Tuesday, June 28, 2011

A Change of Genre

So yesterday, I posted that a change of genre might be in order.

But which genre to change to?

In my reading life I have tried - category romance, historical romance, horror, science fiction, m/m romance, urban fantasy, crime, suspense.

Maybe the reason I'm suffering from reading fatigue now is because I have a tendency to glom*, and glom big. Not just authors but genres too. Maybe I've just overindulged to the point where I've made myself sick.

If I wanted to change to a new genre which would I pick?

True Crime - I find about as appealing as the prospect of having bamboo splinters pushed under my fingernails.

Chick Lit - (see comment next to True Crime).

Fantasy - Feels like too big of a commitment. I mean, there are some long series in urban fantasy but at least they're made up of normal sized books and not doorstops. (Though I have a little confession to make here, I have just bought Game of Thrones, but only after I started to go into withdrawal after the series ended. This may be the start of something.)

Steam Punk - I admit I do find this genre quite appealing. Anyone have recommendations?

Surely there are lots of other genres out there for me to try? And failing that aren't there any brilliant new urban fantasy authors for me to discover?

However, having seriously thought about the main cause of my reading fatigue. I fear that actually the fact is that I've just let my TBR pile get far too big to cope with. And I'm more than a little bit overwhelmed at the prospect of the number of books I need to read to get it under control. So any tips on that would be most welcome - as I'm sure I'm not the only one in that boat.

Don't forget if you make a comment on this thread, your name will go into the draw for a copy of Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews. Winner to be chosen by random number at random.org and announced on Wednesday.

* - as an aside, does anyone have a definition of glom, as it refers to reading? The ones at dictionary.com don't seem to, so I'm assuming it's a new use of the word or else I'm using completely the wrong word.

8 comments:

Jenre said...

For Steampunk, you can't go wrong with Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale. I also liked Wings of Equity by Sean Kennedy and Sursein Judgement by Jet Mykles. These are all m/m BTW.

A really good m/f fantasy series which is written in decent sized chunks rather than doorstops is The Sharing Knife series by Lois McMaster Bujold. There are only 4 books in the series and are very romantic as well as having exquisite world building. I also like her Chalion trilogy.

Tracy said...

I normally try to mix it up every week. I read a historical, then a paranormal, then a contemporary - throw in little m/m. lol There's not really any rhyme or reason to it but it seems to work for me.

Pamk said...

Fantasy I would try Cl Wilson. Only 5 books and not very big ones.

JenM said...

I try very hard to change it up and I think that keeps me from getting into a reading slump. I even throw the occasional non-fiction book into my usual mix of historical romance, contemporaries, and urban fantasy.

As for glomming - I think you've got exactly the right meaning for it and it's why you are burning out. I never (or very rarely) glom. Usually once I read 4 or 5 books in a row from the same author, I start to notice little nit-picky things about their writing style that I don't like, and that reminds me to back off and read a few other things to "cleanse my palate" so to speak.

Aurian said...

I can't advise you about steampunk, as I don't like those. How about something to smile and relax, like cozy mysteries. Or indeed your old favourites.

I am a glommer, if I love a book by an author, I want to have all she has ever written.

LesleyW said...

Jenre - Wicked Gentlemen is one of my favourite m/m stories. And is probably the book that draws me the most towards steampunk. And I think I have the first book of The Sharing Knife series on my TBR pile.

Tracy - I think that's my problem I need to mix it up more. I've let myself get stuck in a reading rut.

LesleyW said...

PamK - Lol - I have the first book of C.L. Wilson's series on my TBR pile. It's like a literary black hole on that bookshelf.

JenM - I'm going to make a conscious effort from now on not to read too many UF books in a row, and to try and be a little bit more adventurous. Also, good to know I'd got the right word.

LesleyW said...

Aurian - glad I'm not the only glommer. I did go through a mystery phase and I quite like the puzzle aspect of a well written mystery.

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