One Book For Each Genre! Suggestions/FAQs & Book chit-chat

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Thanks, I think I found my pick from someone's list - just jumped out at me and said "pick me!" Some of my picks are going to be really easy, some are going to push my limits. I guess that is the whole point right? =)

[Dee]

yep!! and to have fun ;)

[Wan]

Does any of the BDB books considered GLBT?

[Dee]

i'd wait on Fran for a ruling - but potentially the last 2 where Blay and Qhuinn start playing a significant role...maybe...if not and if you want any rec's lemme know

[Fran, Moderator]

I would say that is more PNR. Blay and Quinn still play a smaller role in the series. I'm sorry Wan!

[Wan]

Thanks Dee. I'll wait for Fran.

...but if you don't mind, give me some rec any way M/M or F/F doesn't matter. Thanks in advance.

[Dee]

two series that I recommend - Faith & Fidelity - this was one of my virgin m/m books; or Cut & Run (cops and FBI agents in both)...if you want more of a sci-fi type - then My Fair Captain

[Fran, Moderator]

Wan, post 75 on this thread has my m/m kindle lendable titles. I especially liked Carol of the Bellskis but they are all good. Not lendable, but I also really liked Sno Ho and At Piper's Point by Ethan Day.

[Fran, Moderator]

I am wavering on the last BDB book- there is quite a bit of Quinn and Blay- Wan, is the most recent book the one you want to use? I would say yes to that one if you want to use it.

[Fran, Moderator]

Wan,

I checked your shelves and it looks like you would be starting from the first BDB. That one does not fit the GLBT category. But you should still read it! Love the whole series! Do you have a Paranormal choice yet?

[Wan]

Dee wrote: "two series that I recommend - Faith & Fidelity - this was one of my virgin m/m books; or Cut & Run (cops and FBI agents in both)...if you want more of a sci-fi type - ..."

Thaks Dee. Cut and Run fits perfectly. I have to read it for "U" Author anyhow.

[Wan]

Fran wrote: "Wan,

I checked your shelves and it looks like you would be starting from the first BDB. That one does not fit the GLBT category. But you should still read it! Love the whole series! Do you have ..."

Thanks Fran. Yep most of mine are petty much PNR/UF. I'm reading the BDB series next year. :-)

[Dee]

i love Cut & Run- I have book 4 on my list for my GLBT book when it is released in december-ish...

[Ola]

i am kinda new to this... so i'm having difficulty to know what to do now.. should i write the books i choose to read for each genre ? or just read them and post or what ? :)

[Dee]

Ola - you post the books you want to read before starting - so post your list in the other thread...and then when you finish a book, go back to that list and tell us what you thought about the book, the genre and whether you would read something within that genre again

[Ola]

Dee wrote: "Ola - you post the books you want to read before starting - so post your list in the other thread...and then when you finish a book, go back to that list and tell us what you thought about the book..."

thanks a lot for your help, i'll start working on the list :)

[Fran, Moderator]

Ola wrote: "i am kinda new to this... so i'm having difficulty to know what to do now.. should i write the books i choose to read for each genre ? or just read them and post or what ? :)"

Ola,
If you have any more questions or need any book recs please don't hesitate to ask- glad you are joining us!

Dee, thanks for helping :)

[Dee]

good luck and if you need any recommendations check out the first few posts in this thread, several of us put up lists

[Fran, Moderator]

Dee, we posted at the same time- lol- Ola, we are all here to help :)

[Dee]

study break...why is it, I managed to accomplish more at the library in the last hour, then I have all frickin week!!

[Ola]

i want to know the contemporary genre is like what ? and the historical, women's fiction ?

and would world lit./international: can be like "Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini??

[Dee]

kite runner works for world lit

contemporary - anything set like now

historical - I use the set at least 50 years before it was written, as my guideline...so a book written in 2000 would be historical if set in 1950 (does that make sense?)

women's fiction - a book where the growth of the women; friends take priority over the romance...kristin hannah is a good example; or barbara delinsky

[Fran, Moderator]

Ola,
What Dee said :)

A few more examples:

Contemporary has a present-day setting and involves real people in real situations (nothing paranormal,etc.). author examples- Lori Foster, Jill Shalvis, Susan Donovan

Women's Fiction- This genre deals with a female protagonist and her personal journey towards self-understanding and self-acceptance. author examples- Dee's examples from above, as well as Jennifer Weiner and Emily Giffin.

Historical- takes place in the past and the period details are faithful to the time period. author examples- Lisa Kleypas' historicals, Julia Quinn, Julie Garwood's historicals.

World lit- book immerses you in a culture not your own.

