To me, one of the most fascinating questions that has come out of the Writers Who Read interview has been the one that asks 
writers what kind of books they are drawn to, beyond the usual answers of solid storytelling and writing. I love reading these answers, especially ones that mention very specific story features, like “bodies lost in ponds” or “erstwhile rivals teaming up.” I like this because, in addition to genre, we all have particular character types, settings, or tropes we gravitate toward. I like stories featuring high school reunions, for instance, and I’ll pick up a romance or dark fantasy far more than other genres.
What’s even more interesting is asking readers why they like the books they like. With millions of books, thousands of authors, and maybe even hundreds of possible genres, why do we choose certain types of stories to read?
I believe genre especially ties into the reason we read. We may read for multiple reasons–escape, information, a love of language–but usually one or two impulses are driving us. My dad reads to deepen his understanding of human nature, and so is often drawn to classics or philosophy. I find fantasy wonderful because it shows us a world where miracles and fascinating creatures exist, things we don’t see in our ordinary world (usually). I pick up romance because I love the idea of two unlikely people in a challenging circumstance finding a way to love each over. It’s the same reason I like redemption stories, in and out of the romance genre.
Why do I like high school reunions? It’s fun to me when two (or more) people with a past personal history are reunited and must reconcile their history with the people they have (or haven’t) become.
Which genres do you read? What particular characters, tropes, and plots are you drawn to? And do you know why?
Great post! I like to see characters grow more confident and understand themselves better. As for genre, mysteries mostly but anything with some suspense. I’m drawn to the puzzles that have to be solved.
I can see that appeal of the mystery, trying to solve the puzzle!
Really liked this post, C. G. (Maybe b/c I’m drawn to posts of this type? 😉 )
Hmm: I love a longer, well-developed romance, one with a heavy emotional component. (Eloisa James, Virginia Kantra–they tend to grab and hold my attention well.)
I enjoy tasteful love scenes, but they can get dragged out sometimes. And we don’t need THAT many in any book, lol.
Character growth and change is important regardless of genre–and not every character has to be brooding or angry to catch my attention.
I like suspense, time-travel, historical, sci-fi–basically any good story that catches my attention and makes me want to read more. Anything (well-written) set against an Amish backdrop works too. 🙂
Hi, Joanna. I’ve been meaning to read Eloisa James–have heard good things! Time travel is so fascinating…I’m drawn to anything that fits into a fish-out-of-water theme, which works for that and a lot of science fiction and fantasy too.
I like a touch of romance in any story, but I’m not a fan of straight romance because I like some outside conflict to be happening as well. In other words, I want to see love conquer all in dire circumstances because I find it more exciting. I love mysteries where I get to try to figure it out along with the main character and see if I can guess the ending because I like puzzles. And I’m a sucker for fantasy elements because I like to imagine living in those other places.
Hi, Marcy. I like fantasy for that reason, too. I see what you mean about liking romance in a (suspense?) setting. Adds more adrenaline to the mix 🙂 Thanks for posting!
Love this post and the pic of your stash!
Always gotta take a pic of the library stash 🙂
Book pics make me drool. 🙂