Bout of Books is a great way to interact with new bloggers so I thought it would be a fun chance for us each to introduce other bloggers to a genre we love. For this challenge, pick a book or a few books that you think would make a great introduction to your genre of choice. Leave the answer or a link to your post where you answered in a comment to be entered in the giveaway. The winner will get to pick any of the books someone recommended for the challenge to be sent to them from Amazon or The Book Depository. The giveaway is open to people anywhere Amazon or The Book Depository deliver and will close tonight at midnight CST.
Ebony
Here’s my answer to the challenge!
http://bookwormbo.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/bout-of-books-90-introduce-someone-to.html
DoingDewey
I love your choice of genres! Young adult paranormal historical fiction might be a bit of a mash up, but it’s also definitely a thing and a genre that I share your enthusiasm for. I haven’t read any of the books on your list, but I loved Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle trilogy which I would also put in this category.
Jorie
*Magical Realism!*
It’s a new sub-genre I am exploring due to the discovery of “The Golem and the Jinni” by Helene Wecker through my local library! I *loved!* every inch of this book due to everything I mentioned in this post! I even created a whole introduction to *Magical Realism* on my blog showcase for the novel! Including a wicked sweet “master list” of Magical Realism books I uncovered! I did a lot of research and I am thankful I can share what I’ve learnt thus far with everyone who has wanted to take a chance of this delightful slice of narrative enchantment! Due visit my blog and add a bit to the conversation at hand! Either on this post or another! I always welcome conversations & discussions!
If you read Magical Realism drop by and let me know if you’ve read one of the books listed and if your new to it, which book did you start out reading to get you hooked!?
Angie
Ok I have heard so much about this book and you have SOLD me on it!
Jorie
Angie,
You warmed my heart with this comment! So much so, I think I just might tweet about it! Wow. I am simply thankful I encouraged someone else to pick up the book and explore the world I found inside! I hope we can talk about it after you’ve reached the ending chapters!! Oh, boy! I am truly excited for you!
Reading All Night
Have have only heard of Magical Realism this year. I don’t believe I have read much or if any of the books in that sub-genre. Will have to see what it has to offer one day. 🙂
DoingDewey
I just discovered Magical Realism last year and I’ve been loving it too 🙂 I started with The Time of My Life by Cecelia Ahern and I also really enjoyed 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. Thanks for sharing your list of more books in the genre!
Jorie
Your quite welcome! 🙂
I was actually enjoying the chance to share the post & list with more readers, as when I originally posted it I wasn’t able to get the word out nearly as much! 🙂 Of the two you read, which were your favourite!?
… Reading All Night: wonderful to hear your going to try them! I find myself unable to read just ‘one’! 🙂
DoingDewey
Oh, The Time of My Life for sure! It was just such a happy little book. Murakami was awesome and unique, but also a bit strange.
Brittany Payne
Dystopian
I am addicted to dystopian novels right now.
I really think Divergent by Veronica Roth is a great introduction to this genre. Also, The Hunger Games and Article 5 are really good.
DoingDewey
I’ve definitely gotten swept up in the recent love of dystopian myself. I wasn’t a huge fan of Divergent but I loved The Hunger Games. I’ve only heard of Article 5 lately but it sounds like it would be worth a try 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
Amie
My heart belongs to high fantasy. I love the world building. It’s a place that everything is possible (magic, mythological creatures, heroes, villains…you name it and there it is). If you’re new to the genre, I suggest you pick up Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima. If not please drop by my blog/tweet me what your favorite book is so I can check it out =)
DoingDewey
I’ve read less sci fi and fantasy lately, but they were my first reading loves and I still adore some good world building. I haven’t heard of the Seven Realms series, but I’ll definitely check it out 🙂
Rikki S
I would have to say dystopian as a genre is my favorite. Some of the books I would recommend are: The Hunger Games series, The City of Ember, Divergent series, and The Giver.
DoingDewey
I haven’t read The City of Ember yet, but it’s got such a fun cover, I often notice it at the library. I also like dystopian in general 🙂 Thanks for the great recommendations!
Justine
My favourite genre is dystopian!! There are so many great dystopian books. The Hunger Games, Divergent, Branded by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki (indie). I just love how the author has full reign over whatever they want to happen in this world. It’s just love for me everytime!!
DoingDewey
I’ve been enjoying dystopian a lot lately 🙂 Thanks for sharing a less well known recommendation! I always like to see a good indie book get some recognition.
Angie
A genre I love huh??? Well let’s be honest… lately I have been very into graphic novels/comics. People tend to think of them as just superheroes like DC/Marvel. But they are much much more. I read an amazing one last year called The Arrival (http://angelasanxiouslife.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-arrival-by-shaun-tan-graphic-novel.html) the artwork in that book is beautiful. I also read and finished the Locke and Key series by Joe Hill (http://angelasanxiouslife.blogspot.com/2012/09/locke-and-key-volume-1-welcome-to.html) who is Stephen King’s son. The story will suck you in, it’s about a house that uses all these keys that do different things (heal you, make you large, change your sex). Imagine reading a wonderful story and seeing beautiful art work while reading. If you haven’t given graphic novels a chance thinking they are for teens/kids give them a chance!!
DoingDewey
I’ve tried a few graphic novels/comics and haven’t gotten into them, but I would like to give them more of a chance this year. I think I may read Maus since I’ve heard many good things about it and I’ll keep your recommendations in mind too 🙂
Angie
I actually haven’t read Maus but know a lot of people who have a love it!!
Brittany
The genre that I would recommend others to would be science fiction. The two books that I would use to champion this genre would be Across the Universe by Beth Revis and The War of the worlds by Wells. Across the Universe has science fiction elements that lends well to the overarching story but is not “technical” as other stories can be. War of the Worlds is classic science fiction and has been made at least two times and I think won the Hugo award. These two books would, hopefully, give the reader different views of Science Fiction while still providing the reader with interesting stories.
DoingDewey
Yay, science fiction! I haven’t read as much sci-fi lately, but it was one of my favorite genres in high school. I’d love to get back to it this year 🙂 The War of the Worlds wasn’t my favorite since I found the ending a bit anticlimactic, but it’s definitely a good introduction to classic sci fi. I haven’t read Across the Universe yet, but I’ve heard such good things about, I hope to get to is this year.
Brittany
Yay! Yeah, I just started to get into science fiction recently (well in the last couple of years, so maybe not that recently) so I have been reading a lot of the classics science fiction because there are so many good books yet I haven’t read yet in the genre! I hope you like Across the Universe, I was pleasantly surprised by it and went on the devour the entire trilogy!
Riv @ Bookish Realm
I would recommend Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice to someone who wants to start exploring fantasy genre. (George R. R. Martin’s books are the obvious option here as well but it looks like everyone has read those anyway :p) Hobb’s fantasy is not that full-on, the books have more like subtle fantasy elements and the worlds feel quite realistic. There is a lot of intrigue in Assassin’s Apprentice (also a lot of political intrigue bordering on soap opera) and the book is highly accessible (in my opinion).
DoingDewey
I didn’t especially enjoy Assassin’s Apprentice because it was a bit dark for my taste, but I think you make a great point about why it would be a good introduction to the genre. I could see someone who liked historical fiction being very at home with the setting. Thanks for the great recommendation!
Nalina
My favourite genre is HISTORICAL FICTION! I love reading about our history and I think that we can learn a lot of things while we’re reading a HF book.
In the YA section my favourite HF duology is ‘The Fever and the Flame’: ‘At the Sign of the Sugared Plum’ and ‘Petals in the Ashes’ by Mary Hooper. (These two books were published separately and in one book, too.)
In the Adult section I would choose another duology, ‘La louve blanche’ and ‘Tous les rêves du monde’ by Theresa Révay. Unfortunately these books weren’t published in English, only in French, Spanish, German, Hungarian, etc. But I’d recommend ‘My Dear, I Wanted to Tell You’ by Louisa Young.
