. The 'sameness' of them makes them boring. The other thing about them that turns me off is how for 90% of the book, the killer outthinks, outmaneuvers, and outfoxes the main character until he/she pulls such a boneheaded flub even a dead man could identify him. Or the MC' brain suddenly comes to life and he/she realizes the clue to solving the killings was in his hand for the previous 200 pages.
Quillracer wrote: "I agree. I can only take them in widely scattered doses. The 'sameness' of them makes them boring. The other thing about them that turns me off is how for 90% of the book, the killer outthinks, outmaneuvers, and outfoxes the main character until he/she pulls such a boneheaded flub even a dead man could identify him. Or the MC' brain suddenly comes to life and he/she realizes the clue to solving the killings was in his hand for the previous 200 pages. "Oh, I know, or they have a connection, where the killer focuses on mainly the one detective, or they have an almost psychic connection where the MC knows how the killer thinks and is the only one who can figure anything out.
Erin wrote: Oh, I know, or they have a connection, where the killer focuses on mainly the one detective, or they have an almost psychic connection where the MC knows how the killer thinks and is the only one who can figure anything out. Yep. Then I find myself asking, "Why did it take you 300 pages to figure that out?"
Groovy wrote: "I think you guys are referring to "The Fault In Our Stars". I agree with Kirsten, I read to escape reality. I don't want to read a book where it's just a reminder. Give me the happy ending I woul..."
LOVE STORY is the one she referred to as the Ali McGraw movie. And yes, the YA one she referred to is THE FAULT IN OUR STARS.
Erin: Since movies are almost always WORSE than the books they are made from, you ALREADY know what you're in for when you read TWILIGHT, especially since you already hate the movies.
As for the so-called "tragedy romances," that might be what she was referring to. And since reality is tragic enough, why would any SANE romance reader, female or otherwise, want to read something they don't have to pay for if they watch the evening news?! How STUPID is that??
Quillracer: Sounds like you've read a lot of those kinds of books to have such an ACCURATE description of them!
Amber wrote: Quillracer: Sounds like you've read a lot of those kinds of books to have such an ACCURATE description of them!More that I'd like to admit. But it doesn't take reading many to see the patterns that appear in all of them (that 'sameness' that makes them so boring.). I've read very few that didn't have the elements Erin and I mentioned.
Amber wrote: "Erin: Since movies are almost always WORSE than the books they are made from, you ALREADY know what you're in for when you read TWILIGHT, especially since you already hate the movies."You're probably right in this case, but some great books have some terrible movies, so I can't judge off that necessarily.
Amber wrote: "As for the so-called "tragedy romances," that might be what she was referring to. And since reality is tragic enough, why would any SANE romance reader, female or otherwise, want to read something they don't have to pay for if they watch the evening news?! How STUPID is that??."
It's not my thing, but the books (and movies) have a large following. I don't consider it stupid or insane, just not my taste. I tried Nicholas Sparks twice, but I couldn't get into his writing style.
Quillracer wrote: "More that I'd like to admit. But it doesn't take reading many to see the patterns that appear in all of them (that 'sameness' that makes them so boring.). I've read very few that didn't have the elements Erin and I mentioned. "Ugh, very true, although it's the same for the movies of that genre too.
Conversely, Erin, there are a few good movies that have AWFUL books.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
will likely be a case in point. Not just the PPZ novel itself but also the original Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice as well.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foGra...
Amber wrote: "Conversely, Erin, there are a few good movies that have AWFUL books. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
will likely be a case in point. Not just the PPZ novel itself but also the original Jane Aus..."
Very true as well - there are some cases where I like the movie more
And then there are the flip-flops. When I like both but which one I like more depends on my mood.
Janet wrote: EVERYONE and I do mean EVERYONE is entitled to their own opinion. I don't care if people read cereal packets or billboards..."
"EVERYONE and I do mean EVERYONE is entitled to their own opinion. I don't care if people read cereal packets or billboards, comics or fairy stories - they're still entitled to an opinion and their likes and dislikes."
Ha, ha…me raising my hand. I read "everything" including packages, directions, recipes, phone books…seriously anything.
Hahah that's me too, Lisa! Though I have much catching up to do in the book department. :)
i am generally not a fan of romance books. but i am open to suggestion - if it's a book you loved or a book that was inspiring to you.
