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06-02-2001, 06:20 AM
|  | Mid-Atlantic Belle | | Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Virginia
Posts: 135
| | What's your favorite literary genre? | |
Right now, I am really in love with short stories. For a while, I couldn't get enough poetry. Novels seem too lengthy for my busy schedule these days. So, what's your favorite genre and some favorite writers in said genre?
Short story authors I enjoy: David Sedaris, Kevin Canty, J.D. Salinger's Nine Stories, Shirley Jackson, Flannery O'Connor... |
06-02-2001, 04:20 PM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Richmond Hill, GA
Posts: 2,329
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You'd think with my hyper-busy work/domestic lifestyle I'd only have time to read short stories--better yet, poetry--heck, haiku !
But noooo, I tackle novels. Not just any novels, but big ones--ones you have to use both hands to hold. Don DeLillo, David Foster Wallace, Leo "Thousand-Page" Tolstoy! Sheesh! I'm a maroon!
But there was a time--1986-1994, to be exact--when short fiction was my form of choice. Not only did I enjoy the short form, I thought the writing was more compact, more disciplined, more distilled. Some of my favorites (in alphabetical order):
Rick Bass ("The Watch")
Larry Brown ("Big Bad Love")
RAYMOND CARVER
John Cheever
Anton Chekhov
Andre Dubus
RICHARD FORD ("Rock Springs")
Hemingway
James Joyce
LEWIS NORDAN
FLANNERY O'CONNOR
Lee Smith
John Updike
Tobias Wolff
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06-02-2001, 09:54 PM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,824
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My favorite genre is fantasy, but I also frequently like to read mysteries and run-of-the-mill fiction that doesn't belong to a genre.
I also find myself going in cycles. For awhile I'll read classics, then switch to romance fluff, over to psychology, then on to mystery for awhile, followed by philosophy or history, etc. I like to read short stories too, especially when I know I won't have large chunks of uninterrupted time (like riding the bus to class for 15 minute stretches).
Also, in the "what are you reading this week" thread, White Oleander was written by Janet Fitch--it's fantastic! I occasionally delve into the Oprah picks and there's no shame in it. She does have fairly good taste in literature though (as I have said ad nauseum) her picks tend to have "dysfunction of the month" themes.
--naomi
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--naomi |
06-02-2001, 09:55 PM
| | resident diplomat | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location:
Posts: 694
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I have been in a serial killer/suspense/murder and mahem kind of mood lately
but
I was recently convinced to try a new type of series. I just bought Kate Forsyth's Witches of Eilenan. If I like this 4 book series, my friend has a 9 book, thousand page a piece series for me.  |
06-02-2001, 10:17 PM
| | Mid-Atlantic Belle | | Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Virginia
Posts: 135
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Quote: Originally posted by murasaki
Also, in the "what are you reading this week" thread, White Oleander was written by Janet Fitch--it's fantastic! I occasionally delve into the Oprah picks and there's no shame in it. She does have fairly good taste in literature though (as I have said ad nauseum) her picks tend to have "dysfunction of the month" themes.
--naomi | I started WO last night, and I have read almost half of it already. It is really good, Fitch's descriptions are so textured.
I really don't like Oprah, so I am always embarrassed to admit I read her selections, although they are generally good reads. And you're definitely right about the dysfunction themes! |
06-02-2001, 11:34 PM
|  | Gravitas! | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: New Orleans, La. U.S.A.
Posts: 666
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Children's Lit, of course. And, I'm also a fan of reading about serial killers. Biographies, historical books set during WW2 also are interesting. Humor.
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06-03-2001, 10:18 AM
|  | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Malden, MA, USA
Posts: 8,461
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I'll read just about anything, but my favorite genre is children's fantasy/science fiction. I am also quite fond of alternate history and time travel science fiction.
Janice |
06-03-2001, 10:38 AM
| | resident diplomat | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location:
Posts: 694
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Janice
Have you ever read the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon? If not, try it! I highly recomend it to anyone interested in Scot history, fantasy or time travel (and there is even quite a bit of romance in there *hint, hint Kristen*)
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06-03-2001, 02:46 PM
| | Epinions Members | | Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Malden, MA, USA
Posts: 8,461
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I'm not sure I've read the entire series, but I think I've read part of it. It definitely sounds familiar, although I'm somewhat foggy today and not quite placing it or remembering the details. I'll have to scrounge around and see what I have.
Janice |
06-04-2001, 10:43 AM
|  | Geeky goof | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Boston, Mass.
Posts: 5,600
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I second the "Outlander" recommendation -- definitely worth the reads. The first one's still my favorite of the bunch, mostly because Claire narrates all of it. Wish I had her pluckiness!
And to answer the original question ... depends on my mood, but lately it's been baseball books (figures). I don't know that I've read enough to have favorites, but I like Roger Angell a lot.
Ailsa
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