I LOVE these books, they are simply AMAZING!
DoingDewey
I’ve been getting into historical fiction a lot more over the past year. It’s such a fun genre! I particularly like to pair it with non-fiction about the same time period, so I can learn what bits of the fiction story are true. Thanks for the great recommendations!
Cataluna6
I love Mary Hooper, her’s is some of the first historical fiction I read when I was in my teens. Great stuff!
Lauren @ Lauren Reads YA
I’ve never really thought that much about what my favourite genre is, but I think it might be contemporary YA. Some great books to start off with are of course John Green’s books, The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider, Eleanor & Park and Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour and Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson.
I love contemporary YA because they’re realistic books I can actually relate to in almost every way, and therefore learn something from it to use in real life.
I also specifically love mental illness books within the contemporary YA genre because I’ve been struggling with that myself. A good example of that is It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini and My Beautiful Failure by Janet Ruth Young. 🙂
DoingDewey
I’ve always largely avoided contemporary, but it’s my little sisters favorite genre. This year, I’m actually trying out some of her recommendations for the Mental Illness Advocacy Challenge, which you might enjoy if you haven’t found it already. Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
Aly P
I’m recommending my favorite author ever. Nalini Singh is the one I always turn to when I feel down or when I’m in a reading slump. She has 2 great paranormal romance series: one with vampires and angels like you’ve never read before, the Guild Hunter series, and one with shifters and a race of people with psychic powers, the Psy Changeling series. Both of them are amazing and very different from each other, Nalini also does amazing world building and she makes you feel that you’re right there with the characters.
Me and a blogger friend have organized a read-along of the Psy Changeling series and we have planed to start the Guild Hunter series in March. Here’s a link of the read-along.
Aly @ Aly’s Miscellany
DoingDewey
It’s always very impressive to me when an author manages to write several very different books! Thanks for sharing your recommendations and your read-a-long 🙂
Aly P
Thanks for letting me 😀
Kyra @ Blog of a Bookaholic
I love reading YA and I’m always up for giving new recommendations to people! 🙂 The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, Divergent/Insurgent/Allegiant by Veronica Roth, The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness and Wonder by R.J. Palacio (more of a middle-grade, but a book that EVERYONE should read!) 🙂
DoingDewey
I love that YA include books that also fall into so many other genres and I really like how diverse your list of recommendations is. I feel like there’s something for everybody to like 🙂 Thanks for the great list of recommendations!
Kristen H.
I would highly suggest The Ranger’s Apprentice for MG readers, and Kristin Cashore’s books for YA readers, both are fantasy adventures.
DoingDewey
I haven’t read The Ranger’s Apprentice, but I did enjoy Graceling a lot! Thanks for the great recommendations 🙂
Amy @ bookgoonie
If you look on my BoB 9.0 post you’ll find a graphic of all my favorite YA Fantasy. Hope you find something you’ll like.
http://wp.me/p1h3Ps-29m
DoingDewey
Great selections! I loved all of the books I’ve read out of your recommendations. I’ve already read Poison Study and I’m hoping to start Touch of Power this month because I’m sure I’ll enjoy it too 🙂
Ellie @ Book Addicted Blonde
Morning! I did this challenge on my blog here: –
http://musingsofabookshopgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/bout-of-books-wednesday.html –
explaining why I think The Picture of Dorian Gray would be a great book for a novice classics reader!
DoingDewey
I wasn’t a huge fan of Dorian Gray myself, because I didn’t feel like enough happened, but I agree with that it could be a good introduction to the classics. Even if this didn’t do it for me, I know a lot of people about Wilde’s humorous writing style and it’s also a nice short read 🙂
Kayla Elizabeth
I love this discussion topic! I love when I can get someone to read a genre they normally wouldn’t 🙂
Here is my post:
http://something-beautiful.org/2014/01/08/bob9-0introduce-someone-to-your-favorite-genre/
DoingDewey
Me too 🙂 Even if that person is myself! I just think it’s such a good experience to read a book that’s a bit outside your comfort zone. On that note, perhaps I should try one of your recommendations, since contemporary is not a genre I read a lot of. I’ve heard only great things about This Song Will Save Your Life, so I might give that a try.
Sarah @ Flood of Books, etc.
I am really enjoying YA Steampunk. I haven’t read a whole lot in the genre, but my favorites are the Steampunk Chronicles by Kady Cross and the Leviathan trilogy by Scott Westerfeld. I love the mix of history, strong female leads, and machines. Also the steampunk clothing is really cool. I particularly like the alternative history of WWI in the Leviathan trilogy. I hope to start some of Gail Carriger’s books soon! Thanks for hosting!
Reading All Night
I really enjoy Steampunk as well for pretty much the same reasons. It is such fun genre to read.
DoingDewey
I loved Gail Carriger’s books and would highly recommend them. The whole steampunk ethos is a lot of fun. I haven’t read either of the series you mentioned, but they both sound intriguing. Thanks for sharing your recommendations 🙂
Jamie @ Ermahgerd Berks
I really enjoy YA of all genres, if I had to choose one genre I would have to choose Dystopian…or contemporary.. So I will pick a book for both!
For Dystopian I would suggest someone to read Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer. There is just something about this book! It is a fairy tale re-telling of Cinderella…as a cyborg! The story line had me from the get go! The characters are amazing and so unique and the story has everything you could need in a book!
For a contemporary book I would suggest Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell… or any book by Rainbow Rowell! That women is a goddess to me, her writing style is so amazing and her books are so easy to get immersed into! Fangirl is just such a happy and adorable story and you can’t help but smile as you read it!
DoingDewey
I really loved Cinder too! I was so impressed with how the author reworked the original into something so unique. I haven’t read anything by Rainbow Rowell since the descriptions of her books don’t generally appeal to me, but I’ve read so many rave reviews, I might give in and read them eventually 🙂
Tracey @PrintedWords
I’m not picky with genres but would have to choose Crime/Thriller and Historical Fiction as those I treasure.
Definitely “The Other Boleyn Girl”, and “The White Queen” in The Cousins’ War series – both by Philippa Gregory.
For crime check out “I Kill” by Giorgio Faletti (and probably his other novels as well, cause they were great).
DoingDewey
I actually haven’t read anything by Philippa Gregory – definitely something I should remedy this year, since I’ve also been enjoying historical fiction. Thanks for the great recommendations!
Krystyn
My genre of choice is historical fiction – but specifically surrounding the WWII/Holocaust timeframe.
The books I would recommend to someone “new” to this genre are: “The Soldier’s Wife” by Margaret Leroy, “Sarah’s Key” by Tatiana de Rosnay and “Those Who Save Us” by Jenna Blum.
Amanda D
I also like this genre. I’ll have to mark done the books by Leroy and Blum. I’ve read Sarah’s Key. It was really good. Another good one is The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman.
DoingDewey
I like historical fiction too, but I haven’t read any of these yet. I’ll definitely look them up, especially since I’m currently reading some non-fiction set in the same era 🙂
Shelley
My favorite genre will always be horror especially a good YA one. I love The Last Apprentice by Joseph Delaney. It’s probably the scariest book I have ever read which is saying something since a love zombie books too!
DoingDewey
I actually am not sure I’ve ever read a book classified as horror, which makes me kind of sad since I really strive for diversity in my reading. I’ll have to give it a try this year 🙂 Thanks for the recommendation!
Suz Reads
I read a little of everything and some of my favorite genres are dystopian, fantasy and paranormal. In looking at previous comments, I see that people have already recommended some of the books I would have picked so I decided to make up a new genre! I couldn’t think of a short name for my genre but here it is – “Books that Remind us How Great People Are”. My favorites are: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Every Day by David Levitham, The Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton, and Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon by Spider Robinson.
