I’m an avid reader. When I have the time I devour books and no matter how many I read, there’s always a hundred more waiting on my Kindle. You’d think I’d stop there but nope…..I can’t resist a good book and my Twitter and Facebook feeds are constantly showing them to me, tempting me with their covers and blurbs full of promises. So, I continue to buy more books at a rate faster than they can possibly be read. I just love them.
People will often ask me what sort of books I like to read and I find it really difficult to answer. Why? Because I read anything that takes my interest or is recommended by a friend. I read for pleasure; not to make me look good, not for social status and not for a trend. I read because I want to be immersed in another time, place or person’s life for a short while. I read because it relaxes me. I read because it’s my favourite thing to do – for myself.
Often, I speak about books with friends, family and on social media and I’m surprised to find how much snobbery there is around book genres out there.
Firstly, am I the only one who finds the term chick-lit derrogatory. There’s something a little sexist about the assumption it’s a women’s genre and also the use of the term ‘chick’ in itself is a little off. Surely the genre of these books is romance or contemporary, not ‘trashy’ novel! I love this genre. I find it is pure indulgence in someone else’s story for a while, allowing me to temporarily forget the hundreds of things I need to do. Romance books often provide light reading which is welcome and much needed when I have a lot going on and only short perionds to read in. And most of all, this genre gives a little bit of hope that romance is out there.
When I was younger I read a lot of horror. I used to find humour in the surprised looks of people when I said I like horror. Horror indulges my dark side. It doesn’t scare me but the creativity of the creatures and plotlines intrigue me and always make me wonder how on earth people dreamed them up.
Thrillers, crime and suspense have always been favourites of mine. In more recent years I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching the explosion of femal writings succeefully burst onto the scene and the different perspectives they create in their work. I love the reality of the situations in these books, things you can imagine happening and certainly do happen. This scares me! This gives me food for thought and occasionally a feeling of discomfort that takes me days to shake off.
I dip in and out of other genres if something takes my fancy. I don’t cross any of my list. But don’t judge me because I haven’t read Jane Eyre (I will one day), or the latest prize winner.
I read what I love, and I love what I read!
Utterly commendable!! #MixItUp
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Thank you for reading
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I didn’t read much as a kid but now as an adult I read books all the time!
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I’ve always read. I’m sure I was born doing it. My son is not a fan and I’m really hoping he grows to love it like you did x Thanks for reading x
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I totally get what you mean – I don’t have a specific answer whenever someone asks me what I like to read as well as I love any genre as long as theres a good story! A great post, thanks for sharing x
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Thanks for reading – very appreciated. I have preferences like everyone but I try not to limit myself
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I’m the same – I never know how to describe my taste in books because if it’s good I’ll read anything! Great post x
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Can’t beat a good book
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Great post I’ve just joined a little book club and loving being pulled out my comfort zone to read genres I never would have picked up! Definitely broadening my reading experiences xx
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yes I had a virtual bookclub with friends that started as discussions and recommendations about whatever we were reading but then moved into being a book club with a chosen book for a while. I read a few books that I enjoyed and would have otherwise not given much thought to. Thank you for reading.
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I always mix up what I read. If someone asked me what books I would read I would say “mostly Japanese Lit but I read everything really” and it’s true if it sounds interesting, I will read it. Thrillers and Romances are quick reads for me, I like reading them but I also like reading longer more in depth books. I love the whole “read what you love to read” because I think a lot of people get caught in just reading what is popular at the time. I have learned recently not to be embarrassed by likely weird and twisted books, I just don’t care anymore! Great post!! x
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I have some Murakami to read when I get the chance for something more indepth. I love Japan and it’s culture but haven’t experienced much of the literature yet. Recommendations appreciated. Thanks for reading
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Yeah Haruki Murakami’s books are amazing but my fave author is Ryu Murakami, In The Misco Soup and Coin Locker Babies are so brilliant, you have got to read, really dark and twisted x
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I love dark and twisted. Thanks for the recommendation xx
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I have a huge mix of what I like to read too. I generally prefer non-fiction but right now I’m loving Nicholas Sparks’ new novel!
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I’ve yet to read any Sparks novels but I want to. I have so many books on my list and blogging is using lots of my reading time. I’m also doing a few book blog tours so they’re my priority at the minute. Thanks for reading x
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Good post.I find that a lot of book bloggers stay away from backlist titles because they are trying to be relevant to the times. I find that there is so much pressure and competition to get the latest and best ARCs and if you read it after publication no one seems to care.