[Ola]

will i have to read the books, due to the order i made? or can i read whatever i want in any month i want ?? :)

[Fran, Moderator]

Ola wrote: "will i have to read the books, due to the order i made? or can i read whatever i want in any month i want ?? :)"

Hi Ola,

You can read the books in any order you want, any months you want. As long as you finish your books by the end date of the challenge you are good!

[Ola]

thanks Fran for Your help :)

[Fran, Moderator]

Ola wrote: "thanks Fran for Your help :)"

You're welcome! I thought your YA choice looked really cute, added it to my tbr.

[Lynne]

I'm wondering what's the difference between Thriller and Suspense?

[Fran, Moderator]

Here are some definitions from different sources-

1. mystery: the main character is occupied in tracking down the truth about an event, usually a murder. If the protagonist is in any danger, it is usually moderate, and becomes a problem only as the detective approaches the truth.

thriller: the protagonist is in danger from the outset.

suspense: the main character may become aware of danger only gradually. In a mystery, the reader is exposed to the same information as the detective, but in a suspense story, the reader is aware of things unknown to the protagonist. The reader sees the bad guy plant the bomb, and then suffers the suspense of wondering when or if it will explode.


2.As for the distinction between suspense and thriller, I read somewhere (please help me out with the source if you know because I can't remember) that thriller is suspense on a larger scale. So if suspense is something terrible about to happen to the woman you love, a thriller is something terrible is about to happen to the woman you love and fifty thousand other innocent people. Not sure if this definition is by-the-book, but it works pretty well for me.

3.You know you’ve written a thriller when: Huge stakes hang in the balance for your protagonists or group of protagonists, who must stop some ghastly plot by your antagonist that threatens a great number of people, or even the very existence of humanity. Thrillers are often divided into sub-genres like medical thrillers (Robin Cook), military or technical thrillers (Tom Clancy) or legal thrillers (John Grisham).

You know you’ve written a suspense novel when: Your protagonist is in terrible personal danger and fighting for his or her life against disproportionately high odds. Suspense novels are breathless page-turners that focus more on a pivotal character, but often include high-stakes elements of thrillers.

Hope this helps!

[Dee]

hey Fran - what you think about a bonus category of graphic novel/manga?

[Fran, Moderator]

Dee, that's a great idea, I'll add it now.

[Fran, Moderator]

When anyone has finished the first 9 required genres, there has been a new addition to the bonus/optional choices- Graphic Novel/Manga.


Graphic Novel-A cousin of comic strips, a graphic novel is a story told in comic book format with a beginning, middle, and end. Graphic novels also include bound books conveying nonfiction information in comic book form.

Manga- A Japanese genre of cartoons, comic books, and animated films, typically having a science-fiction or fantasy theme and sometimes including violent or sexually explicit material.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I've never read a graphic novel/manga. Depending on how I go, I'll add this at the end :) Great idea!

[Vi]

Ooh, great idea Dee and Fran! It's been a while since I read some manga. Time to catch up :)

[Rossy]

It's funny, but after Dee mentioned it, i have been reading manga i've had on my "to-read soon" list for a while.

[Vi]

I just peeked into your manga shelf and I'm in love. You have read some of my favorite manga/manhwa ever. And you've read The Bride of the Water God too! I don't know that many people who've read that series. Oh, I don't know why I stayed away from Manga for so long.

[Mandy]

Ok, so, what would you guys recommend for a manga virgin?

[Rossy]

Vi wrote: "I just peeked into your manga shelf and I'm in love. You have read some of my favorite manga/manhwa ever. And you've read The Bride of the Water God too! I don't know that many people who've read t..."

Glad you like. I need to update it though, i tend to forget to do that with the manga i read since sometimes am waiting for chapter releases. TBoTWG is one that i need to catch up on the series. I read a few volumes, but love triangle was grating on my nerves.LOL

[Rossy]

Mandy wrote: "Ok, so, what would you guys recommend for a manga virgin?"

It depends on what you're into Mandy. Let me list a few definitions...

[Rossy]

Manga: This is what most people are familiar with. Comes from Japan.

Manhwa: Comes from Korea.

Manhua: Comes from China/Taiwan.

A genre is a class or category of similar methodologies and themes in artistic works. There are often elements of several genres blending and overlapping one another in manga/anime.

Action: Genre that has scenes with either fighting, violence, chaos, and fast paced motion.

Adult: Contains content that is more suited to adults only. Titles in this category may include prolonged graphic scenes of intense violence and/or sexual content and/or nudity. Adult themed manga are not meant to be viewed by minors or the faint of heart.

Adventure: The character/s travel around the world that the series is set in to complete a quest of some kind.

Comedy: Has a humorous and/or satirical tone.

Drama: Focuses on situation or series of events having vivid, emotional, conflicting, or striking interest or results.

Ecchi: Has vague sexual content (skimpy clothing, partial/full nudity), but does not show sexual intercourse.