DoingDewey
I think that’s a great genre! I love books that leave me feeling good when I finish them. I really enjoyed Paulo Coelho and would like to read more of his books in the future. Thanks for sharing such a unique set of recommendations 🙂
Amanda D
Dystopian
Of course Divergent and The Hunger Games are the best but here are some others I really enjoyed in this genre:
Under The Never Sky trilogy by Veronica Rossi
Legend trilogy by Marie Lu
Partials by Dan Wells
Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
DoingDewey
Although I enjoy Dystopian reads, sometimes they all begin to seem the same to me. Partials was by far my favorite of the popular ones I’ve read because I thought it did a great job raising some interesting moral questions. It just really stood out to me as something different 🙂 I haven’t gotten to Legend, Under the Never Sky, or Article 5, but they’re all on my to-read list. Thanks for the recommendations!
Megan Olivier
I am loving contemporary at the moment. I would recommend An Abundance of Katherine’s by John Green, Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan or Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell!
DoingDewey
I’d really like to get more into the contemporary genre this year, in particular some LGBT books, so Boy Meets Boy might go on my to-read list 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
Gigi R.
When I was younger I used to love fantasy and the like, so I think as I’ve grown up that has just turned into a love for dystopian fiction. After reading The Hunger Games I was sold and I’ve read the Divergent series, Article 5 series, Matched series, Maze Runner series, etc. But I’m also a huge fan of contemporary. I love anything by John Green, Sara Zarr, Sarah Dessen, or Rainbow Rowell.
DoingDewey
Fantasy was one of my favorite genres when I was younger too 🙂 I’ve read less lately, in part because so many of the pitches for fantasy books just all sound the same to me, but I’d like to get back to reading more. I’ll definitely want to read The Maze Runner before the movie comes out this September. Thanks for the great recommendations!
Storm @ Read ALL the Books
FICTION! Fiction Fiction Fiction, in all it’s glorious sub-categories! All of it!
I’ve come across a few that I never seem to tire of, and one that really introduced me to reading in general! (I was a reluctant reader when I was little, ‘No chapter books!’. Oh, if only I could go back in time…) but if I had to narrow the choices down…
The ones I have to show off are part of a trilogy: The Mage Wars Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey.
Book 1:The Black Gryphon
Book 2: The White Gryphon
Book 3: The Silver Gryphon
I was in a reading rut when I picked these books up, nothing seemed to catch my interest. I had picked up 5 different kinds of books before I got these through my local library. I got them before Halloween. I started Black Gryphon on October 30th, pretty late in the evening. I was done with it before Halloween was done with. It’s not a thin book either, it’s a big one at 447 pages of content (least the one I had was). Same speed-reading due to being sucked into the story happened with White Gryphon. Done in a day. Also happened with the third book in the trilogy, Silver Gryphon! I could not escape this story if I tried and I loved every second of it!
That being said, some themes in it are a bit touchy, some people might not like the books because of those themes, specifically in the second book. Still awesome story but I know the world out there ain’t all rainbows, and people with some experience with similar situations might not like the second book specifically because of it. The most I can say without giving away too much is it deals with kidnapping and related things; nothing terribly graphic that memory recalls but all the same, some people can’t deal with that kind of stuff after it’s happened to them. So, as much as I love these books, I gotta put a ‘get someone else to read it for your first’ warning on the second book. If only for your own mental capability to handle the kidnapping and related themes the story puts to use.
DoingDewey
I love your enthusiasm and your choice of some older but completely awesome books! I haven’t read anything by Mercedes Lackey in a long time, but I tore through her Valdemar books in high school. Definitely a series I’d like to revisit 🙂
Storm @ Read ALL the Books
I’m reading her books for the first time! If I’d been introduced to her books before I don’t think there would have been such reluctance to read to begin with XD and she’s still publishing! 😮 I checked her website when I was looking for the beginning of the Valdemar books (discovered some good songs to go with a bunch of her books/stories on youtube! Eee! Music!) So many books….. @.@ I dunno if she’s still publishing in the Valdemar-verse but she’s got some new books out this year already it looks like, or soon to be released at the very least.
DoingDewey
That’s so awesome! I really should look into her new books and perhaps re-read some of the old ones 🙂
Hannah @ The Book Tower
I absolutely love YA Contemporary Novels. It’s not only what I read the most of at the moment, but it’s also what I write and publish. I love it.
So if you’re new to YA Contemporary, I have a couple suggestions that are must reads of the genre.
1. The Fault in our Stars by John Green
2. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
3. Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill
4. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
DoingDewey
I am a complete newbie to the contemporary genre and would like to give it more of a chance this year. Thanks for the beginner recommendations 🙂
Jazmin Jade
I love dystopian at the moment. I know others have suggest the more standard ones so I suggest The Host by Stephanie Meyer, The Poison Princess by Kresley Cole, and The Passage by Justin Cronin.
You can see my answers to all the challenges here http://jazminjade.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/bout-of-books-read-a-thon-9-0-challenges/
DoingDewey
Thanks for sharing some less well known dystopians! I’ve not read any of the ones on your list, but review of The Poison Princess have definitely caught my attention. These seem like some great books 🙂
Cate
My favorite genre is mystery! Here is what I would recommend:
http://readinguntil.blogspot.com/2014/01/bout-of-books-90-days-1-2.html
DoingDewey
I’ve been in a reading slump in terms of mysteries in thrillers lately, but I might have to check out the Three Pines series. Mysteries where the solution depends on an understanding of human nature are some of my favorites 🙂
Jillian @Addled by Books
I don’t know if it’s my favorite genre (hard to choose), but I know so many people shy away from non-fiction, and I have read so many great ones! I would recommend The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, Packing for Mars by Mary Roach (really ANYTHING by Mary Roach), The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, and Top of the Rock by Warren Littlefield. All are very interesting, and not dry or textbook-y.
DoingDewey
Yay, non-fiction! I feel the same way. It’s very hard to pick a favorite genre, but non-fiction is definitely a genre I wish got a little more love. I’ve heard great things about Mary Roach and definitely want to get to one of her books this year. Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
cara p
Yes! I enjoyed The Power of Habit, and the other two are on my to-read list! Go go non-fiction…
Shirley
I’m eclectic reader so I don’t know if I necessarily have a favorite genre. I do have some I lean more toward than others though. One of the last series that I completed and loved is Cassandra Clare’s Infernal Devices. It’s a beautiful mix of Historical, Romance, Steampunk and Paranormal all wrapped up in a wonderful YA trilogy. I’m also a fan of Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, but I fell in love with this one from the time I picked up Clockwork Angel.
Thanks for the challenge! I love sharing book love <3
DoingDewey
I’m a pretty eclectic reader too! If I had to pick a genre to recommend, I’d probably go with non-fiction, just because I think it’s a genre that gets overlooked a lot. I haven’t read any of Cassandra Clare’s books, but I’d like to. They sound like a fun mix of many genres that I enjoy 🙂 Thanks for the great recommendations!
Kerrie Ann Salsac
http://kerrieanns.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/genre-introduction-bout-of-books-9-0-readathon-challenge/
I went with Urban Fantasy, and selected four books that are all the start of their own series.
DoingDewey
Great! Urban fantasy is another genre I’d like to give more of a chance. Pretty much the only books in that genre I’ve read are the Raine Benares series and the Dresden Files, but I enjoyed them both a lot. Thanks for sharing some recommendations!
Jenna
My genre of choice is Dystopian fiction – I love a good dystopian series!
I would recommend these series:
Life As We Knew It series by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Divergent series by Veronica Roth
The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
DoingDewey
I’ve heard of the Life As We Knew It series a bit, but not as much as the other series you mention, for sure. I’ll have to look it up 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
Kami Furr
I don’t know if I have a favorite genre, but I do love a good fantasy. For an intro, I think I’d recommend Poison Study by Maria v. Snyder, Tolkien of course, The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander, The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede, Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George, and I should probably stop there. This could turn into a long list.
