[poll] what do you read?

[silverwhisper]

it's a simple question: when you're reading for leisure, what kind of literature do you prefer? i think it goes without saying that if you're reading this, erotica is part of it--but what else?

ed

p.s.: my answers later, as always, yadda yadda yadda...

 

[bobsgirl]

Unfortunately I've gotten away from doing as much reading as I used to. (Damn laptop!)

I used to read a lot of romances -- don't sneer, it's how I learned to write dialogue. They get a bad rap for the most part.

I also enjoy biographies and some self-help books.

 

[Eilan]

I don't know that I gravitate to any one genre, though I don't tend to be all that interested in sci-fi--that's maddbradd's territory. When I'm in between book group selections (we have a graphic novel for April), I might read something that one of my friends has recommended to me.

 

[bailadora]

I used to read a lot of romances -- don't sneer, it's how I learned to write dialogue. They get a bad rap for the most part.

No sneering here. Yep - romances do get a bad rap, but I just shrug when someone gives me grief about it. I read for pure escapism and romance novels fit the bill for me (especially the subgenre I read).

Other than that, it depends on what catches my eye. My husband came home with a book on secret societies that I'm hoping to start within the next month or so.

 

[Cathleen]

What I read depends on where I am. I always keep a couple of books in my pocketbook so I have something always available. I have one constant one, In Heaven as on Earth: A Vision for the Afterlife by M.Scott Peck, (happily it's very well worn), the second (or even third) change but generally it's a romance (mind vacation), and/or a true crime story (Ann Rule is a favorite author).

As for around the home, there are novels (gentle reads), some philosophical/personal growth/life types of books. And I have more than a few dictionaries.

 

[Quoll]

I don't know that I gravitate to any one genre, though I don't tend to be all that interested in sci-fi--that's maddbradd's territory. When I'm in between book group selections (we have a graphic novel for April), I might read something that one of my friends has recommended to me.

Isn't that just a nice way of saying "porn", although I'm sure April can hardly wait.

 

[Eilan]

Isn't that just a nice way of saying "porn", although I'm sure April can hardly wait.

Nyah!

This is the book.

 

[WriterDom]

I have a lot of books that need reading. My vision is really bad close up. I buy cheap glasses at Walmart. Three for 7 dollars. But they break so easy. I should probably get some real glasses. I have the bifocal thing but I hate them.

 

[Precious_Lady]

I read romance novels as well to escape from real life. I also love the classics like Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice. I also enjoy reading anything about science, forensics, and murder/suspense. It all depends on my mood and how long I have to sit and read.

 

[sweet_escape]

I'll read pretty much anything, but the most common genres for me are romance and psychological thrillers. The only one I have trouble getting into is fantasy.

 

[silverwhisper]

fiction:
ultimately, i find that i am simply seeking a well-told story with believable characters. for me, this means characters whose actions and dialogue serve them as well as the plot, and whose interactions are authentic. and at least for me, it has to communicate its message effectively through technique and talent while successfully walking the line between being too subtle and smacking me with a louisville slugger.

i don't often find this, but i'll look for it in a number of genres: fantasy, sci-fi (rarely), mainstream, historical...

non-fiction:
hard to categorize. as a gamer, i'm into most RPGs as a matter of course. other than that, information about history, theology or literature always interests me. those are the things that inform or fuel so much writing, so i'd feel remiss as a writer in not paying them much heed.

ed

 

[PoeticMusings53]

Exclusively non-fiction these days, primarily psychology, economics, and history. Recently been reading a fair amount on art. I also read the Economist, which is the only news outlet that doesn't irritate me with some form of hysteria or attention-grabbing.

I don't enjoy fiction, other than erotica obviously, much anymore.

 

[Saucyminx]

Anything and everything from cereal boxes to medical assistance regulations to trashy novels. I'm particularly obsessed with food magazines.

 

[quietwoman187]

It really depends on my mood. Sometimes I prefer a good bit of satire, and other times I'll lean towards a bit of fantasy fare. I just had a chance to read Gregory Maguire's latest and a historical rendering of 007 from the perspective of MoneyPenny and the Cuban Missile crisis -

 

[ManInIronMask]

Personally, I have varied tastes, but I've been gravitating towards sci-fi off-late, and read most of the Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov.

I'm currently reading a travel book titled 'The Lady and the Monk' by Pico Iyer.

 

[bailadora]

. I'm particularly obsessed with food magazines.

*nods* Cooking Light rocks!

 

[gloriann]

Tending towards historical non-fiction; just finished Sins in the Second City and Stealing Lincoln's Body

 

[Saucyminx]

*nods* Cooking Light rocks!

Love Eating Well too, but my favorite is Bon Apetit. What can I say, pass the butter and heavy cream. Good thing I get Yoga Journal too.

 

[curvacious]

psychological thrillers and true crime.

right now though I'm waiting for the new Nancy Friday book to arrive on my doorstep

 

[Plinth]

A lot of contemporary poetry + classics, but at the moment this:

http://www.amazon.com/Carter-Beats-...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238969999&sr=8-1

 

[omgitsjoe]

With a 21 month old it seems as if the mrs has been pushing me to read these "Parenting" books with her but i end up reading a few pages then slowly but surely id find myself picking up my .....Penthouse Magazine instead

 

[fgarvb1]

Nowadays I read a lot of fan fiction.

Some are like novels and some are well, would be at home here at Lit.

Oh!

That Seventies Show, Lois and Clark, Superman, Smallville. Crossovers...

 

[breezyblue]

fantasy! I really like books where magic or supernatural powers are present to some degree and there must must be a romance involved in some form. The love story can't be too blatant in the beginning though - I love the evolution from first meeting to being hopelessly in love. I also have been re reading some of my favorites from ages ago - just because they are not challenging reads does nothing to diminish my joy at all. Nor does it seem the fact that i know exactly what is coming next - I am not sure why this is but i never tire of a favorite story. I love the wild magic quartet and song of the lioness quartets from Tamora Pierce as well as recently the twilight saga I found engrossing. I am a sucker for love stories about vampire/human couples.

I guess i find them just ultimate escapes from lots of the technical books i read for school about engineering/physics etc. Sometimes its good to just indulge and stop worrying about quantum particle wave functions you know? lol

 

[Pinkneonsocks]

True Crime is my favorite besides the obvious.

Fantasy is something I am slowly getting into.

 

[Dreamliner]

I read an electic range, from:

The economist,
The Wall Street Times,
The local newspaper online,
autobiographies of really interesting people,
True life escapades,
to fiction on longhaul flights, which happen on a regular basis for R&R.