I'm like that, too. I will stop and read a piece of paper lying on the ground; I try to read the title of the books on the shelves behind the actors when I'm looking at tv--everything!!!
Amy wrote: "Hahah that's me too, Lisa! Though I have much catching up to do in the book department. :)"Groovy wrote: "I'm like that, too. I will stop and read a piece of paper lying on the ground; I try to read the title of the books on the shelves behind the actors when I'm looking at tv--everything!!!"
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. Anytime I go out somewhere I end up with a paper of some sort in my hand. My husband just laughs. BTW, paint chips from Lowe's and Home Depot make great bookmarks…and so pretty:)
Uh-oh--now you done gone and done it, Lisa. What a good idea. Those beautifully colored paint chips will be disappearing left and right now:)
I don't tolerate vampires in any shape or form. Nor werewolves for that matter.
Guy wrote: "I don't tolerate vampires in any shape or form. Nor werewolves for that matter."I don't choose to read those but I have read some book in the past that had them along with mythical creatures in it that were pretty good. They may have been some of the older Nora Roberts books. I liked them.
Groovy wrote: "Uh-oh--now you done gone and done it, Lisa. What a good idea. Those beautifully colored paint chips will be disappearing left and right now:)"Ha, ha….and don't forget to cut your old greeting cards into strips:) I've been eyeing my husband's birthday cards…they will be mine soon enough, lol.
Lisa wrote: "Guy wrote: "I don't tolerate vampires in any shape or form. Nor werewolves for that matter."I don't choose to read those but I have read some book in the past that had them along with mythical cr..."
To the best of MY knowledge, Nora Roberts has NEVER done supernatural porn...I mean supernatural romance.
Here are some…fantasy and supernatural…some including vampires and werewolves. A lot of witches and warlocks. Nora Roberts has a lot of them.The Circle trilogy (Circle trilogy #1-3)
Nora Roberts Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy Boxed Set
Key trilogy collection (Key trilogy #1-3)
Stars of Fortune
I stand corrected, too. I thought for sure Nora Roberts was strictly a romance author...
As long as the work has substance (a good plot, diverse characters, and is well-written) the genre isn't relevant. That said, I'm not a huge fan of erotica.
Yeah...there's a fine line between erotica with an actual story and erotica that exists solely to be erotica... .
I so agree, Amber! Sex is an important part of life, and i enjoy scenes when they contribute to my understanding of characters and their relationships or motivations. but I detest books solely focused on sex.
Groovy wrote: "I'm like that, too. I will stop and read a piece of paper lying on the ground; I try to read the title of the books on the shelves behind the actors when I'm looking at tv--everything!!!"Ha. Ha. Groovy. "read the the title of the books on the shelves behind the actors" reminds me .... a political channel that I watch has a room in which solo interviews are conducted. I try to read the titles of the books behind the interview guests. And, for like 3-1/2 years the same book has been upside down on the shelf. It just cracks me up.
A Good Thriller
Books mentioned in this topic
Empire of the Sun (other topics)Project Hail Mary (other topics)
High-Rise (other topics)
In the Morning I'll be Gone (other topics)
The Widow's House (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Carol Goodman (other topics)Adrian McKinty (other topics)
Belinda Bauer (other topics)
Stephenie Meyer (other topics)
Zora Neale Hurston (other topics)
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Romance
YA
Pornographic books,( Fifty Shades)
Dystopia
Vampire
Fantasy
Now that said, my son challenged me to read his favorite genre, Fantasy. I obliged. Wasn't I a good mom? Don't I also challenge my elementary school students to switch it up a little when it comes to genre. I should follow my own rules, right? Well since then I have decided there are exceptions to every rule and listen quietly as my son says, "I told you so." Since then I will selectively choose books in some of those genres and give them a chance. Here are some of my favorite unfavorite genres and books I loved.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
The Onion Girl by Charles deLint
The Girl with all the Gifts by MR Carey
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Omens by Kelly Armstrong
Faerie Tale by Raymond E Feist
and there are more books I would not have read if I didn't give them a try. So now I do keep my mind open like the saying goes,
A mind is like a parachute. It only works when it is open.