DoingDewey
Great recommendations! I love the variety of books you included and that you included some classics of the genre 🙂
Jasmine
I don’t stick to one genre I’ll pretty much ready any books with good reviews or are recommended, but I’ll recommend to you all now my favourite book of 2013 which is Kiss Me First, I wouldn’t call it YA but it probably is. I gave it 5 stars
DoingDewey
I read pretty eclectically as well 🙂 Thanks for sharing a good book!
Ellie @ Spiced Latte
Favorite book at the moment: Pivot Point. The book practically screams to read it and it is absolutely amazing! Story about a city called “Compound” which only has people with special abilities that are hidden from humans. The MC has to use her ability of being able to see in the future which one of the parents she wants to live with after their divorce while reliving it in advance.
I LOVED this book!!! Fantasy/YA/Mystery/Romance – it has everything!
DoingDewey
I’ve heard really good things about this one. I think it might have been Maggie Stiefvater how pointed this out, but one of the fantastic things about YA is that the books don’t need any more specific genre than that, so you can get all sorts of fun genre mixes like you describe in this book. I love it!
Laura Plus Books
I chose high fantasy because I’m really into Maria V. Snyder right now! You can check out my post here:
http://lauraplusbooks.com/2014/01/bout-books-9-0-updates.html
And thank you for hosting the challenge! 😀
DoingDewey
I like Maria V Snyder too! I really enjoyed the Poison Study Trilogy and am hoping to get to Touch of Power this month. Thanks for sharing your recommendations 🙂
Els
Science Fiction is my favourite genre at the moment. I would advice anyone to read “Embassytown” and “Perdido Street Station” by China Mieville. Both of these books play in different worlds than ours, and have well thought out alien lifeforms and societies. There characters are “real” people, with flaws and everything. And of course, the stories are extremely engaging.
DoingDewey
I haven’t been reading much sci fi lately, but I like it a lot and would like to read more this year. I enjoyed The City and the City by Mieville enough that I’ll definitely be trying some of his other books. Thanks for the recommendations!
Kris
Oh gosh, I have so many “fave” genres. It’s hard to decide.
I guess I’d say Paranormal Romance and for starters JR Ward’s BDB, Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunters, or Patricia Briggs Mercy books.
DoingDewey
I have a lot of favorite genres too 🙂 I haven’t read much paranormal romance, so I should probably try some of the recommendations I’ve gotten today. Thanks for sharing yours!
Elisa @ Leopards and Dragons
One of my first genre loves was classic mysteries, for example:
Dorothy L. Sayers – her books with Peter and Harriet were the best, but to an easier entry into the Lord Peter stories is “Murder Must Advertise.” Is is not the first book (Whose Body?) which is a bit harder to get into, and it self contained so you don’t have to worry much about backstory.
Josephine Tey – “The Daughter of Time” is a the classic story restarted the whole Richard the III was innocent mania. And I have always had a soft spot for “Brat Farrar” as well.
Rex Stout’s “Fer-de-Lance” is the start of the Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin series and I liked them too.
Crocodile on the Sandbank, by Elizabeth Peters, is great fun. (It probably doesn’t count as a classic yet, but oh well).
Georgette Heyer also wrote mysteries like “The Unfinished Clue” and “Death in the Stocks”
The Complete Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle, of course. I always had more fun with the short stories than the novel. “The Red-Headed League” is a favorite.
True confession time – I had a really hard time with Agatha Christie – I like more character driven stories and her characters for the most part are paper thin. I also read a couple of her best known stories and found a couple of plot holes the size of buses – one of which made me so mad that I almost threw the book I was reading out the window.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, the first Hercule Poirot, isn’t a bad place to start though (it was a free ebook too). FYI “And Then There Were None” was one of the books that made me nuts.
Ack gotta stop – need to read.
DoingDewey
I actually really like Agatha Christie and also Sherlock Holmes but I haven’t read many other classic mysteries. I’d like to though :)Thanks for the recommendations!
Jae @ Book Nympho
I adore science fiction and especially books set in space. So for that, I’d recommend The Martian by Andy Weir. It’s not exactly sci fi because it’s not super futuristic, but it’s set in space and does involve travel to Mars. Another great one that is super sci-fi and also set in space is The Explorer by James Smythe. There’s also a sequel coming out this year called The Echo.
Two other science fiction ones that aren’t set in space that I recently loved was The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu and then Lexicon by Max Barry. Lexicon was so fast-moving and addictive, I couldn’t put it down. So yeah, definitely recommend that one!
DoingDewey
I used to read a lot more sci fi than I’ve read lately, so it’s a genre I’d like to get back to. I also haven’t read hardly any sci-fi more recent than the 80’s, except stuff that’s also YA and would like to. Thanks for your recommendations 🙂
Erin @ Let's Evaluate
My two favorite genres are definitely fantasy and science fiction. So I think for science fiction I would recommend ‘Across the Universe’ by Beth Revis to YA readers. I finished reading the series a few months ago and really enjoyed the whole series and I think it would be great transition series for readers that want to test out the genre. 🙂
Erin @ Let’s Evaluate
my Bout of Books goals & updates
DoingDewey
When I was younger, I used to almost exclusively read fantasy and sci fi. Lately, I’ve not read much at all, but I’d like to get back to it. I’ve heard such amazing things about the Across the Universe series, I think it’s definitely one for the TBR list. Thanks for sharing your recommendation 🙂
Annie
I’ve love to introduce someone to New Adult Romance!
My recommendations are as follows:
– Slammed by Colleen Hoover (clean, YA/NA)
– Wait For You by J Lynn
– True by Erin McCarthy
– Bully by Penelope Douglas (YA/NA)
– The Sea of Tranquillity by Katja Millay (YA/NA)
Each book on my list is a little different – and some of the characters are still in high school, but due to their content the books have stumbled across the fine line between Young Adult and New Adult.
DoingDewey
I haven’t read any new adult, so I may use your recommendations! I’ve heard so much about the genre, I’d like to give it a try this year 🙂
Sarah
Picking my favorite genres is really hard, but for this I’m going to say Fantasy which has been based on a video game. I would highly, highly recommend the King’s Quest trilogy consisting of The Floating Castle by Craig Mills, Kingdom of Sorrow by Kenyon Morr and See No Weevil by Kenyon Morr. The World of Warcraft series is pretty damn good as well.
DoingDewey
What a fun, specific genre! I love video games and I love books, but I’ve never read a book based on a video game. Honestly, I’m always a little nervous that books based on a movie or a video game won’t be as good as an original book. With your recommendations of some good ones, maybe I’ll be braver about giving them a try 🙂
Lisa @ Captivated Reader
I like many genres, but I’d like to focus on Russian Classics for this post. I was a Russian language in college and I came to love Russian Literature during this time period. 🙂
My favorite Russian classics would be as follows:
1. The Master & Margarita by Mikhail Bulagakov (This one of my all time favorite novels ever written.)
2. A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov (Another one of my all time favorite novels ever written. If you love Byronic heros than this one is for you.)
3. The Queen of Spades & Other Stories by Alexander Pushkin
DoingDewey
What a great genre to focus on! The only Russian classic I’ve read is Anna Karenina and I loved it, so I should probably try some more 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recommendations.
cara p
Holy crap, I just wrote up my comment on Russian lit and then saw yours. HIGH FIVE. I am re-reading The Master & Margarita right now, and it is so fantastic. Also, this may be the year I finally read Pushkin (and finally understand the gazillion references to him in other books).
Serene
My favorite genre these past couple of weeks has been fantasy.
I would recommend The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, and Inkheart trilogy! I know these are books many people have already heard of, but it is always great to reread these because they are so enjoyable.
