Feb 20, 2013

New Authors and Different Genres - Annie West

I told myself that 2013 would be the year I read more. During 2012 I found myself caught up in so many things that didn't really leave me time for reading. It sounds terrible, and it was, especially as I firmly believe that losing myself  in other people's fictional worlds is a terrific way to 'fill the well' and keep fresh as an author. Besides, there's the fact that reading is and always has been my favourite pastime! So just before Christmas I made sure to tell my family about some of the books I'd like to try by new-to-me authors. I'd heard about their books and they'd struck a chord. I'd been meaning to try them, in one case for several years, in the other for just eighteen months. I told you my reading had been disrupted!

Since then I've been fitting in more reading (though my to be read pile is still teetering). As well as romances by some fabulous authors, I've been delving into crime and mystery and having such a lovely time. I'm sure part of the reason is that in each case I'm taken to a completely different world and get to lose myself there. The Boris Akunin books are fantastic fun for lovers of history and old stories. It's years since I read Tolstoy but opening these modern mysteries I felt transported back to a fascinating nineteenth century world. They feature European empires complete with sabre-wielding soldiers, intricate political plots, devilishly complicated spy rings and the occasional mythically alluring femme fatale.

In the first book, The Winter Queen, it was fun to read about a detective who was young, inexperienced and, despite his intellect, gullible. These days I find myself sighing a little over the predictability of stories where the detective is inevitably overweight, middle-aged and cynical. So reading about Erast Fandorin's adventures in Russia, London and the Balkans has been something completely different.

I've also been reading some contemporary mysteries but again, in a world very different to my own. In 2011 I spent a wonderful holiday in the Perigord region of France (south west of Paris, around the Dordogne River). While waiting all day for a connection at Orly airport I picked up an English language paper and read a review of a book, in English, about a small town policeman in the Perigord and it sounded intriguing.

This new year I've been delving into a series of books set in the gorgeous countryside of France. The books are full of food as well as mysteries and fascinating characters. For me, eager to get back to that lovely area, it's a way of vicariously visiting without leaving home, and trying to guess the story behind the mystery as well. I don't know whether branching out so much from romance will have any effect on my writing (no, I'm not planning to include a murder in my next book) but it's a treat trying new authors and visiting new worlds.

How about you? Do you stick to one genre or do you read across lots? Perhaps you like a variety of romance styles. Have you picked up a new author recently and got hooked?

20 comments:

  1. Hi Annie! Your reading books all sound very interesting. I like to read books from other genres, but I wish I had more time to do it! I'm a member of a book club and we share lots of books around, so it's interesting to read recommendations from other people. I read 'Me Before You' by JoJo Moyes and loved it, also ROOM by Emma Donoghue, both moved me enormously. I'd like to read a few more mysteries too. Oh, for more hours in the day!

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  2. Louisa, I know exactly what you mean about wishing for more hours in the day. One of the reasons I wrote this piece is that it's been so unusual for me to read so much out of my genre in such a short time (especially when it's been a rather busy new year). I haven't read either of the books you mention - maybe a book club would be a good way to broaden my horizons! I'm wondering what I'd do with more hours in the day - whether I'd actually read or whether the time would go on all those other things that need doing.

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  3. Annie, what a great post. Both those series sound wonderful - I'll have to give them a go. As you know, I too have been on a mystery kick for the last two years or so. Prior to that, I think my mystery reading went back to a P.D. James kick in the 90s. I've picked up some fantastic series - I find I have a penchant for historical mysteries (your Russian guy sounds like exactly my samovar!). Loving the C.S. Harris books, Carola Dunn's Daisy Dalrymples, Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs, and a new Aussie author called Felicity Young who writes books set in the Suffragette era in London. The first one, A DISSECTION OF MURDER, was great. Looking forward to the next one in May!

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  4. Annie, what a lovely list of recommendations! I have a couple of non-romances on my TBR pile - Dawn French's Oh Dear Silvia, and JK Rowling's A Casual Vacancy.

