So, as you've probably guessed, I spend a lot of time in bookstores. It occurred to me recently that there several kinds of books that seem vaguely tempting but I can't get over one obstacle about them that turns me off from buying them. But these books seem to be popular, or else I just notice them more because of my issue with them, so I'm wondering if I'm missing something.
This has nothing to do with the quality of the books--I've never read one, so the writing could be fantastic for all I know. It's just my own personal hang up. So, here's my challenge, if you've read one or more of the books in these categories and highly recommend said books, please let me know which ones to try. I'm up for the experiment!
Here are the "forbidden" categories:
-Books that use Jane Austen's characters (or children of her characters) in adventures taking place before or after the novels she created them for. I'm sorry but I just don't believe that anyone can write like Jane Austen, except for, you know, her. But I'd LOVE to read a book that proves me wrong as I love almost all of J.A.'s novels.
-Books that use Jane Austen as a fictional character--typically, but not always, as a sleuth. Eesh, this one bothers me just because it makes the assumption that you can know someone well enough to write a book with that person as the main character and have it be believable. Not that there's anyone alive who could contradict it, of course. I just don't understand this, though.
-Books, usually mysteries, that revolve around some so-called feminine art. You know which ones I'm talking about, right? They have punny titles that involve cross-stitching or baking or knitting or whatever. I'm always eager to find a new amateur sleuth series, and most of them seem to have this angle built into them. It makes sense. Knitters want to read about knitting or will find it interesting to learn how someone was killed with a particular kind of knitting implement. But is there one out there that doesn't require special knowledge of said hobby to enjoy the book?
-Inspirational romance novels. These, especially with the new covers, catch me by surprise. I'll pick it up based on the cover and start reading the blurb. It'll catch my attention--main character is forced to see her old boyfriend at the high school reunion, now an FBI agent in pursuit of a serial killer, and will things be the same, and will she survive a confrontation with the killer himself?--and then the line about "her faith in God will be tested" is always thrown in there. Here's the thing, I think just about everything bad or scary that happens tests your faith, including being confronted by an ex-boyfriend you still have feelings for and a serial killer. In different ways, of course. But I don't necessarily need it to be shouted at me in this way. But, then again, I've never read the book, so I don't know. Maybe it would seem more organic, more natural, when reading the book instead of reading the back cover blurb.
So, please send me recommendations, suggestions, tell me I'm full of it for not reading these sooner. I'm curious to know what I'm missing, if anything.
Also, feel free to share books in categories you won't read. Maybe someone will make a suggestion that will open up a whole new "okay" category for you.
: )
3 comments:
I don't know any of the books in the cats your mentioning, although I was given the "Beading" mysteries, and was told they were actually quite boring, so I never read them.
One thing you said made me think of Emma Thompson's Oscar? acceptance speach where she spoke as though Jane Austin were writing in her diary about the evening. It was hysterical and wonderful, and if Emma ever wrote a story from Jane's perspective or with Jane, I would snatch it up in a heartbeat.
Oh, that last comment was me...becky
Ha, I thought that was you just by the "voice." : )
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