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I don’t think like that. I love discovering older titles. Some authors I will buy on release but I mostly buy on recommendation. I have 100s waiting to be read. I’m currently writing a Harry Potter blog. Thanks for reading x
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I love discovering older titles as well! Since becoming a book blogger though I have access to so many ARCs that I wind up not reading as many backlist titles as I used to.
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I’m really new although excited to have 3 very different books to review for publishers. Daft question. What is ARC?
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Advanced Review Copy. Basically a pre-released review copy from a publisher. Sounds like you already have some. If you want more ways to get free ARCs read this https://devouringbooks2017.wordpress.com/2018/10/03/how-to-get-arcs-a-guide/
Please feel free to ask if you have any questions, this is how I get most of mine!
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Thank you so much. I do have some 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️ I just don’t know the lingo yet 😂 I’ll deff give this a read tomorrow.
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It’s a list I compiled of resources to get ARCs. Both physical and e-books. When I first started I had no idea where to get them, so I made this list for people who are new or just book bloggers looking for more resources!
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It’s great. I just picked mine up on Twitter. 2 are blog tours and one is a book review with a heading to onto the published book which I’m quite excited about x
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If you do nothing from the list the one thing I definitely suggest is Shelf Awareness Pro emails, that’s where I get most of my physical ARCs
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Thanks for the tip. I prefer physical ones to pdfs
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I know what you mean, if you check the post there are tons of resources for both!
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So greatful thanks x
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Of course! If there is something that isn’t on the list that you use let me know!
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Will do thanks
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Thanks for the tips. I’ve joined Netgalley – I need to be restrained 🤣😂
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LOL Yeah, I wasn’t so I have to work hard to have a semi decent feedback ratio
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I have to remember that I have 2 kids now 😂🤣
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Lol yeah, it’s hard.
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I love this post! It’s stupid that people can be snobby about books but I completely agree, they are. And you’re right – chick-lit should be renamed. There’s no such thing as guy-lit, after all! I also hate the question of what do I like to read, mainly because my mind goes blank for a single book I’ve enjoyed despite constantly reading, hehe. Great post.
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Thanks for reading. I think all books are good books. Some I just like more than others x
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I have been a book lover since Biff and chip books in Primary school. I quickly moved on to jacqueline Wilson and my loved for books has simply increased. There is something so therapeutic about getting lost in a good book.
It is weird to me that most people are not book lovers but hey tehy do not know what they are missing out on.
Jenna
Xoxox
https://jennasworldview.com/2018/10/18/britain-have-black-icons-too/
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Yeah I don’t get it either. I’m devastated my son isn’t a fan. Maybe one day x Thanks for reading x
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Immersed in another timeout place sums the reading experience up perfectly
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Thank you for reading xxx Glad you agree
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Yes, reading is so wonderful … just wish I could get my daughter – once an avid reader and really good at English – reading. Since we bought her her iPhone … !!! #MixItUp
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I go with my mood, if I fancy romance then romance it is, but I also like funny, fantasy, sci-fi, philosphical, thriller, murder mystery okay anything really. I even love kid’s books and some of the YA adult books are really great.
#mixitup
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Yes I’m big fan of kids booked and am beginning to dabble in YA too. It is all about the mood and the season too for me x
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I wish i had time in my life to read!
Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime
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I got it in where possible. Being on work leave helps. I love your blog x
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This post got me doing serious thinking. I get a lot of guff for reading graphic novels the way I do. They make me happy. People should not be snobs about something that brings great joy to people. Loved the post!
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If you read for pleasure, it should be pleasurable. 🧡🧡
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I’m so envious. I need to get into the zone before I can pick up a book and finish it 😭 but when I do, I never put it down 🙂
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I’m permanently in the zone – poeple and life get in my way 🙂
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LOL
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Love this! I love a bit of everything and I think it depends on my mood, some times if you ask me Police procedural are my favourite (to be honest it probably is) along with courtroom dramas, then i love horror and all types of thrillers, then I do love the romance books to get lost in to and break up the darkness, so I am with you on this completely! x
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Me too. I have some genres I don’t read as much but I’m not opposed to them – I just go into my comfort zone. I love a good romance/comedy and a thriller – they’re my go to genres but I’m trying a little bit of new stuff as I go along.
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I have been doing that a lot lately! I love to get out my comfort zone! Oh yay!
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That’s a good thing about blogging book reviews. It pushes you a bit x
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Definitely!! I am trying to push myself more and more! It’s so much fun!! Lol
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As an eclectic reader, this post is just so accurate! ❤ It's all about loving what you're picking up and picking up the books you'll love. I don't define my reading tastes with genres and so I don't consider any of the books I read as a guilty pleasure because there's no guilt 😀
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Totally. I just read what I’m drawn to. I have good instinct and don’t seem to pick books that I don’t enjoy.
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