    Also (even though they're still romances), I have some Rita books in sub-genres I don't normally read, and that's been heaps of fun too.

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  5. Annie, it sounds as if you've enjoyed all of your recent reading! I read across genres too, but it's in a haphazard kind of way. I have to say that my book group has certainly extended my horizons recently. I've found both Kazuo Ishiguro's "Never Let Me Go" and Andrew Davidson's "The Gargoyle" particularly haunting.

    p.s. Love those Boris Akunin covers!

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  6. Anna, what a collection of reads! The suffragette era London books sound intriguing and I love the Carola Dunn's.

    I know you're a non fiction fan too and I've got a book on life in 14th century England I've been reading that's fascinating and probably one of the easiest 'history' reads ever.

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  7. Rachel, they sound interesting. I've never read anything by Dawn French. I wonder if she's as funny in writing? Like you I really enjoy getting my package of RITA reads as I get to discover new authors and usually in sub genres I don't read so often. There's nothing like a little variety, is there?

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  8. Hi Michelle, you're proof that maybe a book group is the way to go. I haven't read either of those books. I find I love to binge on romance and then look up and there are lots of books out there I've never heard of before. Most of the time it seems too much effort to pursue them when I could just read another romance.

    Aren't the Boris Akunin covers lovely? Such fun!

    The other 'different' reading I do is to browse magazines when I'm waiting for appointments. I don't buy them so it's a real treat to delve in the glossy pages in waiting rooms for something completely different.

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  9. Annie, I love to read a wide range of genres, not just romance. My all time favourite is suspense, but there are so many amazing books out there that I'll never have time to read everything I want to.

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  10. I'm reading across more genres now thanks to my daughter. She has steered me in the direction of authors she loves. She reads a LOT of Historical Fantasy.

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  11. Hi Annie, that was exactly my NYR too, to read different genres and I've done so already, I have read paranormals and the like this year. Never really been a fan, didnt not like it, just didnt feel the need. I am happy to report I've read some fantastic stories and am looking forward to getting back into maybe the Stephen King old school type horrors :)

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  12. Sue, I agree. But it's rather nice thinking there are too many to keep up with, rather than fearing there aren't enough to keep you satisfied.

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  13. Hi Mary, I love it when my family members recommend new books - a great way to discover great authors. I'm not sure I've read much historical fantasy.

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  14. Snap, Tash! I hope you enjoy your year of wider reading in 2013. It's always good to look forward to new books!

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  15. I read anything as long as I like it, historical romance, contemporary romance, supernatural, anything with an interesting story and a guy to die for (can be gay as well, no issues). Latest craze is series and I have been told to read chronological and I have to admit, sometimes it does help :)

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  16. Hi Fluser, it sounds like you've got wide reading tastes! I agree about reading a series chronologically. It helps me keep track of the characters, that's for sure.

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  17. Annie, I *love* mysteries, or love stories, that use history as a backdrop, and which ultimately drives the plot. Have you read The Bronze Horseman? Must find some Boris books =)
    Michelle, I love the sound of The Gargoyle!
    Rachel, I'll be interested to hear what you think of JKs new one.
    And Tash, one of my goals this year is to read what I haven't of Stephen-wonderful-King. At the moment, I'm reading The Green Mile. Saw the movie, of course, and I keep seeing Tom Hanks as I devour the pages. The voice is just superb.

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  18. Hi Robyn, I love stories with an interesting historical background too. I remember as a teenager getting hooked on stories set in Russia and central Europe that seemed so very exotic. Can I confess that I've never read Stephen King? Horror isn't something I'm so keen on in film so I avoid it in books too. I wonder if it may be time for me to branch out.

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  19. Robbie, The Gargoyle is a harrowing read at the beginning -- some horrific descriptions of burn injuries and its treatment (don't read it, Rach, it'll give you nightmares). But I thought it the most amazing love story. I have to get my own copy (I'd borrowed it from the library) so I can reread it.

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  20. Michelle, it sounds like the sort of story I'd like to have read - not one I'm eager to read, but if it's so good you had to get your own copy then maybe I should.

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