DoingDewey
People might have heard of them, but the classics never really get old 🙂 In fact, I’m doing a LOTR re-read ending in March. I’m very excited to revisit them! Thanks for sharing your recommendations.
Christina T @ Creating-Serenity
I absolutely love dystopian! I just read The Severed Tower, book two of the Conquered Earth series by J. Barton Mitchell. It’s fabulous! I seem to really resonate with dystopian and apocalyptic books. I think they bring out the best and worse of the characters involved!
My updates are here: Creating-Serenity Updates for BoB
DoingDewey
I think that’s a great point about dystopian books. I also love it when they raise interesting ethical issues. They just provide such an extreme setting, the authors can really explore human nature with them. Thanks for the recommendation!
Suey
Okay! I made my little list in this post: http://sueysbooks.blogspot.com/2014/01/bout-of-books-updates-and-other-such.html
DoingDewey
Thanks Suey! Those look like some great recommendations!
Leslie
I addicted to Dystopian! I have been since reading one very special book in middle school. That book is……. The Giver By: Lois Lowry. I would recommend this book to ANYONE who is just started Dystopian. It is a middle grade book but that shouldn’t stop anyone from reading it. This is one of the very first books that started the dystopian genre and it doesn’t disappoint.
DoingDewey
I was homeschooled in middle school and as a result, I’m one of the few people I’m aware of who hasn’t yet read The Giver. I should probably remedy that sometime 🙂 Thanks for the recommendation!
Felicia The Geeky Blogger
I am going to list a few of my favorite authors:
For Cozy Mysteries: Ellery Adams, Julie Blackwell, and Ann Charles
For Romance: Elizabeth Boyle, Molly Harper, and Susan Mallery
For UF: Faith Hunter, Jennifer Estep, and Diana Rowland
Thrillers: Chelsea Cain, Karen Slaughter, and Kathy Reichs
DoingDewey
Great list! Lately I haven’t read much in any of these genres, so I’ll probably be trying to read more in the future and will keep your recommendations in mind. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Tanya @ Book Loving Hippo
Here is my answer to the challenge (along with a partial update of my progress): http://wp.me/p3MKPG-gF
DoingDewey
Great recommendations! I haven’t read Delirium, but I loved both Cinder and The Hunger Games.
Laura @ the Booksmartie
Great challenge! I personally love contemporary romance – but the more difficult kind! I think I might be getting a bit old for Princess Diaries, Boyfriend List and the likes, but I LOVE Katie McGarry’s books, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and Sarah Dessen’s novels. A lot of people find the genre boring because it is – surprise! – set in our own world without magical creatures etc. but what fascinates me about contemporary are the deep issues talked about, the relation and identification with my own life and the emotions welling up in those novels 🙂
DoingDewey
I used to dislike contemporary books for exactly that reason, but women’s fiction, which is definitely subject to the same critique, has really started win me over. I think I need to give contemporary more of a chance this year 🙂 Thanks for the great recommendations!
Milena
I love a large variety of genres, so it’s hard to just pick one, but many of my favorite books come from the young adult dystopian/sci-fi genre so that would currently have to be my favorite!
For dystopian/sci-fi I would recommend:
-Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
-Unwind by Neal Shusterman
-Gone by Micheal Grant
-The Knife of Never Letting go by Patrick Ness
DoingDewey
I love a lot of genres too and am always looking to try new ones 🙂 I haven’t read any of the books on your list, but Unwind and The Knife of Never Letting Go are both ones I’d really like to get to.
Landslide
My favorite genre is definitely mystery. Be it an ancient family secret or a gruesome series of murders, if the story has a mystery in it, I’m hooked! Of course, the mystery has to be well written and planned out, and if it has the wow factor, all the better! These are some of my favorite mysteries who definitely have the wow factor:
– The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
– Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
– The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie
– The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
– Chill Factor by Sandra Brown
– The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
– The House At Riverton by Kate Morton
– Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
DoingDewey
Ooh, you had me at Agatha Christie! I love her books and if the other books you recommend are equally well done, then sign me up 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
Ali
I really don’t have a favorite. But, I love classics my favorite book of all time that is a classic is Little Women by Lousia May Alcott, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, All of Jane Austen’s novels Emma being my favorite story. I like other genres, but I haven’t really dive into them just yet!
DoingDewey
I’m glad to hear that you like Emma so much, since I’m doing a read-a-long this month and don’t even really know what it’s about yet. I just figured it was Austen, so I couldn’t go too wrong 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
Joan
Here’s my response!
http://rabbithigh.livejournal.com/72970.html
I went for surrealism by concentrating on Haruki Murakami!
DoingDewey
Great choice! I really enjoyed 1Q84 and in general have liked magical realism since I discovered the genre last year. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Kafka on the Shore, so perhaps I’ll make that my next read by Murakami 🙂
Rachel Verna('s Weirdness)
I guess I would want to introduce someone to Urban Fantasy. Women of the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong and the Shifters series by Rachel Vincent.
DoingDewey
I haven’t read much urban fantasy but have enjoyed the few books I have read. Thanks for sharing some recommendations!
Sarah
Here is a link to my answer about Historical Fiction!
http://ageeksbookshelf.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/bout-of-books-90-daily-progress.html
DoingDewey
I don’t think I’ve read anything by the authors on the list you shared, not even Philippa Gregory. I’ve gotten a lot more into historical fiction lately though, so I’ll hopefully be trying their books soon 🙂
Reading All Night
My favorite genre is True Crime and fictional crime related novels that focuses mostly killer and his murders. For fiction, I would recommend Perfume: The Story of a Murdererby Patrick Süskind, Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, and The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson . Mostly these novels because they are all character driven novels, which is one of the big things I look for in these sort of books . Another book that I enjoyed in the same genre is Heartsick by Chelsea Cain . Mostly this one because it has a female serial killer. I can’t vouch for the others in this series since I have only read the first one.
For true-crime , I have sadly not read as much as I would like . Need to get on that since I have bought tons of them over the year. One that I read and I would recommend is Killing for Company: Case of Dennis Nilsen
by Brian Masters . I know these types of novels are not for everyone but there you go. 🙂
DoingDewey
Darkly Dreaming Dexter is at one of the books at the top of my to-read list this year 🙂 I love character driven novels, so I’ll have to check out more of your recommendations as well. Thanks for sharing!
Selina @ Musings Of A Booknerd
Genre: Dystopian
Book(s): The Uglies Trilogy + Extras (The companion novel)
Though recently many people have been discovering this wonderful series, I still feel like there are tons who either haven’t heard of it, or still have yet to pick it up. It’s a real shame.
This was the first dystopian I ever read, and that was about 5 years ago, and it had already been out for 3 years. It was because of these books I fell in love with reading and the whole dystopian genre, before it was one of the more popular genres.
I love love love these books and if your interested in dystopia, or want to start reading that genre, I HIGHLY recommend these.
DoingDewey
I liked this series a lot too and I agree that it’s a bit under the radar compared to some of the recent, insanely popular dystopian trilogies. Thanks for highlighting such a great series 🙂
Caitlyn Santi
http://justyouraveragereviews.blogspot.com/2014/01/bout-of-books-day-2-update-and-day-3.html?m=1
DoingDewey
I’ve never read any romantic suspense and in fact failed to read one for a genre challenge last year, so I would like to give the genre a try eventually. Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
Charleen
My favorite genre is thriller… but there are so many kinds of thrillers, where would one start? Well, that’s where my list comes in:
action thriller – Ice Hunt, by James Rollins
conspiracy thriller – The Winner, by David Baldacci
crime thriller – Think of a Number, by John Verdon
political thriller – Term Limits, by Vince Flynn
psychological thriller – Before I Go to Sleep, by S.J. Watson
These are just a few types of thrillers out there, and all of these books are either stand-alones or first in a series (no cliffhangers) that would give you a good taste of the genre if you’re curious.
