Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
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I try to switch up my books and alternate between weres and vamps. Sometimes I'll read a non PNR book and go for an urban fantasy book or a plain old mystery book.
One series I've been reading that isn't really involved with PNR or Urban Fantasy is by JD. Robb (aka Nora Roberts) In death series. The first book is Naked in Death. It's about Eve Dallas who is a homicide detective in the year 2050. Not bad.. some good sex scenes, good mysteries, serial killers lol.. all that good stuff



I have always known I can't read the same of anything all the time and have a variety of books going. Be it suspense thriller horror. Now it's a matter of erotic romance, PNR, or m/m romance. I read about 10% of "other" books like non-fiction YA (recently) or Dean Koontz (hehe).

Writing style and characterization are big things for me. If I can't read the narrative without thinking, gee couldn't she have written that better, then I'm obviously not buying into the story. The same for characters; if I don't like them, I'm not going to care what happens to them. I think that's why I couldn't read the Shopaholic books. Yeah, I know the caracter is supposed to grow up as the books progress, but I couldn't make myself care to go along for the ride.




I've figured out that I really prefer books that are more character driven than plot driven (unless the plot is really good.)
When there isn't a character or characters that I can really connect with, it's hard for me to feel as engaged. I was reading books that were just okay, but it had been awhile since I read one that I was excited about. And then I read the second book in Jenna Black's Morgan Kingsley series. I love that series, and suddenly I was excited about reading again - because I really connected with Morgan, and I really love all the other characters as well.
And the plot of those books is good; simple but interesting, and very personal for the characters. The more personal the story is for the people involved, the more there is at stake which makes it a lot more fun to read.



Or sometimes, you might just need a break from reading, maybe for a full day or two. ..Oh,no, don't shoot me for even suggesting that..LOL...but sometimes, that helps.



YZ! No reading, the horrors. I only break when my brain seizes up. Literally. I have to have a massive tension headache before I call it quits on reading. I just can't stop when a book is that good =)

That, and there will always be books that stay with you and books that only serve as momentary distraction. Too many "just distraction" level books in a row will probably leave you just as unsatisfied.

PNR is like eating chocolate for me...I can't nibble, I have to have the whole bar! But like everyone else is saying, the endless gluttony can be telling after a while and while I'm still neck deep in it, I have to admit I'm starting to fade a teensy weensy bit. I just finished an Angela Knight book and definitely felt that way. Having said that, I kind of don't want to leave the genre as much as I want to read something really good in the genre, if that makes sense. I loved most of the BDB books, and really want to find another series that sparks me up like that, but no joy so far. I tried starting a Robert Fisk book this morning but although I usually love him, my subconcious was just not that ready for that much reality ;)

Instead I picked up a book at Goodwill Thrift Shop that isn't even on my list (Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man by Tim Allen - autobiography and humor book). And I finished one Mythbusters book (science book for kids from the library) and starting the adult one I bought myself last month that I had to order online.

The trick is to mix it up so you don't get bored. I also just put a book down if it sucks. It's not blasphemy you know. If it sucks, ditch it and grab something else. It isn't like you don't have a few hundred books lying around...right?
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Books mentioned in this topic
Outlander (other topics)Naked in Death (other topics)
Anybody have any insight? Or am I just reading crummy books? :) Most of them seem to come highly recommended, so I don't know what's up.