Normally for Friday Fiction I would put up a book review but today I will be doing something different.
This past month has been a rough month. I have been dealing with dental pain and thankfully the tooth will be removed early Feb. Then on Christmas night we had a fire in a business a block up the road. I saw the smoke out my lounge window, (I can see the place from my front yard). It is a motorcycle and lawn mower business, which meant lots of toxic fumes. No one was hurt and thankfully it didn’t spread, thanks to the Country Fire Service, but it was traumatic for many neighbours. I was still hoping to read a book this week, but felt physically and emotionally drained. Instead, I am looking back on the year and what I have learnt.
What I have Learned
Number one:
It’s okay not to finish a book. I read Christian Fiction (CF) and a few devotionals. This year I have had several books I didn’t finish for several reasons. Life is too short to be reading something I am not liking or connecting with. It doesn’t mean the book isn’t good, it just means it’s not the right book for me. There are different reasons including not connecting, language in a CF book, the subject is triggering for me and being confused by the story. It doesn’t mean I won’t go back at a different time to read them, but sometimes a book I struggle with stops me reading for a while.
Number two
It is okay not to like every genre. I was requested to remove a comment that I didn’t read a particular genre. The author told me it made them want to stop writing. At the time I did remove the comment but thinking on it most people know what I do and don’t like to read. Not liking a genre isn’t going to affect an author’s sales as I would never buy that book anyway and to infer I was the reason they would give up writing is unfair. I have favourite authors, but I don’t buy or read every book they write, and they are okay with that.
Often the reason is time and cost. I average around 3 – 4 books in a good month. Some months zero like this month and some months only 1. I think this year I read around 34 fiction books, with many being novellas. This averages out to less than 3 a month. This means with authors publishing monthly, I find it extremely hard to keep up with their books. I also find books over 250 pages a struggle so tend to choose shorter length books.
Number three
This year I have learned cozy mystery is my new favourite genre. While I have always liked mysteries, but this year have read more. I include the private investigator (PI) light suspense in this category. Agatha Christie was a favourite author when younger and many of the cozy mysteries follow her formula.
This year I have read several genres and authors who are new to me. Several I enjoyed and will read more of. I read a split time book which dealt with time travel and would say it is up there with my favourite books of the year. Every time I have déjà vu, I think of this book. I have read royalty romances set off the coast of Africa.
Number four
I have learned to read what I want to read and not feel bad that my TBR pile would keep me reading for another say 500+ years. I hope to get back to reading in the new year and bring you some more reviews.
Number five
Ok this one is one many will disagree with, but I stick by it. I have concluded I really do not like Mr Darcy and the constant references to him and Jane Austin in books. This year so many books I read made reference him or Jane Austin. In at least one it made no sense as to why it was in the book. It came out of left field. I don’t understand how people see him as a current day hero but, again this is my opinion and I know everyone is different.
Hi, Jenny. I’m praying that the remainder of 2022 is less stressful. I smiled at point 4. A TBR pile that would last 500 years gives you a lot of choice for the next book.
Thanks Chrissy. I think it will be less stressful. I may have slightly exaggerated but I have lots of books in both bookcase and kindle unread. I have actually sold or given away ones I know I will never get to. Many to the church library.
Jenny, I can promise you that you will never find a reference to Mr. Darcy in one of my Roman-era novels. Never.
Nero and Pontius Pilate…maybe, but not as someone you’d consider a hero.
Darcy started out as a jerk, but he turned into a reasonably nice guy. But 10,000 pounds a year can make up for a lot of defects, I guess. That would be 796,000 GBP today.
Hi Carol. If I did it would have to be due to time travel or time slip. Most of the books the heroine wants a Mr Darcy hero. Part of the problem for me is I don’t like regency (and am not ashamed to say it). If the books don’t have the ton in it then it maybe different as I do like naval books like Kaye Darcus (hers were in the era but had a naval focus). Hey I didn’t even like Downton Abbey which I know isn’t in the Regency era but its that class system.
I have to admit I couldn’t bring myself to watch the whole movie. I didn’t like the bits I saw so never finished the movie either. (I learnt from watching all of Gone With The Wind which I also didn’t like). But I would be happy with the money he is making. thats over 1 million Aussie.
