The Book Blogger Hop hosted by Crazy for Books is a great way to connect with other book addicts and share the love of blogging. This week's prompt, coming from Barb at Sugarbeats Books is:
"Why do you read the genre that you do? What draws you to it?"
My genre of choice is historical fiction. Since I'm generally reading as a form of escapism, I like to escape as far from my present day situation as possible. I love to find myself in eras long past and far-away places. At the same time, I like an element of realism in what I'm reading. I want to feel that even though it isn't likely to be true in all its facts, it could be true. Or it is based on real events. The nerdy (or compulsive, pressed-for-time) side of me likes to believe that I'm learning something even when I'm reading for pleasure.
I do read contemporary stories from time to time. But somehow, they don't capture my imagination in the same way that good old sweeping epics about the past do. The best historical fiction is always applicable to the here and now -- and I love the sense of perspective that provides.
My reasons are exactly the same for why historical fiction is my favourite! I love it because when I read I prefer to be transported to a different time or place rather than reading about the modern world. It makes you realise how people experienced just the same feelings as they did back in time. However, I do read contemporaries like you too. Enjoy your weekend :)
ReplyDeleteHistorical fiction is interesting, especially how a fictional character gets inserted into something that really happened. It makes it easier to relate to events from history. I'm a bit averse to history books (probably from school) but I should deek out of my comfort zone & try the genre.
ReplyDeleteOld follower hopping by :) Here's my post.
If you like YA historical fiction, too, you might pick up a series called The Agency by Y.S. Lee. Two books in the series are out so far and they're wonderful! About a half-Chinese, half-White girl who is picked up off the streets to be trained a an all-female spy network. So steeped in history (despite the fictional agency), a lot of Chinese-White relations, male-female gender roles, socio-economic politics, all within a well-written YA-framework. I hope you have a chance to pick them up, and when you do, enjoy.
ReplyDeleteJust stopping by from the Book Blogger Hop to say thanks for visiting my blog!
ReplyDelete~Aliyah
http://desabsurdites.blogspot.com/
I've only read a couple of historical fiction works. I really enjoyed them. I'd love to read more, but I always go for my preferred genre YA fantasy. I'll have to branch out when I have more free time. :)
ReplyDeleteHere I am hopping on by...
ReplyDeleteI went all over the map with this question on my blog. I read and enjoy almost every genre of fiction out there. There’s no way I could just pick one.
So I talked about all of them. Even romance fiction (sort of)! I invite you to hop over to my blog at http://www.howardsherman.net and see for yourself.
Howard A. Sherman
http://www.howardsherman.net
Okay girl, you are making us poor slobs who aren't doctors and talented, published novelists look like slackers. Your book looks great. I read a lot of Sharon Kay Penman who chronicled the Eleanor and Henry Story; but I wonder is this Henry's daughter or her first husband's, the King of France's daughter? Is there any other paranormal aspect besides the Melusine story? New Follower
ReplyDeleteHope you will visit:
Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust
email: steph@fangswandsandfairydust.com
twitter: @fangswandsfairy
HI There!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit. I'm glad you love Jo Beverley also! One of my favorite authors! Have a good weekend
Thank you for responding -- your layout is great. I dabble at changing mine around and I am working on changing it all up via someone else. Let me know if you need a button - the code is easy!
ReplyDeleteI would love to review The Queen's Daughter, but always like to stay in my theme. But I want to read it anyway. Love E of A and the tradition of chivalry which really flowered at her court. I am amazed that she had so many children - basically whenever she saw Henry!
On to the TBR pile yet another book. Thank goodness for Kindle or my house would be over run!Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust
email: steph@fangswandsandfairydust.com
twitter: @fangswandsfairy
Yay! Another Historical fiction aficionado! I love to read books set during the Tudor era.
ReplyDeleteJust hopping by! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteReading Lark's Hop Post
P.S. - I am a new follower.
Hopping through. I'm a big historical fiction fan too. Although the ones I've read lately have felt overdone and try to hard to match the flowery language of the past. Do you sometimes find that?
ReplyDeleteMy Hop
Hey, I've awarded you the Stylish Blogger Award over at my blog- congratulations! To find out morem go directly to the award post here:http://bestfriends-books.blogspot.com/2011/01/stylish-blogger-award-x3.html
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