DoingDewey
Thanks for sharing so many different types of thrillers! That seems like a great way to help someone find something within the genre that appeals to them. My favorites are mostly political thrillers.
Melanie
Here’s mine: http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/2014/01/bout-of-books-90-day-3-challenge.html
DoingDewey
Thanks for sharing your recommendations 🙂
Michelle Wilde
Here is my recommendation: http://behindthelastpage.blogspot.com/2014/01/introduce-someone-to-your-favorite.html
DoingDewey
Thanks for sharing your recommendations! I think people should read more classics too 🙂
Katherine Nabity
Well, maybe not exactly a genre, but I’d like to introduce a few non-fiction titles and writers. I think non-fiction gets a bad rap sometimes for being too dry when there are some really interesting stories to be told that are true!
http://katenread.wordpress.com/2014/01/02/bout-of-books-9-0/
DoingDewey
I definitely think non-fiction counts as a genre and one which deserves some more love too 🙂 I’ve heard great things about both Mary Roach and Erik Larson, so hopefully I’ll get to read something of there’s this year. Thanks for the great recommendations!
Cassidy Washburn
The genre that I would love to share with everyone is Fantasy.
It can be a tough genre for some people especially when it comes to epic fantasy novels so I will recommend a Young Adult fantasy series that is really easy to get into and one of my favorite series of all time. It is called the Pellinor Series by Alison Croggon. This series includes: The Naming, The Riddle, The Crow, and The Singing. I hope that some of you pick this series up because it is totally worth it!
DoingDewey
I like fantasy but haven’t ever heard of these, so I’ll definitely look them up. Thanks for the recommendation!
Mani
I’m gonna go with Urban Fantasy and start with KEVIN HEARNE. He is completely and totally AMAZING. His series is called The Iron Druid Chronicles. The first book is Hounded, but there are six out now. GO GO GO. You really can’t get better than this in UF (though I do have some close close seconds).
DoingDewey
I hadn’t ever heard of these, but with a recommendation like that, I’ll have to go look them up 🙂 Thanks for sharing a recommendation!
Kate
Here’s my answer.
http://wordsfromabookaholic.blogspot.com/2014/01/bout-of-books-90-day-2-update-day-3.html
DoingDewey
I’ve really enjoyed historical fiction lately and I love that you highlighted some of the diversity of the genre. Cross over books that have a bit of another genre are always a great way to get new people hooked 🙂
Lydia Joy.
A book that I would love for more people to read and be introduced to is A Clockwork Orange. The story is so detailed and incredible. This would be considered in the Dystopian genre, and while not one of my favorite genres it is one of my favorite books.
As for a suggestion within my favorite genre (Fantasy) I’d say A Song of Ice and Fire series, the Lord of the Rings, Graceling series.
🙂
DoingDewey
I’m a little nervous to read A Clockwork Orange because it sounds so dark, but it is also a classic so I might eventually get brave and give it a try. I love Graceling and am actually doing a LOTR read-a-long right now. I’m very excited to revisit the series 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
Shan
One genre that I love that a lot of people aren’t familiar with is Urban Christian Fiction. Some of my favourite books are:
ReShonda Tate Billingsley – Let the Church Say Amen
Rhonda Bowen – Man Enough For Me
Shana Burton – Flaws and All
Tiffany L. Warren – The Bishop’s Daughter
Victoria Christopher Murray – The Deal, The Dance, The Devil
DoingDewey
I don’t generally read Christian Fiction for fear of it being too preachy, but I’d be willing to take a chance on a book another blogger recommend. Thanks for sharing your recommendations 🙂
Sara T
I recommend Vicious by V.E. Schwab which is adult fiction. It has been been getting some notice but not enough. I would also recommend Jackdawns by Ken Follett which is a historical fiction novel 🙂
Chelsea @ Books For Thought
Here’s a link to my response.
http://bftreviews.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/bout-of-books-9-0-wednesday-challenge/
Enjoy!
DoingDewey
I think focusing on a sub-genre is a great idea 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
Samantha
I do not have a specific genre in mind, but I really love books that are the perfect blend of action and romance; where the character’s feelings do not take away from the crazy plot, but add to it. I love them because, if you are someone like I am, you are always on the look-out for a bunch of kick-butt, fast-paced action scenes with a little fluff mixed in for good measure. A few books that I have stumbled upon within the last year that meet these requirements are:
Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness, Across the Universe by Beth Revis, Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken and The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey.
DoingDewey
I really like books that fit that description too 🙂 I thought the Percy Jackson series and Divergent both did a good job balancing romance and action. I haven’t tried any of the others on your list, but I’m interested in all of them. Thanks for your great recommendations!
Mari
Urban Fantasy
There are a lot of books in this genre that came out that were just no good and put me off of it for awhile. However, I do still really enjoy it, especially Kelly Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series. Be sure to read in order and begin with Bitten. Also, SyFy channel will have a tv show based on the series very soon!
DoingDewey
It’s certainly a genre that can get a bad rap, but I’ve enjoyed what little Urban Fantasy I’ve read (the Dresden Files and the Raine Benares series). I love book to screen adaptations so I’ll probably try to get to Bitten soon. Thanks for the great recommendation!
Lourdes @ Unbound Books
I would say my favorite genre is historical fiction and the last great book I read in the genre would have to be Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein.
DoingDewey
I haven’t gotten to Code Name Verity yet, but I’ve heard such good things about, I’d definitely like to. Thanks for sharing your recommendation 🙂
Katelynn @ Unlucky Primes
Interestingly, I was having a conversation with my sister just this afternoon about fantasy books. I love em, she’s not sure they’re her thing. We were talking about George RR Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series and pretty much agreed that they would NOT be a starting point!
So, that got me thinking. What WOULD I recommend to someone looking to start out in the fantasy genre? (This challenge is perfectly timed!)
High up on my list would be David Edding’s “Belgariad” series, starting with “Pawn of Prophecy”. The writing isn’t overly complex, but it still carries all the tell-tale markers of high fantasy without becoming overwhelming. And plus, the cast of characters are impossible to not get attached to.
I really enjoyed Leigh Bardugo’s “Shadow and Bone” last year, for a YA fantasy pick. I need to get my hands on “Siege and Storm”!
DoingDewey
I agree that something a bit less complex that Martin’s series would definitely be a better place to start. I know my boyfriend is often put off by the number of new words and unusual names introduced in high fantasy (although he did recently love The Way of Kings – yay!). I haven’t gotten to Shadow and Bone yet, but it’s on my to-read list. Thanks for sharing your recommendations 🙂
Sarah
Truthfully, it is to hard for me to choose! I’ve grown up reading high fantasy and moved to science fiction naturally as I aged. I found paranormal in high school honestly it’s a war of the genre’s in my library!
Sitting down there trying to pick I gave up and I’ll instead recommend one from each genre!
For a great fantasy novel I would recommend The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. It’s huge and daunting but I haven’t been so excited to pre-order a sequel in years as I was yesterday when I ordered my (signed! OMG!) copy of the second one.
For science fiction I’d say Wool by Hugh Howey. This was a indie series that was eventually published all in one omnibus under the name Wool. I’ve been buying it for everyone I love it so much.
The final, and strange choice for Paranormal is the Monster Hunter series (starting with International) by Larry Correia. These are hysterical and action packed. I laughed till I cried a little at some of these books when I first read the series. Rumor has it that his newest series is even better, but I have yet to confirm!
DoingDewey
It is hard to choose a favorite genre! Thanks for sharing your recommendations in some of your favorites 🙂
Tara @ Tales of a Book Addict
My favorite genre is mystery/thriller/suspense. So where would I suggest you start?