Fantasy: Takes place in a world that is outside of scientific explanation, not limited to magic, dream worlds, fairy tales.

Gender Bender: Has character/s that become or act the opposite gender by cross-dressing, surgery, magical means, etc....

Harem: A series that involves one male character with several female characters that are usually attracted to said male character.

Historical: Takes place in a setting that is not the present time.

Horror: Has scenes that inspires shock, fear, dread, terror, devastation, etc...

Josei: Typically involves romance that is more realistic and less idealized. Primarily written for women (18-30).

Martial Arts: Anything related to martial arts (karate, judo, fencing, etc...)

Mature: Contains material that is not suitable for people under the age of 17. Manga in this genre may contain scenes of intense violence, gore, sexual content, and/or strong language.

Mecha: Involves large robotic machines.

Mystery: Unexplained events/situations that are usually solved by the character/s.

Psychological: Usually deals with the philosophy of a state of mind, in most cases abnormal states of mind.

Romance: Any love related story.

Reverse Harem: A Reverse Harem is similar to Harem but it involves one female character with several male characters that are usually attracted to said female character.

School Life: The majority of the storyline takes place in a school.

Sci-Fi: Science fiction. Set in a world where technology is either contrary or a stretch of the modern scientific world

Seinen: Typically deals with issues of adulthood. Primarily written for men (18-30).

Shoujo
Typically involves romance and character development. Primarily written for females (10-18).

Shoujo Ai: Romantic relationship between females not having "adult" themes.

Shounen: Typically involves fighting and/or violence. Primarily written for males (10-18).

Shounen Ai: Romantic relationship between males not having "adult" themes.

Slice of Life: Present day-to-day happenings that take place in a world that mirrors our own.

Smut: Contains sexual situations, not necessarily explicit.

Sports: Anything sport related.

Supernatural: Involves unexplained powers/events that defy the laws of modern science/physics.

Suspense: Contains frequent plot twists or shocks meant to keep the reader guessing as to where the plot will go next.

Tragedy: Contains events of great loss and misfortune.

Yaoi: Intimate relationships between men.

Yuri: Intimate relationships between women.

[Rossy]

Other genre common in the manga world, but not read by most.

Doujin or Doujinshi: Often commonly considered to be produced art that is based on an anime or manga not owned by the creator of the doujin. It is also used to refer to original work created by amateur or professional artists.

Hentai: Main focus is on graphic sexual acts. For adults only.

Kodomo: Children's manga aimed at 6-11 year olds. They tend to be moral and teach certain traits and behaviors.

Lolicon: A character in the manga has a relationship with young or under-age girls.

Shotacon: A character has a relationship with young or under-age boys.

[Rossy]

Have your picks and tell me what you want, i'll do a search and find the ones i have read so far with those categories...it make take some time though.

[Mandy]

Oh, holy poo, Rossy! I'm horrible with overwhelming choices. Seriously. I'm cool with basically any genre other than horror. And, as long as sex is between consenting adults, I'm cool with it too. How about...what's your favorite you'd totally re-read it one?

[Dee]

Rossy that's wayyy to many choices!!!

[Mandy]

Hehehe. I can't say that I wasn't tempted to come up with the most off the wall combination I could.

Manhwa, historical, mecha, shoujo, with a side of shotacon :-D

[Dee]

Rossy - you got any good Yaoi recs? I have one i'm going to use here, but need one for the shelf-a-thon in the m/m group

[Rossy]

Mandy wrote: "Oh, holy poo, Rossy! I'm horrible with overwhelming choices. Seriously. I'm cool with basically any genre other than horror. And, as long as sex is between consenting adults, I'm cool with it too. ..."

In that case, join me in the torture called Skip Beat!, Vol. 1. It's more like Josei than Shoujo, but i'm totally hooked. I think you may enjoy the humor, just don't expect the romance to bloom quickly...it's a very slow process, but the story keeps you intrigued.

Of course you can also try Nana, Volume 1, but the drama and twists in some volumes will probably make you want to find the author and torture her.LOL
It's also in hiatus right now.

[Rossy]

Dee wrote: "Rossy that's wayyy to many choices!!!"

LOL! Yeah, but there was no way for me to know what she may like or not, since she had never read a manga.

[Rossy]

Mandy wrote: "Hehehe. I can't say that I wasn't tempted to come up with the most off the wall combination I could.

Manhwa, historical, mecha, shoujo, with a side of shotacon :-D"

If you would have taken out the mecha and Manhwa , i would have found you one. But having shotacon doesn't allow for shoujo, unless you meant lolicon?LOL

[Rossy]

Dee wrote: "Rossy - you got any good Yaoi recs? I have one i'm going to use here, but need one for the shelf-a-thon in the m/m group"

I have many since i have been gorging on them lately. What's your mood?