I do enjoy good Regency fiction a lot, and Pride and Prejudice is one of my all-time favorite books. But in real life I prefer people who do something useful. The ton, with its contempt for anyone who made their money in “business” (hear the sneer?) and judged a person’s value using how they tied their cravat, pretty well fits the “useless” category.
One of my characters in Honor Bound is talking to a couple of 18-year-old sons of Roman senators. “Some of us can prove our worth. For other men, you can only take their word, if you trust it. A man who sets his own value by that of his ancestors…perhaps he’ll be worth something someday.”
But as I checked the spelling of cravat, I did find this very cool link on how to tie the different regency styles. https://www.historicaldesignsclothing.com/how-to-tie-a-cravat.html
To each their own. I can’t finish a cosy mystery, lose interest quickly with those. But I do love a good regency! But that’s okay. It means there are lots of different books for everyone to read.
I have learned this year that I read less historical romance then I thought. I say it is my favourite genre, but I read very little of it. But I also learned why. Because it’s my favourite, I’m pickier with it. It has to be a really good historical romance for me to read and recommend it. I end up reading more contemporary because I’m more willing to be lenient with them.
I agree every one likes different things. Historical use to be my favourite too but have read less also. I go in cycles where I like some genres then need a break. I am like that in movies too.
Hey Jenny,
Would you mind naming the “split time book which dealt with time travel ” you mentioned? It sounds like something I might like to read. I do like a good time travel novel.
I’m not into regency either, or romance (and I have no qualms about saying that). Wouldn’t the world be rather boring if we all liked the same things? I love crime fiction and might have a go at writing it one day. I’m reading through Elly Griffith’s Dr Ruth Galloway mysteries at the moment.
I hope you have a wonderful rest over summer Jenny, putting your feet up and wading through your TBR pile!
Hi Suzie the book is The Time Rift by Liwen Ho and David Ho. I did a review one here if you look at book reviews you should find it.
I agree we need people liking different genres.
Thanks I actually walked past where the fire is and can see why I still smell the smoke. I can also see several of the trees on the fence line were burnt. It is a multimillion dollar fire and if the wind had have been worse the car lot the other side would have been in danger. I have heard several of the cars had to be moved to protect them. Hopefully will get some reading done in the new year.
Thanks Jenny, I’ve saved that one on my Goodreads want-to-read list :o)
Hi, Jenny, Bob is a cricket fan and every time Boxing Day cricket comes on I think of you! I remember your visit with us in Ballarat and when we took you to Sovereign Hill on one of your ‘cricket visits’ to Melbourne. It was great not only to know you on FB through a couple of groups, but also to have met you.
I really enjoyed this and the honest comments you made. We have had some family issues these last few months which has affected my reading and writing times, but I have tried to make sure to always have a book and spend some time most days reading. I have quite a few on Kindle waiting for me.
Yes, I agree, if I am not really enjoying a book, sometimes I determine to finish it, but it is OK to put it aside for something else. Time is too precious. I enjoy reading the books that come up on the writing sites here by authors i have got to know through these sites.
Thanks for sharing this. Every blessing and good reading for 2023!
Thanks for commenting Heather. I remember the visit well and it was good to get to meet you.
Thanks for the encouragement. I hope you have a better 2023 too.
Well said, Jenny. I would love to be better read, but I have to balance time and cost, as you do. I feel a bit guilty that I don’t buy more of my friends’ books, because I enjoy them and want to support the authors – but don’t have a budget for that. I want to continue to read for pleasure and learning, not because I’ve foolishly put an expectation on myself. I hope everyone we know continues to write & develop as writers, and that I’ll catch up one day!
Thanks Rebekah. Some people can read fast or speed read and will read a book a day or even more. Even a shorter book normally takes me a few days. (use to read faster and up to 3 books a week). I did get a few books via Net Galley and a couple review books. and won a few. But most are books I buy on kindle. This year I have dealt with passive aggressive people both online and offline and have taken the stand to no longer be the victim. (Last night was a prime example where someone local got way to personal and I had to say sorry but its not on your business and walked away from the conversation).
I know we would love to read more and support more authors but its not always possible. But sometimes just sharing a post about an author or if they have a new book coming out share the cover reveal etc can also help them. Sometimes just an encouraging word will lift an authors spirits.