Along Came a Spider by James Patterson (first in the Alex Cross series)
The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon
The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen (first in the Rizzoli/Isles series)
I know that I’ve probably raised some eyebrows by including James Patterson on this list, but in all honesty his early Alex Cross series books are by far the best (my personal fave in the series is “Violets are Blue”) The more recent installments are just “eh” for me, but those first 10 or so – awesome! Also the Rizzoli and Isles book series is nothing like the TV show, so be forewarned before going into the books. Jennifer McMahon is a new find for me, but I’ve enjoyed her so far. And “The Lincoln Lawyer” was really a great book; if you’ve seen the movie, it stayed relatively true to the book.
I’m sure I could come up with some better selections, but those were just the first few that popped into my head.
DoingDewey
I definitely believe that James Patterson’s books might have started out better. It seems like a lot of prolific authors risk becoming formulaic. I haven’t read The Lincoln Lawyer, but I’d love to read it and then watch the movie. Thanks for sharing your recommendations 🙂
Cataluna6
I’m reading a lot of Historical Fiction at the moment, I really enjoyed ‘Caleb’s Crossing’ and ‘Year of Wonders’ by Geraldine Brooks. The Cousins’ War series by Phillipa Gregory is amazing!
‘The White Queen’, ‘The Red Queen’, ‘The Lady of the Rivers’, ‘The Kingmaker’s Daughter’, The White Princess’, ‘The Last Rose’ (although I haven’t read the last three yet).
I also enjoyed ‘The Secret River’ by Kate Grenville, I haven’t read a great deal of boks involving Australian history, I tend to read more about the UK. Although one more about Australia that I have read is ‘The Spotted Skin’ by Rowena Ivers. I read this a long time ago, but it was brilliant, all about a leper colony in the Northern Territory.
In YA, Nalina mentioned a duology my Mary Hooper, ‘The Fever and the Flame’: ‘At the Sign of the Sugared Plum’ and ‘Petals in the Ashes’ by Mary Hooper. Which I loved – side note her contempory stuff is fantastic as well.
DoingDewey
I’ve been reading more historical fiction lately too, although I haven’t gotten to anything by Philippa Gregory yet. Definitely an oversight I need to fix! I’v heard good things about kate Grenville as well, I think. Thanks for sharing some great recommendations 🙂
Julie
I think my favorite genre is Urban Fantasy and I usually read YA Urban Fantasy. This genre is full of books that take place in contemporary/real world settings rather than an imaginary/created world. Even though I love high fantasy it can be really complex and confusing. When I’m craving something a little easier and more relaxing, I usually pick up something Urban Fantasy. You still get fantastical elements while being rooted in a world that is familiar.
I recommend:
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stievater
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lani Taylor
These are two of my favorites from this genre and of last year!
DoingDewey
I think you make a great point about urban fantasy often being a bit easier to follow. You aren’t quite so out of your depth as a reader because the story contains more familiar elements in addition to the more fantastical ones. Thanks for sharing you recommendations 🙂
Dylan
My favourite genre is defiantly supernatural YA. I specifically like when in ties in the supernatural element(s) into our current world! Books like The Mortal Instruments and Maximum Ride are great representations of exactly what I’m taking about!
DoingDewey
I’ve never heard of Maximum Ride, but I also like YA with supernatural elements, so I’ll be sure to look it up. Thanks for the great recommendations 🙂
Abbi Hart
Here’s my answer:
http://writingchristiannovels.blogspot.com/2014/01/bout-of-books-90-day-3-challenge.html
DoingDewey
I’ve been enjoying books about WWII as well and am currently reading some non-fiction about that time period (The Monuments Men). Thanks for sharing your recommendations 🙂
Marta - the polish reader
I’d love to introduce everyone to “Across the Universe” by Beth Revis and it’s genre is Science fiction/Young adult/dystopian. It takes part in space on spaceship Godspeed that was supposed to take humans to the new planet. Of course – shit turns up and main character are in the middle of solving a crime and dealing with their weaknesses. This series keeps me in tense all the time and as I’m not a fan of criminal stories – in combination with SCI-FI – I LOVE IT!! I already encountered at another book like this and it’s “Glow” by Amy Kathleen Ryan and I’m looking very forward to read it!
DoingDewey
I’ve heard so many rave reviews for Across the Universe, I know I need to get around to reading it. I’ve not heard of Glow, but I’ll definitely look it up. Thanks for the great recommendations!
Becca
Here is my blogpost: http://bookishlybecca.blogspot.ca/2014/01/bout-of-books-90-day-3-update.html
It’s my general update for Day 3, so you’ll have to scroll down a bit to read my challenge answer. (Though I’d really appreciate it if you read the entire post! <3)
DoingDewey
The Harry Potter series is such a great recommendation. I think it would be a pretty easy way for someone to ease into fantasy, since it’s pretty similar to our world and it’s also a pretty easy read. Thanks for sharing your recommendations 🙂
Jacklin Updegraft
Here is my post for the challenge! This was such a fun idea! I really enjoyed doing this!
http://musicequalslife22.blogspot.com/2014/01/bout-of-books-90-introduce-someone-to.html
DoingDewey
I think picking YA is a great idea and a good way to avoid picking a more specific genre. I’m sure part of the reason so many people like YA is because you can find something that would fit nearly any adult genre as well as many fun genre mash ups. Thanks for sharing your recommendations 🙂
Andrea Rose
As much as I adore dystopian, I’ve got to say my favorite genre (which may not really be a genre) is like a mash up between contemporary and teen issues. You know, books about eating disorders, rape, drugs, abuse, murder, kidnapping, cancer & illnesses, LGBT, human trafficking, etc. Some people think those kinds of books are sickening, but they help bring light to the big issues in our generation. And, ofcourse, they usually make me feel all ‘the feels’! Some examples would be ALL of Ellen Hopkins books (she specifically writes about teen issues), “Letting Ana Go” by Anonymous (and all the other Anonymously written books, as well), “Before I Die” by Jenny Downham, “Cut” by Patricia McCormick, and “If You Find Me” by Emily Murdoch.
DoingDewey
These are actually some of my least favorite books because they have so much potential to make me sad. My little sister loves them though and I’m going to be trying out some of her recommendations as part of the Mental Illness Advocacy challenge this year. I agree that they’re a great way to talk about important issues so I also think it would be good for me to push my boundaries a bit more in terms of this genre. Thanks for your recommendations!
kai charles (Fiction State of Mind)
Here is mine on graphic novels
http://fictionstateofmind.blogspot.com/2014/01/bout-of-books-mini-challenge-page.html?spref=tw
DoingDewey
Great post! I love how you have something for everyone. I’m a big fan of fairy tale retellings and have heard wonderful things about Fable, so perhaps I’ll pick that up for a genre challenge this year. Thanks for your recommendations 🙂
Whytnee
I did a blog post about it, and I chose Dystopian because I’m addicted at the moment 🙂 🙂
http://booksarelovex3.blogspot.com/2014/01/introduce-someone-to-your-favorite.html
DoingDewey
I’ve really been enjoying dystopian lately too 🙂 Thanks for your great recommendations!
Pamela D
SF: Leviathan Wakes by James SA Corey – This is an epic SF adventure. Every chapter ends on a cliffhanger.
DoingDewey
I really enjoyed Leviathan Wakes. In addition to being awesome sci fi, I enjoyed the bits that were about battles and the bits that felt like a police procedural. I think it could be a really fun introduction to the genre! Thanks for sharing your recommendation 🙂
cara p
I’m on a Russian lit kick right now, so that’s what I’m going with.
The Master and Margarita (Bulgakov): Magical realism before it was a genre. The devil arrives in Soviet Russia and hijinks ensue.
Notes from Underground (Dostoevsky): Sure, I should say Crime and Punishment. But this book is much shorter. It’s really really short. And heavy on the melodrama, so you’ll still get the idea.
