After years of reading I’ve gotten to a point where I know what I like to read (and watch). A few years back when I started my first blog I didn’t really have a clue what appealed to me and read a variety of books that pulled me in some way. 

I realised that I was being drawn to not only certain genres, but more specific subgenres within each one. I want this blog to be a place where I talk about my favorite genres in all formats. For my first discussion post I thought diving into my book genre preference would be an easy first step. 

Sci-Fi 

Space is where it’s at for me. I’m a Star Trek fan so I like space adventures and exploring different alien cultures. The only time I disengage is when the deep dives in technobabble go over my head

Near future can be interesting, but I’m not a huge fan of dystopias, they have just been done to death. 

Fantasy 

Hmmm I think for Fantasy I would have an easier time listing what I’m not interested in, but let’s stay positive (at least for today). I love stories involving magic and unique worlds, but I don’t need to be bogged down by mechanics. I still want a good story. Also no more magic school, it has been done well and now to death, let it rest.

Other than that I lean towards the fairy tale type stories, like The Bear and the Nightingale and Spinning Sliver (of recent) and also going back to read children’s lit. I’m most excited to reread Wizard of Oz and The Hobbit. 

Horror 

The book-side of horror is a tough one for me because they don’t ‘scare’ me. I think the best aspect is atmosphere, stories that leave me feeling uneasy. Gothic Haunted House is my bread and butter. I’ve read haunted house books that I found meh, but if it gives me one solid scene in a spooky house then it was worth it for me (i.e. House of Leaves #sorrynotsorry).

I love slow burns as long as the narrative feels like it is progressing; big difference between that and nothing happening. I’m still on the hunt for other subsections that’ll give me the chill bumps.

Mystery 

Agatha Christie. Poriot is all I need. That’s it. Just give me a cup of tea and I’m set.

Non-Fiction/True Crime??

I wasn’t sure where this landed but I wanted to note that I started reading a lot about cults and radical faiths, so that’s going to start bleeding onto this site soon. 

And while I don’t focus too much on the following here at Scifantasor, I also enjoy:

Historical Fiction 

First and foremost I love generational sagas like Pachinko and Homegoing. I also gravitate towards little known stories, slices of history that haven’t crossed my path beforehand. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can read another book set in WWII. 

Classics 

Holla’ to my 19th Century English ladies. Inject that Pride and Prejudice right into my veins. My Romantic and Gothic era sad boys and girls; Bronte sisters, Shelley, Hugo, and Poe. 

What’s some of your favorite genres and why do they appeal to you? If you write about them please share in the comments below!

This post is apart of the 2020 Discussion Challenge. If you wish to join in they go visit either Feed Your Fiction Addiction or It Starts at Midnight.