Invitation to a Beheading (Nabokov): It’s haunting and weird. And short.
(Okay, let’s be real. You should really read some Tolstoy. But his novels are so long.)
DoingDewey
I love how specific this genre is! I honestly hated Crime and Punishment because all I took away from it was that horrible dream with the horse. However, I adored Anna Karenina, so I’d be up for trying some more Russian lit 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
Christina @ You Book Me All Night Long
I know it’s not really a “genre,” per se, but lately I’ve been really interested in books about World War II. Some of my favorites are:
– The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows — A charming epistolary novel that manages to be a “feel-good” story despite being set on the German-occupied island of Guernsey. This is honestly one of my all-time favorite books!
– Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein — An emotionally wrenching story of friendship and courage, with two amazing female protagonists and a lot of historical background about women pilots during WWII. I sobbed through the last 60 or so pages, but it’s definitely worth reading!
– Blackout and All Clear by Connie Willis — A meticulously researched WWII novel focusing on London during the Blitz. There’s also a time-travel element, for you science fiction fans! The story is very long and the pacing is quite slow, but that just gives the setting plenty of time to shine. 🙂
Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory by Ben Macintyre — A nonfiction book that reads like a novel. It’s about a real spy mission in which the Allies spread misinformation by planting false documents on a corpse dressed in a British uniform.
Elisa @ Leopards and Dragons
I read Blackout and All Clear when they came out because Connie Willis has written some of my favorite books but I have to tell you these books *were not* meticulously researched. There are huge errors in them and it made me nuts. If you don’t don’t anything about London, it will probably work fine for you but if you have ever been there, or live in the UK, these books are pure torture. The Jubilee Line was built for the Queen Elizabeth II’s 1977 Silver Jubilee and opened in 1979! Every time it was mentioned in the book it jerked me out of the story. The characters kept getting frantic about catching the tube to get between two places that it would be easier and faster to just walk! These errors (and several other historical ones that would take too long to explain about) seriously detracted my enjoyment to the point that I practically hated these books by the end of the second.
Christina @ You Book Me All Night Long
Well, I’m not very familiar with London, so those errors didn’t bother me. Plus, maybe they couldn’t walk certain routes because they knew those roads would be bombed? And of course the characters would know about the Jubilee Line because they were coming from the future, even though it hadn’t been built yet in the ’40s. Eh, I’m obviously just making excuses because I liked the books. 🙂 But it’s good to know that people more familiar with London would catch some inaccuracies!
DoingDewey
It’s close enough to a genre for me 🙂 I’ve not read any of these but I’ve heard good things about a lot of them. You also had my attention at “meticulously researched” and narrative nonfiction! Those are some of my favorites sorts of books. Thanks for sharing your great recommendations!
carap99
These sound really interesting!
Louisa
As many of friends will admit, I will read anything and everything at least once. I feel like every genre, every book, every story, and every author should be given at least one opportunity to entertain me and persuade me to read more.
Also, I tend to read one genre for several weeks or months before moving on to something new. I went through a phase of reading only steampunk romance for almost 2 months. Then, I went through a phase of reading only Jane Austen books and various adaptations of her work (modern version, imagined sequel, paranormal Jane Austen, etc)…that lasted for about 6 months. Then, I had a stint only reading Downton Abbey-esque books (historical romance from the early twentieth century).
However, my most absolute favorite genre to read no matter what is historical mystery/suspense. I love reading about the past and adding mystery and suspense just keeps me coming back for more. Within this genre my tastes vary from the light-hearted quirky side, such as Her Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen to the dark gothic undertones of The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. These books embody what I love most about this genre. The female heroines are loveable and I can relate to some part of them even though they lived in a time I will never know. These tales are always thought-provoking, gripping, and romantic (sometimes tragically). No matter what, I know I can pick up a book from this genre, read it, and take away something new (whether it be details from that time period, insights into the human psyche, or just a greater appreciation for all of the progress that has been made in regards to women’s rights).
If you are interested in anything I reading, please check out my blog Louisa’s Living Library.
P.S. I am new to blogging so if you have any tips or advice, please share! Thanks!
DoingDewey
I agree completely that every genre deserves a chance 🙂 I love trying to read more widely and that’s part of why I was so excited to host this challenge. It’s actually brought to my attention a number of genres I haven’t given much of a chance, particularly horror and christian fiction. I haven’t read many historical mysteries either, but it sounds like an interesting genre. Thanks for sharing your recommendations and welcome to book blogging!
Lori
I recommended some of my favorite YA sci-fi books here: http://www.writingmyownfairytale.com/2014/01/05/bout-of-books-9-0-goals-and-updates/. Thanks for the fun challenge and the giveaway!
DoingDewey
I’ve actually only read The Hunger Games out of your recommended books but the others are all ones I’ve heard great things about. Thanks for sharing your recommendations 🙂
Jennifer @ A Librarian's Library
Okay, so my genre would be Middle Grade/YA crossover, because there are so many great books in the MG genre that get overlooked. A couple of great cross-overs would be See You At Harry’s by Jo Knowles, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi, A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff, and Destiny, Rewritten by Kathryn Fitzmaurice. They are all just fantastic but tend to get overlooked because they are MG and not YA. But they have just as much depth as YA does!
DoingDewey
Oh, I loved The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle when I was younger. While I read a lot of YA, I think it’s mostly at the older end and doesn’t include much that could be considered middle grade. Your list of books has made me want to go back and revisit some of my favorites though 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
Deb Atwood
Hi everyone,
I had fun with this one! I’m excited about my genre and excited to read what others wrote. Here is my link: http://peninherhand.com/bout-books-challenge-introduction/
DoingDewey
Wow, I’m excited about your genre too! I used to avoid more realistic books and as a result, I’ve only recently discovered that I love women’s fiction. Your selection of women’s fiction with paranormal elements sounds completely awesome. Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
Melissa
I LOVE coming-of-age novels — they can be sci-fi, historical, or contemporary — I love to read about the transition from childhood to adulthood. That moment when it all changes.
A few of my favorites that I think would make a great intro to the genre:
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
DoingDewey
What a great type of story! I loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and would love to try some of these others, especially The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Tell the Wolves I’m Home. Thanks for sharing your recommendations 🙂
p7 @ Bookeater/Booklover
Here’s a link to my answer:
http://p7-books.blogspot.pt/2014/01/bout-of-books-90-read-thon-wednesday.html
What a fun challenge… I had a great time trying to answer this. 😉 Thank you for hosting! 😀
DoingDewey
I’m glad you had fun with the challenge! Recommending books has always been one of my favorite parts of blogging. Thanks for joining in!
Megan
Here’s my post: http://isleofbooks.blogspot.com/2014/01/bout-of-books-90-introduce-someone-to.html
DoingDewey
All of historical fiction series you shared look interesting! Plus, comparing someone to Jane Austen is sure to catch my attention 🙂 Thanks for the great recommendations.
Heather
My favorite genre is fantasy and I recommend the Mistborn books by Brandon Sanderson to almost everyone I talk to. The first book is Mistborn: The Final Empire. It is a chunkster which might put some people off, but it it well written with great characters, strong worldbuilding, and the coolest magic system ever. Also, while it has a society based on fuedalism, it is not the typical quasi-medieval European setting that a lot of fantasy books have and there is a female protaganist which is a little harder to come by in epic fantasy.
DoingDewey
I’m currently about half way through an audiobook of The Way of Kings and I’ve read enough to believe you completely about how awesome Mistborn is. I’m so impressed by the creative world building! And like Mistborn, one of the protagonists is female, which I agree is a bit harder to find in epic fantasy. Thanks for the recommendation!
An Nghiem
Here you go! Just click my blog right here~ Much love! 😀
DoingDewey
Thanks for sharing your recommendations 🙂